Frequently Asked Questions
General questions
Where do the dogs in your studies come from? Do they live in the lab?
All the dogs in our cognition studies are community-owned, meaning they either visit our lab with their humans for their hour-long study visit and then go home, or we visit them (e.g. dogs at daycares or service dog training schools). This is very similar to how child psychology labs operate, where parents can choose to bring their child to participate in studies.
To the dogs, study visits are fun enrichment for them and are in the form of treat-finding games.
How do I enroll my dog in a study at the Arizona Canine Cognition Center?
You can enroll your dog in a study by going to the "Enroll in a Study" page on our website. If your dog isn't eligible for any studies we are currently running, you can enroll them in our general participant database. If we have a study that we think your dog would be a good fit for, we will send you an email with more information.
Where can I read the research papers published by the Arizona Canine Cognition Center?
We post PDFs of all of our research papers on our Publications page so you can read all of our research papers for free. We try our best to keep this page updated, but if a paper you're looking for is missing, feel free to send us an email at dogs@arizona.edu and we are happy to email you a copy.
I would like to work or study at the Arizona Canine Cognition Center. How can I do that?
You can check out Students & Volunteers page for information on current opportunities.
I would like to interview someone at the Arizona Canine Cognition Center for my class/newspaper/website. Is that possible?
Yes! While we do not always have the capacity/time to make every media inquiry work, you are welcome to send us an email at dogs@arizona.edu to see if we can arrange something. Dr. MacLean may not be available to respond to every inquiry, but we also have graduate students and staff members who are often able to answer your questions about our research and the science of dogs :-)
Study eligibility
Is my dog smart enough to participate in cognition studies?
Yes! At our lab, we want to study all kinds of dogs, from high-level agility dogs, to loving companion dogs. Most of our studies require no training for dogs to participate and we regularly work with dogs of all breeds and backgrounds.
My dog doesn’t like other dogs. Can they still participate in studies?
Yes. Many dogs who are dog-reactive participate in our studies. Your dog’s study session will take place in a private room booked just for them.
I live outside of the Tucson area or only live in the Tucson area for part of the year. Can I still bring my dog to participate in studies?
Sure, if you are up for the drive. If you live in the Tucson area part time (e.g. if you are a “snowbird”), let us know. Some of our studies require multiple visits and we need to make sure this will work for you.
I or my dog cannot use stairs. Can we still participate in studies?
Yes. Our building is fully ADA-compliant and our parking spot is located just a few feet from our building. Our lab is on the third floor and is accessible via elevator. If you or anyone else in your party uses a wheelchair or other mobility aid that requires extra space, let us know when you sign up for your study visit and we will make sure to set up our space to have plenty of room for you.
Getting ready for your dog’s study visit
Where do study visits take place?
Unless specified otherwise, study visits take place in our lab at the University of Arizona in Tucson. See the directions page for information on how to find us and where to park.
If you need any help finding us, please give us a call at 520-621-2646 and we can help direct you or find where you are on campus and show you the way!
I work on campus or live nearby. Do I still have to use your parking spot?
You can walk here or be dropped off if that works best for you. We will still meet you at our parking spot and have you call us when you arrive. This allows us to meet your dog in a neutral area and will allow us to make sure we have everything ready for you and your dog before you come into the lab.
What should I bring to my dog’s study visit?
Most study visits will just require you, your dog, and a leash for you to walk them inside! If your dog has dietary restrictions (e.g. food allergies) or only likes certain treats, we ask that you please bring treats that your dog can eat during their study visit.
The treats you bring should be small and delicious to your dog, such as small pieces of cheese or freeze-dried meat. Bring more treats than you think you’ll need– if we don’t use them all, you can take the rest back home!
Can I bring other people with me to my dog’s study visit?
Our testing room has space for two people to watch testing, but we also have a small “waiting room” attached that has a TV where we can livestream your dog’s testing. The waiting room has space for about 3-4 additional people. Children are welcome if they can sit quietly during testing. We have some coloring pages and Legos available, but we recommend if you are bringing a child to also bring a quiet toy for them to occupy themselves.
You are also welcome to take pictures and videos of your dog’s study visit to share with friends and family.
Can I bring other dogs to my dog’s study visit?
In the past, we have found dogs to generally have a difficult time focusing on their cognition games if their doggy friend is also here. Our study visits are fun and involve lots of treats, which can be very exciting for additional dogs and it may be very difficult for them to wait calmly if they are not the one participating.
Can I take pictures or videos of my dog during their study visit?
Yes, and feel free to tag us on Instagram. Our Instagram is @azcaninecognition.
Do you have another question that is not answered here?
You can send us an email at dogs@arizona.edu. We aim to respond to most emails within 1-2 business days.