Almost 400 puppies participated in a new study showing that dogs understand human pointing gestures naturally as a result of their D.N.A. We have known for some two decades that dogs understand this motion, but we wondered whether or not they learned this from hanging our humans.
Instead, this study done by the Arizona Canine Cognition Center at the University of Arizona recruited puppies that had experienced very little human interaction. They found that the puppies that performed well were directly related in D.N.A. and saw 43% variation in performance using genetics to see the difference.
Key Takeaways:
- Scientists used almost 400 puppies to figure out if dogs understand pointing gestures because it’s learned or because it’s in their D.N.A.
- Evolutionary biologist Noah Snyder-Mackler says this is a big deal because it shows how people have selected dogs for this behavior over time.
- The tests were pretty conclusive, showing that 43% of the variation was precisely due to genetics.
“Before scientists go searching for genes that may have turned dogs into our faithful companions, they need to make sure they’re there in the first place, she says.”
