“Beasts of science” is like a collection of stories. Beautiful stories that tell the living in all its freshness. But also in all its complexity. A parenthesis to marvel at the treasures of the world. For this new episode, let’s go back to the one that is most certainly closest to us: the dog.
We have never seen a child chew on the legs of a chair or shred a sofa. Never ? In any case, we have already seen a child greedily throwing himself on a cake on the table. But that’s usually before he learns to control one’s impulses. Well imagine that, in the head of your dog, it happens a little what also happens in that of your child in such a situation.
Tens of thousands of years that dogs accompany us in our daily lives, that they do even more than just accompany us, it seems! According to the researchers, dogs have taken their cues from us, from our children. They thus developed mirror, cognitive functions that mirror our own. To ensure shelter and board. By forging with us, a very special relationship that other animals, despite their degree ofintelligencehave never successfully built.
But what are these particular cognitive functions? Researchers call them executive functions. They correspond to elaborate cognitive processes that involve logic, planning or reasoning. These processes mobilized in situations that require reflection, creativity. Flexibility too. To adapt to new situations. In humans, developed executive functions are associated with success. School or professional.
All dogs can learn
In dogs, researchers have identified six components of these executive functions: behavioral flexibility, attention to humans,inhibition motor skills, instruction following, delay inhibition and working memory. Components that dogs know how to implement in the same way as young children. By themselves in some cases. With a little help in others. They are thus able to stop themselves from barking when a visitor comes. But also to carry out an order given by their human or to remember certain daily routines. Of the “little things” that they have probably integrated to adapt to our environment. Because the dog that would dare to attack his human or steal food from him would have little chance of continuing to be welcome in the house.
And it may not surprise you to learn that working dogs, those who herd sheep on farms or those who assist people with disabilities, are somehow champions of executive function. For them, more than for the simple lap dog, it is unimaginable to indulge in chasing a cat or play ball while their human depends on them to accomplish everyday tasks.
You should also know that the researchers assure that, as for our children, everything is finally learning question. A little well-placed education and you can develop the executive functions of your four-legged friend. And one more proof of the closeness that has been created over the millennia with our best friend. A proof also that the dog is really not so stupid!
bernese mountain dog Young Bernese mountain dog. © AB – All rights reserved
But no, I’m not sleeping. Before going to bed, dogs often turn around 2-3 times. It’s a matter of instinct, until recently, their ancestors prepared their bed in the grass, sand or snow in this way. Credit: Lecates CC by sa
super star dog Masters and their dogs can participate in many competitions, whether dog shows, which reward the dogs closest to the standards of the breed, agility competitions or canicross. Credit: Regeniabrabham CC by
Between dog and wolf The dog is related to the wolf, although their relationship is still unclear. Is the dog a domesticated wolf or was there a primitive dog? In any case, the appearance of the Siberian Husky, more than that of the Chihuahua, recalls their closeness. Credit: Ritmo CC by
Who am I ? Where am I from? There are over 380 dog breeds in the world. This puppy is a mongrel of Shih tzu and Bichon Maltese. Credit: Wsilver CC by
Nobody wants to play with me! Very young, puppies spend their time chewing on everything that comes within their reach. Beware of shoes, cables and furniture legs! Credit: 23am.com CC by
Carefree like a sated puppy There are three important things for baby dogs: play and eat… and sleep afterwards. Credit: Basykes CC by
Clean as a new puppy female dogs are patient and caring mothers who regularly groom their little ones… to erase the traces of their last escapade. Credit: Wsilver CC by
mickey blue eyes How can you resist this look that begs for hugs? In fact, dogs remain big babies all their lives, unlike their cousin the wolf: they keep barking and sometimes their ears droop, like cubs but certainly not adult wolves. This is called neoteny. Credit: Chadmiller CC by sa
Do you think he saw our nonsense? Very young, dogs already begin to socialize, to determine their place in the society around them: who is dominant, who is submissive, who is the alpha (the pack leader)? For the dog, the man is a dog like the others, so we must assume our place in the pack: the alpha. Credit: Sarahemcc CC by
A little nap between two nonsense Like all babies, puppies need lots of sleep for their development. Credit: Richard Stowey CC by
Who are you? Puppies explore their world with tireless curiosity (well, yes…) from their big, questioning eyes. Credit: Wsilver CC by
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