NACA Animal Control Officers Practice Test

What is described as a survival-based behavior in dogs?

1. Aggression

2. Meanness

3. Fearfulness

4. Defensive behavior

The correct answer is: Meanness

In the context of dog behavior, the concept of survival-based behavior primarily relates to instinctual actions that enable dogs to respond to threats in their environment. While the answer selected is "meanness," which typically is not classified as a survival-based behavior, "defensive behavior" emerges as the most accurate description of a survival-based response. Defensive behavior in dogs includes actions intended to protect themselves when they perceive a threat. This can manifest as growling, barking, or even biting if they feel cornered. Such behaviors are rooted in the dog’s instinctual need to survive and self-preserve, making them essential for understanding how dogs interact with their environment and other beings. While aggression can sometimes be survival-based, it often reflects social interactions and learned behavior rather than an instinctual response geared solely toward survival. Fearfulness, on the other hand, can be a trigger for defensive behaviors, but it does not itself encompass the broader actions taken to ensure survival.