Canton, GA

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Even feral dogs depend on humans these days.

New research suggests that dogs are less smart than they used to be. Once able to roam the land and fend for themselves, domestic dogs are now confined to electric dog fences and froofy dog clothes. New research proves that the modern day dog has lost ability to solve problems and fend for themselves.

"Often feral dogs survive by taking advantage of human leftovers or domestic livestock. Leftovers could be things like garbage scrounged from dumps or the occasional food handouts," author Bradly Philip Smith reported to Discovery News.

Philip and Carla Litchfield, an animal behavioralist, performed the study for the University of South Australia. Philip and Litchfield put dingoes and domestic dogs through a series of problem solving tests. The main test required each animal to pass through a transparent "v" shaped barrier to obtain a reward. The barriers had several detour doors which would allow the dogs to pass through and reach the reward. In each trial, the dingoes were able to quickly discern openings and pass through the doors to get to the food reward. Each dingoes was able to reach the food in under 30 seconds, however, the domesticated dogs became frustrated, whined and often barked for assistance.

The research implies that there might be cognitive divergence between wild and domestic canines as a direct result of their evolutionary history.

Emma Ayres

Senior PR Director

Pet-Super-Store.com

Canton, GA

1-800-507-5908