Pampering old dogs by snuggling up on the couch and forgiving them for their stubbornness or disobedience doesn't do our four-legged friends any good. Regular brain training and lifelong learning create positive emotions and can slow mental decline in old age. However, physical limitations often do not allow for the same type of training as in young dogs. In a new study, a team of researchers propose computer interaction as a practical alternative. In the training lab, old dogs responded positively to cognitive training with educational touchscreen games. The goal now is to prepare the interactive “dog sudoku” for home use.
Lifelong learning isn't just good for people, it's good for dogs too. Dogs can learn even in old age, and constant brain training and mental problem solving create positive emotions and slow the natural rate of mental decline. However, unlike puppies or young dogs, old dogs are almost never mentally trained or challenged. Senior dogs are usually perfectly integrated into our lives and we often forgive them for any disobedience or stubbornness. In addition, because of their increasing physical limitations, we usually spare old dogs the kind of training we would expect from young animals.
Simple mental tasks on the computer, in combination with a reward system, can replace physically demanding training and still keep the animals mentally fit, even in old age. “Just like in humans, dopamine production in dogs also declines with age, leading to a decline in memory and motivation, but this natural mental decline can be offset by specific training of cognitive skills.”
Using simple tasks that can be solved through touchscreen interaction, followed by a reward, even old dogs remain willing to learn. “The positive feeling that comes from solving a mental challenge is similar to the feeling older people have when they learn something new, do something they enjoy.” Regular brain training not only wakes us up, but also dogs out of apathy in old age, increasing their motivation and engagement and thus maximizing learning opportunities,” said the researcher.
Photo Credit:Messerli Research Institute/Vetmeduni Vienna
