Landmark discrimination learning in the dog.
Allocentric spatial memory was studied in dogs of varying ages and sources using a landmark discrimination task. The primary goal of this study was to develop a protocol to test landmark discrimination learning in the dog. Using a modified version of a landmark test developed for use in monkeys, we successfully trained dogs to make a spatial discrimination on the basis of the position of a visual landmark relative to two identical discriminanda. Task performance decreased, however, as the distance between the landmark and the "discriminandum" was increased. A subgroup of these dogs was also tested on a delayed nonmatching to position spatial memory task (DNMP), which relies on egocentric spatial cues. These findings suggest that dogs can acquire both allocentric and egocentric spatial tasks. These data provide a useful tool for evaluating the ability of canines to use allocentric cues in spatial learning.
Milgram
N W
NW
Division of Life Sciences, University of Toronto at Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
Adams
B
B
Callahan
H
H
Head
E
E
Mackay
B
B
Thirlwell
C
C
Cotman
C W
CW
D000818:Animals; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology*