The Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Group at the University of Lincoln focuses on a wide area of research with dogs, including but not limited to, scent studies, expression of personality traits and behavioural and cognitive developments.

Here are the current research studies that we are recruiting for. If you are interested, please contact petscando@lincoln.ac.uk, stating which study you would like to take part in.

Study 1: Investigating Factors that Impact Performance of Drug Detection Dogs

Researcher – Holly Root-Gutteridge

Supervisor – Professor Anna Wilkinson, Professor Daniel Mills, Dr Helen Zulch

Summary – This study looks at dogs’ learning abilities using scent training. Your dog will learn to find different target scents presented to them and we will compare learning rates for different training strategies. Training sessions will take around 1 hour per week across at least 4 months. Participation is completely voluntary, and will take place at either the Rural Science Centre at the Riseholme campus or Minster House at the Brayford Campus.

Participant requirements – Any breed, aged above 1 year

Study 2: A touchscreen training system for dogs to provide cognitive enrichment while kennelled

Researcher – Rebecca Sumner

Supervisor – Professor Anna Wilkinson, Dr Tom Pike

Summary – This study looks at whether using a touchscreen will help improve welfare of dogs in kennels. This study will involve your dog coming into the kennels at Minster House at the University of Lincoln, with some dogs having a play on a touchscreen which will give them some brain training tasks and dispense treats when they choose the correct answer. Participation is completely voluntary, and you will need to bring your dog in to Minster House at least once a week for approximately a year (depending on how fast the dog learns).

Participant requirements – Any breed, aged between 1-10 years