Presentation Details
| Rethinking Self-Control Training in Dogs: Does Choice Enhance Performance? Rebecca A.Singer1, Ellen E.Furlong2, Jasmine Grooms1, Simon Drake1. 1Berea College, Berea, KY, USA.2Transylvania University, Lexington, KY, USA |
Abstract
Impulse control issues are one of the primary reasons behind failed adoptions. Previous work has failed to show that specifically training a long down-stay in the face of increasing distractions improves performance on any of four different self-control tasks in a laboratory setting. Context specificity of self-control may account for this disconnect between training and test performance. Alternatively, choice and autonomy may play a role in all facets of self-control, regardless of context.
In the current study, we examined whether providing dogs with an autonomous choice would enhance performance on a spatial delay discounting task. In this task, dogs were required to bypass a low-value reward (LVR) to obtain a high-value reward (HVR). Self-control was operationalized as the maximum distance dogs were willing to travel to access the HVR. We tested whether the opportunity to make an autonomous choice increased dogs’ willingness to forgo the immediate, lower-value option in favor of the delayed, higher-value reward.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
In the current study, we examined whether providing dogs with an autonomous choice would enhance performance on a spatial delay discounting task. In this task, dogs were required to bypass a low-value reward (LVR) to obtain a high-value reward (HVR). Self-control was operationalized as the maximum distance dogs were willing to travel to access the HVR. We tested whether the opportunity to make an autonomous choice increased dogs’ willingness to forgo the immediate, lower-value option in favor of the delayed, higher-value reward.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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