Does The Manipulation of Tail Position Facilitate Extinction of Canine Phobic Behavior?

Authors

Rebecca A. Zarate, University of Texas-Pan American

Date of Award

5-2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Frederick A. Ernst

Second Advisor

Dr. Wendy James-Aldridge

Third Advisor

Dr. Robert Dearth

Abstract

The phobic behavior of interest is tail tucking which is indicative of submission. In this study the tail was physically manipulated by the use of a custom made harness to hold the tail up in a dominant position to ideally extinguish phobic behavior through reciprocal inhibition. The harness did not hold the tail up the entire duration of the interventions, although it still held the base of the tail up. The intervention did not appear to have an affect on the two of the five subjects. The three more phobic canines did display some behavioral changes, although the changes noticed were not expected measures so they were not quantified. The changes observed are based on behavioral observation.

Comments

Copyright 2010 Rebecca A. Zárate. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/does-manipulation-tail-position-facilitate/docview/725996940/se-2

Granting Institution

University of Texas-Pan American