FORMATION OF CONDITIONED AVOIDANCE RESPONSES IN YOUNG PUPPIES

Abstract

25 puppies were tested from the time of birth for conditioned avoidance responses to electric shock applied to the forelegs. Sound, light, odor and contact were used as conditioned stimuli. Receptors for odors and contact appear to function at birth, for light at about 16 days, and for sound at about 19 days. However, the age at which stable CR''s develop to sound, light, and odors was from 18 to 21 days in all cases. Puppies on which training was begun at ages greater than 20 days formed CR''s easily, generally within 10 trials. The time of appearance of condition-ability corresponds to the beginning of the "critical period" of social development postulated by Scott, and to the changes in reflex patterns described by Bahrs.