Relationship between Motor Laterality and Aggressive Behavior in Sheepdogs

Marcello Siniscalchi,Angelo Quaranta,Serenella D’Ingeo,Daniele Bertino

doi:10.3390/sym11020233

Marcello Siniscalchi, Angelo Quaranta + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/sym11020233

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Abstract

Sheepdogs’ visuospatial abilities, their control of prey-driven behavior and their motor functions are essential characteristics for success in sheepdog trials. We investigated the influence of laterality on 15 sheepdogs’ (Canis familiaris) spontaneous turning motor pattern around a herd and on their behavior during the first encounter with sheep in a training session. The most relevant finding of this research was that the dogs displayed significantly more aggressive behavior toward the sheep when turning in a counterclockwise direction around the herd. Considering that in counterclockwise turns the sheep were in the dogs’ left visual hemifield, the high frequency of aggressions registered during counterclockwise turns suggests right hemisphere main activation. Overall, our results revealed the existence of a relationship between motor lateralization and aggressive behavior in dogs during sheepdog training and have practical implications for sheepdog training.

Highlights

Sheepdog trials are a worldwide sports competition involving dogs and handlers, in which the dogs’ ability to manage sheep properly during different daily working activities is tested
Among the aggressive behaviors scored, the gripping and the straight approach toward the sheep occurred with a higher frequency when the dogs ran in a circle around the livestock in a counterclockwise direction
Considering that the lateral field of each of the dogs’ eyes projects mainly to the contralateral side of the brain, the visual analysis of the herd by the left visual hemifield during counterclockwise turnings indicates a prevalent activation of the right hemisphere

Summary

Introduction

Sheepdog trials are a worldwide sports competition involving dogs and handlers, in which the dogs’ ability to manage sheep properly during different daily working activities is tested (e.g., gathering, driving, shedding, penning, and singling). Sheepdogs belong to different breeds, which were selected to cooperate with humans in sheep raising, in guarding and herding the animals [1]. The selection and training of dogs are fundamental aspects for both farm work and sheepdog trials. The visuospatial abilities of the dogs and their control of their motor functions and prey-driven behavior are essential for the success of sheepdog activities. Predatory aggressive behavior is a part of the predation functional system, which includes different behaviors aimed at capturing and killing the prey. Predatory aggressive behavior falls into this category, even though the animal’s motivation is very different from that in other forms of aggression (e.g., social aggression) [2]

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