Humans and dogs have been living side by side for over 14, 000 years (Prestrude and O’Shea, 1996; Riddle, 1987). Throughout the years dogs have served as hunters, guards, herders, medical subjects, companions and guides for humans. Dog selection for a particular task is often based on pairing the task to the breed, attempting to choose one with the appropriate physical, personality, and psychological attributes (Weiss and Greenberg, 1997) (e.g. Jack Russell Terriers’ high stamina and high energy means they are well suited hunting, originally bred for fox hunting).Personality refers to the behavioural characteristics of individuals that describe and account for consistent patterns of normal behaviour that are stable across time and situations
…show more content…
This project examines whether personality traits can inform about future training of service dogs. Svartberg and Forkeman (2002) identified the main variables describing personality in dogs as; playfulness, curiosity, fearlessness, desire to chase, sociability, and aggressiveness. An animal’s personality derives from the impacts of both genetics and environment, including previous experiences (Lofgren et al., 2014). Genetics – the breed and breed line – have a powerful influence on …show more content…
Labradoodles are used for service dogs for people who are hypoallergenic As well as genetics, the environment in which the puppy is brought up will also play a big role in the development of its personality. Critical periods in early life are known to affect the long-term behaviour of the dog (Scott and Marston, 1950). The lack of proper socialization during critical socialization periods of a puppy’s life can also lead to different personality traits such as excessive fearfulness or aggression. Puppies progress through learning and development stages just as human children do. By introducing dogs to different kinds of people, animals and environments, the puppies will grow in their confidence and in turn develop their individual personality (Freedman et al., 1961). At eight weeks of age the puppies are given to their puppy walkers who will raise them and socialize them according to a set of recommendations provided by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT (Batt et al., 2008a). Based upon the work carried out but Scott and Fuller (1965) it has been noted that adequate socialisation is necessary for appropriate adult
This project examines whether personality traits can inform about future training of service dogs. Svartberg and Forkeman (2002) identified the main variables describing personality in dogs as; playfulness, curiosity, fearlessness, desire to chase, sociability, and aggressiveness. An animal’s personality derives from the impacts of both genetics and environment, including previous experiences (Lofgren et al., 2014). Genetics – the breed and breed line – have a powerful influence on …show more content…
Labradoodles are used for service dogs for people who are hypoallergenic As well as genetics, the environment in which the puppy is brought up will also play a big role in the development of its personality. Critical periods in early life are known to affect the long-term behaviour of the dog (Scott and Marston, 1950). The lack of proper socialization during critical socialization periods of a puppy’s life can also lead to different personality traits such as excessive fearfulness or aggression. Puppies progress through learning and development stages just as human children do. By introducing dogs to different kinds of people, animals and environments, the puppies will grow in their confidence and in turn develop their individual personality (Freedman et al., 1961). At eight weeks of age the puppies are given to their puppy walkers who will raise them and socialize them according to a set of recommendations provided by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT (Batt et al., 2008a). Based upon the work carried out but Scott and Fuller (1965) it has been noted that adequate socialisation is necessary for appropriate adult