ABSTRACT: The domestic dog is a social species predisposed to living and working with humans. Social behaviour establishes and maintains relationships and includes bonding, care-seeking/-giving, group behaviour and conflict resolution, facilitated through communication. Historically it was thought dogs managed social interaction and conflict through dominance hierarchies, in which higher-ranking individuals had priority access to resources and the right to breed. We now know dogs do not form dominance hierarchies with other dogs or humans, and do not control resources or each other to maintain rank. Their social behaviour is controlled by the combined influences of physiology, experience and the environment.

Author

Stephanie Hedges BSc (Hons) RVN CCAB

Stephanie Hedges worked as a RVN in general, referral and emergency and critical care practice for over 20 years. She studied applied animal behaviour at the University of Southampton and is now a practising freelance Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist, lecturer and author

Email: Stephanie@inthedoghouse.org.uk

To cite this article: Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 32 (09) • September 2017 pp260-264

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