From: IN%"arion@dialatlanta.com" "Chris Redenbach" 2-JAN-1997 10:23:31.01 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Intro to list members Dear ethologists, I am pleased to join your list. My name is Christy Redenbach. I have worked with dogs and their owners for some 20 years. During that time, I have become self-taught in the basic principles of ethology as well as reinforcement principles. For the last 10 years I have been developing new "training" strategies that are more harmonious with the "umwelt" of the dog and techniques for teaching this to the dog's owner. My academic background is in languages, linguistics and philosophy. I am excited by the work being done in animal cognition and social behavior. I hope to be exposed to much thought provoking and practical information on this list, and maybe get some "sparks" of intuition relating to what I am doing. Sincerely Christy Redenbach From: IN%"lynnfrances@msn.com" "lynn crook" 3-JAN-1997 12:49:31.09 To: IN%"Applied-Ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: hello I am from England and have always had an interest in all kinds of animal (and human) behaviour.( Hero from childhood-------Konrad Lorenz) I have 8 dogs of mixed breeds who live together in more or less harmony! They all compete or have competed at agility and have fairly basic obedience training. I teach severely disabled children, autistic, Downs syndrome etc. This involves a lot of intense work with their behaviour, in order to bring them into line with the rest of mankind. There are times when I question this--------should all beings conform to the wishes of the majority? If it causes no harm does it matter if a child or an animal lives in its own world? Is a brain "damaged" simply because it functions differently from the rest of its kind? In a way, what IS natural. Hoping to provoke discussion Lynn From: IN%"shrewbib@sorex.vienna.at" 4-JAN-1997 15:24:28.52 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: refection in insectivores Dear colleagues, We (H. Hirakawa and myself) are currently occupied with writing up a review on refection (also referred to as "coprophagy" or "rectum-licking") in shrews (Soricidae, Insectivora). It would be of uttermost interest, if anyone could help us out with observations or references concerning insectivores other than Soricidae. In case you are interested in receiving a first draft of our ms, please send an e-mail. Thank you in advance, Werner ============================================================== Dr. Werner Haberl Hamburgerstr. 11 A-1050 Vienna, Austria Email: shrewbib@sorex.vienna.at URL: http://members.vienna.at/shrew (The Shrew (ist's) Site) ============================================================== From: IN%"arion@dialatlanta.com" "Chris Redenbach" 4-JAN-1997 20:32:54.38 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Canine Body Language and Social Communication Dear list members, Can anyone put me in touch with ethologists deeply informed in canine social communication either inter- or intra-species? Another's input on some observations I've made would be welcome and useful. Thank you, Chris Redenbach arion@dialatlanta.com From: IN%"yeti@bx.logicnet.ro" "yeti" 5-JAN-1997 08:50:23.37 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: To publish in Romania Dear colleagues, Now, I introduce myself to the network. I am from Bucharest/Romania and I am a former geologist. Now, I am senior editor in a publishing house and our intention is to print in 1997 and 1998 2 or 3 modern ethology works, maybe your works. If sombody have a proposal, I am here! (YETI@BX.LOGICNET.RO) Vlad T. Popescu From: IN%"aa266@cleveland.Freenet.Edu" 6-JAN-1997 17:02:25.25 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: hello Reply to message from lynnfrances@msn.com of Fri, 03 Jan > >I am from England and have always had an interest in all kinds of animal (and >human) behaviour.( Hero from childhood-------Konrad Lorenz) I have 8 dogs of >mixed breeds who live together in more or less harmony! They all compete or >have competed at agility and have fairly basic obedience training. I teach >severely disabled children, autistic, Downs syndrome etc. This involves a lot >of intense work with their behaviour, in order to bring them into line with >the rest of mankind. There are times when I question this--------should all >beings conform to the wishes of the majority? If it causes no harm does it >matter if a child or an animal lives in its own world? Is a brain "damaged" >simply because it functions differently from the rest of its kind? In a way, >what IS natural. > Hoping to provoke discussion Lynn > > To me, it is simply a matter of survival in a manner to which I would like to become accustomed. That is, for most of us, living and doing "normal" things is the easiest way to make it through. Though I do have to admit that a certain degree of perversity works well for me. Given a significantly damaged brain, it would seem to me that the thrust of therapy should not be to "normalize" the patient. Rather, it would seem to me, the attempt should be to lead these patients toward success, to the degree that the therapists' empathy can understand that for them. -- DBC (aka D.B. Cameron, DVM) Animal Behavior Clinic Middleburg Hts., OH 44130 216/826-0013 Fax: 234-3407 From: IN%"dynavet@goules.nat.fr" "xavier aubry" 8-JAN-1997 04:26:36.77 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: disruptive stimuli and positive reinforcement Dear all, I am currently trying to find information on the usefulness of randomized positive stimuli for training dogs. We all know that positive reinforcement induce better results when the stimulus is randomized. It seems to be the same with disruptive stimuli (interruption of behavioural sequences by surprise effect, like a water-spray hose for barking). It means that the dog may show habituation if the stimulus is always the same. The quality and quantity of stimuli need to be changing. Why and how ? Is there any research done on ratios, qualitative and quantitative changes in these stimuli, related to results in training ? Thank you very much for answering to this question. Do not hesitate to contact me for more explanations 'cause I am not sure to be very clear (my english is quite bad this morning !). Sincerely yours, Xavier Aubry, vet behaviorist From: IN%"rushenj@EM.AGR.CA" "Jeff Rushen" 8-JAN-1997 08:42:34.44 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: IN%"depassilleam@EM.AGR.CA", IN%"roberts@EM.AGR.CA" Subj: welfare conference in Canada FARM ANIMAL WELFARE: NEW TECHNOLOGIES, RESEARCH AND WORLD TRADE IN CANADA Symposium on Farm Animal Welfare and Behaviour organized by the Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre and the Canadian Expert Committe on Farm Animal Welfare and Behaviour, in collaboration with the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council and the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Branch Bishop's University, Centennial Theatre, Lennoxville, Quebec June 6th, 1997 PROGRAM 9:00 Opening of the day: welcome from the director of Lennoxville Centre Jean-Marc Deschenes 9:05 International trade agreements and animal welfare Daniel Burgoyne 9:45 Domestic animals' fear of humans and the effect on their welfare Jeffrey Rushen, Alison Taylor and Anne-Marie de Passille 10:25 Break 10:55 Segregated early weaning and welfare of piglets Suzanne Robert, Dan Weary and Harold Gonyou 11:35 Management of spent hens Ruth Newberry, Bruce Webster, Nora Lewis and a representative from the poultry industry 12:15 Lunch plus 10' presentation on the codes of practice (Jim Dalrymple) 13:45 Farm animal transport regulations in Canada and abroad Anne-Marie de Passille, Alain Moreau and Gordon Doonan 14h05 Farm animal transportation, health and welfare Renee Bergeron and Nora Lewis 14h30 The effects of transport on animal welfare and meat quality Shannon Scott and Al Schaefer 14:55 