Puppies may be able to communicate with people shortly after birth, researchers report. Their genes also point to whether they'll be good at social skills.
And some pets appear to start off with an advantage based on their genetics.
A new study found that genetics may help explain why some dogs perform better than others in social tasks such as following pointing gestures.
Lead study author Emily Bray, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Arizona School of Anthropology, said: “There was evidence that these sorts of social skills were present in adulthood, but here we find evidence that puppies – sort of like humans – are biologically prepared to interact in these social ways.”
She has spent the last decade carrying out research with dogs in collaboration with California-based Canine Companions, a service dog organisation serving clients with physical disabilities.