Dog Projects

The Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Group at the University of Lincoln focuses on a wide area of research with dogs, including but not limited to, scent studies, expression of personality traits and behavioural and cognitive developments.

Our studies are listed below, with links to access the full paper.

Animals can assign novel odours to a known category – 2017

Authors: Hannah Wright Anna Wilkinson Ruth Croxton Deanna Graham Rebecca Harding Hayley Hodkinson Benjamin Keep Nina Cracknell and Helen Zulch 

Summary: This study looked at categorisation in the olfactory domain in dogs.

The Canine Frustration Questionnaire – Development of a new psychometric tool for measuring frustration in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) – 2019

Authors: Kevin McPeake, Lisa Collins, Helen Zulch and Daniel Mills           

Summary: This study looked at the development of a new screen to assess frustration in domestic dogs.

Differences in trait impulsivity indicate diversification of dog breeds into working and show lines – 2016

Authors: Fernanda Ruiz Fadel, Patricia Driscoll, Malgorzata Pilot, Hannah Wright, Helen Zulch and
Daniel Mills                                                                                                                             

Summary: This project used the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale (DIAS) and Positive and Negative Activation Scale (PANAS) to investigate variation in behavioural tendencies within and between dog breeds. 

Word Generalisation by a Dog: Is shape important? – 2012

Authors: Emile van der Zee, Helen Zulch and Daniel Mill                                                   

Summary: This study investigated how dogs associate words with objects. 

Behavioural and Physiological correlates of impulsivity in the domestic dog (Canis Familiaria) – 2012

Authors: Hannah Wright, Daniel Mills and Petra Pollux       

Summary: This project used a behavioural test as well as the DIAS scale to measure impulsivity in different pedigree dog breeds.

Development and validation of a psychometric tool for assessing impulsivity in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) – 2011

Authors: Hannah Wright, Daniel Mills and Petra Pollux     

Summary: This project looked at developing a valid psychometric assessment tool of impulsivity in dogs, resulting in the development of the Dog Impulsivity Assessment Scale (DIAS).

The Development of a Psychometric Scale for the Evaluation of the Emotional Predispositions of Pet Dogs – 2002

Authors: Gill Sheppard and Daniel Mills                                                                               

Summary: This study highlights the development of a clinical tool that uses owner report to measure individual differences in positive and negative activation in pet dogs is described.