Understanding how working dogs develop their cognitive and emotional skills
Longitudinal Cognitive and Emotional Development in Working Dogs
This study is looking at how working dogs, especially service dogs, grow and learn from 8 to 20 weeks old to find out what makes them great helpers for people with disabilities, so we can improve their training and help more dogs succeed in these important roles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10559650 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the cognitive and emotional development of working dogs, particularly those trained as service animals. By studying dogs from 8 to 20 weeks of age, the research aims to identify the traits that contribute to their success in assisting individuals with disabilities. The study combines resources from Duke University and other institutions to explore how these traits develop over time and how they can be measured. This information could help improve training methods and increase the number of effective service dogs available.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with physical and mental disabilities who could benefit from the assistance of a service dog.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have a need for a service dog or those who do not have disabilities may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a greater supply of trained service dogs, reducing wait times for individuals in need.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding dog cognition, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful advancements.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hare, Brian — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Hare, Brian
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.