Break 15:25 New and emerging technologies within the livestock i ndustries and their welfare implications Joe Stookey, in collaboration with representatives from the industry (dairy, swine, poultry) and from the humane movement 16:55 Look into the future of animal welfare in Canada Frank Hurnik 17:30 Cocktail and BBQ REGISTRATION: Please contact Lorraine Isabelle by telephone (819) 565-9174 ext. 106, fax (819) 564-5507 or e-mail: ISABELLEL@EM.AGR.CA, to obtain a registration package or send her your cheque with your name and address to the Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre. Payment must be made to: La Fondation quebecoise pour la recherche en agro-foresterie. The registration fee is 60$ before May 23rd, 1997 and 75$ after that date. The symposium will be preceeded by the annual meeting of the Canadian Expert Committee on Farm Animal Welfare and Behaviour (June 5) and followed by a one-day meeting of the North-American section of the International Society of Applied Ethology (June 7). These two meetings will take place at the Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre located in Lennoxville. During the ISAE meeting, research scientists in farm animal welfare and behaviour will present their most recent research results. For more information, please contact: Drs Suzanne Robert or Anne-Marie de Passille Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada P.O. Box 90 - 2000, Route 108 East Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z3 Telephone: (819) 565-9174, Dr. S. Robert at ext.219 or Dr. A.M. de Passille at ext. 250 Fax: (819) 564-5507 E-mail: ROBERTS@EM.AGR.CA or DEPASSILLEAM@EM.AGR.CA From: IN%"kmcn@flyball.org.uk" "Kevin McNicholas" 8-JAN-1997 11:39:30.82 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca", IN%"dynavet@goules.nat.fr" "xavier aubry" CC: Subj: RE: disruptive stimuli and positive reinforcement Xavier Aubry, vet behaviorist > > > I am currently trying to find information on the usefulness of randomized > positive stimuli for training dogs. We all know that positive reinforcement > induce better results when the stimulus is randomized. It seems to be the > same with disruptive stimuli (interruption of behavioural sequences by > surprise effect, like a water-spray hose for barking). It means that the dog > may show habituation if the stimulus is always the same. The quality and > quantity of stimuli need to be changing. Why and how ? > > Is there any research done on ratios, qualitative and quantitative changes > in these stimuli, related to results in training ? > > Thank you very much for answering to this question. Do not hesitate to > contact me for more explanations 'cause I am not sure to be very clear (my > english is quite bad this morning !). I am a dog behaviour counsellor and also a competitive dog trainer/teacher. The random positive reinforcement you refer to exists in most thoughtful/ motivational dog methods. I do not know of any specific research into the subject. I would be very interested in any references you receive, or alternatively being involved in any research in the future. Regards From: IN%"102234.510@CompuServe.COM" "Sabine Van den Weghe" 8-JAN-1997 12:54:03.78 To: IN%"applied-ethology-error@sask.usask.ca" "INTERNET:applied-ethology-error@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE:Thankyou! Hallo Charlotte, I just read your thanks for those who answered regarding alternative methods of measuring Chorticosteroids. Did you perhaps safe the most helpful answers and may send a copy to me? I may start a study in future and would very much like to keep inform in that subject. Thank you very much. Sabine From: IN%"bjorn.forkman@bbsrc.ac.uk" "Bjorn Forkman" 9-JAN-1997 04:16:05.51 To: IN%"applied-ethology-error@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: disruptive stimuli and positive reinforcement Dear Xavier, This sounds very much like something which is known as the partial reinforcement extinction effect (PREE for short) which is a well known phenomenon in experimental psychology. Partial reinforcement simply means that the animal does not receive a reward/punishment every time it performs a given behaviour (or a certain signal is given). This type of schedule has been shown to increase resistence to extinction for e.g. rats. The best explanation I have heard for PREE is as follows. When an animal is rewarded/punished every now and then instead of each time it performs a given behaviour, then this makes it more difficult for the animal to detect that it is no longer receiving any reward/punishment. This will therefore result in a slower extinction, i.e. a more stable or persistent behavioural pattern. As I said PREE is a well known phenomena in experimental psychology. If you are interested I suggest you look in e.g. Staddon (1983) Adaptive behaviour and learning. Cambridge University Press., Davey (1989) Ecological learning theory. Routledge., Domjan & Burkhard (1986) The Principles of Learning and Behaviour. Brooks Cole Best of luck Bjorn bjorn.forkman@bbsrc.ac.uk From: IN%"SED1517@ed.sac.ac.uk" 9-JAN-1997 10:44:18.35 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Dog problems ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- From: "Victoria Sandilands" Organization: Scottish Agricultural College To: Applied-ethology@sask-usask.ca Date: Thu, 9 Jan 1997 16:37:26 GMT Subject: Dog problems Reply-to: SED1517@ed.sac.ac.uk Priority: normal Does anybody have any advice I can pass on to my brother about his neutered 2 year old English Bull Terrier? 'Bentley' is the image of friendliness with people, but ever since he was 6-8 months of age has been aggressive with dogs (male or female). This was why my brother had him fixed. The trouble seems to be that Bentley plays rough, and this tends to cause other dogs to snap at him which immediately stimulates Bentley to bite/fight. Desensitisation techniques are hard to implement as now he tries to fight very easily. Any ideas?? Thanks, Victoria Sandilands Animal Behaviour/Welfare student Scottish Agricultural College King's Buildings West Mains Road Edinburgh, Scotland SED1517@ed.sac.ac.uk From: IN%"bjorn.forkman@bbsrc.ac.uk" "Bjorn Forkman" 9-JAN-1997 12:14:00.78 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: disruptive stimuli and positive reinforcement Dear Xavier, This sounds very much like something which is known as the partial reinforcement extinction effect (PREE for short) which is a well known phenomenon in experimental psychology. Partial reinforcement simply means that the animal does not receive a reward/punishment every time it performs a given behaviour (or a certain signal is given). This type of schedule has been shown to increase resistence to extinction for e.g. rats. The best explanation I have heard for PREE is as follows. When an animal is rewarded/punished every now and then instead of each time it performs a given behaviour, then this makes it more difficult for the animal to detect that it is no longer receiving any reward/punishment. This will therefore result in a slower extinction, i.e. a more stable or persistent behavioural pattern. As I said PREE is a well known phenomena in experimental psychology. If you are interested I suggest you look in e.g. Staddon (1983) Adaptive behaviour and learning. Cambridge University Press., Davey (1989) Ecological learning theory. Routledge., Domjan & Burkhard (1986) The Principles of Learning and Behaviour. Brooks Cole Best of luck Bjorn bjorn.forkman@bbsrc.ac.uk From: IN%"Scanwyre@aol.com" 9-JAN-1997 17:05:36.59 To: IN%"Applied-Ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Dog problems In a message dated 1/9/97 10:47:47PM, you write: << Subj: Re: Dog problems Date: 1/9/97 10:47:47PM From: Scanwyre To: Applied-Ethology@sask-usask.ca CC: SED1517@ed.sac.uk Hello Victoria , I wish I could say that your story was something new but having 17 years of experience in breeding and showing terriers and being