Virtual Labrador tackles biting problem

Researchers at the University of Liverpool are using a ‘virtual labrador’ to shed fresh light on dog bites.

As part of a new pilot study, veterinary researchers have tested DAVE – Dog Assisted Virtual Environment – to explore if and/or how humans recognise and interpret signs of dog aggression.

The researchers recruited 16 adults for a practical pilot study to explore a virtual indoor living room with the virtual reality dog model allocated in the opposite corner of the room.

PhD student James Oxley said: “This is a novel pilot study which overcomes the challenges associated with assessing human behaviour around real dogs displaying aggressive behaviour.

“Our findings highlight the potential that the virtual reality model has to help us better understand human behaviour in the presence of dogs and our interpretation of dog behaviour.”

The researchers also suggest that the virtual reality dog could be developed for use in other areas of behavioural research, such as educational dog safety lessons and in the treatment of dog phobias.

The model was developed in collaboration with the University’s Virtual Engineering Centre and supported and funded by Dogs Trust.

Paula Boyden, Dogs Trust Veterinary Director, said: “We hope that DAVE will be developed into an education tool to teach people how to be safe around dogs.

“Before a bite occurs, a dog will often display subtle behaviours to indicate that it is uncomfortable and does not want to be approached. By educating people about these behaviours, we hope that incidences of dog bites can be significantly reduced.”