No abstract

Teaching owners how to train their dogs is an important part of maintaining the health and safety of dogs and people. Yet we do not know what behavioral and cognitive features of dogs and owners are relevant to dog obedience. The aim of this study is to determine which characteristics of both dogs and owners predict success in completing the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen training program. To investigate this question, we collected survey data about dogs and their owners---as well as dog salivary cortisol levels and behavioral data---before the first session of a dog obedience training course. We then examined what behavioral and cognitive factors predicted whether the dogs passed the Canine Good Citizen test after the class ended. In terms of dog characteristics, we found that, while dog age, sex and neuter status did not predict success, the behavioral trait of disobedience did predict completion of the program. In terms of owner characteristics, owners with higher levels of cognitive ability were more likely to have their dogs complete the program. Finally, dog-owner characteristics such as the time spent training and the dog's response to a sit command predicted success. Some of the same characteristics, including disobedience and time spent training, also predicted dog impulsivity levels. Thus, both behavioral and cognitive characteristics of the dogs, owners, and how they interact seem to predict obedience class success and dog impulsivity. These findings suggest that there are some owner and dog-owner traits that can facilitate or hinder obedience training.