The effects of past training, experience, and human behaviour on a dog’s persistence at an independent task

Brubaker, Lauren; Udell, Monique A. R.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2018.04.003

Cited by 15 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…In line with previous results, trained dogs (i.e., agility and search and rescue) spent more time interacting with the apparatus and were able to open it significantly more often than untrained ones (23). On the contrary, Brubaker and Udell (24) found no significant differences between search and rescue dogs and untrained family dogs in gazing or persistence in a similar task. However, significantly more search and rescue dogs opened the container when they received encouragement (24).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…As it was mentioned in the introduction, the literature is mixed regarding the effects of training on dogs' persistence and gazing behavior during problem-solving tasks. For instance, Marshall-Pescini et al (4,22) found differences in trained dogs' gazing and persistence patterns, but other authors did not find these differences (18,24,31). Results regarding working dogs' abilities should be taken with caution, as dogs from different studies vary in the type and amount of training they have received.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…On the contrary, Brubaker and Udell (24) found no significant differences between search and rescue dogs and untrained family dogs in gazing or persistence in a similar task. However, significantly more search and rescue dogs opened the container when they received encouragement (24). The divergence between these studies may be related to differences in the training the dogs from each sample had received [i.e., agility and rescue dogs in Range et al (23); only rescue dogs in Brubaker and Udell (24)].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…However, significantly more search and rescue dogs opened the container when they received encouragement (24). The divergence between these studies may be related to differences in the training the dogs from each sample had received [i.e., agility and rescue dogs in Range et al (23); only rescue dogs in Brubaker and Udell (24)]. Furthermore, the encouragement in Brubaker and Udell (24) may have also influenced the results and this difference in the protocols hinders a straightforward comparison.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The divergence between these studies may be related to differences in the training the dogs from each sample had received [i.e., agility and rescue dogs in Range et al (23); only rescue dogs in Brubaker and Udell (24)]. Furthermore, the encouragement in Brubaker and Udell (24) may have also influenced the results and this difference in the protocols hinders a straightforward comparison. All in all, results regarding the effects of training on dogs' problem-solving skills and strategies are contradicting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assistance and Therapy Dogs Are Better Problem Solvers Than Both Trained and Untrained Family Dogs

et al. 2020

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When faced with unsolvable or difficult situations dogs use different behavioral strategies. If they are motivated to obtain rewards, they either try to solve the problem on their own or tend to interact with a human partner. Based on the observation that in problem situations less successful and less perseverant dogs look more at the humans' face, some authors claim that the use of social strategies is detrimental to attempting an independent solution in dogs. Training may have an effect on dogs' problem-solving performance. We compared the behavior of (1) untrained, (2) trained for recreational purposes, and (3) working dogs: assistance and therapy dogs living in families (N = 90). During the task, dogs had to manipulate an apparatus with food pellets hidden inside. We measured the behaviors oriented toward the apparatus and behaviors directed at the owner/experimenter, and ran a principal component analysis. All measures loaded in one factor representing the use of the social strategy over a more problem-oriented strategy. Untrained dogs obtained the highest social strategy scores, followed by dogs trained for recreational purposes, and assistance and therapy dogs had the lowest scores. We conclude that assistance and therapy dogs' specific training and working experience (i.e., to actively help people) favors their independent and more successful problem-solving performance. General training (mainly obedience and agility in this study) also increases problem-oriented behavior.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 90%