From Puppyhood to Adolescence: Longitudinal Cognition Study at Canine Companions for Independence – Presented by K. Levy

While past research has largely focused on profiling the temperament of young puppies by measuring their behavioral responses to novel or startling situations, much less is known about the early cognitive abilities of dogs. To address this deficit, Canine Companions for Independence in collaboration with the University of Arizona tested 168 dogs (97 females and 71 males from 65 litters) around 9 weeks and again around 18 months of age. Dogs participated in a cognitive battery that consisted of 16 different tasks measuring abilities such as memory, impulse control, problem-solving skills, interpretation of social cues, and discrimination of sensory information. In addition to gaining insight into the cognitive profile of young puppies, preliminary analyses identified specific traits that remained stable from puppy to adulthood. The majority of traits also exhibited significant heritability, with genetic factors accounting for more than 40% of variance on several measures. Prediction for success as an assistance dog from a younger age was also assessed.