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Is your dog a good communicator? Want to find out?

  • 17-11-2011 10:03pm
    #1
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Do you think your dog is good at knowing what you're trying to tell him? Do you think you know what he's trying to tell you? If your dog fits the profile below, then you can find out how good you both are!:)
    I am conducting a research experiment in conjunction with, amongst others, the Family Dog Project in ELTE University in Budapest, a research centre specialising in research into the co-evolution of social cognition in humans and dogs.
    I am looking for volunteers, both owners and dogs, to take part in this research project.
    Please note, I refer to dogs here as “he” purely for brevity, but this project is open to male and female dogs of any age, neutered and entire.
    My project aims to test dogs bred for different functions in two communication tasks. These tasks are completely non-invasive and fun for the dog. We’ll be trying to measure how well your dog reads human body-language, and how he reacts when given a puzzle to work out.
    This work will help to refine future research into the inter-relationship of dog/human communication, and it will also give owners a chance to see how their dog performs in communicative tasks… is he a free-thinker, or does he prefer to ask his owner for help?!
    I’m afraid I have to limit the dogs chosen to smaller purebreeds only: this is not an attempt to discriminate towards crossbreeds or big dogs, it is simply a matter of experimental design, so no offence to the mutts and mongrels out there!

    If you’re interested in participating, here are some other conditions we’re looking for:
    · Your dog(s) must be a mainly-indoor, pet dog. We cannot test working dogs.
    · Your dog(s) should have, at most, a basic level of training: I can’t use highly-trained agility dogs as we need them to be reasonably innocent in training terms!
    · Dogs will be tested in their own homes.
    · Your dog(s) should be reasonably motivated by food or toys.
    · All you need in your home is a space of about 3m x 2m for the test area.
    · I will be asking you to fill out a short questionnaire about your dog, and there will be video cameras set up in the test area to video the dog’s performance.
    · I can test up to 2 dogs in each home.
    · I will travel to you: as I live in the northeast I will preferentially go for volunteers from Counties Dublin, Meath, Louth, Monaghan, Down, however, if I get a group of volunteers further afield I’d be happy to arrange a tour of your area! So don’t let geography prevent you from volunteering!
    · Confidentiality is assured at all times and volunteers may withdraw from the project at any time.


    So, the breeds I’m looking for are:

    From the Gundog Group:
    Cocker Spaniels (English)
    Smaller Springer Spaniels (Welsh and English)
    Brittany Spaniels
    Clumber Spaniels
    Sussex Spaniels

    From the Herding Group:
    Smaller Border Collies
    Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties)
    Hungarian Pulis
    Corgis (Cardigan and Pembroke)
    Tibetan Terriers

    From the Terrier Group:
    Westies
    Cairns
    Scotties
    Border Terriers
    Lakeland Terriers
    Patterdale Terriers
    Wire- and Smooth-Haired Fox terriers
    Parsons Jack Russells
    Jack Russells
    Glen of Imaal Terriers
    Sealyham Terriers
    Czesky Terriers
    Dandie Dinmont Terriers
    Note: No Staffies as we’re looking specifically for “earth dogs”

    From the Hound Group:
    Dachshunds (Standard and Miniature, all coat types)
    Beagles
    Bassett Hounds
    Whippets

    From the Toy/Companion Group (please note: we can’t use the flat-faced breeds):
    Pomeranian
    German Spitz
    Japanese Spitz
    Bichon Frise
    Bolognese
    Havanese
    Papillon
    Phalene
    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
    Poodle (Toy and Miniature)
    Maltese Terrier
    Chihuahua
    Coton du Tulear
    Chinese Crested and Powderpuff
    Miniature Pinscher
    Lowchen

    I may have forgotten some breeds that fit the profile, if you think you have a breed that might be suitable for inclusion, let me know!
    If you’d like to participate, and find out some interesting things about your dog, as well as making a valuable contribution to our understanding of why dogs and humans get on as well as we do, please PM me and we can make arrangements for testing to be done.
    Thank you all very much for reading this long post!


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,975 ✭✭✭Cherry Blossom


    Is there an option for people to do/video the tests themselves or does that interfere with the controlled environment factor?


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    The tests will be done by me as the same experimenter throughout.

