Robots, Dogs & The Future Of Dog Training

By Norma Jeanne Laurette

Introduction

​Artificial intelligence and robotics are developing rapidly. Technologies that once seemed like science fiction are beginning to appear in hospitals, businesses, public spaces and homes. Humanoid robots are being developed to assist us and carry out work that's repetitive, dangerous or physically demanding. As robots become more capable and affordable, they will eventually become part of everyday life for many families. But what will that mean for our dogs? A robot will eventually be able to fill a food bowl, feed our dogs treats, open doors, monitor our dogs while we're away, provide entertainment and even take them for walks. But while these eventualities may be convenient, we need to remember that many of the things we do for our dogs are much more important than chores, they are opportunities to build our relationships.

Dogs Need More Than Care

​​Dogs need food, water, shelter and exercise, but their emotional and social needs are just as important. A walk is not only a way to exercise a dog, it's an opportunity to explore the world together. Training is not just a way to teach cues and signals, it's communication. Playing together, grooming, cuddling, training and spending time together all contribute to the relationship between dogs and their people. These everyday interactions build trust, confidence, security and a stronger human/canine bond, at least they do when benevolent leadership and positive training are involved. This is why we should ask an important question whenever we choose to let technology perform a task for us. Just because a robot can do something for us, should it? Automating a repetitive household chore may give us more free time, however, automating the experiences that build our relationships with our dogs could have very different consequences. For more information about meeting your dogs needs see my article Emotional Fulfilment For Dogs: How To Keep Your Dog Happy & Emotionally Balanced. 

Technology Can Be Helpful

​​This doesn’t mean technology has to be bad for our dogs, quite the opposite. New technology can provide useful tools for responsible dog guardianship. Cameras can allow us to monitor our dogs when we're away, smart collars can provide information about activity and location, automated feeders will be convenient and interactive devices can provide enrichment when used responsibly. Technology can also help us recognize changes in behaviour that require our attention. The important difference is that technology should support responsible guardianship, not replace the relationship itself. A camera can let us know our dog is pacing but it can't replace the comfort, companionship and understanding we provide when we are with our dog.

What Happens When Dogs Meet Robots? ​

​There's another issue that deserves our attention, and that's how dogs will react to robots? A robot doesn’t move, sound, behave or smell like a person. Some glide quietly across the floor, quickly change direction, emit mechanical sounds, flash lights or perform movements that are unfamiliar to our dogs. A dog that's never encountered a robot could find the experience fascinating, confusing or frightening depending on the dog. Some dogs might investigate, while many are likely to bark, growl, hide, attempt to escape or even bite or attack the robot. This is especially important for dogs that are already fearful with new people, objects, sounds or movements. Instead of just bringing a robot into the home and expecting a dog to get used to it, guardians will need to introduce this unfamiliar technology gradually and carefully. For more information about socialization see my article entitled How To Socialize A Puppy Or Dog: The Key To Successful Dog Training & Behaviour Development. ​

Preparing Dogs Through Desensitization

​Desensitization means introducing something gradually, at an intensity that does not cause a fear response. Your goal is to prevent overwhelming your dog. For example, your dog could first see a robot from a distance while it remains completely still. Once your dog is relaxed, one at a time, you can gradually introduce small changes such as movement, sounds or lights. Your dog should remain below threshold at all times, which is the point at which fear or reactivity begins. If your dog becomes frightened, you've increased the criteria too quickly.​​ 

​Changing The Emotional Response

Counter-conditioning is usually used in tandem with desensitization. Instead of just teaching your dog to tolerate a robot, you can help it develop a positive emotional association with it. The appearance, movement, sights and sounds of the robot can be paired with something your dog likes, such as favourite treats, play or other rewarding experiences. With repetition and carefully managed exposure, the robot will begin to predict good things  instead of something frightening. These principles are scientifically proven in positive behaviour modification and will become increasingly useful as unfamiliar technologies enter our homes and communities. For more information about desensitization and counter conditioning see our first book Blueprint To A Happy Dog.

Positive Training Has A Role In Robotics Too

​Researchers developing robots have begun using learning principles used in positive dog training, including reward-based learning, shaping, targeting and other training techniques that motivate and reward desired behaviours. In other words, techniques developed through the study of animal training are now helping researchers teach robots. For more information about positive training see my article Positive Dog Training: The Science, Ethics & Proven Results. 

Don’t Let Convenience Replace Connection

​​​The biggest concern isn’t that robots will become a normal part of our lives, it's that convenience could gradually replace interaction. If a robot feeds our dogs, plays with them, let's them in and out, entertains them and takes them for walks, we could unintentionally give up many of the daily experiences that strengthen the human/canine bond. Technology might save time however, some moments should never be replaced because they're necessary to maintain our relationships with our dogs.

Our Dogs Still Need Us

​​No matter how sophisticated artificial intelligence becomes, a robot cannot replace the relationship between a dog and the person who loves it. It can't experience the satisfaction of teaching new behaviour through positive training. It can't replace human touch or the comfort of a person the dog trusts when it's frightened. It can't share the excitement of exploring a new trail, playing a favourite game or relaxing together after a long day. Technology should make responsible dog guardianship easier when it's appropriate to do so, but it should never become an excuse to be less involved in our dogs’ lives. For more information about meeting our dogs needs see my article entitled Emotional Fulfilment For Dogs: How To Keep Your Dog Happy & Emotionally Balanced.

Preparing For The Future

​Robots will eventually become as ordinary as smartphones and other technologies that were once considered futuristic. We don’t need to fear that future, but we should enter it with our eyes wide open. We can use technology to assist us, to monitor our dogs, enrich their lives and improve safety, but we should only use it when it benefits our dogs overall wellbeing. We need to continue our walks, training sessions, games, grooming, cuddle time and quiet moments together because they are necessary to creating and nurturing our bond. Our dogs don’t need us to be technologically advanced, they need us to be present.

​Summary

​Artificial intelligence and robotics will dramatically change the way we live, but they should never change our relationships with our dogs. Technology will be able to perform useful tasks however, the relationship between us and our dogs is built through shared experiences, communication, trust and affection.

The future doesn’t have to be a choice between technology and our dogs, we can have both, as long as our priority remains on ensuring that we only use technology to allow us more time with those we love, including our dogs.

References

​(R1) Tesla. 2024. 2024 Annual Shareholder Meeting. Information concerning Elon Musk’s predictions regarding Optimus humanoid robots.
(R2) Hare, B., & Tomasello, M. (2005). Human-like social skills in dogs? Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9(9), 439–444.
(R3) American Pet Products Association. 2025. 2025–2026 APPA National Pet Guardians Survey and related veterinary expenditure data.
(R4) Ogmen Robotics. ORo Companion Robot product information.
(R5) American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB). (2021). Humane Dog Training Position Statement.
Overall, K. L. (2013). Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats. Elsevier.
(R6) Abdelghani, M., et al. (2024). Research concerning the adaptation of reward-based dog-training techniques for teaching quadruped robots.
(R7) Leng, M., et al. (2019). Use of robotic pets in dementia care: A systematic review.
Abbott, R., et al. (2019). The therapeutic effects of human-animal interaction compared with robotic animal interaction: A systematic review.
(R8) Nagasawa, M., Mitsui, S., En, S., et al. (2015). Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds. Science, 348(6232), 333–336.