A groundbreaking study led by the University of East London (UEL) is using artificial intelligence (AI) to predict which puppies are most likely to succeed as assistance dogs. This innovative approach, spearheaded by Dr. Mohammad Hossein Amirhosseini, aims to improve animal welfare and reduce the costs associated with training.
The research focuses on behavioral cues observed by trainers. At six and 12 months old, each puppy's behavior is recorded through detailed questionnaires, capturing temperament, focus, and personality. AI models analyze this data to identify potential early on, detecting patterns that even experienced trainers might miss. The findings could significantly reduce the emotional and financial costs of dogs being released from training programs early.
Published in the 50th anniversary issue of Applied Animal Behaviour Science, the study builds on previous UEL-led research. UEL collaborated with organizations like Canine Companions, The Seeing Eye, and Dogvatar. This collaborative effort seeks to refine assistance dog training by identifying promising candidates early, ultimately easing the emotional and financial strain of late-stage failures.