The Huron University College Journal of Learning and Motivation
Article Title
A Game of Hide and Seek: Object Permanence in Dogs
Abstract
The present study looked at the effect external cues have on dogs performance during object permanence tasks. Three domestic dogs of different breeds and ages were exposed to 2 different situations, in both the dogs had to find a toy they saw the experimenter hide behind one of three panels. The first situation consisted of the researcher standing next to the correct panel, and the second one consisted of the researcher standing next to an incorrect panel at the time of search. The results suggest that dogs lack of representational thought and that their performance is based on external cues such as the experimenters' position, the dogs search for the toy where the experimenter was standing the majority of the times. It is suggested to investigate the role of reinforcement in the task, as well as to determine if different types of cues have any effect on performance as well.
Recommended Citation
Cuevas Gonzalez, Silvia
(2007)
"A Game of Hide and Seek: Object Permanence in Dogs,"
The Huron University College Journal of Learning and Motivation: Vol. 45:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/hucjlm/vol45/iss1/3