A new study by researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna has found that combining pointing with eye contact is the most effective way to get a dog to focus and follow instructions.
The study, led by Christoph Voelter, involved fitting eye-tracking helmets on 20 dogs of various breeds, including mongrels, Staffordshire terriers, Australian shepherds, and poodles. The dogs were tested using two bowls, one containing a hidden treat, while scientists observed their reactions to different cues.
Key Findings:
Dogs responded best when researchers both pointed at and looked at the bowl containing the treat.
The least effective method was pretending to throw a ball toward the bowl.
The results suggest dogs may understand more than just directional cues—they could be interpreting the gesture’s meaning rather than just following movement.
Voelter noted that while the findings are promising, further research is needed to determine whether dogs view these signals as commands or as a form of communication similar to human interaction.