When training dogs, a pat on the head may be more effective than a treat. A new study suggests that most dogs respond more positively to praise than to food. Researchers scanned (pictured) the brains of 15 dogs of various breeds while presenting objects paired with rewards. For example, after the scientists showed the canines a toy car, their owners would praise them. In other tests, the researchers gave the dogs a toy horse and a piece of hot dog. The scans revealed that when praised, 13 of the dogs showed equal or greater levels of brain activity in the region that controls decision-making and signals rewards than when they received food. In a follow-up test, the team set up a Y-shaped maze with the dogs’ owners on one side and a bowl of treats on the other. Although most of the canines preferred to go the direction of their owner for a belly rub, the dogs that showed a greater reaction to food in the scanner consistently chose food in the maze. The scientists suggest using brain scans to determine preference could be used to improve the way service jobs are assigned to working dogs. Therapy jobs with close human contact might better suit dogs that have a higher preference for praise, whereas dogs that don’t could succeed in more independent roles like search and rescue, where receiving a treat after a job well done would keep them motivated. At the very least, the study supports how important social interaction is to dogs—and provides a healthier alternative to treats, too. http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/08/dogs-would-rather-get-belly-rub-treat Paper: http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2016/07/07/062703
Dogs have a hierarchy of needs just like people. Food, of course, is the most important, but if a dog is fed consistently and reliably, his next priority is to perform the chores established by his humans. Whenever there's a major disaster (earthquake, volcano, war, etc.), trained dogs are brought in from all over the world to find the survivors. For the first couple of days, as they continue to find survivors and drag them out, they're treated like heroes, and this love and affection keeps them looking for more. But eventually all they find is cadavers, and although the handlers do their best to reward them for this, the tone of voice--not to mention the pheromones we all emit--tell them that no one is happy to see them work anymore. At this point they have to be sent home, and if there is still a good chance of finding survivors, a fresh crew will be brought in.
My dog, a labrador, is a voracious eater lol. But he'd rather get a rub from me first then food second Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
