Is your dog left- or right-pawed, or ambidextrous? Why would you want to know, other than that it is fun to find out?
Here is some interesting data related to paw preference.
You will need:
Interpretation of results:
Once you have recorded 50 interactions of the left or right paw with the Kong® you have sufficient data to determine whether your dog is left-pawed or right-pawed. Dogs that use their left paw 32 times or more are left pawed.
Those that use their right paw 32 times or more are right-pawed. Dogs with less than 32
uses of either paw are considered ambidextrous.
***
Published with permission from Fergus Veterinary Hospital.
Research reviewed to compile this document:
Lateralised behavior in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris; Behav Processes. 2003 Feb 28;61(1-2):27-35.
Paw preference in dogs: relations between lateralized behavior and immunity; Behav Brain Res. 2004 Aug 31;153(2):521-5.
The relationship between paw preference strength and noise phobia in Canis familiaris; J Comp Psychol. 2006 Aug;120(3):176-83.
- Left-pawed dogs (18% of the population) are more likely to be male.
- Left-pawed dogs have a weaker immune system response compared to right-pawed or ambidextrous dogs.
- Right-pawedness (57% of the population) is more common in female dogs.
- Ambidextrous dogs (25% of the population) show no sex bias.
- Ambidextrous dogs are much more likely to exhibit noise, thunderstorm phobia and separation anxiety than their left or right-handed cousins.
How do you find out whether your dog is left- or right-pawed?
You will need:
- Some soft dog food – your dog’s regular brand is less likely to cause a stomach upset than anything else.
- A Kong® (or similar) toy.
- A sheet of paper numbered from 1 to 50.
- A pencil.
- Plenty of time. This test can take up to four hours.
- Pack the Kong® with food, and freeze it solid. To start the test place it in front and to the center of your dog’s paws.
- Record the paw used to first touch the Kong® at number 1 on the recording sheet.
- Continue to record the paw used to touch the Kong® until the dog has made 50 paw interactions classified as left paw (L) or right paw (R). Definitions for the way in which interactions are classified as L or R appear below (interactions with both paws placed separately on the Kong® at the same time are not counted).
- If the dog repositions its paw or paws on the Kong®, without the paw or paws completely leaving the
Kong®, that interaction with the apparatus is not counted or recorded. - If the dog holds the Kong® down with a certain paw or with both paws for longer than 10 seconds, gently remove the Kong® from under the paw or paws and place it in front and to the center of your dog’s paws.
- Some dogs retrieve only the top layer of food from the Kong®. For these dogs, the Kong® must be topped up with food to achieve the 50 paw interactions. Large hungry dogs empty the Kong® quickly so they are the most likely to need it topped up.
Left paw (L) | Right paw (R) |
- Left paw on Kong®, right paw not. - Left paw over right paw on Kong®. - Left paw on top of Kong®, right paw underneath. | - Right paw on Kong®, left paw not. - Right paw over left paw on Kong®. - Right paw on top of Kong®, left paw underneath. |
Greyhound demonstrating classification of paw interactions with Kong.– left paw interaction (L) | Greyhound demonstrating classification of paw interactions with Kong.- right paw interaction (R) |
Interpretation of results:
Once you have recorded 50 interactions of the left or right paw with the Kong® you have sufficient data to determine whether your dog is left-pawed or right-pawed. Dogs that use their left paw 32 times or more are left pawed.
Those that use their right paw 32 times or more are right-pawed. Dogs with less than 32
uses of either paw are considered ambidextrous.
***
Published with permission from Fergus Veterinary Hospital.
Research reviewed to compile this document:
Lateralised behavior in the domestic dog, Canis familiaris; Behav Processes. 2003 Feb 28;61(1-2):27-35.
Paw preference in dogs: relations between lateralized behavior and immunity; Behav Brain Res. 2004 Aug 31;153(2):521-5.
The relationship between paw preference strength and noise phobia in Canis familiaris; J Comp Psychol. 2006 Aug;120(3):176-83.
We are SO going to try this this weekend. I had never even considered this!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, isn't it? Our vet actually encourages his clients to do this test with their dogs.
Deletei am doing this for a science project
ReplyDelete