a veterinarian who for over 10 years has tried to help many others with similar problems to yours. Your story is not uncommon . Most terriers can not get on with dogs of the same sex once they have reached sexual maturity . (which for English Bull Terriers is around 6-10 months ) Unlike most other dog breeds most terriers are not flock animals , and usually only get along with members of the opposite sex . Bull terriers are absolutely no exception . On top of that they are extremely boisterous and violent play is very often falsely interpreted as aggression . Believe it or not for all their violent horse play they are the most loving pets for humans . I have often seen huge bull teriers at dog shows guarding a small baby in a dog cage whilst the owners were in the show ring . Unless there is something mentally wrong with a terrier (the exception being jack russels , german terriers and some of the other low legged terriers ) you couldn't find a better companion dog . However in your letter you state that this dog did not like females either - which is surprising . However there are a number of things that could be wrong . First of all when was the dog castrated ? If it was done before or around puberty and before the psyche of the male had reached maturity , castration could have the effect of maintaining the dog in a constant state of puppyhood and as stated above what you observe as agression could be just very violent play . Unluckily I have seen far too many dogs (and this goes for all breeds not just terriers ) that have been castrated too early with exactly the same result as the one you discribe in your letter . Secondly if the dog has been over pampered (in other words spoilt ) he would not be too keen to share your affections or his own space with any other dog . I have often seen some of my show dogs (especially the males ) that if we put all our attentions to this one dog they would not let other dogs share our affections . Basically they are jeloux . And then thirdly there could be some bad breeding - unluckily there are a vast number bad breeders all over the world and problems such as in breeding can lead to problems such as aggression . As the aggression started around puberty I think you will find that the above 3 would be the main possibilities . How to live with it is another problem . I am sure some of the learned vets reading this column could come up with all sorts of hormons etc to treat the animal with , but presonally I feel that very often the problem has been caused by the ignorance of the owner and misleading advice by their vet . If it is bad breeding it can be hard to deal with and depending on the severity could result at worst in having to give up . Otherwise if it is the two other reasons , learn a little bit more about the dog s natural behavioure , don't let the dog roam around off a leash - every dog it meets on it's way it will regard as an enemy and go to attack it (why do you think they used these dogs for dog fights ???) This is what they were bred for !!!!! If it's jelouxy ,there is very little you can do . Usually as it matures mentally it could be introduced to one female companion . But beleive me when I tell you that the human that surrounds him are now his family and he would much rather spend his life with you alone . While I have finished my reply to you I would like to introduce myself to the rest of the net . I am a veterinarian who has worked with small animals for many yearswhen I had my own practice in Denmark and as I mentioned above I have bred and showed wire Haired Fox Terriers and Welsh terriers for many years in Europe (Denmark (where I qualified ) , Germany , Holland , Belgium and lately in GB ) . I am now working for the department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland and am in charge of the veterinary team in one of the largest pig abattoires over here . Geraldine Ranken . Cand . Med . Vet . MRCVS . From: IN%"horikawa@iexas.med.osaka-u.ac.jp" 10-JAN-1997 00:11:50.03 To: IN%"applied-ethology-error@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: The reration of pain clinic and behavior in rodent Now I study pain-clinic with analgesic drugs after surgical operations and the realtion of pain and behavior, especially in rats and mouse. I have looked for the articles for the methods of evaluation of pain by animal behavior or the relation of pain and animal behavior on med-line with key words : post-oprative, opration, surgey, laparotomy, thracotomy, opioid, oxymorpine, pain clinic, behavior, rat, analgesia, analgesic ed. And then I have been looking into the text books of psychology, techiniques and basic experiments for the study of brain and behavior. But I have not been able to find the most suitable method of evaluation of pain by monitoring pain-associated behaviors in rodents unchallenged by accessory stimuli. So I would like to ask you the following queistions. When you have any information, please E-mail me directly. I will surmarize the information and send it to this ML. 1. What are the suitable key words for this topics ? (particularly for medline search) 2. What is the most suitable method of evaluation of pain by monitoring pain-associated behaviors in rodents unchallenged by accessory stimuli ? 3.Wuold you recommend me any textbooks, articles and infromation relevant to this study ? 4. Are there any specialists in rodents pain-clinic with analgesic drugs after surgical operations apart from Paul Flecknel in UK and Pauline Wong in USA? Thnak you. From: IN%"rr25@hermes.cam.ac.uk" 10-JAN-1997 05:12:48.12 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Dogs and children Can anyone give any advice on evaluating rescue dogs for suitability to be rehomed with families who have small children? I am on the committee of a rescue organization which has fairly stringent criteria for prospective adopters - they must have a securely fenced garden and the dog must not regularly be left unattended for more than four hours at a stretch - which mean that mothers with small children come high on our list of 'suitable with reservations'. At the moment we would only home a dog known to have previously lived safely with small children to a family where there are children under 5, and parents are told that child and dog must not ever be left together unattended. Is there any evidence that a dog who lived safely with one set of children necessarily likes children in general? Conversely, are there any reliable temperament tests for dogs who are friendly to adults, but have never had contact with children. Are there any statistics on the frequency of children getting bitten because they were allowed to tease dogs? Thanks, Rosemary Rodd (rr25@hermes.cam.ac.uk) From: IN%"vuzv1@ms.anet.cz" "Marek Spinka" 10-JAN-1997 07:35:37.69 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: ABSTRACTS ISAE 97 SENDING ADVICE Hi all you working hard on the abstracts, Allow me to publish once more the instructions for sending ISAE97 abstracts by e-mail. It includes some recent experience gained during receiving first 50 abstracts. Please send abstracts in two forms: first, as a plain DOS text included in the body of your e-mail message, explaining the unusual characters, if necessary.Avoid too long lines, since these are then truncated. Second, send it as an enclosed Word or WordPerfect file. USE SPECIFIC FILENAMES FOR YOUR ENCLOSURES/ATTACHMENT (e.g., your name) rather than filenames like "abstract" or "isae97". This is because with our mailing system, it may happen the one enclosure is overwritten by a later one which has the same name. Please send it to following 2 e-mail addresses: this one VUZV1@MS.ANET.CZ and SPINKA@NOVELL.VUZV.CZ By sending it to both sites, the probability is near 100% that we can read your abstract. Best regards, Marek From: IN%"lynnfrances@msn.com" "lynn crook" 10-JAN-1997 09:42:33.05 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: dogs and