Artículo
Effects of oxytocin administration and the dog–owner bond on dogs’ rescue behavior
Dzik, Marina Victoria; Carballo Pozzo Ardizzi, Fabricio
; Casanave, Emma Beatriz
; Bentosela, Mariana
Fecha de publicación:
08/04/2021
Editorial:
Springer Heidelberg
Revista:
Animal Cognition
ISSN:
1435-9448
Idioma:
Inglés
Tipo de recurso:
Artículo publicado
Clasificación temática:
Resumen
Rescue behavior is a kind of prosocial response that involves the provision of help to a stressed individual. This behavior has been observed in domestic dogs assisting their owners when they pretended to be trapped. Given the role of the hormone oxytocin as a facilitator for prosocial behavior, we aimed to evaluate the effects of its intranasal administration on the rescue behavior of dogs directed to their owners. In addition, we used the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) to assess whether the dog–owner bond was associated with this behavior. After receiving either oxytocin or saline, dogs participated in a stressed condition in which their owner pretended to be stressed inside of a box, or a control one, in which the owner was in a calm state. Dogs released their owners more frequently in the stressed condition. Contrary to our expectations, dogs who received oxytocin were less likely to open the box and took longer to do so than those that received saline. Regarding the dog–owner bond, dogs in the stressed condition who received oxytocin exhibited a lower rate and a higher latency of openings the more intense the bond was, while the opposite pattern was observed in dogs in the control condition who received saline. In conclusion, dogs would rescue their owners when they pretended to be trapped and stressed. Both oxytocin administration and the bond with the owner appear to modulate this behavior, but further studies are needed to inquire into the involved mechanisms.
Palabras clave:
DOG–HUMAN BOND
,
OXYTOCIN
,
PROSOCIALITY
,
RESCUE BEHAVIOR
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Articulos(IDIM)
Articulos de INST.DE INVEST.MEDICAS
Articulos de INST.DE INVEST.MEDICAS
Articulos(INBIOSUR)
Articulos de INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS BIOLOGICAS Y BIOMEDICAS DEL SUR
Articulos de INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS BIOLOGICAS Y BIOMEDICAS DEL SUR
Citación
Dzik, Marina Victoria; Carballo Pozzo Ardizzi, Fabricio; Casanave, Emma Beatriz; Bentosela, Mariana; Effects of oxytocin administration and the dog–owner bond on dogs’ rescue behavior; Springer Heidelberg; Animal Cognition; 8-4-2021; 1-14
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