Animals in captivityAnimals in captivity

(1. Imprisoned or confined. 2 having no freedom to choose an alternative) Ref Oxford English dictionary

Leon FestingerLeon Festinger

Cognitive DissonanceCognitive Dissonance

A conflict of beliefsA conflict of beliefs

Leon Festinger 1957Leon Festinger 1957• A theory of cognitive dissonanceA theory of cognitive dissonance

• New information goes against the New information goes against the information we already know information we already know (ideas, attitudes, beliefs, opinions)(ideas, attitudes, beliefs, opinions)

• Causes conflict withinCauses conflict within

Human examplesHuman examples

• Sky divingSky diving

• The eating of certain speciesThe eating of certain species

• Cultural beliefsCultural beliefs

How do we deal with Dissonance?How do we deal with Dissonance?

• Endure the conflictEndure the conflict

• Ignore the new informationIgnore the new information

• Alter the dissonanceAlter the dissonance– Habituate/desensitise/counterconditionHabituate/desensitise/countercondition

Why do we need to know Why do we need to know about it ?about it ?

• To truly understand an animals behaviour To truly understand an animals behaviour we must first look to see where they have we must first look to see where they have come from;come from;

• EvolutionEvolution

• ESB’sESB’s

• Priority of ethological needsPriority of ethological needs

What & how do dogs eat?What & how do dogs eat?

The canine vacuum The canine vacuum

Given the choice Given the choice what would you what would you choose?choose?

Without any choicesWithout any choices

Sleep Sleep

VigilanceVigilance

Its hard to sleep when Its hard to sleep when you’re alone.you’re alone.

What should a dog do with What should a dog do with something on its face?something on its face?

Freedom!Freedom!

Reduce the freedom Reduce the freedom and there is a costand there is a cost

A social speciesA social species

A social speciesA social species

So should it be a So should it be a surprise to us that surprise to us that some dogs struggle some dogs struggle when home alone?when home alone?

Leaving homeLeaving home

Leaving homeLeaving home

Leaving homeLeaving home

• Most canid species don’t leave the pack or family group until they are at least sexually mature with most staying well into adulthood.

• The domesticated dog would be doing very well to be with their mother until the age of 8 weeks

Caught in a trap!Caught in a trap!

Do dogs like water? Do dogs like water?

Some more than othersSome more than others

So why isn't this fun?So why isn't this fun?

Temperature regulationTemperature regulation

Temperature regulationTemperature regulation

Individual preferenceIndividual preference

• Within the ethogram there are still Within the ethogram there are still variations in behaviour variations in behaviour

•Individuals choose based on Individuals choose based on previous experience and using previous experience and using their ESB’stheir ESB’s

Fear responseFear response……

Or…Or…

Or…Or…

Or even …Or even …

How do we deal with Dissonance?How do we deal with Dissonance?

• Endure the conflict

• Ignore the new information

• Alter the dissonance– Habituate/desensitise/counter condition

We can make life easier for our We can make life easier for our dogs by…dogs by…

• Understanding ethologyUnderstanding ethology

• Recognising natural behavioursRecognising natural behaviours

• Identifying individual & breed preferencesIdentifying individual & breed preferences

• Habituate/desensitise/counter conditionHabituate/desensitise/counter condition

Thank youThank you