Puppy (3–7-month-old) cognitive tests as predictors of adult dog cognition and behaviour

Previous research suggests that cognitive traits, such as problem-solving ability, inhibitory control, and social cognition, can be associated with how dogs perform in their various roles in human society. Puppy cognitive tests can have predictive value for the suitability of individuals for different working roles, but no research exists on whether such tests could also be predictive of behavioural traits important for pet dogs. In Study 1, our aim was to investigate the development and stability of cognitive traits from puppy- to adulthood (N = 99). In this study, dogs took part in a cognitive test battery as puppies (3–7 months old, median 5 months) and again as adults (1–8 years old, median 2.1 years). In Study 2, our aim was to explore whether cognitive traits of puppies could help to predict everyday behavioural traits of the same individuals in adulthood (N = 227). Here, owners of dogs which had taken part in the test battery as puppies (3–7 months old) filled in two validated questionnaires (C-BARQ and DIAS) on their dogs’ everyday behaviour when they were adults (1–8 years old, median 2.2 years). In both studies, we investigated four cognitive tests (Cylinder Test, Gesture Test, V-detour, and Unsolvable Task) as well as three behavioural tests (sociability towards an unknown human, exploration of a novel environment, and activity level). In Study 1 we found that dogs’ behaviour was moderately stable from puppy- to adulthood in the Gesture Test (r s = 0.41), V-detour (r s = 0.43), Unsolvable Task (r s = 0.32 for independent problem-solving, r s = 0.22 for human-directed behaviour), sociability (r s = 0.31), exploration (r s = 0.44), and activity level (r s = 0.28), whereas Cylinder Test performance tended to improve with age (r s = 0.15). In Study 2 we found that puppy performance in the Unsolvable Task, Cylinder Test, and Gesture Test could potentially predict adult trainability, impulsivity, energy levels, and fearfulness. In addition, a fearful reaction towards an unknown person in the puppy test battery (a low greeting score) correlated with fearfulness in adulthood as reported by owners (r s = −0.22). Our results suggest that cognitive tests may have potential as valuable tools for predicting traits which are important for dogs’ various roles in society. This, in turn, could enable owners to understand their dogs’ underlying traits better from an early age, and to utilize preventative training and management practices which are tailored to the individual dog. • Cognitive test results remained moderately stable from puppy- to adulthood. • Puppy cognitive test scores may predict everyday behaviour of adult dogs. • Puppies’ ability to follow human gestures predicted trainability as an adult. • Puppy cylinder test scores predicted adult energy level and impulsivity. • Puppies’ behaviour in the unsolvable task predicted fear of stranger as adults.