Local synchrony as a tool to estimate affiliation in dogs

Abstract

Affiliation between individuals is socially adaptive as it helps to build and maintain bonds between group members and is central to social cohesion. One of the main factors in creating and maintaining affiliation is behavioral synchronization, particularly local synchrony which is defined as being at the same place as other individuals, whatever the activity. In dogs, a very social species, it is known that individuals who are more closely affiliated will exhibit more local synchrony that less affiliated individuals. In ethology, significance of the phenomenon is still undervalued, even in studies specifically aiming to describe the social organization within groups. We suggest that local synchrony could be very informative for scientists to consider when observing groups of dogs interacting. The present study thus investigated whether local synchrony could be a tool to measure the degree of affiliation existing between dogs. To do so, a target dog surrounded by three different dogs (one affiliated with the target dog, and two unfamiliar) was observed during a walk. An observer, who was deliberately unaware of the identity of the three dogs relative to the target dog, analyzed the target dog's behavior toward the other dogs. Results revealed that the target dog spent significantly more time associating with the affiliated dog. The target dog was observed in the same area, as well as in close proximity to the affiliated dog, and the target dog also initiated more closeness with its affiliated conspecific compared to the two unfamiliar dogs. It is concluded that local synchrony is therefore an effective tool to evaluate affiliation between dogs. Theoretical as well as practical implications are discussed.