Pooch's+Choice

= Does my d **og p**ref **e**r toys that challenge his brain (enrichment toys) rather than ordinary toys? =

By Grace = __Task 1: Answer these Questions__  =

1. What are classic behaviors for canines and the major breeds of dogs?

Barking - dogs do this to communicate and try and give a message. It is also a way they can express emotion. Chewing - is how young dogs find out about their environments and destress Digging - dogs dig for many reasons - for example when they are bored, when it is trying to escape, when it is hoarding (burying bones for another day when it might need them), or making dens. Canines like to hide in dens. If they do not have a suitable den they will dig for one Jumping and mounting - dogs do this when they are trying to seek a higher rank in the pack. Sometimes they jump just because they are excited. Nipping and biting - young dogs do this to test who is the boss. Licking - dogs lick to groom themselves or greet each other. Puppies lick the corner of their parents mouths to get them to throw up. Then the puppies eat it. Rolling in smelly things - dogs sometimes roll in smelly things to hide their smell. In the wild its important your smell is hidden so hunters don't find you.

2. Environmental enrichment is supplying different stimuli for your animals to react or interact to make their environment more interesting.Environmental enrichment is also a part of daily life,dogs expect more than food,water,and a clean home to stay healthy.Animals need to be physically and mentally stimulated.

How is environmental enrichment important to animals? In the wild animals always have something to keep them occupied like, foraging for food looking after there young and breeding also hunting. It also improves there health and the ability to spend time with other animals it also reduces stress of caged animals and stops them from hurting themselves.

What are some examples of environmental enrichment for zoo animals? For dogs? In the wild, dogs and other wild animals need enrichment so they can survive in the wild and to help them keep fit so they can catch there food easily.

__Task 2: List your independent, dependent and controlled variables:__
__1. Independent variable: Type of toy-eg interactive toys,different shaped toys,noisy/squeaky toys etc- Squeaky toys.__

__2. Dependent variable: Dog's behaviour/interest level.__

__3. Controlled variables: -Location of the test - Dog - Number of toys - Distance from dog to toy when you release him - Time given to the dog to interact with the toy - Time of day experiment is done.__

= __Task 3: What is the hypothesis for your experiment?__  = __If my dog is offered an enrichment toy,he will have a higher interest in it that if he were offered a different kind of toy.__

= __Task 4: What equipment do you need for your experiment?__  = 1. a toy with nothing in it 2. a toy with a few slices of apple 3. a toy that has his favourite treats in it. 4. Ben (my dog) = __Task 5: List all steps in the method of your experiment (try and include a diagram or video that helps explain):__  = __Im going to give Ben a toy one at a time and let him play with it for 3mins and if there is two toys that he plays with for the same amount of time then Im going to put them both down and see which one he will go for.__

__**Task 6: Observation and discussion**__

Note down what you noticed as you did each experiment. Try and include an image or a video or photos of your experiment.

__Experiment 1 Observations:__

__Experiment 2 Observations:__

__Experiment 3 Observations:__

= __Task 7: Results__ =

Take a screen shot of your results table. Upload it and put it here:

__Task 8: Conclusion__

 * 1) Write a statement that says whether your hypothesis was wrong. If you were wrong, why were you wrong?