Dogs recognize human intent2;
Following on from my article on a new canine behavioral research at the University of Göttingen (Germany), In this article I would like to state my thoughts on this research. Dogs recognize human intent2;
The German study was ethically approved by the Animal Welfare Body of the University of Göttingen, which means that the tested animals were all supervised in an animal-friendly and responsible manner with the consent of the legal owners. You can read the full official publication of this behavioral research in the link below: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-94374-3
In my earlier article:
Did I already give an example regarding the leash by the owner of the dog; It was already clear that, for example, dogs become aroused by stimuli that indicate an upcoming action; for example when a leash is picked up by the handler. It was and is only unclear whether dogs actually understand the human intention to, for example, leash the dog or go out with him.
That dogs could understand the intent of human behavior to a certain level, I will most certainly not deny. However, the method of behavioral research mentioned above has some major gaps in my opinion;
For example, only 51 dogs (of different ages) were included in the study, but apparently no attention was paid to the type of dogs and how they were raised or trained by the owners.
Within such an investigation, where food is used as a lure, you can only draw objective conclusions when typical or atypical type dogs are involved. A Labrador Retriever or Jack Russell Terrier will fixate longer and more fanatically on offered or available food than, for example, a Rottweiler or Bernese Mountain Dog.
If the animals have already been taught certain habits by their owners, such as food refusal, waiting sitting/lying for permission to eat, whether or not to feed rewards, this will also give a hugely distorted picture for the research.
I am very curious about further research into this behavior, but I would like to see the background type of the dogs very clear and the tests become more practical oriented to everyday situations, such as taking in hands and/or only moving the leash by the owner (and also by a person strange to the dog) and handling the leash, for example at the front door or in a situation unknown to the dog. For example, many different practical situations can be simulated.
I will definitely publish follow-up research in Blog Doghelp. The first results look promising and I very much hope that the researchers will create a little more imagination to draw solid conclusions from certain situations.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this article, please let me know.
