DOGS ARE BORN WITH “HUMAN-LIKE” SOCIAL SKILLS

A new study out of the University of Arizona finds puppies are born with “human-like” social skills. Researchers tested 375 eight-week-old puppies training to become service dogs in the future. The group consisted of 98 Labrador retrievers, 23 golden retrievers, and 254 Labrador golden crosses. The puppies were able to find and bring back an object like a cup pointed to by a human. The researchers claim this and similar tests prove puppies are skillful from the start when it comes to social communications relying on gestures and eye contact. Lead author Dr. Emily Bray says their findings suggest that dogs are biologically prepared for communication with humans from birth. She says, “From a young age, dogs display human-like social skills.”
* Or – and hear me out – maybe they’re just quick learners.
* This is the stupidest thing I’ve heard today, and it’s still pretty early in the morning.
* At least Dr. Emily Bray from the University of Arizona got to play with a lot of puppies, and spend a hefty research grant doing it, so that’s nice for her.
* I guess what the takeaway here is, with young puppies born socialized, you can give them birthday parties earlier than you thought.
* Every creature in the world is born crying for food, and pooping whenever it wants. I don’t think those social skills are unique to humans.