    That said, I can't see any problem if owners would like to video their dogs doing the trials for their own interest.
    All owners will be given the results of how their dog got on individually, and in the experiment as a whole, if they request them.

    Please folks, feel free to ask questions here, I'll try to answer them as best I can.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,412 ✭✭✭toadfly


    What about Yorkies?!


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    TillyGirl wrote: »
    What about Yorkies?!

    Aw, I knew someone would ask! They're too cross-overy between the terrier and toy group from a functional perspective. These tests will help discern how dogs from different working backgrounds perform, so breeds that are still too close to a different functional from the one they're in now could distort things.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,600 ✭✭✭Cutie18Ireland


    I have 2 pure bred poms and im in Cavan if thats any use to ya?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,346 ✭✭✭borderlinemeath


    What about my 2 Irish setters? They're small, probably small border collie size. Based just outside Drogheda.

    Very responsive to food and toys!:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,487 ✭✭✭Mountjoy Mugger


    No labradors?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,584 ✭✭✭PCPhoto


    (attaches sceptic hat) No offence intended OP but how do we know this is genuine.

    on the face of it... someone on boards posts a message saying I want to "test" your dog....I only want pure bred dogs and need to test the dog in your home.

    so the information you gather from your research is the address of pure bred dogs and once inside the home you could get details of any security which is clearly visible.

    (takes off sceptic hat)

    Good luck to ya
    Ps. am I jealous because I have a yorkie/papillion cross and cant afford or dont want a pure bred dog...nope !


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    PCPhoto wrote: »
    (attaches sceptic hat) No offence intended OP but how do we know this is genuine.

    on the face of it... someone on boards posts a message saying I want to "test" your dog....I only want pure bred dogs and need to test the dog in your home.

    so the information you gather from your research is the address of pure bred dogs and once inside the home you could get details of any security which is clearly visible.


    Hands up, it was me yer honour. The cynicism indeed! I haven't seen you posting much here before, so perhaps you won't have seen that almost all of my own posts are dog behaviour and welfare related and I think I have exhibited a reasonably reliable reputation in that regard.
    Apart from that, boards.ie doesn't allow people to post looking for people to take part in projects unless the person has built up a genuine "history", and unless they deem the project to be absolutely genuine.
    I have named one of the organisations involved in this project, a department within a highly reputable university in Budapest. There are other organisations involved, including Newcastle University in the uk.
    Obviously, I can't post every last nugget of information about the project in an "interest gathering" post such as my op is, but anyone participating in this project will be fully briefed in what's involved, who's involved, will see ethical clearance paperwork, and will sign consent forms.
    It is an important experiment, but it's also great fun for participants, and owners may learn things about how smart their dog is that they never knew before!

    Thank you to everyone who has been in touch so far, I will be contacting you all by PM later today. Thanks again!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 158 ✭✭callmekenneth


    search mccul99 on youtube to see a dog that communicates very well


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,772 ✭✭✭✭Whispered


    I'd be very very interested in this but with one mixed breed and one staffy I'm not eligible. I'd love more info on doing it myself if possible.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    No labradors?

    I'm afraid not... that'd make life too easy for me!:D
    The reason I'm constrained by size is that in visual tasks, which these are, big dogs tend to be better than small dogs due to difference in binocular vision.
    Because the Toy Group are an important element in this experiment, it means I have to try and control, as far as possible, the sizes of the other breeds from the Gundog, Herding, Terrier and Hound groups, which means I have to limit myself to the smaller breeds within these categories.
    Sorry Labradors, Retrievers, Pointers, Setters, Rough Collies, Airedales etc!:o


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,975 ✭✭✭Cherry Blossom


    PCPhoto wrote: »
    (attaches sceptic hat) No offence intended OP but how do we know this is genuine.

