Research & Publications 

Welcome to the official research database of the Canine Behavioral Research Initiative (CBRI), a division of the North American Institute for Sensory and Mobility Studies (NAISMS).

CBRI is dedicated to advancing our understanding of guide dog behavior, sensory perception, and navigation-based decision-making. Below, you will find our ongoing studies, research papers, and data sets that contribute to the growing field of human-animal interaction and mobility sciences.

Current Study: Project Fidelity

"Observing Guide Dog Behavioral Anomalies in Navigation-Based Decision-Making"

Principal Researchers: Dr. Richard E. Calloway, Dr. Eleanor Park, Dr. Howard Langley

Abstract

Guide dogs play a crucial role in mobility for visually impaired individuals. Traditional studies focus on trainability, attentiveness, and obedience, but recent case studies have highlighted unexpected refusals and hesitation behaviors in specific locations. Project Fidelity aims to analyze these behaviors and determine whether external environmental factors influence guide dog decision-making beyond standard training variables.

 Key Research Questions:

• What external stimuli contribute to guide dog refusals?

• Are refusals linked to sensory cues beyond human perception?

• How do guide dogs respond when forced to move forward against their instincts?

Findings (Preliminary Data)

92% of guide dog handlers report high trust in their dog’s decision-making

68% recall moments when their dog refused to move forward despite no visible obstacle

43% report that these refusals occurred in the same locations across different dogs and handlers

19% of handlers report observing their dogs staring into empty spaces as if something is there