Research at the Canine Cognition Lab
Investigation of Gravity and Solidity
We are interested in whether dogs have an understanding of physical properties of objects. From previous research in humans and nonhuman primates, we know that the ability to reason about physical objects and to form expectations about how objects will interact with each other develops at a young age. This understanding can lead to a better understanding of the physical world we all live in and better success navigating one’s surroundings. In order to ask similar questions of dogs, we use a simple bookcase set up that you can see in the photo here. We ask your dog to sit and watch while we hide a treat out of sight in one or other of the different compartments of the bookcase, then they get the chance to go find the treat. In a typical session, your dog will get between 10-20 repetitions of hidden treats to find, and we’re interested in what types of cues about the environment guide their searching behaviour.
We are interested in whether dogs have an understanding of physical properties of objects. From previous research in humans and nonhuman primates, we know that the ability to reason about physical objects and to form expectations about how objects will interact with each other develops at a young age. This understanding can lead to a better understanding of the physical world we all live in and better success navigating one’s surroundings. In order to ask similar questions of dogs, we use a simple bookcase set up that you can see in the photo here. We ask your dog to sit and watch while we hide a treat out of sight in one or other of the different compartments of the bookcase, then they get the chance to go find the treat. In a typical session, your dog will get between 10-20 repetitions of hidden treats to find, and we’re interested in what types of cues about the environment guide their searching behaviour.
Investigations of Social Understanding
We are interested in whether dogs are able to differentiate between accurate and inaccurate information about the location of a hidden treat. This study is being run in partnership with the Yale Canine Cognition Lab. From previous research we know that dogs are very good at following a point to a location. This study involves your dog receiving information about the location of a hidden treat from someone who always points them to the correct location and someone who always points to the incorrect location. Your dog then receives conflicting information from both people and we see whose point they follow.
We are interested in whether dogs are able to differentiate between accurate and inaccurate information about the location of a hidden treat. This study is being run in partnership with the Yale Canine Cognition Lab. From previous research we know that dogs are very good at following a point to a location. This study involves your dog receiving information about the location of a hidden treat from someone who always points them to the correct location and someone who always points to the incorrect location. Your dog then receives conflicting information from both people and we see whose point they follow.