    Mod Post:

    The OP has sought and been granted permission for this thread in advance, I can also verify that the OP is one of the founding members of APDT in Ireland.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    search mccul99 on youtube to see a dog that communicates very well

    Heh heh! What a funny character! He sure does communicate, I think "happy" is his core emotion:D
    Is he your dog?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,713 ✭✭✭lrushe


    DBB, when will the test take place?
    I've a Chihuahua and a Japanese Spitz but I am due a baby in March so it wouldn't be good timing if the test was scheduled for around then, wouldn't like to have to dash off mid test if baby decided to make an unexpected appearance :D


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    lrushe wrote: »
    DBB, when will the test take place?
    I've a Chihuahua and a Japanese Spitz but I am due a baby in March so it wouldn't be good timing if the test was scheduled for around then, wouldn't like to have to dash off mid test if baby decided to make an unexpected appearance :D

    :eek::D
    Congratulations on the bump!:)
    I'm going to start testing in the run-up to Christmas, and up to about May in 2012, so there's no problem accommodating you with whatever suits you!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 252 ✭✭Andromeda_111


    What about the mastiff 'Big Lump' varieties? I've a bullmastiff that does the best facial expressions that leave you in no doubt what he's trying to tell ye :D


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    OasisGirl wrote: »
    What about the mastiff 'Big Lump' varieties? I've a bullmastiff that does the best facial expressions that leave you in no doubt what he's trying to tell ye :D

    Thanks Oasisgirl, your dog sounds like a great character:D
    However, I'm afraid I'm confined to smaller breeds for this particular experiment.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,553 ✭✭✭mymo


    I have a Tibetan terrier, but I'm in the south east.

    We have yet to progress far with the training, he'll do the usual, sit, stay, high fives and give the paw, etc....but only when he wants to:rolleyes:

    He's very good at communicating when its bedtime...I have been getting sighed at for the last half hour.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    mymo wrote: »
    He's very good at communicating when its bedtime...I have been getting sighed at for the last half hour.


    :D:D

    Have sent you a PM.
    Once again, thanks to those of you who have contacted me so far to volunteer yourselves and your dogs!:)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,634 ✭✭✭TooManyDogs


    When you say JRT do you mean only IKC registered jackers or rescue centre jackers?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭loopyloulilly


    I have a West Highland Terrier and Miniature Pom. Based in Longford.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,246 ✭✭✭✭Dyr


    Why in the jaysus would a university in hungary run a test involving pulis in Ireland? Theres feck all of them over here and tons of em in Hungary :confused:


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    Bambi wrote: »
    Why in the jaysus would a university in hungary run a test involving pulis in Ireland? Theres feck all of them over here and tons of em in Hungary :confused:

    Heh heh! Good point!
    The test involves pulls simply because they conform to the criteria of being a small, herding breed. If I was testing bigger dogs, the Vizsla and Kuvasz would be in there too!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,429 ✭✭✭Cedrus


    I have two mini dachshunds in Cork, smooth and wire coated?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,411 ✭✭✭ABajaninCork


    Shih Tzu?


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    Thanks AbajaninCork,
    I'm afraid the flat-faced breeds are not included in the study because they are better in visual tasks that longer-nosed breeds, and therefore will muddy the results when compared with the longer-nosed working breeds in this study.
    Thank you, however, for your enquiry :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,598 ✭✭✭chiefwiggum


    basset hound in wicklow


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 709 ✭✭✭belongtojazz


    I'd be really interested in doing this, but my springer would probably be too big, my JRT does a lot of agility and my other 2 are jack cross breeds :(
    It sOunds fascinating :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 198 ✭✭frenchmartini


    are mixed breeds out (poodle/retriever)? she's not huge, more like a small retriever.
    she's a very smart girl :rolleyes:


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 9,790 Mod ✭✭✭✭DBB


    are mixed breeds out (poodle/retriever)? she's not huge, more like a small retriever.
    she's a very smart girl :rolleyes:

    I'm so sorry, I'm afraid the nature of this study requires having to eliminate, as far as possible, The effect an outcrossing could have on results. We're comparing, amongst others, gundogs to to toy breeds, and so a cross between the two groups would cancel out an effect
    @belongstojazz, your dogs are wayyyy too well trained... They'd make a show of me :-D
    But thank you to you both for enquiring!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 709 ✭✭✭belongtojazz


    DBB wrote: »
    @belongstojazz, your dogs are wayyyy too well trained... They'd make a show of me :-D
    But thank you to you both for enquiring!

    Haha I wish that were true :D but as I'm 99% sure I have figured out your real world persona I thank you very much for the compliment and advice :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,429 ✭✭✭✭star-pants


    Thread un-stickied as we did say we'd do that after a week but as it was popular it was left up for longer. People can still reply here :)


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