Chaser (42 page)

Tess (Border collie),
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testing

testing Chaser's language skills

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-of-
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test,
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-of-
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test,
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-of-
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test,
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and baseline preference for novelty,
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combinatorial understanding,
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double-blind experiments,
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error rate,
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experimental procedures,
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imitation learning,
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independent testing,
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performance trials,
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response times,
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retention tests,
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statistical analyses,
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“there” command,
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“this is” statement,
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three-element sentences

challenges teaching,
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teaching Chaser to recognize,
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testing Chaser's understanding,
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Timber (Siberian husky),
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“time out” command,
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Tinbergen, Nikolaas,
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Tindel, Nora,
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Today
show (NBC),
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toddlers, young children

Chaser's enjoyment of play with,
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language development in,
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language learning, comparison with dogs,
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learning of syntax and semantics,
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understanding word categories,
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tone of voice

Border collie sensitivity to,
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Chaser's sensitivity to,
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quiet, calm, importance of when training,
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and teaching three-element sentences,
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as trigger for animal response,
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when making corrections,
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toys,
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chasing, vs. chasing cars,
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distinguishing from “no toy,”
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names of,
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naming,
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as surrogate sheep,
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training

advanced, using surprises,
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approaching for the first time,
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associating words with actions,
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common commands,
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daily, including exercise and play with,
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holding and naming objects,
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intensive, as basis for Chaser's achievements,
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trial-and-error inference,
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using dogs' natural instincts during,
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See also
creative learning; play sessions during training

trial-and-error inference,
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Trixie (collie mix),
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test,
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two-element phrases, Chaser's ability to understand,
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Type
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vs. Type
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errors,
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Tyson, Neil deGrasse,
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Udell, Monique,
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USA Today
, Jayson's article in,
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video evidence,
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Vieira, Meredith,
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von Osten, Wilhelm,
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Wade, Nicholas,
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Washington, D.C., visit to,
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Washoe (chimpanzee),
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“way to me” command,
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West, Wayne,
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“Who's a VERY Clever Doggy!” (Witheridge),
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Witheridge, Annette,
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Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina,
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wolves, sensitivity to human gaze,
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“Word Learning in a Domestic Dog” (Kaminski, Cal and Fischer),
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words, learning.
See
language learning

“world's smartest dog,”
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Wynne, Clive,
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Yasha (Border collie–German shepherd mix),
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early efforts to teach names of objects,
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enjoyment of swimming and canoe trips,
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as experimental subject and teaching assistant,
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friendliness,
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as a “hard” dog,
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herding drive,
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impatience,
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learning of obedience behaviors,
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love for body surfing,
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love for Frisbee playing,
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memory skills,
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naming of,
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social intelligence,
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teaching new behaviors,
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Ya-Yas, the,
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“yes,” variable use of,
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YouTube, Chaser video on,
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,
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J
OHN
W. P
ILLEY
is an emeritus professor of psychology at Wofford College. Chaser has been a member of his family since 2004, and he has published the findings from their work in the journals
Behavioural Processes
and
Learning and Motivation.
He is an avid whitewater kayaker and windsurfer, and when he isn't working with Chaser, he goes on daylong outings to water parks and hikes with former Wofford graduates. He and his wife, Sally, live with Chaser in Spartanburg, South Carolina.