A recent study from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest has revealed new insights into how dogs identify objects.
Unlike humans, who often rely on shape to recognize items, dogs seem to focus more on texture, according to El Economista.
The researchers worked with 35 dogs, training them to search for a specific target object among several others.
During the tests, each dog was presented with two objects. One matched the target in shape, while the other matched in texture.
The experiment included eight trials. In four of these, the dogs had to choose between the trained target object and another with a similar shape or texture.
Senses Differently From Humans
In the other four, the dogs were presented with completely new objects. One shared the target’s shape but had a different texture, while the other had the same texture as the target but a different shape.
At first, the dogs tended to approach the object that matched the target’s shape. But when making their final choice, they picked the object with the same texture as the target.
This suggests that dogs use their sight to find objects that look similar but rely on their sense of touch to make their final decision.
The study shows how dogs use their senses differently from humans. While people often depend on shape to recognize objects, dogs seem to prioritize other features like texture.
This difference may be due to how dogs use their senses in everyday life. Their ability to integrate multiple sensory cues helps them navigate their environment in ways that are unique to their species.
These findings could help dog trainers and pet owners better understand how dogs perceive the world. Knowing that texture plays such an important role could influence training techniques or even the design of toys and tools for dogs.
