Wolves Have The Capacity To Learn From Humans

It is well known that dogs learn from humans, we teach them but they also learn where resources are, as well as to understand facial expression.

Dogs can learn to smile from humans, they are also the only species that looks to the left side of our face, which is the more expressive side. It shows our emotions more clearly, dogs have adapted to use it to their advantage.

We always thought wolves were domesticated by us, by taming cubs or wolves settling near villages to take advantage of our waste, eventually leading to the more bold/less fearful dogs moving closer to humans and being excepted into society.

This new study found that dogs ability to understand humans better than we understand them was not taught or bred into them by use, but already their in their genetic make-up as wolves.

The study used 11 North America Wolves and 14 Mutts, all were raised on the bottle, the test took place when they were 5-7 months old.

The test involved the participants watching trained dog or human show where a hidden treat was. The wolves were less likely to follow the dog, than the human. It would found that they were paying great attention to the dog, and would not go for the treat if the dog did not seem to enjoy it.

It concluded that the ability to learn from other species was not just confined to dogs, but also included their ancestors. Which could be a factor that aided in their domestication.

This used young dogs, which could effect the outcome of the study, hand raised wolves are going to be less suspicious of humans, but mature wolves are known to avoid humans even if they are raised by them. This could be that when they get older they no longer learn from humans, due to suspicion as they are prey/predator to them.

This study proves that other species learn for other species, dogs we know learn from humans, as well as apes and monkeys. Wolves learning is an adaptive trait that allows them to gain more advantages on their environment. Watching humans would lead to them food, as humans are hunters. The leftovers would be thrown out, where the wolves would learn to consume them. Their would be fear at being hunted by the humans, but the natural instinct to scavenge and not miss an opportunity, would override that fear in some individuals.

  

Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131203161715.htm

Images: http://www.wolfscience.at/en/aboutus/wolves/geronimo/

http://www.wolfscience.at/en/aboutus/dogs/rafiki/

Taming Estate “Dangerous Dogs”

An estate in Haringey, London,  many younger people were owning dogs for the same reasons mentioned in the article linked above, they wanted companionship and protection. But these dogs were not being looked after correctly, were not trained and were just becoming a huge problem to the area and people were getting fed up.

The council stepped up and set up three road show type events to encourage people to get their dogs chipped, learn about the care dogs need and training the dogs.

The people owning the dogs lacked the knowledge and access to learning about training, the dogs and owners both needed help and they were given it by the council.

Mentioned in the article is Blaze an Akita who barked and scared people, it turned out he was kicked as a puppy and was worried by people, after attending the road show his owner learned how to socialize Blaze  with people to reduce the fear aggression and to stop him barking in the house.

It is good some councils are working to get people educated to create a better atmosphere in the area and hopefully reduce dogs being put down through lack of knowledge. Councils have a lot to answer for as they reduce the amount of dog wardens dealing with dogs of their nature and the owners, they are not there to take the dogs away but to help educate the owners as well. If the council all over the UK worked with owners in this capacity we would hopefully have a reduction in dogs causing worry and accidents.

Article: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/training-helps-residents-to-tame-estates-dangerous-dogs-8538753.html?fb_action_ids=10151286455377101&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210151286455377101%22%3A140093649501289%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210151286455377101%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%7B%2210151286455377101%22%3A%22s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like%22%7D

For information on Akita’s and their training refer to Tamsin- Jane an Akita owner and behaviorist at: http://www.do-behave.co.uk/