As part of student University degree courses, students are encouraged to use dogs in their projects and dissertations, which looks at the animal’s capabilities, cognition and behavioural tendencies.
Some student projects are listed below:
A Comparison of Attachment Behaviours in Dogs Owned from a Rescue Background and Dogs from Owned from a Breeder – 2024
Student researcher: Oskar Wolters
Supervisor: Ambrose Tinarwo
Summary: The aim of this research was to assess whether there are differences in attachment behaviour between dogs from a rescue background and dogs from a breeder background. 13 adult dogs (6 from rescue and 7 from breeder backgrounds) were compared using the Ainsworth Strange Situation Test (Ainsworth and Bell 1970). This procedure tests an individual’s responses to their caregiver and a stranger entering and exiting the room at different intervals to assess attachment. Statistical analysis revealed that dogs from a rescue background spent less time exploring, following strangers, and contacting strangers, as well as more time following their owners and orientating towards strangers than dogs from a breeder background. These behavioural differences indicate that rescue dogs are more likely to show traits of insecure-resistant attachments than dogs from a breeder background. This research could be used to support owners of rescue dogs to understand how their dog behaves and how to manage these behaviours. This research could also benefit dogs in rescue centres by changing the style of care they receive to be more consistent.
A Watchful Eye: The Effect of Presence of Eye Imagery on Obedience in Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) – 2023
Student researcher: Stephanos Petinatos
Supervisor: Anna Wilkinson
Summary: Dog ownership is at an all-time high, however so is the number of forfeits of canine pets. Improving the canine-human bond and in turn the relationship between both parties is highly important in creating a lasting bond. Studies looking at the reasoning behind relinquishments quote the main reason as behavioural problems and lack of obedience. Human studies into obedience have found an effect of eye imagery on reducing anti-social behaviour. This effect has not been tested in dogs despite the potential of improving obedience training. This study set out to test the possible effect using an experimental setup. 21 dogs were tested by being trained to respond to an obedience command which consisted of them not approaching a low value treat for a higher value reward. Once the animals were able to leave the treat for 10 seconds consistently, they were then tested by cueing the command before the experimenter hid behind a screen. The duration before breaking the command was recorded under three conditions (Eye imagery, no imagery, and control). No statistical difference was found between the duration it took to break the command in any condition. The results therefore do not show an effect of eye imagery on obedience. This may be due to the lack of ability of these animals to experience emotions such as guilt, which are important in the presence of the effect in humans. However, the effect cannot be completely disproved; therefore further research into the hypothesis is suggested.