Time-dependent decisions in dogs (Canis familiaris).

We investigated whether the foraging decisions of dogs (Canis familiaris) were time dependent and consistent with a temporal weighting rule (TWR) for maximizing the reliability of information. Dogs were given information about patches whose qualities varied over time. To simulate natural conditions, we interposed interruptions at selected points in foraging. Patch choices were time dependent and closely matched the predictions of TWR. Dogs relied on very recent information when available, but with increasing delays they used patch averages. TWR may be a general solution to problems faced by foragers in variable environments.