Along with some of the best canine scientists in the world, Dr Brian Hare developed the Dognition Assessment program, interactive games and expert analysis system that deliver a perspective on how your dog sees the world.
You see, when you understand your dog’s mind, you can build a deeper connection with them. The program is an opportunity for pet owners to get to know their dog’s individual cognitive style, how he thinks and learns, which impacts his behaviour. Dognition Assessment sessions assess 5 core dimensions of a dog’s cognition, including empathy, communication, cunning, memory and reasoning. Here’s a look at how it works and why it’s beneficial.
How does Dognition Assessment work?
Each game assesses something different, and you record your experience with your pup after each game. After you’ve played the 5 scientific games with your dog, you’ll get a Dognition Profile Report, which is an analysis and observation from some of the world’s leading canine experts. This “test” doesn’t have any right or wrong answers, and there is no percentage score at the end. Think of it as an IQ test, but just for dogs.
The program in action
We bought a once-off Dognition Assessment option to give this thing a run for its money, and we have to admit, it was totally worth the small investment. You can also opt to buy yearly or monthly plans, which come with added extras like expert advice and daily exercises for your pooch.
After we performed the first assessment with one of our silly-looking Beagles, we were surprised to learn that she was much smarter than we ever thought possible. The report showed us some things we already knew and surprised us with things we never imagined. Our Beagle’s empathy skills were impressive, which just verified the fact that she’s basically a human living in a dog’s body. She was also more trustworthy as opposed to cunning, which means she’s honest in her actions, even when we’re not looking. Being a hound, we assumed that her sense of smell always came first, but it turns out that she relies more on her memory than smell for finding lost things.
We’re strongly considering the idea of doing the assessment with our special Spanny-X girl, who is beyond skittish and refused to bond with anyone besides her mom. Perhaps it’s got something to do with her unique breed, but it’ll be fun to get to know her true personality.
How to use the program
If you’re interested in getting your pup assessed, just head on over to www.dognition.com and check out the T’s and C’s before purchasing a plan!