children I have 8 dogs who are reliable around children, more by luck than judgement! They are NEVER left alone with children and never were, even when my daughter was small and had friends around. The children who visit now are told to ignore the dogs unless they make an approach and I usually shut a selection of them up somewhere as well. I don't think there is ANY way of telling what has previously happened to a dog who comes to rescue. Anything could trigger an adverse reaction. I think either the risk is taken, with the rules spelt out to both dogs and children ie both have on space which is not invaded etc. or the dogs only go to childless homes-with no grandchildren-no neighbours children-and no visitors under 12!!!!!!!!!!!! All people can do is be as careful as they possibly can be. lynn ps are you there Kev? you're very quiet! you probably don't agree with the above! From: IN%"amthomps@zebu.cvm.msu.edu" "Aim" 10-JAN-1997 11:25:05.06 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: early castration I just finished reading the letter from Ms. Ranken in which she comments that early castration will cause dogs to retain their puppyhood aggression. I am a third year vet student at MSU and I seem to remember being told that there were no proven side effects to early castration. Is this wrong? I would consider prolonged puppy aggression to be a side effect... Is there any proof of side effects to early castration? Where can I find it? Thanks, Amy Thompson amthomps@zebu.cvm.msu.edu From: IN%"C.NOLAN@kcl.ac.uk" 10-JAN-1997 11:35:27.61 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: laboratory mice Hi, my name is Clara Nolan and I am a student at Kings College London in my fourth year. I am currently doing a study on the behaveoural problems seen in laboratory mice and ways of providing environmental enrichment for them. As information on this is quite limited I would be greatful if anybody could suggest any books or articles which I could read or any other help which anyone could provide. Thanks. From: IN%"richards@hula.net" 10-JAN-1997 15:27:51.20 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: early castration Aim wrote: >I just finished reading the letter from Ms. Ranken in which she >comments that early castration will cause dogs to retain their >puppyhood aggression. I am a third year vet student at MSU and I I have always heard that gelding a stallion too LATE will result in aggression and "stud-like" behavior. Since I've never owned a stallion, I've never had any reason to ask the equine vet about this. You might ask a vet at MSU about this. Dawn From: IN%"richards@hula.net" 10-JAN-1997 15:39:28.71 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: dogs and children In response to Rosemary's question about rescue dogs being left with children: We have a shelter dog - 98 lb lab mix - who adores children. Our son was 8 when we adopted the dog. We frequently babysat our neighbor's 2 small girls (ages 3 and 4). Tex would jump up on the couch with them. If they left the couch, he would follow them from room to room. He's always friendly with my now 11-year-old son's friends, all rowdy boys. He seems to watch out for the kids. Unfortunately, he's not as friendly with other dogs. When we adopted him, our vet thought he was 2, based on dentition. At that time, he enjoyed playing with other dogs. Now however, 4 years later, he ignores other dogs. He'll tolerate another dog sniffing him for a short time, then gives a warning growl to shoo the other dog away. I'm not sure if this behavior is a result of Pet Prison (Hawaii's 4-month Quarantine), or simply being older in age. With rescue dogs, you may never know their backgrounds. I think breed plays a small role in temperament. I don't know of any temperament tests, other than observing the behavior of the dog with a small child. Certainly, I'd closely question parents about what types of behavior in children they would consider 'teasing', and how much importance they would place on instructing their children about not teasing a dog, and watching their children's interactions with the dog. Dawn From: IN%"KJOHNSON@CVM.TAMU.EDU" "Kathalyn Johnson" 10-JAN-1997 16:48:09.84 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: rescue guidelines Hi. This is the first time that I have posted to this list, but I have been lurking for about 6 months. I have certainly enjoyed the various discussions presented here. I am a veterinarian who, after 9 yrs of private small animal practice, decided to come back to Texas A&M to complete a residency program in companion animal behavior. It is a three year program and includes a concurrent Masters degree. My research will be a clinical trial on the use of clomipramine to treat psychogenic alopecia in cats. The discussion concerning rescue dogs and placement into homes with children prompted me to break out of lurk mode and respond. I have been very active raising, training, and showing both Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Shelties in both the obedience and conformation rings. As a result of my numerous dog show activities, I have been actively involved in dog rescue, both by personally rescuing dogs as well as helping establish guidelines for our breed clubs. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any hard data out there about rescue dogs. When we take in a rescue dog, we try to get as much history as we possibly can, such as prior interactions with other animals, children, men, etc. Most of the rescues that I have been involved with have been dogs whose owners were unprepared to deal with the idiosyncracies of the breed, didn't have time for the dog, or had changes in life's circumstances like illness that prevented them from keeping the dog. The rescue person is usually responsible for having a thorough veterinary examination and will arrange a foster home. While in the foster home, we begin to see what sort of personality the dog has. The dog will carefully be exposed to a variey of people and animals to test their reactions. In addition, we see how the dog responds to typical grooming requirements, such as a bath, nail trims, tooth brushing, etc. Basic obedience skills are checked out, as well as housebreaking, crate training, and any other particular problems. The average dog stays in a foster home for 1 week to 1 month before being adopted. I don't think that we can ever guarantee to a prospective owner that the rescued dog will behave in a certain way under all circumstances, but we have a general feel for the dog by this point. Then we match the dog to an owner, based on their household, expectations, environment, etc. On occassion, we have a dog come through rescue who has a behavior problem, such as aggression, that we feel will not make him a quality pet, and elect to euthanize that dog. It is a very difficult decision, but is probably kinder in the long run. Most of the behavior problems we have had to deal with up until now have usually involved general unruliness and disobedience. These dogs are usually rehabilitated by experienced foster parents, then placed. Prospective owners are educated thoroughly about the inherent risks of adopting a dog with an unknown history. Only those dogs who have shown to be good with children, either in the history or while with the foster home, will go to homes with children. Homes with children under the age of 5-6 are usually turned down for adult dogs, but may be acceptible for some of the younger rescued puppies, who can still be socialized towards children. The vast majority of our rescue efforts have been successful, with many of the new owners returning to us for a second rescue dog later. I do feel that it is important to have, as much as is possible, a person experienced with the particular breed help with the initial evaluation, as they are more familiar with the individual breed characteristics. Hope that helps. Lyn Johnson