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

• Published in: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science
• Main Authors: Osthaus, B., Lea, S. E. G., Slater, A. M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2003
• Subjects: General Medicine; Canis lupus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s175275620001262x; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S175275620001262X

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.