Dogs Use Deception to Get Treats, Study Shows
In a recent study published in the journal Animal Cognition, researchers led by Marianne Heberlein of the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Experimental Studies at the University of Zürich uncovered fascinating insights into dogs behavior.
The study aimed to understand if dogs are capable of using deceptive tactics to obtain their favorite treats.
Here are the key findings from the first half of this page:
Study Overview:
Conducted by Marianne Heberlein and her team at the University of Zürich, the study involved 27 dogs and two different partners.
Experimental Setup:
Two (human) partners were introduced: one was cooperative, the other one competitive.
The cooperative partner would give the dog a treat when shown, while the competitive partner would withhold the treat.
Testing Phase:
Dogs were trained to lead their partners to boxes containing food with the command “Show me the food.”
The cooperative partner allowed the dog to eat the snack, while the competitive partner withheld it.
Three covered boxes were presented, one containing
- a sausage,
- another a less-yummy dry biscuit, and
- the third being empty.
Deceptive Behavior, some interesting points:
- Dogs had been trained to lead both cooperative and competitive partners to boxes containing food.
- The competitive partner would not allow the dogs to eat the snacks.
- If snacks remained inside the boxes when dogs were reunited with their owners, they would have a chance to eat them.
- Dogs displayed a preference for the cooperative partner.
- Dogs led the cooperative partner to the sausage more often than expected by chance.
- They took the competitive partner to the empty box more frequently than the cooperative partner.
This suggests that dogs engaged in deliberate deception to maximize their chances of getting both treats.
Devious Thinking Unveiled!
- Over a two-day testing period, dogs repeatedly encountered a choice.
- They had learned that the competitive partner would not let them have the snacks.
- If snacks were left in the boxes, dogs could eat them when reunited with their owners.
Strategic Decision-Making:
Dogs exhibited strategic thinking, opting to lead the cooperative partner to the box containing a sausage.
Conversely, they led the competitive partner to the sausage less frequently.
Most intriguingly, dogs took the competitive partner to the empty box more often than the cooperative partner.
This indicates that dogs carefully considered their options, engaging in deliberate deception to increase their chances of obtaining both treats.
In summary, this study reveals the remarkable cognitive abilities of dogs. They not only distinguish between cooperative and competitive partners but also demonstrate their capacity for strategic decision-making. Dogs’ inclination to use tactical deception to maximize treat acquisition sheds light on the complexity of their behavior.
Your understanding of your furry friend’s intelligence and cunning might have just deepened. Stay tuned for more captivating insights into the world of canine psychology.
For more details on this study, please refer to the original article.
A great example of a
deceptive dog: