The Creative Canine: Investigating the concept of creativity in dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) using citizen science

Abstract

There is no shortage of anecdotal evidence that domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) can solve problems in individual or creative ways. Whether it is figuring out a new way to knock over the trash can or combining puppy-dog eyes with a whine for some table scraps, dogs approach their world in many ways. In recent years, dogs have been studied for a number of cognitive functions but their ability to demonstrate creative behaviors has not been empirically studied. The present study extends training of the create behavior, as previously trained in dolphins, to dogs. The criteria of the create behavior required the dog to present a behavior that had yet to be performed in the session, therefore, the only incorrect response was a repeated behavior. Mastery of the create command was coded on three components: repetition, energy, and novelty. Possible implications of this research will be discussed. This study adds to the literature on dog cognition and supports the utilization of citizen science for canine cognition research.