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WHAT IS SMARTDOG?

 

SmartDOG is a company which offers science based canine cognitive tests suitable for every dog. Tests are done with scientific standards, which allows also collection of data for research. As a customer you will get a detailed report on your dog’ s cognitive skills (memory, problem solving, impulse control, activity and ability to read human gestures). Test package also includes an access to continuously updating smartDOG database, which allows the owner to compare his/her dog against breed average and all breed average values. At the moment, over 7000 dogs from several breeds have been and are included in the smartDOG database.

Why new behavioral test battery for dogs?

Katriina Tiira (PhD) designed smartDOG test battery after careful piloting in May 2016. The idea for developing these tests begun from the knowledge that current mentality tests end up testing mainly fearfulness-boldness personality – however, dog’ behaviour is affected by many other traits such as impulsivity, problem-solving ability, ability to learn, ability to concentrate etc. Dogs have a lot of individual variation in cognitive traits, which have a crucial role in training, learning, and also in the development of problem behavior. smartDOG test is shown to associate with dog's everyday behavior. Actually, smartDOG test is currently the only publicly available test that associates with trainability, impulsivity, learning as well as with problem behavior (Junttila et al 2024). 

smartDOG data is also used in research, and several publications has been published:

  • Junttila, S., Valros, A., Mäki, K. & Tiira, K. (2024). Do Cognitive Traits Associate with Everyday Behaviour in the Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris)? Animal Behaviour.  Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2024.04.012
  • Kujala, M. V., Imponen, N., Pirkkala, A., Silfverberg, T., Parviainen, T., Tiira, K., & Kiuru, N. (2023). Modulation of dog–owner relationship and dog social and cognitive behavior by owner temperament and dog breed group. Scientific Reports, 13, Article 14739. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-41849-0 
  • Junttila, S., Valros, A., Mäki, K., Väätäjä, H, Reunanen, H., Tiira, Katriina 2022. Breed differences in social cognition, inhibitory control, and spatial problem-solving ability in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Sci Rep12, 22529 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26991-5
  • Junttila, S.; Huohvanainen, S.; Tiira, Katriina. Effect of Sex and Reproductive Status on Inhibitory Control and Social Cognition in the Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris). Animals 2021, 11(8), 2448 https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082448

 

What does the dog do in smartDOG test?

All tests are done using food/ or toy - for a dog, this test is mainly eating / finding a toy, for us its numbers. Results are  numeric  and not subjective statements. Most dogs LOVE these tests and test does not include any frightening parts. Testing is done indoors, and there is no audience. With smartDOG test, also very fearful dogs cane be tested - some of these get a great positive experience from strangers. Only dogs with human aggression are not welcome, as the dog is unleashed during the test, and we care about our tester's safety. Owner of the dog is always present, and is participating the test situation. Dog is not separated from the owner at any point. 

 

SMARTDOG TESTS

The standardized tests include problem solving ability and strategy, impulse control and activity (using FitBark), ability to read human gestures, ability to copy human behavior,  memory and logical reasoning. Tests are fun for the dog, and the only criteria for the dog is the ability to eat treats during the test, and age older than 4 months. Testing time varies from 40min to 1.5 hours depending on the test package.

All tests include an access to continuously updating smartDOG database, where you can compare your dog’s test result against others.

  • smartDOG COGNITION –  for dogs over 8 months, 1.5 hours, 201€ Most popular test!
  • smartDOG PUPPY - shorter test battery for puppies 4-7 months old, 1 hour, 141 €.
  • smartDOG LEARNING, MEMORY AND EMOTIONAL STATE - for dogs over 5 months, 1 hour, 131€

In all prices tax (25.5 %) is included (tax change starting 1.9.2024).

 

WHERE IN FINLAND?

 

In Finland, you can book testing time in Hyvinkää, Helsinki, Turku, Kangasala, Nokia, Oulu, Joensuu, Kuopio Rovaniemi and Lohja, from here. 

Since 2016 May, when smartDOG tests started, over 5000 Finnish dogs have participated smartDOG tests. Today, 13 lisenced smartDOG testers are testing dogs all around Finland.

POP UP TEST IN ANOTHER COUNTRY

 POP UP testing is easily possible to organize  also in abroad, and all our licensed testers speak fluent English and some even Swedish 😁. POP UP testing usually last 2 days (weekend) and 5-7 dogs (depending on the test, PUPPY 1h, COGNITION 1h 30 min) can be tested during one day. Test has to be prebooked from the tester in advance (i.e. not just show up without booking )

POP UP test needs: 

👉 30m2, relatively peaceful, indoor room (toilet and running water is near)

👉 someone local to advertise POP UP test to nearby dog owners

👉POP UP organizer gets an opportunity to test hers / his dog free of charge (this offer is only in abroad, not in Finland)  (tasks: organize/book a test room and do some local advertising)

Interested? ask more katriina@smartdog.fi

 

Want to become a license tester?

Would you like to be a smartDOG license tester? If you have 1) strong background in dog training 2) very good English skills, 3) preferably university degree 4) good IT skills and last but not the least 5) strong customer service attitude , you are very suitable for this job. All smartDOG license testers are independent entrepreneurs, and are they will get full training (plus testing equipments) and support to conduct tests independently.

smartDOG license training:

  • Training period (approximately 26 working days) : min 9 full testing days of “hands on” practical testing (including final exam), and 5-6 days lectures (zoom), 8-11 days self-learning via video material.
  • Practical training (9 days) can be done in Finland, or in your country (especially if more than one person is participating)
  • Cost of training is 3855€ (+vat 25,5%) (4838€), and it includes training period, all the training equipment, and continuous support.
  • After qualification you can work as an independent entrepreneur in your country (you only pay royalty of 12% of the monthly sell to smartDOG ltd).
  • Data collected will be used in research, and is owned by smartDOG ltd

Interested? Please contact katriina@smartdog.fi

 

WHO?

 

smartDOG test battery was developed by Katriina Tiira. Founder and owner of smartDOG is Katriina Tiira, PhD, animal behavioural ecologist who has almost 20-year experience in studying animal behavior. Last eight years Katriina has studied dog behavior at the Helsinki University, and has published over 20 scientific articles on animal behavior. She has also experience from dog training and competing in working dog trials (search, tracking, hunting) and in obedience. Katriina is official judge for Finnish Assistance Dogs and for Canine Assisted Therapy and Education dogs in Finland (both mental test and work certificate tests). Contact katriina@smartdog.fi, +358 44 9729185

Tekijänöikeus 2016, SmartDOG KY. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään.