Researchers Ask What Many Dog Lovers Already Know — Is Your Dog Psychic?

September 12, 2007 (PRLEAP.COM) Business News
Researchers at OpenSourceScience.net have offered a $1,000 prize to dogs who successfully demonstrate they know when their owners are coming home. Many dog owners claim their pets anticipate their arrival by going to wait at a door, window, or driveway. Some claim their dogs do this even when they arrive home unexpectedly or at odd hours. While some researchers, including Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, a biologist, and former Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge University have investigated this phenomena, many scientists remain unconvinced it really occurs.

Now, researchers at www.opensourcescience.net are tackling the question. Sheldrake is pleased: “This is an excellent project. I hope that Open Source Science will be open-minded science, based on reason and evidence rather than prejudice and dogma. It could make a major and much needed contribution…”

The researchers are encouraging dog owners who have noticed this anticipating behavior in their dogs to take part in the experiments and have set-up a special website address for participants: www.dogsthatknow.com. OpenSourceScience.net founder Alex Tsakiris explains: “This is an experiment that anyone can join in on and make a real contribution. We feel very confident this happens all the time. It’s a matter of finding dog owners who are willing to help demonstrate just how special these animal abilities are.”

Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, is director of the Perrott-Warrick Project, and author of Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home.

About OpenSourceScience

OpenSourceScience is the first scientifically oriented website to bring the power of open source methods to the skeptical examination of controversial areas of science such as telepathy, psi, parapsychology, near-death experiences, reincarnation, and after-life encounters.