Is your dog a good communicator?

[Booley]

Hi all!
It’s Maureen from Dogs Behaving Badly here, long-time friend and supporter of DiD
I always seem to come on here when I’m looking for something, and this post is no different
I’m carrying out a research project into how dogs perceive human communicative signals, and how we perceive theirs! It’s being done in conjunction with Newcastle University (that’s Newcastle Upon Tyne), and the Family Dog Project in ELTE University, Budapest, which is the centre of dog communication research in the world. Look them up, they’ve done some fab work, which you may be familiar with! http://familydogproject.elte.hu/

To do my project, I need volunteer dogs and owners!
I hope ye can understand that to reduce or eliminate "noise" or inaccuracies from the research, I am limited to certain types of dogs, which I’ll describe below.
I need certain small, purebred dogs: any age, male or female, neutered or not, any background. They don’t have to have papers, but they do need to be obviously purebred (no offence to our beloved Heinz 57s )
The dog(s) need to be indoor dogs.
The dog(s) should not be highly trained to a particular discipline (e.g. agility, flyball)
The dog(s) should be motivated by food or toys

The test is quite short (30mins altogether, including breaks), and is completely non-invasive and should be quite fun for both dog and owner! the owner will play an important part in handling their dog in the experiment.
Best of all, I will travel to you to do the testing! Now, I will be videoing the tests, because I will need to analyse the videos afterwards. Please be assured that the camera will not be used to film your family heirlooms or your valuable goods… this has been asked of me already , but I promise, I’m not a kleptomaniac.. I know Twist (Marie), Kay Doyle, and various other DiD people will vouch for me.. after I send them a brown envelope each
All joking aside, confidentiality is assured at all times.
I’ll be starting the testing soon, and will continue up til about July.

I will list the breeds I’m looking for now. I’m afraid I can’t include flat-faced breeds because they’re just too good at these tests compared to their longer-nosed brethern!
Here we go:

From the gundog breeds:
English or Welsh Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Brittany Spaniels, Clumber Spaniels, Sussex Spaniels, and Field Spaniels.

From the herding breeds:
Border collies (smaller individuals), Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties), Hungarian Pulis, Corgis, and Tibetan Terriers.

From the Terrier breeds:
Westies, Scotties, Cairns, Fox Terriers (smooth and wire), Border terriers, Dandie Dinmonts, Glen of Imaals, Lakeland Terriers, Patterdale Terriers, Jack Russells, Parsons Jack Russells, Sealyham Terriers, Czesky Terriers.

From the Hound breeds:
Whippets, Beagles, Dachshunds (all sizes, all coat types), Bassett Hounds

From the Toy breeds (note, no flat-faced breeds):
Bichons, Bologneses, Maltese, Havanese, Cavalier King Charles, Pomeranians, German Spitz, Japanese Spitz, Papillons, Phalenes, Poodles (toy and miniature), Chihuahuas, Coton du Tulear, Chinese Crested, Powderpuffs, Miniature Pinscher, Lowchens.

So, if you have one of these breeds, or if you know anyone who has, and you’d like to take part, please send me a PM, or give me a shout at 086 8200010.
If anyone has any questions, post here, or drop me a PM!
Thanks a million for reading this!
Maureen

[DID Rescue]

Did anyone we know get involved in this trial???

[Booley]

Hi Twist,
How are ya? Love the new look website, I meant to say it to you ages ago that it’s looking fab!
I got a couple of takers from here for this project alright. Me being me, I had the best intentions in the world to get it up and running AGES ago, but have only now got off my butt and started testing
However, let me take this opportunity to invite any more interest that might be out there? Oddly enough, I’m stuck for Collies (I thought I’d be overrun with them ) and for Cockers and Springers. Oh, and Beagles.
The more breeds I get, the better the results, so I’m trying to get as much variety in the breeds as I can… so if you have one of the breeds on the list, pleeeeease give me a shout!
Thanks!
Maureen

[Indianna]

I have a neutered male Border Terrier and a neutered female Patterdale Terrier but we live in Scotland. Don’t know if we can help with your project but if you think we can, please let me know.

[Booley]

Aw Indianna,
I got really excited when I saw the two breeds you have , then I saw that you live in Scotland
I wish I’d an excuse to head to Scotland to test them, but sadly, it’s not to be!
Dowlingca, I’ve been trying to contact you by PM but it’s not sending to you for some reason, and the number I have for you is missing a digit… can you text me at 086 8200010 so we can arrange testing?
Thanks!
Maureen

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