How science can help you train your puppy

Young dogs’ cognitive abilities may predict behavioral traits in adulthood

Scientists have linked certain cognitive abilities in puppies with desirable adult dog behaviors. Awareness of those links could help pet owners determine the best training for their puppies.

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By Joshua Rapp Learn

April 22, 2025 at 9:00 am

A puppy’s thinking ability may indicate how responsive the dog will be to training and whether it’ll grow up to be well-behaved.

Traits such as impulsivity, ability to follow gestures and reaction to unsolvable tasks in 3- to 7-month-old puppies were linked with desirable behaviors in those dogs in adulthood, researchers report in the May Applied Animal Behaviour Science.

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