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Hello hello, Trainers! Carlos here.
In our field, it's necessary to grasp the biological and evolutionary processes that shape canine behavior and development. Two such concepts are paedomorphosis and neoteny, which, while related, have distinct meanings. Additionally, understanding the differences between domestication and taming is important, as these processes influence canine behavior in unique ways.
1. Paedomorphosis vs. Neoteny: Clarifying the Distinctions Understanding Paedomorphosis, Neoteny, Domestication, and Taming
Paedomorphosis
Paedomorphosis refers to the retention of juvenile characteristics into adulthood. In domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), selective breeding has led to adults exhibiting traits that were once only present in juveniles.
Examples in Dogs:
Physical Traits: Features such as floppy ears, curly tails, and varied coat colors are often cited as paedomorphic traits resulting from domestication. Source
Implications for Training:
Recognizing paedomorphic traits helps trainers understand certain breed-specific behaviors and appearances, allowing for more tailored training approaches.
Sidenote:
The correct term is paedomorphosis (also spelled pedomorphosis, though less commonly). Both spellings are accepted in scientific literature, but paedomorphosis is the more widely used and preferred form.
Paedomorphosis comes from the Greek words paedo- (child) and -morphosis (form or shape), referring to the retention of juvenile characteristics into adulthood.
Neoteny
Neoteny is a subset of paedomorphosis, specifically referring to the retention of juvenile behaviors into adulthood. This phenomenon is significant in domestic dogs, influencing their social interactions and trainability.
Examples in Dogs:
Behavioral Traits: Adult dogs often display behaviors such as playfulness and increased sociability, which are characteristic of juvenile stages in their wild ancestors. Source
Implications for Training:
Neotenic behaviors make dogs more adaptable to human environments and responsive to training methods that utilize play and social interaction.
Key Distinction:
Paedomorphosis: Encompasses both physical and behavioral juvenile traits retained in adulthood.
Neoteny: Specifically focuses on the retention of juvenile behaviors into adult stages.
2. Domestication vs. Taming: Understanding the Processes Understanding Paedomorphosis, Neoteny, Domestication, and Taming
Domestication
Domestication is a long-term genetic process where a species undergoes selection for traits that make them more compatible with human environments. This process results in heritable changes across generations.
Key Points:
Genetic Changes: Domestication involves genetic modifications that affect both behavior and physical traits, such as reduced aggression and changes in appearance. Source
Species-Wide Impact: Once domesticated, these traits are consistently passed down, distinguishing the species from their wild ancestors.
Implications for Training:
Understanding domestication provides insight into innate behaviors and predispositions in dogs, aiding in the development of effective training strategies.
Taming
Taming is the process by which individual wild animals become accustomed to human presence through habituation and conditioning. Unlike domestication, taming does not involve genetic changes passed to offspring.
Key Points:
Individual Adaptation: Taming affects only the specific animal exposed to humans and does not alter the species' genetic makeup.
Reversibility: Without continued human interaction, tamed animals may revert to their wild behaviors.
Implications for Training:
Trainers should distinguish between behaviors stemming from domestication and those resulting from taming, especially when working with animals that have had varied levels of human interaction.
Key Distinction:
Domestication: A genetic process affecting the entire species over generations.
Taming: A behavioral adaptation occurring within an individual animal's lifetime.
3. Practical Applications in Dog Training
Leveraging Neotenic Behaviors: Utilize play and social engagement in training programs to align with dogs' retained juvenile behaviors.
Breed-Specific Strategies: Recognize paedomorphic traits in different breeds to tailor training methods that suit their physical and behavioral characteristics.
Understanding Behavioral Origins: Distinguish between behaviors rooted in domestication versus those from individual experiences to address issues effectively.
Understanding Paedomorphosis, Neoteny, Domestication, and Taming
4. Final Thoughts
A comprehensive understanding of paedomorphosis, neoteny, domestication, and taming enriches our approach to dog training. By integrating this knowledge, we can develop more effective, compassionate, and individualized training programs that respect each dog's unique background and inherent traits.
Let's continue to deepen our understanding and refine our practices. If you have insights or experiences related to these concepts, feel free to share—collaboration enhances our collective expertise!
Carlos F. Morales - CDBC | CPDT-KA
References
Goodwin, D., Bradshaw, J. W. S., & Wickens, S. M. (1997). Paedomorphosis affects agonistic visual signals of domestic dogs. Animal Behaviour, 53(2), 297-304.
Wilkins, A. S., Wrangham, R. W., & Fitch, W. T. (2014). The "Domestication Syndrome" in Mammals: A Unified Explanation Based on Neural Crest Cell Behavior and Genetics. Genetics, 197(3), 795-808.
Trut, L., Oskina, I., & Kharlamova, A. (2009). Animal evolution during domestication: the domesticated fox as a model. BioEssays, 31(3), 349-360.
Hare, B., Wobber, V., & Wrangham, R. (2012). The self-domestication hypothesis: evolution of bonobo psychology is due to selection against aggression. Animal Behaviour, 83(3), 573-585.
Sánchez-Villagra, M. R., Geiger, M., & Schneider, R. A. (2016). The taming of the neural crest: a developmental perspective on the origins of morphological covariation in domesticated mammals. Royal Society Open Science, 3(6), 160107.
"Neoteny." (2025). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from
"Domestication syndrome." (2025). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from
Carlos is the head trainer at Canine High School in Long Beach, CA, a force-free Puppy School and Dog School. He is responsible for creating the school's Dog Training System, Curriculum, and Philosophy. In addition to educating his canine students and their human parents, he runs a teaching school that offers apprenticeship and internship programs for aspiring professional dog trainers. He is a Certified Mentor Trainer for several dog training schools and holds certifications with the IAABC and the CCPDT. He lives in Long Beach, CA, in a little house by the beach with his human, his three dogs GoGo, Kiba, Choji, and a sassy cat, Habibti.
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