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Training influences problem-solving abilities in dogs (canis lupus familiaris)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

B. Osthaus ,
S. E. G. Lea  and
A. M. Slater
B. Osthaus*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QG, UK
S. E. G. Lea
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QG, UK
A. M. Slater
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QG, UK
*
Email: [email protected]
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Extract

One way of testing cognitive abilities (or intelligence”) is by using so-called “means-end” tests, where the desired outcome can only be achieved by utilising some means to that end. Pulling a piece of food that is out of reach into reach with the help of an attached string is one of these means-end tasks. The ability of dogs to solve this problem has so far been only tested in 4 studies, all from the 1930s and 40s, with a total of 11 dogs and varying success. Additionally to exploring this basic cognitive ability in pet dogs the study explored whether training, and in particular so-called Clicker training (operant conditioning with secondary reinforcer), had an influence on the performance in this task.

Type
Ethology
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 2003 , 2003 , pp. 103
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2003

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