I was asked by our media specialist (let's be real, she's our Librarian!) last week if I'd be interested in participating in her daughter's science project, I believe it was. She said it was to determine if dogs were left or right pawed.
I said I'd be glad to, and she emailed me the instructions, asking me to email her the results.
I didn't realize how long it would take to complete the experiment. Once I got the hang of it, and the dogs figured out what their roles were, everything went smoothly.
I'm going to include the experiment directions so you can perform the same experiment as well, then complete the poll at the end... isn't this fun?
1st experiment: Show your dog the treat. Then place it under a piece of furniture, out of reach of your dog's mouth. Watch as doggie tries to retrieve the treat... record which paw the dog used most when attempting to reach it. Repeat twice more, allowing 5-10 minutes between trials.
2nd experiment: Show the treat to dog, then place it under a soup can, plastic cup, bowl, etc. Watch as the dog tries to move the bowl/can/whatever to get to the treat... record the results of which paw the dog uses first to reach treat. Repeat twice more, waiting 5-10 minutes between trials.
3rd experiment: Show dog the treat, then place it inside a paper towel tube. Lay the tube on its side on the floor. Watch to see which paw the dog uses to free the treat. Repeat twice more, allowing 5-10 minutes between trials.
My observations: I recruited Max and Misty. Max was most grateful for the opportunity to get extra treats in his daily routine. He couldn't wait to do it again. And again.
Misty, however, could care less... treats don't have the same powerful hold over her that they do on Max. I couldn't see very well through the camera and didn't notice that she was adept at retrieving the treat with her mouth. Once I put the camera down, and was able to fully focus on her, I was able to get reasonable responses from her.
I recorded a few of the attempts using my Canon PowerShot. Max at first was confused about me hiding a treat... so I began by placing it on the floor, with my foot over it... that way I could move my foot away for him to see and smell it, then cover it up quickly once he saw that he had to be persistent... he's used to me just giving him a treat... no games involved.
Okay, here's my video of my attempt to find out if my dogs are lefties or righties.
Off camera, Misty proved to be a lefty.
Now, go find out if your dog is a lefty or righty... then come back and do the poll for me... better yet, film your dog during the experiment, upload it to youTube or aol uncut videos, then come back to leave a link to that entry... and by the time you look up at the clock, it will probably be close to Christmas!
It took me altogether two days to complete the entire experiment, what with having a life to live, you know?
16 comments:
Hum....Just on a hunch, I'm gonna say Blackie is ambidextrious. Every time I see her do anything it's both front paws out together. And Matilda....well, she wouldn't do anything for nothing.....not in front of someone. So I guess we'll never really know. - Barbara
I'm sorry, Bea, but I'm not going to do this with Tuffy. Her interest in food is low enough now that it would be useless to try. Last night she wouldn't eat a piece of cheese, and she's taken to burying dog biscuits rather than eat them. Give her a treat and she'll usually just drop it and look at me. Make her work for it and she isn't going to bother. - Karen
P.S. A turkey roll is a boneless frozen turkey breast with dark meat added.
Bongo is a rightie.
R
I'll have to try this with Jess and get back to you!!!
Interesting experiment!
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/
What a hoot,,,I will give it a try with Dee but can almost guarantee he will take one look at me with his rather puzzled wee look...and then walk away with a shake of his head sure that I have gone mad !! he won't be far wrong !! he aint much of a foody dog...the very first that I have that hasn't been, All the others I am sure would have eaten me if I had lain down long enough !! Have a great week
Love Sybil xx
Both our dogs use both paws, depends what mood they are in.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/
I never ever gave this a thought before; pretty interesting!
Have a great week!
Maria
Thanks for the memories. <grin> Our daughter did this experiment about 10 years ago, back in Elementary School. Except she used our pet rabbit and concluded "Princess Flash" favored her left. It sparked her curiosity and she expanded the experiment trying different treats in different positions to see which treat the rabbit actually favored. Surprisingly the least popular was a carrot. <grin> So much for that Bugs Bunny myth. ... The expanded experiment also won the science fair. <grin>
Patrick
http://caregivinglyyours.com/
my rabbit doesn't care for carrots either, he prefers yogurt....
You have more patience than I do. I tried for a full 5 seconds to care if my dog was right or left pawed and couldn't drum up any interest.
Loved the cute video, though.
Love you too
Marti
((((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))))))))Sounds like fun.wish I had a dog to do that.Have a ncie day.
Bea, this is the funniest and cutest video. I love that the dogs "volunteered." This is just adorable. Your are so talented in making videos. Your dogs are cute too! Unfortunately, I don't have any dogs and my neighbor's dog growled at me when I asked him to volunteer.--Sheria
Loved the video and experiment. Pickles is Left pawed. She always has been, it's the paw she offers up to hold hands with and show affection too. (She tends to curl the toes of her paws so they wrap around your hand like a monkey. I've never seen a dog do this before). When we are goofing around she will protect her left paw, tuck it under her to. (Hugs) Indigo
Love the video Bea, especially when Misty stole her treat.
I don't have a dog so I can't try it. I did consider asking wifey to participate but, believe me, I KNOW I'd just get a right hander! ;O)
B. x
My dog proved to be hungry. It didn't matter that she cleans the dish as soon as you feed her. When treats are involved, she eats like she hasn't seen food in a month.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay
I'm going to try this with Grizzly. LOL...the poor boy is so old, I don't know if he'll have the energy to fuss to get a treat although he does love them. I'll come back and do the poll after I get done. Chris
How neat!!!! I just found this! Somehow I missed your posting & came back across it. We have 3 dogs, so we'll have to give it a try! Hmmm...think the librarian's daughter would mind if we try to replicate what she did with my Second graders??
sher (wunzuponatime)
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