Puppy's Turtle Encounter

Fixed Action Patterns (FAPs) in a 1-month-old Malt-a-Poo. Defensive behavior in response to a box turtle. This is the first time this puppy has ever seen a turtle. The puppy shows approach-withdrawal conflict. Notice the defensive stretching response, which consists of planting the hind legs in a fixed position and stretching towards the turtle. There is something about the turtle that triggered this defensive response; perhaps the slow movement of the turtle or the smell or both.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Psychology
• Behavior
• Dog
• puppy
• pets

[picardkid]

FAP lol

[FieldHerper]

Heck, I'm MUCH more concerned with the behaviors of a natural, wild animal than a domesticated one, aren't you?