Investigating the effects of domestication
Our research focuses on understanding the effects of domestication on animals’ social behaviour, personality, physical and social cognition. Our model species are wolves and dogs. To investigate the effects of domestication without the confounding factor of different experiences, we compare wolves and dogs living at the Wolf Science Center (WSC), where animals live in conspecific packs and are highly socialized to humans. Additionally, to understand how the socio-ecology of these species might affect their behaviour, and to evaluate the role of experience on social and physical cognition, we also conduct studies with both wild wolves and free-ranging dogs as well as pet dogs living in Vienna (Clever Dog Lab).
Our lab is based at the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna.
The essentials of our lab
Information for Lab Members (password protected)
Domestication Lab 