Wikipedia

Draft:Neuro-Semantic Dog Behavior

{{subst:AfC submission/coil|$1}} Neuro-Semantic Dog Behavior is an emerging interdisciplinary concept in canine behavioral science that integrates insights from neuroscience, cognitive science, and semiotics. It proposes that dogs process meaning through the interplay of neural mechanisms, emotional resonance, and communicative signaling. The framework was first outlined by Stroeller (2025) in open-access publications,[1][2] and has since been discussed in relation to broader fields such as canine cognition and comparative psychology.[3][4][5]

Concept

edit

The Neuro-Semantic approach suggests that canine behavior emerges from integrated processes of:

  • *Neural mechanisms* – such as activation of prefrontal and limbic structures involved in emotional learning and social cognition.[6]
  • *Emotional resonance* – including phenomena such as mirror neuron activation and limbic synchrony underpinning empathy-like responses in dogs.[7]
  • *Semantic embedding* – the integrative processing of cues such as postural signals, vocalizations, and environmental context to form coherent behavioral responses.[8]

Distinction from traditional models

edit

In contrast to dog behavior models that emphasize dominance or hierarchical motivation (e.g., “alpha” theory), the Neuro-Semantic framework conceptualizes behavior as arising from the dynamic interplay of cognitive-emotional learning and contextual meaning, mediated by training, environmental contingencies, and human–dog interaction patterns.[9]

Research context

edit

Although Neuro-Semantic Dog Behavior is not yet formalized as a distinct academic field, Stroeller’s initial publications have introduced the concept into open-access scientific discourse. These works have been contextualized alongside established domains such as canine cognition, semiotics, and comparative psychology. Recent developments in canine neuroscience—such as non-invasive EEG and fMRI—further highlight the relevance of frameworks that link neural processes to behavioral meaning.[10][11][12]

Publications

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Stroeller, S. (2025). The Invisible Leash: Towards a Neuro-Semantic Model of Modern Dog Behavior and Education. Zenodo. doi:[10.5281/zenodo.15796649](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15796649)
  2. ^ Stroeller, S. (2025). Instinct Interrupted: From Wolf Wisdom to Leash Control – A Behavioral Inquiry. Zenodo. doi:[10.5281/zenodo.16255724](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16255724)
  3. ^ Horowitz, A. (2009). Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know. Scribner.
  4. ^ Miklósi, Á. (2015). Dog Behavior, Evolution, and Cognition. Oxford University Press.
  5. ^ Bekoff, M. (2018). Canine Confidential: Why Dogs Do What They Do. University of Chicago Press.
  6. ^ Range, F. & Virányi, Z. (2015). “Social learning from humans or conspecifics: Differences and similarities between wolves and dogs.” Frontiers in Psychology, 6:1588.
  7. ^ Panksepp, J. (2011). “Cross-species affective neuroscience decoding of emotional feelings in animals.” Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 21(1), 17–23.
  8. ^ Mariti, C. et al. (2014). “Dog attachment to man: A comparison between pet and working dogs.” Behavioral Processes, 100, 64–68.
  9. ^ Bradshaw, J. W. S., Blackwell, E. J., & Casey, R. A. (2009). “Dominance in domestic dogs—useful construct or bad habit?” Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 4(3), 135–144.
  10. ^ Kulgod, A. et al. (2025). “Non-invasive canine electroencephalography (EEG): a systematic review.” BMC Veterinary Research, 21, 73.
  11. ^ Boch, M. et al. (2024). “Domestic dogs as a comparative model for social visual cognition: fMRI findings.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews.
  12. ^ Moser, A. Y. (2024). “Methods of behavioral testing in dogs: a scoping review.” Behavioral Research Methods.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:Neuro-Semantic_Dog_Behavior&oldid=1307305634"