Duke University's Canine Cognition Center Invites Community to Participate with Dogs

Véronique Koch, a science videographer at Duke, recently took on the role of puppy raiser after seeing a call for volunteers in her community. Last summer, she welcomed a Labrador-golden retriever mix named Nando into her home, a responsibility that came with the understanding that Nando would eventually graduate to become a service dog.

Koch prepared her sons, Vincent and Leon, for the reality of raising a puppy for another purpose. They enjoyed the experience and shared their excitement with others, often telling passersby, “He's gonna be a service dog!”

The research at the Canine Cognition Center involves assessing dogs on various characteristics, including their ability to follow commands and solve problems. Brian Hare, one of the center's researchers, highlights that the goal is to enhance service dog training effectiveness. Currently, about 50% of dogs graduate from service training programs, and the aim is to increase this percentage.

With a high acceptance rate for canine volunteers, the Center allows anyone to submit their pets for involvement. Dogs undergo a range of intelligence assessments that have revealed multiple facets of canine intelligence.

Koch detailed some of the responsibilities entailed in raising Nando, such as housebreaking, crate training, and socializing him by taking him to diverse environments like parties and stores. Should Nando succeed in his training, he would eventually become a service dog; if he did not, Koch's family would have the option to adopt him.

As Nando transitioned to the next phase of his training, the family balanced their sadness with pride in his achievements. Koch noted that her sons received stuffed animals dressed in service dog vests to help with the adjustment.

Additionally, Hare and Woods are set to release a new book titled "Puppy Kindergarten: The New Science of Raising a Great Dog" on August 27, which compiles insights from the Center's research. Duke invites dog owners to share pictures of their pets, possibly winning a copy of the book and celebrating International Dog Day on August 26.