Do domestic dogs show any evidence of being able to count?

West, R; Young, R

Abstract

Numerical competence has been demonstrated
in a wide range of animal species. The level of numerical
abilities shown ranges from simple relative numerousness
judgements to true counting. In this study we used the
preferential looking technique to test whether 11 pet dogs
could count. The dogs were presented with three simple
calculations: “1+1=2”; “1+1=1”; and “1+1=3”. These calculations were performed by presenting the dogs with
treats that were placed behind a screen that allowed manipulation of the outcome of the calculation. When the
dogs expected the outcome they spent the same amount of
time looking at the result of the calculation as they did on
the initial presentation. However, when the result was unexpected dogs spent significantly longer looking at the
outcome of the calculation. The results suggest that the
dogs were anticipating the outcome of the calculations
they observed, thus suggesting that dogs may have a rudimentary ability to count.

Citation

West, R., & Young, R. (2002). Do domestic dogs show any evidence of being able to count?. Animal Cognition, 5, 183-186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-002-0140-0

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Aug 16, 2002
• Deposit Date: Jul 13, 2023
• Journal: Animal Cognition
• Print ISSN: 1435-9448
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Pages: 183-186
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-002-0140-0