Test setup for determining dominant paw

Abstract

The invention relates to a test setup for determining the dominant paw preference in animals, in particular in dogs, for testing which paw the animal tends to use to reach food.

Description

[0001] TEST SETUP FOR DETERMINING DOMINANT PAW

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a test setup for determining the dominant paw preference in animals, in particular in dogs, for testing which paw the animal tends to use to reach food.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] Functional asymmetry between the two hemispheres in the human brain, that is, the right and left hemispheres taking different roles in human cognition, behavior, and mental processes, is one of the important features of the brain. This phenomenon has attracted the attention of scientists in the research of evolutionary origins as well as human cognition. Therefore, functional asymmetry studies conducted with non-human species provide information about human cognition and physiology.

[0006] Functional cerebral asymmetry (FCA) can be detected by the dominant hand / paw preference in animals, similar to humans. There are studies in which hand / paw preference is used in the evaluation of welfare status in animals. In other words, it is meaningful to observe paw preferences in order to evaluate the stress level in dogs and accordingly the welfare of the dog. The ability to evaluate the welfare status without the need for invasive methods such as cortisol secretion measurement will have an important potential in diagnosing the dog, especially in veterinary medicine.

[0007] The Kong test is the standard method used to determine paw preference in dogs. The Kong test is based on the principle of observing the paws that the dog uses when fixing the toy with its paw to reach the food in the Kong toy1. However, due to the fact that the toy has one big hole and one small hole, dogs generally use paws to fix the toy according to the direction of the big hole. This greatly reduces the reliability of the test. There are also arguments that the paw used in the Kong test is not the dominant paw2. In puzzle feeder toys that require the use of paws developed for dogs, dogs generally prefer to work with the nose and use paws randomly (aimlessly). Therefore, there is no reliable method and tool for determining paw preference in dogs.

[0008] All the problems mentioned above have made it necessary to make an innovation in the relevant field as a result.

[0009] Objects and Brief Description of the Invention

[0010] The main object of the invention is to present a test setup structure that will enable an objective interpretation of the paw preference of the animals.

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a test setup structure that can be adapted to different paw sizes.

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide a test setup structure that can provide multiple test conditions.

[0013] The present invention relates to a test setup for determining the dominant paw preference in animals in order to provide the abovementioned needs. Accordingly, the present invention comprises a body having an upper body comprising an inner volume of a food and a lower body comprising an inner volume of a test space, at least one intermediate plate in the inner volume of the body that prevents the passage of the food in the food to the test space, and a passage opening at said passage opening that allows the passage of the food in the food to the test space, a passage control element controlling the passage opening according to its position, only an opening that allows the animal to reach the test space from the outside of the body.

[0014] Thus, by providing only clarity, the animal was prevented from being guided when choosing the paw to be used when getting the food, and therefore objective and accurate results were obtained. Here, multiple openings that provide access to the feeding space can manipulate the animal's paw preference, as explained above. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a front cover that changes the size of the opening by moving on said body.

[0015] Thus, the size of the opening can be changed according to the position of the cover and the appropriate size can be selected according to the animal from which the test will be provided. Here, it is not correct to provide the opening as large as possible, that is, to ensure that every animal can reach the food, because too large an opening will cause the animal to be able to eat the food by inserting its head without extending its paw.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a plate arranged in the test space and a pusher drive to push the plate towards the opening.

[0017] Thus, the position of the food in the test space can be controlled by pushing it by the pusher, and accordingly, the behavior of the animal in different positions can be examined and the test can be modified according to animals with different arm lengths.

[0018] Definitions of Figures Describing the Invention

[0019] The figures and related descriptions used to better explain the device developed by this invention are as follows.

[0020] Figure 1. An isometric view of the test setup of the invention

[0021] Figure la. A preliminary view of Figure 1

[0022] Figure lb. A side view of Figure 1

[0023] Figure 1c. A sectional view of Figure la along axis A

[0024] Figure Id. A sectional view of Figure lb along the B-axis

[0025] Definitions of Components / Pieces / Parts of the Invention

[0026] In order to better explain the device developed by this invention, the parts and pieces in the figures are numbered and the corresponding numbers are given below.

