September 14, 2024, 10:39 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Scientists have suspected for some time that dogs, like humans, can be left- or right-pawed. However, a new study has now found conclusive data that whether their owners are left- or right-handed also influences their paw preference.
The phenomenon of right- or left-handedness is also known in the animal world and has already been proven. In an independent study, researchers Kimberley Charlton from the University of Lincoln (UK) and Elisa Frasnelli from the University of Trento (Italy) set out to determine whether an animal’s preference is influenced by whether their owners are left- or right-handed. The results show that the paw preference of dogs corresponds in most cases with the handedness of the owners.
Experimental set-up
The researchers examined 62 dogs of different ages and breeds for their tests. The data from two owners could not be used as they are ambidextrous. This left a test group of 50 right-handed and 10 left-handed dogs.
First, the owners filled out questionnaires with important data about themselves and their animals. The animals were all healthy and had no movement restrictions. Owners and dogs were then asked to carry out two exercises. These were used to observe the interaction with the owner on the one hand and with an object on the other. 76 percent of the test subjects had already learned to give the paw beforehand. The researchers, therefore, assume that a tendency towards a dominant paw must already be included in the results through positive reinforcement.
In the first exercise, the “paw task,” the owners were asked to alternately hold out their left or right hand to the animal. This should be done parallel to the middle of the body. The owners then recorded which paw the animal gave them.
A second experiment was the so-called “reaching task.” In this task, an object was placed in such a way that the dog could not pick it up with its mouth but could easily reach it with one paw. The owners had to give the animal enough space so it could reach for the desired object (treat, toy, etc.). Again, the owners marked the paw preference.
Dogs showed clear paw preference in the experiment
The evaluation of the study showed that the dogs had a clear preference for the paw that was also the more dominant hand for their owner. Whether the owner held out the right or left hand during the “paw test” was therefore not relevant to which paw the animal gave them. The conclusion is also that dogs adapt to their owner’s hands. In other words, they relearn it independently, even if the animals were perhaps born with a different disposition.
The study results also showed that female dogs, in particular, tend to be “right-pawed.” Male dogs, on the other hand, showed a different picture. Young males preferred the left paw; older ones preferred the right paw.
Limitations and outlook
The researchers point out that their study was conducted by the owners of the dogs and not under laboratory conditions. Therefore, they could not guarantee that each experimental set-up was exactly the same. In particular, the position of owner to dog can influence the set-up. A controlled experiment would be necessary for further studies. How long the owners have known their animals could also have an influence. The study did not consider the length of time the animals were kept, but only the different ages of the animals.
The scientists suggested that in the future, attention should be paid to which paw is the dominant paw, especially with companion and guide dogs, in order to match them with compatible owners.
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Sources
- Charlton, K., Frasnelli, E. Does owner handedness influence paw preference in dogs? Animal Cognition (2022).
- Telegraph.co.uk, “Scientists discover how to stay on the right side of your dog” (accessed 19.9.2022)