Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Research Group Uni. of Lincoln

24/04/2026

University of Lincoln's own Prof Jonathan Cooper is running the London Marathon to support the horse and equine charity, Bransby Horses, this weekend!

Bransby Horses says:
"For over 50 years, Bransby Horses has been dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, caring for, and rehoming equines in need. Today, nearly 1,000 horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules depend on us for safety, compassion, and a second chance at life. Our work is only possible thanks to the incredible kindness of people who support us and their generosity transforms lives every single day. Jonathan Cooper will be running the London Marathon in support of Bransby Horses."

Jonathan adds:
"As a Professor in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at University of Lincoln, I am proud to represent the charity and support its excellent work in caring for horses, ponies, donkeys and mules in need of a new home and its support for the equine community in providing the best quality of life to animals in Bransby Horses’ care."

If you would like to support the cause that Jonathan is so kindly championing, you can make a donation using the link here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-cooper-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=020

28/11/2025

Do you know tortoises play?

Are you interested in cold blooded cognition, reptiles, and animal behaviour?

Hear our own Prof Anna Wilkinson on the radio discussing this with Prof Hannah Frye and Dara Ó Brian!

BBC Radio 4's Curious Cases with Anna will be broadcast on Saturday 6th December at 10am, don't miss it!

Catch it live or after on BBC Sounds at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07dx75g

Listen to the latest episodes of Curious Cases on BBC Sounds.

18/11/2025

📰New paper alert!📰

"Sound symbolism facilitates interspecies communication between humans and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris)"

Dogs learn human words for actions like commands, but what affects their learning? New research explored this question.

Humans perceive certain sounds as having certain qualities so a "bouba" is a round shape, while a "kiki" is a sharp one, a high pitched call is perceived as high in space and a low one as low. New research done by researchers at the Universities of Lincoln and Sussex find that dogs do this too! Dr Holly Root-Gutteridge was a part of a team who analysed the reactions of dogs given different commands in different pitches, e.g., "Down!" in a descending pitch or a flat or rising pitch. They found that they were more likely to respond quickly when sound and action matched than when they did not. Like humans, dogs were found to have "sound symbolism" in their speech perception.

So shouting "down!" in a falling or low pitch increased the dog's speed of response, suggesting this could improve dog training.

Read all about it here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-22923-1

06/11/2025

Professor Mills features on a new podcast with Tony Robinson (AKA Baldrick from BlackAdder) and Stephanie Howard-Smith (a leading cultural historian) exploring our deep and complex relationship with dogs: from the ancient domestication of wolves to our modern emotional bonds with fashionable breeds. You can listen to it here

Tony Robinson is best-known for playing turnip-brained Baldrick who always had 'a cunning plan' in the iconic TV show Blackadder. He's presented countless documentaries throughout his 50-year career, including 20-years on Channel 4's Time Team, inspired by his passion for history and for digging dee...

03/11/2025

A new study arising from a collaboration with colleagues in Denmark, and the amazing James Serpell, examines how we introduce new cats into the home. Common advice given with the best intentions may not be the best thign to do. have a read to find out more; perhaps more questions than answers here, but follow up work on the way!

28/10/2025

lovely piece here about our PhD student Erica Cheung's research on horse welfare:

A new study looks into how humans can hold conflicting thoughts about horse welfare at the same time – and how they reconcile and rationalise their actions to quieten those uncomfortable feelings

20/08/2025

Hello again all! We have been asked to share the following advert for participants for an exciting new study here at Lincoln!📝 If you have a senior dog and are interested in taking part, please find the details below 🐩🐕

"Participants needed for an exciting research study aimed at helping the mental functioning and well-being of older dogs
The study will examine the effects of a dietary supplement on age-related changes in behaviour and emotion in dogs. We aim to establish what supplementation can and cannot do to alleviate the decline of emotional state and cognitive function often seen in aging dogs.
This is a 24-week placebo controlled study. You will be required to complete a questionnaire, get your dog health checked if we think they are suitable (pre-authorisation is required to allow you to claim back these costs), and then complete further questionnaires, with the option of three home visits where we will train and test your dog’s reactions to a range of situations. On completion of the study all participants will be offered a free 6-month supply of the supplement.
Participation is voluntary. You must be over 18 years old and own a dog that is over 7 years old, any breed or type, but must weigh more than 5kg. Dogs must have been in your possession for at least 6 months and seem to be showing signs of aging. You must be willing to get your dog health checked with blood test prior to enrolment (cost covered by us, subject to pre-authorisation).
Please contact Dr Benjamin Keep, Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Animal Behaviour, College of health and Science, [email protected], if you have any questions, would like further information or you are interested in taking part.
This study has received a favourable ethical opinion by a University Research Ethics Committee [Ethics Reference 2025_18711]. For any concerns contact [email protected]."

11/08/2025

🚨New Paper Alert🚨

A new paper is out, authored by Alex Elford, Andrew Cooke & Beth Ventura! Very appropriately, it was published on international cat day (8th August) 🐈

""I want them to live their best lives:” A qualitative exploration of owner experiences with walking their cats."

Cat owners were interviewed on their perceptions and experiences of walking their cats. A fascinating insight into the benefits and risks of this practice 🐈‍⬛📝

16/07/2025

Hi again everyone! We don't wish to bombard everyone with surveys, but we do have another one from one of our current CAB MSc students 📝 This one is aimed at Veterinarians, Clinical Animal Behaviourists, and Veterinary Behaviourists. If you have 10 minutes and could help, it would be much appreciated! 🩺🐕

"Hi! My name is Jessica Lee, I am recruiting participants for my thesis project on 'ethics of euthanising animals for behavioural issues: A comparison of behaviourist and veterinarian perspectives' for my MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour degree at the University of Lincoln.

Participation should take around 10-15 minutes and is completely voluntary. Participants must be over the age of 18, based in the UK and work as a veterinarian, clinical animal behaviourist or veterinary behaviourist. Ethics reference: UoL2025_1069. If you would like to take part, please click on the following link https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/lincoln/ethics-of-euthanising-animals-for-behavioural-issues.

Thank you!"

15/07/2025

Hi everyone! We're posting this questionnaire on behalf of one of our current CAB MSc students. If you have a dog, and 5 minutes to spare, please consider taking part 🐕🐩

"My name is Sefiyat Alaka, I am recruiting participants for my thesis project: 'Dogs and Humans - Who Stresses Who and How?'. Your participation should take around 5mins and is completely voluntary. Participants must be 18 years and above. Ethics reference UoL2025_1069. If you would like to take part, please click on the following link: https://qualtricsxm8n3bmdtps.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_51tGXGxQu1cg1o2

Thank you! University of Lincoln Ethics reference: 1069"

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