[0027] 1. Test setup 10. Upper body

[0028] 10a. Front wall

[0029] 10b. Back wall

[0030] 11. Feeding space

[0031] 12. Passage opening

[0032] 13. Front cover

[0033] 20. Lower Body

[0034] 21. Test space

[0035] 22. Drive place

[0036] 30. Opening

[0037] 40. Pusher drive element

[0038] 41. Shaft

[0039] 42. Plate

[0040] 50. Control drive element

[0041] 60. Passage control element

[0042] 61. Passage discharge

[0043] 70. Intermediate plate

[0044] 80. Upper cover a. Plate angle

[0045] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0046] The subject matter of the invention relates to a test setup (1) for determining the dominant paw preference in animals, in particular dogs, for testing which paw the animal tends to use to reach food.

[0047] Referring to Figures 1, la, and lb, the test setup (1) is configured on a body. The body is arranged to include an upper body (10) and the lower body (20). Here, the upper body (10) provides the preservation of the food fed to the test setup (1), the lower body (20) provides the part where the food in the upper body (10) is transferred, and the animal takes the food with its paw for testing. An opening (30) is arranged on the body so that the animal can take the food with its paw. The opening (30) opens specifically to the part where the food is located and there are no other openings (30) on the body where the animal can reach the food.

[0048] The opening (30) is preferably positioned on the front surface of the lower body (20), in particular the lower body (20). Alternatively, the opening may be provided so that the portion may extend to the upper body (10). As can be seen from Figure 1, the opening (30) is provided in rectangular form, but this geometry should not be perceived as restrictive. In any geometry that will not interfere with the passage of the paw, for example, the circle, the openings (30) will also be sufficient to provide the technical function.

[0049] The upper body (10) and the lower body (20) may be provided in one piece, or preferably as two separate parts, preferably as two separate detachable parts. The upper body (10) and the lower body (20) are preferably provided in the form of a rectangular prism, and the upper body (10) is longer in length and the lower body is larger in width and in terms of floor area. In addition, it is possible to provide the upper body (10) and the lower body (20) in different prism geometries or cylinder form of one or both.

[0050] The body, the upper body (10) and the lower body (20) are preferably made of a transparent material, in particular plexiglass. Thanks to the transparent structure, the movements of the animal are more clearly visible. The transparent plexiglass material also makes the test setup (1) lighter.

[0051] Referring to Figures la and 1c, the upper body (10) comprises a feeding space (11) in its internal volume and the lower body (20) comprises a test space (21) in its internal volume. The feeding space (11) and the test space (21) are arranged physically connected to each other. An intermediate plate (70) is arranged between the feeding space (11) and the test space (21). A passage opening (12) is provided to prevent the intermediate plate (70) from separating the feeding space (11) and the test space (21).

[0052] The passage opening (12) can be provided in several different ways. For example, the passage opening (12) may be a space provided between the intermediate plate (70) and the back body wall (10b) or may be a space provided between the facing edges of two or more intermediate plates provided in the body interior volume.

[0053] As can be seen in Figures 1c and Id, the intermediate plate(s) (70) is provided in an angled form. Here, the expression angled refers to the angle made by the intermediate plate (70) with the floor and refers to the angle that allows the feeds in the feeding space (11) to flow towards the passage opening (12). Here, the plate angle (a) can vary between 0-90°. The intermediate plate (70) may also be provided to form a frustum cone, frustum triangle prism.

[0054] A passage control element (60) is disposed in the passage opening (12) to prevent uncontrolled flow of food from the passage opening (12) to the test space (21). Said passage control element (60) allows and prevents the passage of the food through the passage opening (12) according to its position.

[0055] The passage control element (60) may be a cover or similarly a position-changing element by being mechanically or manually driven. In addition, it is possible to drive the passage control element with a control drive element (50) provided as a motor. Said control drive element (50) is preferably provided outside the body, and the drive shaft connected to the passage control element (60) passes through the back wall (10b). In this way, both the control drive element (50) does not occupy volume in the body and the passage control element (60) in the body filled with food can be easily controlled.

[0056] Moreover, the control drive element (50) may be controlled by a control element and said control element may comprise at least a wireless communication module. Thus, the user can control the control drive element (50) and the passage control element (60) remotely via a remote control.

[0057] As can be seen in Figure Id, the passage control element (60) is in a circular form. The control drive element (50) is connected from its center and the control drive element (50) is a motor that gives rotational output. Here, a passage discharge (61) is provided on the passage control element (60). Preferably, the passage discharge (61) extends from the outer diameter to the center. With the rotation of the passage control element (60), the position of the passage discharge (61) changes and accordingly falls from the food passage opening (12) to the test space (21) or remains in the feeding space.

