Fears from the past? The innate ability of dogs to detect predator scents

Abstract

Throughout the animal kingdom, antipredator mechanisms are an evolutionary driving force to enable the survival of species classified as prey. Information regarding a predator's location can be determined through chemosensory cues from urine, faeces, visual and/or acoustic signals and anal gland secretions; and in several lab and field-based studies it has been seen that these cues mediate behavioural changes within prey species. These behaviours are often linked to fear and avoidance, which will in turn increase the prey's survival rate. In many studies dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) have been used as a predator species, however, no research has addressed a dog's innate ability to detect predator scents, hence the rationale behind this study. We assessed the innate ability of the untrained domestic dog to detect faecal scents of wild Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) and European lynx (Lynx lynx). The study monitored 82 domestic dogs across the UK and Norway. The dogs were exposed to the two predator faecal scents from Eurasian brown bear and European lynx, a herbivore faecal scent of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) and water control. Measurements were taken upon the time spent within a 40 cm radius of each scent and changes in the dog's heart rate when within this 40 cm radius. We found dogs spent a decreased length of time around the predator scents and had an increased heart rate in relation to their basal heart rate. We conclude that dogs can innately sense predator scents of brown bear and lynx and elicit fear towards these odours, as shown through behavioural and physiological changes.Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Conspecific recognition of pedal scent in domestic dogs

“…Dogs consisted of a mix of breeds of varying body sizes ranging from 3 to 35 kg and averaging 23.1 kg (SD = 7.7 kg). Dogs were recruited from a pool of participants from a previous study 53 as well as from announcements on social media. All dogs resided within Vestfold and Telemark County, Norway with 40 in Bø and eight in neighbouring towns.…”

The Neurobiology of Behavior and Its Applicability for Animal Welfare: A Review

“…Dogs exposed to the smell of bears spent less time within the scent and their heart rate increased about 30% above baseline. Therefore, this reaction to odors may have an influence in the degree of activation of emergence systems (such as the autonomic nervous system) [ 118 ], and recent therapeutic options use pheromones to reduce stress-related behaviors in companion or shelter dogs [ 119 ].…”

Canine Olfaction: Physiology, Behavior, and Possibilities for Practical Applications

“…What is interesting is that this behavioral reaction towards the secretions of potentially dangerous individuals can be identified spontaneously, in the absence of a previous bad experience. Samuel et al [ 192 ] mentioned that although chemical cues (such as urine, feces, fur, and anal gland secretions) usually cause modification of animal behavior as an experience-based reaction, interspecific reactions enabling prey to detect adverse cues from predators that they have never previously been in contact with have been documented. It is worth mentioning that in this case, the observed behavioral parameter is not increased interest (expressed by longer sniffing time) but rather avoidance behavior of the area marked with a particular odor.…”

“…Many different physiological and behavioral parameters used to be included when evaluating the influence of the various chemical signals on the signal-receiver’s behavior. In dogs, the most common parameter, after adopting a specific learned body position or vocalization (e.g., detection of explosive materials, drugs, and samples containing cancer tissue), is sniffing time [ 191 , 192 , 193 ]. Heart rate or blood flow in particular organs can also be used as markers of chemical signal detection, especially in the case of subconscious responses, such as those with pheromones or predator scent detection [ 152 , 192 ].…”

“…In dogs, the most common parameter, after adopting a specific learned body position or vocalization (e.g., detection of explosive materials, drugs, and samples containing cancer tissue), is sniffing time [ 191 , 192 , 193 ]. Heart rate or blood flow in particular organs can also be used as markers of chemical signal detection, especially in the case of subconscious responses, such as those with pheromones or predator scent detection [ 152 , 192 ]. Since behavioral reactions are very often ambiguous and difficult to interpret, new methods to evaluate the impact of odors on the chemical signal-receiver are still being proposed.…”