Metacognition—the ability to reflect on one’s own knowledge—is a hallmark of advanced cognition in humans and apes. To test whether dogs (Canis familiaris) share this ability, Belger & Bräuer (2018) conducted three experiments in which dogs had to find a hidden reward behind one of two V-shaped fences. The setup allowed researchers to see if dogs would choose directly or check through a gap to gather more information first.
The results showed that dogs checked more often when they had not seen where the reward was hidden, suggesting awareness of their own uncertainty. Interestingly, reward type influenced performance: dogs motivated by toys performed better than those motivated by food. While the quality of food did not affect accuracy, dogs fetched high-quality food faster than low-quality food, reflecting motivational differences.
Unlike great apes, however, dogs’ checking behavior was less flexible. Even when delays made remembering harder, dogs did not increase their tendency to check before choosing. This suggests that while dogs possess elements of metacognition, their strategies may be simpler and less adaptable than those of primates.
The study provides valuable insight into canine cognition, highlighting both parallels and distinctions between dogs and other intelligent species. Understanding how dogs manage uncertainty sheds light on their problem-solving abilities and the evolutionary roots of metacognition.
Source: Belger, J., & Bräuer, J. (2018). Metacognition in dogs: Do dogs know they could be wrong? Learning & Behavior, 46, 398–413. Publication Date: November 12, 2018. References: 62. Citations: 15.