DVM Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine College Station TX From: IN%"kurt@iinet.net.au" 11-JAN-1997 02:22:08.45 To: IN%"applied-ethology-error@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: early castration >Aim wrote: >>I just finished reading the letter from Ms. Ranken in which she >>comments that early castration will cause dogs to retain their >>puppyhood aggression. I am a third year vet student at MSU and I > >I have always heard that gelding a stallion too LATE will result in >aggression and "stud-like" behavior. Since I've never owned a stallion, >I've never had any reason to ask the equine vet about this. You might ask >a vet at MSU about this. > >Dawn With regard to this area I have much to say, albeit on at best an anecdotal/experiential basis. Firstly, puppy aggression; Do you mean playfulness, nippy behaviour, tearing up things? This to me is not aggression, it is social behaviour. Observe puppies with their litter mates, they fight and behave as though a bigger size would make them killers! This behaviour carries on in the new environment, with or without siblings. Socialisation and pack order are the issues here. So called puppy aggression can be stemmed quickly by owner dominance, viz Laugh at a toddler who squirts you with the hose whilst in evening wear and the child thinks it as funny as you do, and doesn't it do it more even though you scream. To my mind, the Testes development and therein hormones associated with, are indeed psychoactive in young 'adolescent' animals. Removal of testes early on will inhibit characteristics, even remove almost entirely those, we come to associate with each individual dog and each of 'breed' characteristics. I am more simply saying that dominance (of the owner and other pack leaders eg family) mediates the dogs naturally developing disposition as androgens begin to be excreted and therefore become physiologically active. Let me give you two examples of this (probability); Golden retriever: sire and dam known to be friendly, dam a little timid. Ideal gun dogs generally. Puppy castrated at earliest age possible. Resultant adult dog of 4 years: still good gun dog, water keen, seeks to retrieve and flush in and around waters edges. THESE ARE IDEAL GOLDEN RETRIEVER BEHAVIOURS, they are long selected for, so too is the friendly behaviour, (and sometimes obedience!). Dog never cocked his leg to urinate, dog fearful of other dogs since socialisation ended when puppies always played, first approach to dominant male in non concerned but playful manner, bitten; frightened, hurt: - fearful of other dogs till sure will play. Squats like female to urinate. Sense of olfaction well developed. Sniffing all the time - but what? Female dogs on heat at urination?? Unable to induce male behaviours (no hormones attempted), unsure as to other male dog interest. NO PATHOLOGY! Rationale for castration early was to inhibit wandering behaviour that resulted in owners previous Fox Terrier being lost. Staffordshire Bull Terrier, sire and dam ideal for colour, temperament, intelligent. Playful with children, inducible destructive play, ie grip cloth and tear at and growl, easily induced aggressive play, single minded ball retriever, snap at any other dog. Again sterilised at earliest possible age. SUGGEST BOTH DOGS HAD NOT SECRETED ADOLESCENT ANDROGENS. Temperament playful and uninhibited in approach of other dogs to play and generally, to play rough and tough (You see the anthropomorphism that inevitably sneaks in yet is quite relevant). Approach (as with above example) to dominant male dog to play/ fight; dominant male aggressive bites to inflict hurt. Staffy not perturbed, infact not hurt even though bitten hard, jumps back aggressively to continue fight. Undeterred by dominant male fight escalates needs separation. The jest of all this, and I have seen a number of examples in and across species, is that the breed characters most sought after and selected for, are not quelled readily, irrespective of castration time. The psychophysiological attributes of androgen secretion seem to mediate these factors. A male, 'androgeninely' aware dog, so to speak, will in either breeds case approach the foreign male with caution, not so necessarily the castrated dogs. Terriers are bred to fight and be aggressive, long term genetics, so no change here when confronted. Golden Retrievers bred for friendliness and retrieval and love of water, so no change here. In conclusion, I have seen that it can be (depending on the breed) more difficult to control certain behaviours or accentuate others in a breed bred for certain characteristics. Accordingly I would and have advised owners of Golden retrievers to delay castration up to 18 months. Staffy's on the other hand maybe suitable the day they cock their legs. This is at best arbitrary, and ultimately dependent upon the establishment of pack position of the dog among humans. That is to say, the dog must have had some testosterone/androgens coursing through its system at the same time as it learns pack position, never to confront people or children aggressively but be aware of its position in relation to other dogs. If the Goldies experience were that of a miniature terrier or such, one bite would have bee ni night! Stallions/males do need gelding as soon as there behaviour is suggestive of being intolerable, greys seem less inclined to be aggressive, some 'ebony' coated horses may as yet be foals and exhibit behavioural tendencies dangerous to handlers, yet progeny abilities????. Human interaction at an early age seems vary such behaviour, inversely I have heard it often said. That is to say, foals having very close and 'familiar' interaction (esp. with adolescent females ~ pheromones??) can be particularly dangerous around other people, esp Vets coming to stomach tube!! saw one vet walk away (just) with several broken ribs in such a 'renowned case.' The confidence these semi-mature (ungelded) males develop is difficult for any entity ("ie the non-doter/loving/owner) involved is positively annoying if not dangerous. Have I imparted the relative importance as yet, of the breed disposition and rank? There is absolute futility in advising a totally passive family to wait for their Pit Bull to 'grow a few hairs' as it were, before bringing him into your clinic to take your arm off. I believe it needs to be emphasised that androgens, in adolescence, are PSYCHO PHYSIOLOGICALLY active, not merely physiologically behaviourally active. Kurt Alexander Rogers BSc BVMS BA(psych) Southern and Great Southern Mobile Veterinary and Locum Services. Mt. Pleasant, Perth, Western Australia 6153. (09) 364 5992 0419 909032 kurt@iinet.net.au From: IN%"Scanwyre@aol.com" 11-JAN-1997 11:35:14.45 To: IN%"applied-ethology-error@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: early castration There seems to be a slight misinterpretation of what it was I said in my reply to Victoria Sandilands . I never said that early castration would cause dogs to retain their puppy aggression . What I did say is that castrating a dog could maintain a dog in a state of constant puppyhood . In other words the dog never grows up mentally and is puppylike the rest of it's life . I remember one of the worst cases I saw in my boarding kennels . A 4 year old dog was admitted into the kennels .It was a very large labrador / irish Setter cross . There wasn't a nasty bone in the dog - the only trouble was it was all over the place .It was TOO much . If you tried to go into it's kennel it was all over you licking you and ever so friendly . The dog must have weighed somewhere in the region of 35 kgs and could knock you over easily . When I spoke to the owners they were really upset about it . They had at that stage just bought a 35 acre farm way out in the country and were hoping that good long runs would tire him down and make him more manageable at home . Being a cross between two very boisterous breeds this violent