Canine Behavior: Dogs’ Ability to Learn Has Declined During the Pandemic

Dogs reportedly became harder to train as the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, although the situation appears to have improved since the pandemic ended. A large-scale U.S. study involving 47,444 dogs established a baseline behavioral profile between 2020 and 2023 as part of the Dog Aging Project (DAP). On average, dogs monitored after 2020 (2021–2023) were rated by their owners as less trainable than those monitored in 2020, a trend that leveled off in 2023, suggesting a readjustment of training routines following the pandemic. As part of the DAP (a long-term biological study of aging in dogs), the authors’ goal is to track these same dogs over time to establish a link between behavioral changes and health status.  

A behavioral test based on four criteria

The researchers narrowed down the fourteen categories of the C-Barq scale (Canine Behavioral Profile Questionnaire) to four main factors: fear, attention-seeking, aggression, and trainability. These four factors account for approximately half of the variability in the scores assigned by owners and serve as the basis for comparisons by year and by dog characteristics (age, sex, size, breed type, activity level, region). The average trainability scores (measuring dogs’ responsiveness to training) were higher among dogs included in the 2020 survey, but were lower from 2021 to 2023, perhaps reflecting the difficulties encountered in training a puppy adopted at the start of the pandemic. Notably, by 2023, these averages began to approach the 2020 scores, suggesting that the dogs (and their owners) likely began to master training routines as life returned to normal.  

Different Profiles Based on Breed, Size, Sex, and Age

On average, mixed-breed dogs in the study were more fearful, required more attention, and exhibited more aggressive behaviors than pedigree dogs, according to their owners. The authors suggest that this difference could be explained by the fact that mixed-breed dogs are more likely to have been adopted from shelters and animal protection associations, and have therefore experienced more stressful or traumatic situations. Age, sex, and size were also associated with behavioral differences among the dogs. Puppy owners reported that their dogs required more attention, were less fearful and aggressive, but were also harder to train than older dogs. On average, male dogs tended to be less fearful, more aggressive, and harder to train than females. Small dogs also tended to be more fearful, more aggressive, and less easy to train than large dogs.  

A Context That Affected Canine Behavior

Dog owners who participated in the 2020 survey reported higher levels of aggression in their dogs than those who responded to the 2023 survey. This could be due to stress in the dogs’ home environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reduced opportunities for social interaction during lockdowns.  

Implications for Owners, Trainers, and Veterinarians

A better understanding of canine behavior can help owners improve their relationship with their pets and safeguard their health and well-being. This large-scale survey provides the first baseline data on the average behavioral characteristics of dogs. By raising awareness about the early detection of certain behavioral signs (pain, cognitive decline, environmental stress), it facilitates clinical monitoring and can serve as a starting point for tracking changes in the behavior of tens of thousands of dogs over time, which will ultimately allow for an assessment of the link between behavior and health.