Submission Type
Event
Expected Graduation Date
2015
Location
Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Start Date
4-18-2015 2:00 PM
End Date
4-18-2015 3:00 PM
Disciplines
Cognitive Psychology
Abstract
Each year 6 to 8 million pet dogs enter shelters, and unfortunately, many are returned to shelters, or euthanized, due to behavioral problems. Many behavioral problems can be alleviated if dogs get exercise; however, some owners cannot provide dogs sufficient exercise. Further, some dogs may be physically unable to exercise. One possible solution is to provide dogs with mental exercise. We are currently developing a series of touchscreen computer tasks with the hope that they provide mental stimulation and can be made available to owners via a tablet application. As of now, a few dogs in our lab have learned to effectively use the touch screen. In the near future, we hope such touch screen tasks will transfer over into an application that will serve as an effective program to minimize the amount of behavioral problems, and hence, the number of dogs sent to, returned to, and euthanized in shelters.
Included in
Good Dog! Applications of Dog Science
Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Each year 6 to 8 million pet dogs enter shelters, and unfortunately, many are returned to shelters, or euthanized, due to behavioral problems. Many behavioral problems can be alleviated if dogs get exercise; however, some owners cannot provide dogs sufficient exercise. Further, some dogs may be physically unable to exercise. One possible solution is to provide dogs with mental exercise. We are currently developing a series of touchscreen computer tasks with the hope that they provide mental stimulation and can be made available to owners via a tablet application. As of now, a few dogs in our lab have learned to effectively use the touch screen. In the near future, we hope such touch screen tasks will transfer over into an application that will serve as an effective program to minimize the amount of behavioral problems, and hence, the number of dogs sent to, returned to, and euthanized in shelters.