Detour behaviour in attack-trained dogs: Left-turners perform better than right-turners

Abstract

Detour behaviour was investigated in attack-trained dogs faced with a “U”-shaped vertical barrier behind which a figurant (target) was located. Left-turners took less time to detour the barrier than right-turners. The most logical explanation for the lateral asymmetries observed in dogs’ detour behaviour is to assume that they reflect preferential use of the right or the left eye in visual analysis of the target. Given that the lateral field of each eye of dogs projects mainly to the contralateral side of the brain, shorter latencies to solve the task observed in left-turners (right visual hemifield) with respect to right-turners (left visual hemifield) are consistent with specialisation of the left hemisphere in prey-catching behaviour. Overall our results supported previous evidence that cerebral lateralisation in vertebrates can directly affect visually guided motor responses and have practical implications for personnel involved in the selection of dogs trained specifically to assist police and other law-enforcement personnel in their work.

Keywords:

• Dog
• Laterality
• Detour
• Vision
• Behaviour

Acknowledgments

This research is part of the following projects: “The asymmetrical mind of the dog: Behavioural lateralisation in animal welfare”, supported by Waltham Foundation through a financial grant to A.Q. “Brain asymmetries in dogs”, supported by the University of Bari, Italy through a financial grant to M.S. “Brain lateralisation and immunity in dogs”, supported by the University of Bari, Italy through a financial grant to M.S. (Progetto Idea).