Austrian researchers train dogs to use computers
by Darren Murph 
posted Dec 1st 2007 at 12:40PM
Yeah, teaching a canine how to operate a computer may sound pretty complex, but considering that one such animal was actually trained to sniff out and snag cellphones for its dubious owner, we guess it's not too difficult to conceive after all. In a recent study published in Animal Cognition, researchers from the University of Vienna in Austria taught four dogs to use computer automated touch-screens in order to carry out classification tests, theoretically eliminating any "potential human influence." In experiments that sought to see if dogs could indeed visually categorize pictures and transfer learning to new scenarios, the four subjects "were shown landscape and dog photographs and expected to make a selection on a computer touchscreen." Eventually, the authors concluded that using computers in animal testing could open up new windows of opportunity in testing cognitive abilities, but c'mon, you know those pups were just clicking around to see if their testing station would in fact play Doom.[Via TheInquirer, image courtesy of Itchmo]
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrew @ Dec 1st 2007 12:46PM
Because there is absolutely nothing out there that is more worth research money than testing Fido's cognitive abilities.
zfurie @ Dec 2nd 2007 1:47AM
But can they play Nintendogs?
Bob @ Dec 1st 2007 12:46PM
It's always about DOOM , isn't it ? ....:)
Homeboy @ Dec 1st 2007 1:23PM
Not for me. Duke Nukem FTW!!!
anon @ Dec 1st 2007 2:06PM
Blob: Crysis is the new Doom.
Technex @ Dec 1st 2007 2:09PM
Negative.
I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Dec 1st 2007 7:58PM
Fine, the puppy can play doom. But will he blend? More importantly, will a puppy and kitten blend together?
Deputy Doffoos @ Dec 1st 2007 12:51PM
Have these people not thought if this falls into the wrongs hands??!?!!?!¿¿!?¿!?¿?!!
for example:
http://www.phrozenflame.com/images/gallery/137.jpg
http://media.funny.co.uk/files/2709.jpg
Will someone please think of the children? (or Fluffy)
PoirierS @ Dec 1st 2007 1:08PM
Ya dog using computer will just make more powerpoint about funny cat picture ...
Andrew @ Dec 1st 2007 1:22PM
Lather, Rinse, Repeat...
caubeck @ Dec 1st 2007 1:14PM
moo
Kalen @ Dec 1st 2007 1:34PM
I for one welcome our new dog overlords...
a ham sandwich @ Dec 1st 2007 4:06PM
i hate you :P
anon @ Dec 1st 2007 1:52PM
wow, every comment on this page has sucked (including this one.)
Jerry @ Dec 1st 2007 2:04PM
I think the title of this article is wrong. It should probably read more like: "Austrian researchers learn to use computers to train dogs."
oshean @ Dec 1st 2007 2:37PM
I am waiting to see the picture of "Dogs playing online poker"
Jeff W @ Dec 1st 2007 4:34PM
The dogs were really looking for doggie style pron...
DD @ Dec 1st 2007 4:56PM
Why?
Constable Odo @ Dec 1st 2007 6:06PM
They trained those dogs to use Leopard OS since it was more user friendly than Vista. They were up and surfing for doggy porn in about five minutes.
Ninja Man @ Dec 1st 2007 6:37PM
Ahh, but can they play Doom?
(And no they won't blend.)
John @ Dec 1st 2007 6:45PM
Yeah, because teaching a dog to use a TOUCHSCREEN computer is a breakthrough.
Matt @ Dec 1st 2007 7:28PM
bah this ain't new, I taught my ex-gf years ago
vcx @ Dec 2nd 2007 4:13AM
Wow... so ur into Bestiality ?
Sparky @ Dec 1st 2007 11:43PM
Can they lick their own trackballs?
Joe @ Dec 1st 2007 11:53PM
I taught my dog once, and the son of a bitch wanted to downgrade to XP!
James Flowers @ Dec 2nd 2007 6:35PM
My new web site will cater to this emerging market. Dog seeks bitches for intimate sniffing etc.
Hotwings @ Dec 2nd 2007 1:35PM
Search for a video called Internet Dogs Day on Youtube. It'll make your day for sure.
M Burke @ Dec 3rd 2007 7:21PM
Welcome our new, slobbering, canine overlords.
quadrent @ Jan 17th 2008 3:19PM
Now if they can just train my dog to shit in the yard instead of in front of my TV I'll be happy.
Edward @ Jan 18th 2008 3:07AM
I bet they had a bitch of a time training them.