Tania Plueckhahn

Recent research has suggested that the preferred use of either the right or left hand side of the brain (brain lateralisation) by domestic dogs may influence behavioural issues such as aggression, anxiety and excitability. Greater understanding of lateralised behaviour in dogs and the relationships between lateralisation, personality and problem-solving may lead to advancements in training of these animals for purposes such as service roles for those with disabilities, as well as an increased understanding of animals with anxiety and other behavioural issues. The relationship between the owner’s personality and the dog’s lateralisation, personality and problem-solving ability has not been investigated before and may also lead to advancements in training and treatment of dog behavioural issues.