attention seeking had started around 4-5 months old and had become such a burdon (despite attemts to go to dog obedience training , breeders etc ) that the family had sought veterinary advice . Unluckily the advice was to have the dog castrated in the hope of calming the dog down (the dog was only 6-7 months old ) . It had the exact opposite effect . The dog grew in weight and in size but mentally was still a puppy . The last I heard of that particular dog was when it was 6-7 years old the family had almost given up . Most labradors and for that matter Irish setters are quite wild as youngsters . Usually by the time they are between 2-4 years old they settle down and are more manageable . The problem with early castration in my experience is that the natural mental maturity process is stopped permanently . It's OK if that is what the owners want , but in some of the larger wilder breeds ( such as bull terriers , irish setter , Rhodesian Ridgebacks etc ) can be quite a burdon to live with . If I was ever approached by owners that were interested in early castration due to behavioral problems I always recommended castration via hormone treatment -that way ensuring that if it didn't work at least it was reverseable . If it worked and every one was happy with the result then the dog was neutered . Geraldine Ranken . From: IN%"appleby@petbcent.demon.co.uk" "David Appleby" 11-JAN-1997 14:42:31.48 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Dog problems On Thu, 09 Jan 1997 18:05:10 -0500 (EST) Scanwyre@aol.com wrote: >Your story is not uncommon . Most terriers can not get on with dogs of the >same sex once they have reached sexual maturity. I think the expression *most terriers* overstates the case especially when the question referred to dogs outside the home environment. Best wishes David ============================================ Name:David Appleby Address:The Pet Behaviour Centre, Upper street, Defford, Worcestershire. WR8 9AB.England. Phone and fax:+44(0)1386 750615 E-mail:appleby@petbcent.demon.co.uk WWW: http://webzone1.co.uk/www/apbc/pbc.htm ============================================ From: IN%"Heeler@aol.com" 11-JAN-1997 15:45:41.22 To: IN%"applied-ethology-error@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: early castration In a message dated 97-01-10 16:31:43 EST, you write: >I have always heard that gelding a stallion too LATE will result in >aggression and "stud-like" behavior It depends on how spoiled the stud was before he was gelded. Cheers, Margie (whose horse was gelded at 4) From: IN%"aa266@cleveland.Freenet.Edu" 12-JAN-1997 17:56:56.09 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: disruptive stimuli and positive reinforcement A better explanation, to my mind, is that intermittant reinforcement in time and degree avoids boredom. This is best illustrated by the perfect training machine . . the Slot Machine. The behavior (coin in followed by arm pull) is easily learned. Once learned this behavior is best reinforced by the above mentioned reinforcement schedules. If the learned behavior is never reinforced, the behavior soon goes to extinction. If the behavior is always reinforced by the same reinforcer in the same degree (a quarter in -> a quarter out, or even a quarter in -> two quarters out), it soon or eventually becomes boring, and the level of behavior will fall off or even become extinct if the reinforcer is relatively weak (a quarter in -> a quarter out). What keeps the learned behavior to high performance levels is never knowing when or how much the reinforcer is going to be. A better training technique is to reinforce especially good behavior. This meets the random reinforcement rule, and continues the training through encouraging the subject to even greater levels of performance. Thus an improvement on the standard slot machine (from the casino's perspective) would be to slightly increase the subject's reinforcement for putting coins in faster. Reply to message from bjorn.forkman@bbsrc.ac.uk of Thu, 09 Jan > >Dear Xavier, > >This sounds very much like something which is known as the partial >reinforcement extinction effect (PREE for short) which is a well known >phenomenon in experimental psychology. >Partial reinforcement simply means that the animal does not receive a >reward/punishment every time it performs a given behaviour (or a certain signal >is given). This type of schedule has been shown to increase resistence to >extinction for e.g. rats. > >The best explanation I have heard for PREE is as follows. When an animal is >rewarded/punished every now and then instead of each time it performs a given >behaviour, then this makes it more difficult for the animal to detect that it >is no longer receiving any reward/punishment. This will therefore result in a >slower extinction, i.e. a more stable or persistent behavioural pattern. > >As I said PREE is a well known phenomena in experimental psychology. If you are >interested I suggest you look in e.g. >Staddon (1983) Adaptive behaviour and learning. Cambridge University Press., >Davey (1989) Ecological learning theory. Routledge., >Domjan & Burkhard (1986) The Principles of Learning and Behaviour. Brooks Cole > >Best of luck > >Bjorn >bjorn.forkman@bbsrc.ac.uk DBC (aka D.B. Cameron, DVM) Animal Behavior Clinic Middleburg Hts., OH 44130 216/826-0013 Fax: 234-3407 From: IN%"bjorn.forkman@bbsrc.ac.uk" "Bjorn Forkman" 13-JAN-1997 09:30:35.28 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: disruptive stimuli and positive reinforcement I'm not so sure that boredom is a very good explanation for the partial reinforcement effect. Against it being the answer speaks, in my opinion, the effect of reward size and type of response. * What has been found is that the bigger the reward the less is the resistance to extinction (this holds true over different ratio schedules). * It has been shown that pecking by pigeons show a high degree of PRE, whereas treadle pressing, again by pigeons, does not. * Indeed, it seems possible to judge if a response will show PRE, for a given species, on the basis of the curvature of the response function (with reinforcement rate on the x-axis). None of this seems to have any connection with boredom. (See Staddon 1983 pp 479-485 for diagrams and references, Domjan & Burkhard 1986 pp 150-152 for alternative explanations (frustration and sequentiality).) I willingly concede however, that there are experiments that go against the detectability hypothesis as well. For example, if you first train a rat on a partial reinforcement schedule and then take it onto a schedule where it is rewarded every time and finally test the resistance to extinction it will show a greater resistance to extinction (ie PRE) than an animal that has been only on a reward-every-time schedule. This is difficult to explain both with the boredom hypothesis and the detectability hypothesis (but Staddon does try). All the best Bjorn bjorn.forkman@bbsrc.ac.uk From: IN%"pbmcconn@facstaff.wisc.edu" 13-JAN-1997 09:33:43.97 To: IN%"applied-ethology-error@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: natural? I would like to thank all of you who thoughtfully discussed the issue I raised in December about what is "natural" (this began in relation to whether domestication is a "natural" process or is "artificial"). Although I was out of town while most of the comments were sent, I was fascinated on my return to discover so much discussion of the issue. I am gratified that so many others find it an interesting topic. If pressed to summarize my own philosophy concisely, I would suggest that our behavior as humans exists as one of those fascinating paradoxes of life: we are, of course, animals, for what else could we be?, and are thus, of course, part of "nature". Additionally, we are, of course, unlike any other animal, and are therefore realistically categorized as existing in a completely separate group. So what we participate in is at once both "natural" (because we are not above natural laws) AND "artificial" because we clearly able to construct things not seen otherwise in nature. Perhaps some would find this simply "word play", but like some of the respondents, I love definitions, think they are critical to real understanding and clear communication; and I also love paradoxes because I think they underlie so much of life. Another perspective that I find useful is to look at "natural" and "articifical" as a continuum, rather than two discrete categories. Regarding domestication, I do think Steven Budiansky, in Covenant of the Wild, has an interesting argument that domestication can be seen as adaptive to domesticates as well as to humans, and that one could argue that it is simply another example of natural (there's that word) selection. When I first responded I was reacting to the suggestion, implied but not stated, that "natural" is always good, and domestication, as an artifical construct of us evil, artificial humans, is bad. Others have addressed this issue well, so I won't replay it here. But thanks for an interesting discussion. I printed out several replies to use in my course on The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships. Sincerely, Patricia McConnell *********************************** Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D. Ass't Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Zoology, UW-Madison Birge Hall, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 Applied Ethologist, Dog's Best Friend, Ltd. P.O. Box 447 Black Earth, Wisconsin 53515 608 767-2435 FAX 608 767-3726 (Send mail or calls here, not to UW) ************************************ From: IN%"Frank.Odberg@rug.ac.be" "Frank Odberg" 13-JAN-1997 10:13:24.43 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: drinking nipples We are having troubles with the Uno drinking nipples when used by bank voles. There are two metal balls in the tube which should regulate the output. The upper one regularly remains stuck up in the tube instead of coming down and resting against the lower one when the bottle is put into position. The water cannot get through that way. We must check every time after filling the bottle. We usually acidify the water (pH 2.8) but we tried without to no avail. We also brushed the tube with various detergents, abrasive powder. The importer never heard about that problem; apparently it does not appear with mice and rats. Hence my question: is there anybody there who got a similar problem when keeping unusual rodent and did she/he managed to solve it? Many thanks in advance! FOO Prof.Dr. Frank O. Odberg University of Ghent Dpt. of Animal Nutrition, Genetics, Production and Ethology Heidestraat 19 B-9820 Merelbeke Belgium tel: +32-(0)9-2521941 fax: 5304 From: IN%"arion@dialatlanta.com" "Chris Redenbach" 13-JAN-1997 12:13:07.51 To: IN%"aa266@cleveland.Freenet.Edu" "D.B. Cameron, DVM" CC: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" Subj: RE: disruptive stimuli and positive reinforcement D.B. Cameron wrote: > > A better explanation, to my mind, is that intermittant > reinforcement in time and degree avoids boredom. This is best > illustrated by the perfect training machine . . the Slot Machine. > The behavior (coin in followed by arm pull) is easily learned. > Once learned this behavior is best reinforced by the above mentioned > reinforcement schedules. > If the learned behavior is never reinforced, the behavior > soon goes to extinction. If the behavior is always reinforced > by the same reinforcer in the same degree (a quarter in -> a quarter out, > or even a quarter in -> two quarters out), it soon or eventually > becomes boring, and the level of behavior will fall off or even > become extinct if the reinforcer is relatively weak (a quarter in -> > a quarter out). > What keeps the learned behavior to high performance levels > is never knowing when or how much the reinforcer is going to be. > A better training technique is to reinforce especially good > behavior. This meets the random reinforcement rule, and continues > the training through encouraging the subject to even greater levels > of performance. > Thus an improvement on the standard slot machine (from the > casino's perspective) would be to slightly increase the subject's > reinforcement for putting coins in faster. > > Reply to message from bjorn.forkman@bbsrc.ac.uk of Thu, 09 Jan > > > >Dear Xavier, > > > >This sounds very much like something which is known as the partial > >reinforcement extinction effect (PREE for short) which is a well known > >phenomenon in experimental psychology. > >Partial reinforcement simply means that the animal does not receive a > >reward/punishment every time it performs a given behaviour (or a certain signal > >is given). This type of schedule has been shown to increase resistence to > >extinction for e.g. rats. > > > >The best explanation I have heard for PREE is as follows. When an animal is > >rewarded/punished every now and then instead of each time it performs a given > >behaviour, then this makes it more difficult for the animal to detect that it > >is no longer receiving any reward/punishment. This will therefore result in a > >slower extinction, i.e. a more stable or persistent behavioural pattern. > > > >As I said PREE is a well known phenomena in experimental psychology. If you are > >interested I suggest you look in e.g. > >Staddon (1983) Adaptive behaviour and learning. Cambridge University Press., > >Davey (1989) Ecological learning theory. Routledge., > >Domjan & Burkhard (1986) The Principles of Learning and Behaviour. Brooks Cole > > > >Best of luck > > > >Bjorn > >bjorn.forkman@bbsrc.ac.uk > > DBC (aka D.B. Cameron, DVM) > Animal Behavior Clinic > Middleburg Hts., OH 44130 > 216/826-0013 Fax: 234-3407 Dear D.B., xavier, bjorn, et al: I would not apologize for my ideas, however, being almost entirely self taught in ethology and the smidget I know of experim. psych., I apologize in advance for potentially annoying misuse of terms and lack of clarity. I hope I can make myself understood because what I'm trying to describe reflects a major advance in the day to day success of my pet training. I think it is important to note that, in a pet environment, the person(s) doing the reinforcing, either positive or negative,has a strong affect on the animal, as does the variability of environmental stimuli. The introduction of a novel stimulus during performance of a task on a variable reinforcement schedule, can throw the situation suddenly into a status where the performance cannot yet be considered as learned. No pet owner can consistently control environmental variables. A trained animal is one, in fact, who can perform the task in the presence of all new environmental intrusions upon the senses.This level of training is seldom reached and only after diligent application of many classes of variables (distractions) does the animal appear to develop some ability to generalize. The situation becomes even more complex when we are trying to cause a cessation in an already stimulated behavior. Such a behavior may be able to be extinquished if we can withdraw the reinforcer, but the reinforcer may be something from the internal state of the animal (satisfaction of an internally motivated need). We are then faced with a dilemna and some choices. 1.We can try to stimulate an incompatible (mutually exclusive) behavior by reminding the animal of some previously conditioned behavior that has allowed the animal to earn reinforcement of a particularly pleasing and desireable type. 2.Try to introduce a negative that the animal wishes to avoid (and may have experienced before, thus knows it wants to avoid) 3.Try in interrupt the animal's attention by some novel stimulus in order to gain a pause moment in which to orient the animal's attention on a more desirable behavior that has been previously conditioned. One or more of these tactics will usually be effective. But sometimes they are not. Why? Some reasons are obvious technical failures in the application of reinforcement techniques. Such things can be Independent of timing, strength of reinforcer, schedule of reinforcement, and other technical issues, there remains the quasi-intangible effect of the person's relationship with the animal.If this relationship is out of balance, then the entire reinforcement process is changed. In the use of positive reinforcement the social ambiance is so stress free, that the animal can learn very much faster From: IN%"amthomps@zebu.cvm.msu.edu" "Amy Thompson" 13-JAN-1997 13:27:56.76 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: (Fwd) early castration Dawn - here's the MSU vet's response to your question: Has the stallion ever bred? If he hasn't, he will likely lose his stallion like behavoir very quickly(matter of weeks as testosterone wanes). If he is a breeding stallion, he will often retain a stallion like behavoir for a prolonged period of time - often as long as a year, if castrated in the late winter/early spring/summer as we are into breeding season now. Also, it must be remembered that breeding behavoir is learned as well as innate and that learned behavoir must be forgotten over time. Dr. Marteniuk > I have always heard that gelding a stallion too LATE will result in > aggression and "stud-like" behavior. Since I've never owned a stallion, > I've never had any reason to ask the equine vet about this. From: IN%"imiuvezo@imiucca.csi.unimi.it" "Istituto di Zootecnica Veterinaria" 14-JAN-1997 10:08:59.29 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Dear all, the 5th Congress of the World Equine Veterinary Association will be held in 1997 in Padua (Italy)=20 10-14 September. The congress is mainly addresses to equine veterinary practitioners but together with the organisers we think that it would be important to have a session related to welfare and behaviour. One of the topics will be movement of animals and infectious diseases, in this session there is the opportunity to present papers about horse transport and welfare. Deadline for abstract submission is 28th February 1997 Abstract should be typed in English and about 20 lines, 80 columns During the congress a debate about horse transport, welfare and legislation will be held. If interested you can get more information at this internet address:http://www.finsystem.it/weva97 or you can contact Michela Minero or Elisabetta Canali at the following e mail address: IMIUVEZO@IMIUCCA.CSI.UNIMI.IT Best regards Michela Minero, Elisabetta Canali Istituto di Zootecnica Facolt=E0 di Medicina Veterinaria Mlan, Italy From: IN%"auclair@erols.com" "Auclair" 14-JAN-1997 11:34:49.30 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Last Comments on Laterality? Dear All, In November I posted a question regarding laterality in animals, particularily dogs, for a high school science project. Several of you responded with examples of laterality in dogs, horses and lobsters. I have tested ten dogs and am continuing my project and paper, due in early Feb. I am requesting any further examples of laterality in animals and am especially interested in theories as to the origins of these behaviors (genetics, brain function, adaptive behavior etc.) I would appreciate any further assistance you can provide-I don't have access to a good sciences library, and my mother got her ethology degree from Ohio St. Univ. back in the dark ages. (She promises not to kill me for admitting that). Lloyd and Jeannette Ward- hello? Thanks, Austin auclair@erols.com From: IN%"gfb1@psu.edu" "G. F. Barbato" 15-JAN-1997 08:38:25.70 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: IN%"auclair@erols.com" "Auclair" Subj: RE: Last Comments on Laterality? At 11:49 AM 1/14/97 -0800, you wrote: >Dear All, > In November I posted a question regarding laterality in animals, >particularily dogs, for a high school science project. Several of you >responded with examples of laterality in dogs, horses and lobsters. > I have tested ten dogs and am continuing my project and paper, due in >early Feb. I am requesting any further examples of laterality in animals >and am especially interested in theories as to the origins of these >behaviors (genetics, brain function, adaptive behavior etc.) > I would appreciate any further assistance you can provide-I don't >have access to a good sciences library, and my mother got her ethology >degree from Ohio St. Univ. back in the dark ages. (She promises not to >kill me for admitting that). Lloyd and Jeannette Ward- hello? > Thanks, Austin auclair@erols.com Austin, given another big ten connection, i feel compelled to answer with some 'chicken' stuff.... : ) the question of laterality in chickens was posed to me by my major professor back in the almost-dark ages... and after answering (in my most arrogant graduate student style) NO WAY!... i found out i was wrr ---wrrrr rrr ---rr ... almost not correct.... : ) at any rate... you can find a review of some of the info in GHorn's text 'Memory, imprinting and the brain'(1985,Oxford Press).. especially interesting are laterality of intramedial hyperstriatum ventrale regarding postsynaptic density in under and overtrained chicks... also information on laterality created by environment... i.e., during incubation, the chick embryo has one eye (usually the right) facing the shell (and hence exposed to light), while the other is facing its body and receives little to no photostimulation, creating different developmental effects. There's even more good stuff in the text edited by RJAndrew 'Neural and Behavioural Plasticity'(1991, again Oxford Press...) with a wide range of neurophysiological.pharmacological.structural.behavioral lateralities discussed... without being overly selfpromoting, we have reported laterality for catecholaminergic neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus of chicks.. which, oddly enough, can be eliminated by neonatal administration of MSG... to quote Andrew..."Domestic chicks have long been recognized as ideal material for ... study .... " good luck. gfb //// G. F. Barbato Phone: (814)-865-4481 << * ) Dept. Poultry Science FAX: (814)-865-5691 \ \__/// Penn State University Lab: (814)-865-3189 ( --- ) University Park, PA 16802 Email: gfb1@psu.edu \/ \/ **** URL: http://ps235.cas.psu.edu/ **** InterCollege Graduate Program in Genetics **** URL: http://ps240.cas.psu.edu/ **** [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[Sapere aude -- I. Kant]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] From: IN%"TAYLORA@EM.AGR.CA" "Allison Taylor" 15-JAN-1997 10:31:14.50 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Seeking Refs: SOW responses to weaning To the collective wisdom, I am seeking refs on the effects (acute or longer-term) ON THE SOW of weaning - both in general, and under diff management/weaning systems. I have the de Passille/Robert stuff, and a few others, but am finding rather scarce pickings otherwise. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Allison Allison Taylor, PhD Centre for Food & Animal Research Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Ottawa, ON taylora@em.agr.ca From: IN%"marie.haskell@bbsrc.ac.uk" "Marie Haskell" 16-JAN-1997 03:23:33.45 To: IN%"applied-ethology-error@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Seeking Refs: SOW responses to weaning Dear Allison, I don't know whether this is exactly what you are looking for, but there is a paper by Cronin et al in 1991 (Applied Animal Behaviour Science, v32 117-127) that looked at the cortisol responses of sows in farrowing/lactation environments. I'm not sure whether they continued to look after weaning, but they certainly found a big increase in cortisol in the sow before weaning, which they assume is due to the sow being harrassed by close confinement to boisterous piglets! Hope this is of some help! Marie Haskell Roslin Institute (Edinburgh) Roslin U.K.