Picture-Sorting Dogs Show Human-Like Thought

ComputerDog writes "A new study shows they can sort photographs into categories in a similar way to humans. In experiments, dogs were shown photographs of a landscape and of a dog, and were rewarded if they selected the latter using 'a paw-operated computer touch-screen'. Later they were able to correctly categorize dogs shown on an unfamiliar background landscape. '' "

Comments

Who's paying for this?

[thethibs]

One hopes that "Friederike Range at the University of Vienna" lives at the University of Vienna—with his parents—who subsequently helped him understand the difference between research and parlour tricks. If not, standards at European universities must be a great deal lower than we've been told.

Without any training at all, my dog can recognise other dogs on TV, though she gives a little bark rather than pushing a switch with her paw. I'm going to guess that it has more to do with being a pack animal than any kind of "reasoning ability".

Anyone suspect Friedrike is a member of PITA?