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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

The Other End of the Leash: An Experimental Test to Analyze How Owners Interact with Their Pet Dogs

The Other End of the Leash: An Experimental Test to Analyze How Owners Interact with Their Pet Dogs

Published on: October 13, 2017

Breed differences in dogs sensitivity to human points: a meta-analysis.

Nicole R Dorey¹, Monique A R Udell, Clive D L Wynne

¹University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.

Behavioural Processes

|June 13, 2009

Summary

All dog breeds demonstrate high success in following human pointing gestures to find food. This study found no significant performance differences across breeds in object-choice tasks, suggesting a universal canine ability.

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Assessment of Sensory Thresholds in Dogs Using Mechanical and Hot Thermal Quantitative Sensory Testing

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

The Other End of the Leash: An Experimental Test to Analyze How Owners Interact with Their Pet Dogs

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Published on: October 13, 2017

Assessment of Sensory Thresholds in Dogs Using Mechanical and Hot Thermal Quantitative Sensory Testing

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Published on: October 26, 2021

Area of Science:

Canine Cognition
Animal Behavior
Ethology

Background:

Recent years show increased research into pet dog (Canis familiaris) behavioral and cognitive skills.
The object-choice task, using human pointing gestures, is a common experimental method.

Purpose of the Study:

To review studies utilizing the object-choice task with dogs.
To conduct a meta-analysis of existing data on dog performance in this task.
To investigate potential differences in pointing gesture comprehension among dog breeds.

Main Methods:

A meta-analysis was performed on published object-choice task studies involving dogs.
Dog breeds were categorized using the American Kennel Club groupings.
Breeds were also clustered based on genetic analysis by Parker and Ostrander (2005).

Main Results:

No significant performance differences were found between dog breeds when categorized by the American Kennel Club.
No significant performance differences were observed when breeds were grouped by genetic clusters.
All tested dog breeds exhibited high success rates in following human pointing gestures to locate food.

Conclusions:

Dog breeds appear to be equally adept at understanding human pointing cues for food location.
The lack of identified differences may stem from limited data and a narrow range of breeds in published studies.
Further research with diverse breeds and more extensive data is warranted.