How does dominance rank status affect individual and social learning performance in the dog (Canis familiaris)

摘要: Dogs can learn effectively to detour around a V-shaped fence after observing demonstration from either an unfamiliar human or dog demonstrator. We found earlier that there is substantial individual variation between the dogs’ performance, even when using same experimental conditions. Here, we investigate if subjects’ relative dominance rank with other dogs had effect on their social learning performance. On basis of owners’ answers questionnaire, subjects multi-dog homes were sorted into groups dominant and subordinate dogs. In Experiment 1, tested without did not find any difference groups—they similarly low performances own. 2 3, single households in task by dog, human, respectively. The results showed performance fell multi-dogs both demonstration. Subordinate displayed significantly better having observed demonstrator comparison contrast, was almost similar, they These suggest perceived its own group has strong dogs, but this seems depend also species. This finding reveals intricate organization structure households, which contribute differences existing among