[0058] In addition, it is possible to provide the passage control element (60) in different geometries. For example, the passage control element (60) may be a planar plate, and the control drive element (50) may open or close the passage opening (12) by rotating the plate to which it is connected by the rotational movement. Similarly, the planar plate-shaped passage control element may be driven to close and open the passage opening by a control drive element (50) that provides linear motion.

[0059] Referring to Figure 1c, the test setup (1) is provided with a pusher drive element (40), preferably in a structure that provides rotational movement and, accordingly, translates the plate (42) rotational movement into linear movement. The drive shaft (41) is a screw shaft (41), and the plate (42) comprises screw threads. Here, the food falling from the feeding space (11) to the test space (21) is pushed in a controlled manner. Alternatively, the pusher drive element (40) may comprise a motor that provides linear movement. For example, said pusher drive element (40) can be connected to a plate (42) with a drive shaft (41) or can be arranged to push said plate into the opening (30) on the test space (21). Accordingly, the foods suitable for the animal and the test can be positioned in the test space (21).

[0060] Here, the pusher drive element (40) may be controlled by a control element, and the control element may comprise at least a wireless communication module. Thus, the user can control the position of the pusher drive element (40) and the plate (42) remotely via a remote control. In addition, the pusher drive element (40) and the control drive element (50) can be controlled by a single control element, and in this case, said control element is also controlled by a single remote control. Alternatively, the pusher drive element (40) and the individual control elements provided for the control drive element (50) can also be controlled by a single remote control.

[0061] Referring to Figures 1 and 1c, the test setup (1) comprises a movable front cover (13) of the opening (30). The front cover (13) moves along the opening (30), changing the size of the opening (30). The front cover (13) may slide along the front wall (10a). A guide-sled system (not shown in the figures) can be used for this movement. Here, in the guideway system, the front cover (13) can be provided in such a way that it can be moved only by applying force, or it can be fixed with a screw and at least one screw hole provided on the front wall (10a). The test setup (1) further includes an upper cover (80). The upper part of the body forming the feeding space (11) is left open so that the food can be filled, and the upper cover is arranged to cover said open part. The upper cover (80) prevents the food in the feeding space from being exposed and easily spoiled and the animal's uncontrolled access to the food.

[0062] REFERENCES

[0063] 1. https: / / www.kongcompany.com / 2. Wells, D. L., Hepper, P. G., Milligan, A. D., & Barnard, S. (2016). Comparing lateral bias in dogs and humans using the Kong™ ball test. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 176, 70-76.

Claims

CLAIMS A test setup for determining the dominant paw preference in animals, characterized in that it comprises the following: a body having an upper body (10) including a feeding space (11) in the inner volume and a lower body (20) including a test space (21) in the inner volume, at least one intermediate plate (70) in the internal volume of the body that prevents the passage of food from the feeding space (11) to the test space (21) and a passage opening (12) that allows the passage of the food from the feeding space (11) to the test space (21), a passage control element (60) controlling the passage opening (12) according to its position in said passage opening (12), only an opening (30) that allows the animal to reach the test space (21) from the outside of the body. A test setup (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said passage opening (12) is provided between the back wall (10b) of the body and the intermediate plate (70). A test setup (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises more than one intermediate plate (70) and said passage opening (12) is provided between at least two intermediate plates (70). A test setup (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said intermediate plate (70) is provided at an angle with respect to the floor on which the setup is to be placed. A test setup (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a front cover (13) that changes the size of the opening (30) by moving on said body. A test setup (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a control drive element (50) for changing the position of said passage element (60). A test setup (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said control drive element (50) is a drive element providing rotational output.

8. A test setup (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a control element configured to control the passage control element (60) by sending a command to said control drive element (50).

9. A test setup (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a wireless communication module in said control element and a remote control controlling the control drive element (50) through said wireless communication module.

10. A test setup (1) according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that it is in the form of a circle comprising a passage discharge (61) extending from the outer diameter to the center of said passage control element (60).

11. A test setup (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plate (42) arranged in the test space (21) and a pusher drive element (40) for pushing the plate (42) towards the opening (30).

12. A test setup (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a control element configured to control the amount of thrust of the plate (42) of the pusher drive element (40).

13. A test setup (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a wireless communication module in said control element and a remote control controlling the pusher drive element (40) through said wireless communication module.

14. A test setup (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said body is made of transparent material.

15. A test setup (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that said transparent material is plexiglass.

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