Researchers investigated the factors predicting whether dogs would pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (CGC) training program. The study involved owners completing surveys on their own cognitive traits and their dog’s behavior before beginning the course. Additionally, initial dog training levels were measured using behavioral tasks.
The study, led by J. Stevens and colleagues, found that owner-rated disobedience in dogs significantly predicted training outcomes. Surprisingly, traits such as age, sex, or neuter status did not play a significant role. Instead, the dogs whose owners reported them as more obedient were more likely to complete the CGC program.
On the human side, owners who scored higher on cognitive assessments were more likely to see their dogs succeed. This suggests that cognitive flexibility, memory, and problem-solving skills may help owners adapt and respond to their dogs more effectively during training.
The study also highlighted the importance of interaction: time spent training with the dog was a major predictor of success. These findings indicate that a successful training outcome is not solely a function of the dog’s traits or the trainer’s knowledge, but the dynamic and consistent effort shared between the two.
Ultimately, understanding both the dog’s behavioral tendencies and the owner’s engagement style and cognitive approach may help trainers develop more tailored and effective dog training interventions.
Source: Stevens, J., Wolff, L. M., Bosworth, M., & Morstad, J. (2021). Dog and owner characteristics predict training success. Animal Cognition, 24, 219–230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-020-01418-2
