Behavioural variability of olfactory exploration of the pet dog in relation to human adults

Recent studies have underlined the importance of olfaction in the regulation of the relations between man and his pet dog. This study shows that the exploratory olfactory behavioural mechanisms of the pet dog in relation to the human adult differ according to whether the adult is known to the dog or not. This study also confirms the previous hypothesis concerning the functions of chemcial substances emitted by man in the man/animal relational systems. It would appear that olfaction enables the dog to apprehend information concerning the identity and emotional state of the human subject.     

Auditory competence of the newborn infant with regard to specific and non-specific rhythms

This study is based on the analysis of modifications in the heart-rate of newborn infants (n = 12) hearing heartbeats at 72 and 120 bpm and metronome beats at 45, 72 and 120 bpm. The results show a selective discrimination of these acoustic stimulations by the infant.     

An experimental analysis of olfactory cues in child--dog interaction

Within the framework of rescarch on communication systems betweenthe child and his pet dog, an experimental situation was setup to study the characteristics and the functions of sniffingbehaviours: dogs living in a family with or without a childwere put in the presence of two dummies. These dummies weredressed in underclothes previously worn by a child known tothe dog, or by an unknown child, or clothes with no body odour.The dog’s behaviour was filmed for 5 min from the momentthe dog entered the experimental room. A statistical analysisof the results showed that the head, trunk, upper limbs andano-genital area were sniffed differently by the dogs accordingto the experimental situation. These results would suggest differentolfactory functions in the relational systems between humanbeings and dogs.     

Mother's touching behavior with regard to the newborn infant: preliminary cases

Filmed observations of spontaneous interactions between mothers and their newborn infants were used to quantify the maternal tactile behaviours. These behaviours were analysed in relation to the activity of the newborn infant and the different characteristics of the mother and the newborn infant.