13/05/2024
CHEWING BEHAVIOUR: CAN IT BENEFIT LEARNING IN FEARFUL DOGS ?
Anxiety and fear behaviours in social animals is the topic of our generation and much popularised in discussion and modern scientific research. We have seen several studies emerge in the last decade that have strengthened our understanding, which behaviour professionals have applied successfully in improving the affective state and welfare of animals across species. We are so lucky to have access to the work of many incredible minds of the global science community, who are continuing to elevate our knowledge base so we can help animals better.
A recent study by Krichbaum et al, 2023 explores a novel path suggesting that chewing could enhance learning in dogs. This is a first of its kind research looking at a link between chewing and cognitive function, in relation to fearfulness ( link in the comments)
Chewing behaviour in dogs, ranging from puppies to older canines, has been extensively observed throughout history. However, in wild canid species, recreational chewing is less compared to domesticated dogs, likely due to factors such as energy conservation and minimising time near carcasses to reduce risk. A study comparing teeth indentation on bones between wolves and captive wolves suggests that stress from captivity may influence differences in chewing rates.
Mastication, which involves chewing but is different to play or recreational, is a preliminary stage of digestion, and considered a rhythmic behaviour observed in almost all mammals, akin to locomotion and respiration, with the chewing rhythm generated in the brainstem . There is also evidence suggesting that the various functions of chewing support the mechanisms of natural selection in evolution and is widely factored into canid ethograms. Wolves can easily chew through large bones, aiming for quick consumption, while play behaviours among their young can involve chewing sticks.
In contemporary times, pet dogs have access to an array of products designed to alleviate boredom and provide enrichment, with claims to prevent undesirable behaviour and enhance wellbeing. An abundance of chewing options are available, with a recent survey indicating that 94% of dog owners offer edible chews, and 83% provide chew toys, believing that chewing alleviates boredom for their dogs.
Prior research has shown that chewing in pet dogs can alleviate stress ,and also evidence to suggest post learning exercise and play can influence memory in dogs.
However, this new study by Krichbaum et al, focuses specifically on aspects of chewing related to cognition through memory tests and its potential effect on trait-anxiety which is interpreted as fearfulness. Trait-anxiety is a term for anxiety that occurs consistently as part of an individuals’ way of thinking.
The study involved adult working Labradors ( known for their pronounced object play skills) already trained for tasks like scent detection. Nylabones were used as chew toys, provided directly prior to a spatial memory task, as well as a spatial navigation task.
The findings indicated that dogs with higher levels of fearfulness, more frequent chewing was associated with improved spatial memory. The opposite being true for dogs with lower fearfulness, which is interesting as the author suggests this may be due to chewing having a mitigating effect on fear. Whereas for the non-fearful subjects, chewing served more as a distraction. Findings also concluded that chewing during memory consolidation enhanced long-term memory.
This research marks a significant advancement in understanding chewing as a function and paves the way for further exploration, especially in relation to breed specific variations and motivational effects.
However, this new insight may also have implications for all dogs, particularly in how we train unwell, trauma-affected, adolescent as well as dogs exhibiting trait-anxiety. Similarly, it may benefit dogs easily stimulated by play techniques or dogs restricted from physical activity, with potential for faster learning outcomes, in both pre and post, a brief chewing period. Dog professionals might find value in utilising this data to test these new findings while ensuring ethical standards are maintained throughout training practises.
We welcome comments from our readers in relation to this paper, have any of you observed chewing behaviour improve outcomes or the opposite, in your own dogs or in your clients?
Boo Blackhurst CDBC
References:
Krichbaum et Al, 2023, No bones about it: The effect of chewing on cognition in dogs,
Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Arhant et Al, 2021, Chewing behaviour in dogs – A survey-based exploratory study,
Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Courtenay LA, et Al, 2021, 3D Insights into the Effects of Captivity on Wolf Mastication and Their Tooth Marks; Implications in Ecological Studies of Both the Past and Present
Nadja Affenzeller et Al, 2017, Playful activity post-learning improves training performance in Labrador Retriever dogs
Rooney et Al, 2009, A Practitioner’s guide to working dog welfare, Journal of Veterinary Behaviour
Gerstner GE et Al, 2010, Chewing rates among domestic dog breeds. J Exp Biol.
