The Influence of Sex and Temperament on Spatial Learning in Domestic Dogs

Abstract

Past research indicates that dog temperament and sex may influence spatial learning and memory. The current study assessed how sex and temperament affect spatial learning in male and female dogs, using an appetitive spatial learning task. It was expected that male dogs would complete the task with more proficiency than female dogs and dogs with an obedient temperament would complete the task with more proficiency than dogs with an aggressive, fearful, or excitable temperament. Findings indicate that male and female dogs appear to learn the task to the same degree. Further, dogs with an obedient or an aggressive temperament appearmoreaccurate in learning the task than dogs with a fearful temperament. The current research may better explain the role that temperament and sex have on spatial learning and memory and can help create a more applicable animal model of spatial learning.