A Comparative Study of Dogs and Goats with Limited Human Socialization in the Impossible Task Paradigm

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This research investigates the influence of limited human socialization on the socio-cognitive abilities and interactions with unfamiliar individuals of a selected group of domesticated dogs and goats. Both dogs and goats were raised and kept under conditions with limited human socialization, and their behavior was examined through the “impossible task” paradigm. Dogs exhibited higher interaction frequencies with human experimenters compared to goats, indicating a potential inclination for engaging with humans. However, no significant differences were observed in interaction duration and latency, underscoring the intricate nature of these interactions. This study underscores the necessity of considering the multifaceted aspects of social behavior and cognition, especially within domesticated animals characterized by diverse behavioral ecologies and domestication histories. ABSTRACT: The study aimed to explore how limited human socialization affects the socio-cognitive abilities and interactions with unfamiliar individuals of a selected group of domesticated dogs and goats. These animals were raised and kept under conditions characterized by limited human socialization, and their behavior was assessed using the “impossible task” paradigm. The study found that dogs, with a history of cooperative interactions and human companionship, exhibited more frequent social engagement with human experimenters in the experimental setting than goats, traditionally domesticated for utilitarian purposes. However, differences in interaction duration and latency were not significant, highlighting the complexity of these interactions. The results suggest that domestication history and behavioral ecology play significant roles in shaping animals’ willingness to engage with humans. However, this study acknowledges limitations, such as the specific population studied, and calls for further research with larger and more diverse samples to generalize these findings. Understanding the interplay between domestication history, behavioral ecology, and human socialization could provide insights into the complex factors influencing animal–human interactions and cognitive behaviors, with implications for animal welfare and human–animal relationships.