Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2022
Abstract
Identifying meaningful vocalizations in nonhuman animals can help explain the evolution of human communications. However, non-speech-like sounds, including laughter equivalents, are not well studied, although they may be meaningful. In this pilot study we investigate whether dogs perform a domain-specific pant during play by capturing vocalizations and behaviors during three interactions: training, play, and rest. Sixteen human and dog dyads participated in a session that included all three interactions in the same order: training, play, rest. During these sessions, each partner wore wireless microphones that transmitted to a receiver and digital recorder, while a standalone digital camera captured video of the interactions. A one-way ANOVA demonstrates that dogs do perform a domain-specific "play pant," which was almost completely absent during training and rest. These vocalizations mostly co-occurred with play behaviors (e.g., play bow) or tickling and cuddling. These preliminary findings suggest that a laugh-like play pant is used by dogs during play; future research should explore other interspecific acoustic signals as derived from conspecific signals and having communicative function.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Publication Information
Volsche, Shelly; Gunnip, Hannah; Brown, Cameron; Kiperash, Makayla; Root-Gutteridge, Holly; and Horowitz, Alexandra. (2022). "Dogs Produce Distinctive Play Pants: Confirming Simonet et al. (2001)". International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 35.