KismetKat Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 The other week my two dogs participated in the 'amicability study' that has been much talked about on these forums. I think I remember saying I would happily bet the PhD student as to how my dogs would react. Well I'm glad I didn't. Ended up (particularly once we left the room - me with dog 1 and OH with dog 2) they behaved quite differently from what I expected. It was fascinating watching them on the computer video monitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowgirl Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 What happened? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KismetKat Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 (edited) I guess I should explain what you do first. You enter a room with the dog on lead. There is a 'stranger' sitting on a chair at the end of the room. You stand near another chair that is by the door. For the whole test you don't interact with your dog or give it commands - just be perfectly neutral. After a while the 'stranger' aproaches you and you talk together. Then the 'stranger' tries to say hello to the dog. The stranger then goes back and sits down and you let the dog off lead and sit down with hands on lap. A bit later the 'stranger' calls the dog to him. A bit later you leave the room. While you are out of the room the stranger then a) calls the dog to him and then b) tries to approach the dog. You then go back into the room and sit down (but still ignore the dog). Then the test is over. What do you think your dog would do yellow girl? Edited March 4, 2010 by KismetKat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakti Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Oh I am so glad this test was finally done - I am fascinated as to the results! Lately I have realised that my dog is not as predictable as I had thought previously so please do tell us all. How many people and dogs took part? What breeds and ages etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I'm taking Zig Saturday week - I think I know what he'll do.....will be very interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I'm taking Zig Saturday week - I think I know what he'll do.....will be very interesting How do you become part of tis study? I would love to see my two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I'm taking Zig Saturday week - I think I know what he'll do.....will be very interesting How do you become part of tis study? I would love to see my two. Will PM you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakti Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 PM me too please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixie_meg Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Do they do this in qld? I'm curious too. So how did your dog behave? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 (edited) PM me too please! Done. As far as I know Vic only at the moment It's part of a PhD study. Edited March 4, 2010 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KismetKat Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 (edited) To answer questions - my dogs were numbers 76 and 77 (I think) - she needs 200 dogs overall. As to types of dogs - I think she's had all sorts (purebreds, mutts, DDs), but could not say how many of which sort. As to what my dogs did... I'll start with dog '2' - our collie from collie rescue. He did the test with my OH who is NOT a prime caregiver - so I do wonder if this affected how he behaved. However this sort of variable is covered by the 4 fullsome questionaires you complete before doing the test. Now our collie is typical of the breed. Lovely dog, good with people and other animals. When I have him at the off-leash park he's prone to gauging other walkers trajectory, standing about 20 foot in front of them in direct line with where they are walking, and then cadging a pat. I expected him to maybe be a little unsure in this strange situation, but happy to greet the 'stranger' and cope reasonable well. Oh dear He showed mild signs of distress from the start (panting). He did not like the 'stranger' touching him. He did not approach the 'stranger' when off-lead and called. Once the OH left the room he started a high pitched yip and yap. He totally ignored any and all overtures by the 'stranger'. I felt awful He did calm down immediately OH returned and stood very close to him (even tho he was still being ignored) and just panted a bit. Now the other dog (the mutt with me) - this is a dog totally sutured to me. My expectation was that she would be fine until I left the room where I suspected she would fling herself against the doorway and try and snort be back via any crack she could find under the doorway. As to her reaction to the 'stranger' while I was in the room, I figured it all depended on if she thought he was a 'dog' person or not (she does have the occasional left-wing-separatist-lesbian moment with blokes ) While on-lead she was very sniffy - SO sniffy she couldn't be bothered with the 'stranger' trying to say 'hello'. Once off-lead she was still sniffy, but did run up tail wagging to say a brief 'hello' when the 'stranger' called her. But it was what she did once I left that was so surprising. Not what I expected (see above) and the researcher did tap herself on the head and whisper 'smart dog'. Apparently very few dogs, so far, have exhibited this behaviour. OK - any guesses what she did? Edited March 4, 2010 by KismetKat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildatHeart Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 just tell please, i hate waiting for surprises lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KismetKat Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 just tell please, i hate waiting for surprises lol nah - guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakti Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Lay down by the door and waited for you quietly paying no attention to the other person OR approached the other person and *made friends*??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 She started taking notes???? Do you think being in a room (ie enclosed space with no escape) changed your Collie's behaviour? My fearful girl will now get a pat by a stranger at the park, but never when there is no escape route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 your dog made friends with the stranger as it was the only way he was going to get out of the room?? I honestly have no idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakti Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Started looking for the key to the door???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seita Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 oh come on and tell us already!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildatHeart Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 he jumped on the chair near the door to get a view out the window to see where you went? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starkehre Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 A quiet and subtle growl?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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