AI
The topic of AI or Artificial Intelligence came up at a gathering recently and it soon became apparent that everybody, like me, knew little to nothing about it. It was generally agreed that there were pros and cons. AI has been around in the dog training world for a quite a while. It will not be going away. Cameras connected to smartphones to monitor problem dogs, pet feeders that can be activated remotely, even pet dog robots have been around for years.But recently the amount of AI on the internet and advertising on tv has turned into a tsunami.
What is AI? ”Artificial intelligence is a specific branch of computer science concerned with replicating the thought process and decision-making ability of humans through computer algorithms” (1). “An algorithm is a set of instructions that is designed to accomplish a task” (2). There are different types of artificial intelligence ranging from Narrow AI, Artificial General Intelligence, up to Self Aware AI (3). Some of the common areas we find AI are search engines, social media, online shopping and robots. (4).
One person at our gathering stated we should simply embrace AI. He was obviously not a writer or screenwriter concerned about plagiarism or a dockworker about to lose his employment to automation. According to SEO.AI, “AI could potentially replace around 800 million jobs worldwide by 2030. 45 million American jobs might be overtaken by AI by 2030” (5). Of course, on the bright side- “Over 120 million workers are poised to undergo retraining in the next three years as AI reshapes industry demands” (6). Some folks may be pleased and consider the salaries for tech jobs attractive (7)
Ethical considerations have haunted the seemingly untethered development and use of AI- Bias, Transparency, Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Safety and Human Oversight concerns are but a few of the considerations (8). I learned I could write a story or this blog with remarkably few keystrokes using AI. How splendid to plug in a topic and whammo zippo- a blog a day appears with all up to date training info! I know a musician who used AI to write the music to a song. He appreciated how talented the AI was but he was ethical enough not to put his name on AI generated music. I am recently becoming aware that a good number of my searches are tagged “generating,” “AI generated.” “AI Overview,” or somesuch. These flags do not instill in me any level of trust or confidence comparable to that an “organic” label on strawberries engenders.
I believe all the sources and information up to and through the last paragraph are entirely sourced with AI generated information. Even the ethics questions.These sources seem reliable. Is it possible to fact check any of it? How well would the information hold up under cross examination? Just a simple yes or no, please. No Sentiment Analysis, Deep Learning, Turing Test jargon. (9). No euphemisms like Resource Realignment (10). “All we want are the facts, ma'am,” sir, er, thingamabot (11). Can you, AI machine, swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help your ever upgrading processor?
Ethics in AI has been a topic at least since 1942 when Isaac Asimov unveiled the Three Laws of Robotics (12). The First law was “a robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.” Ethics is elusive when humongous quantities of money are involved and not everyone will exhibit even the slightest shred of altruism. Robot dogs are already in use in the militaries of a number of countries (13).
Aibo, a dog robot first introduced by Sony, whose fancy pedigree name is “Artificial Intelligence RoBOt, "pal" or "partner." If a pet robot is rehomed, its name can be changed to recognize the new adopter. Aibo was introduced in 1999. The entire first litter of 3000 found a home within twenty minutes (14). There have been a number of Aibo generations based on appearance and advances in technology (15). The first Aibo chip was 8 MB whereas the ERS-1000 model has a 4 GB chip (16) The “pedigree” papers that come with an Aibo will include a one year limited warranty, not an ancestral history of champion predecessors. Nor will it include a list of previous processors. An Aibo can lift a leg (but doesn’t pee for real), retrieve some toys, recognize 100 faces and take himself to bed (recharging station) when he is low on energy.
The price of an Aibo is $2900 (17). This pup can paid off in perpetuity upfront or monthly installments. He responds to positive and negative reinforcement and wags his tail (18). There are no vet bills, no food costs (Aibo can pretend to eat, bowl sold separately), no jumping,no barking, no blood spilt by razor puppy teeth (Aibo has no teeth), no chewed shoes or furniture, no poop bags, no reactivity, no weekend emergencies, no separation issues, no insubordination or testing of boundaries, no pulling on leash, no nose glued to the ground or more inappropriate places, no guilt for procrastinating on training, no puking on a coffee table in front of guests, no shedding, no door dashing, no interest in squirrels, no fleas or ticks, no middle of the night skunk encounters and no transience. There is also no need for Aibo to be walked. In fact, it should not be allowed outdoors as it is not waterproof or something dire could otherwise cause malfunction.
Some quadruped robots like Spot, are sold mainly as working robots. Manufactured by Boston Dynamics, Spot works in industrial and hazardous settings. “With onboard cameras and add-on payloads, Spot can conduct visual, thermal, radiation, and acoustic inspections, and laser scans. And unlike fixed sensors, Spot can be redeployed to new areas” (19). He can read sensors, detect gas and air leaks, read gauges, notice wear and tear of equipment, navigate uneven terrain such as stairs, work levers and open doors. Spot is also used by different levels of government, police and fire fighters, as a first responder. Spot can enter and gather information without risk to a human (or a dog) (20). Boston Dynamics is in agreement with the first part of Asimov’s First Law of Robotics. “We will not authorize nor partner with those who wish to use our robots as weapons or autonomous targeting systems” (21).
The company is very selective in placing every Spot. The price tag of $74,900 will help ensure that every Spot finds its ideal commercial, industrial or government home. Some installations may have a pack or “fleet” of Spots to “Enhance efficiency of crucial assets” (22). Spot is a working bot and needs to be kept active with a multitude of extremely specialized tasks. Unlike Aibo, Spot is not equipped with a tail that wags.
If you are in the market for a quadrupet robot more adapted to your budget and an active lifestyle, adopt the Unitree Go2 Pro for a mere $3990 (23). This sleek puppy can run up to 11 mph, avoid obstacles such as trees and can maintain a set position and distance from you, no matter if you turn, back up or speed up- he returns to his default position. Walking and running nicely off leash is programmed into this fellow. These robodogs arrive at your doorstep installed with the basic behaviors such as sit, down, stand, shake, roll over, etc. (24). They also can walk on their front legs, do a flip and much more, such as bottie dancing routines (25). He doesn’t have much of a head to hang out of a car window or place on your lap. If you have him ride shotgun, be sure to safely buckle him up. This rodog weighs 33 pounds and comes “crate” trained to be contorted into a suitcase-like container with wheels and a handle.
A person with a lot of training experience, positive or otherwise, may be momentarily taken aback when meeting a quadruped “dog” robot for the first time. These robots do not work for treats or need petting and praise. There is no need to establish oneself as an alpha or pack leader. There need not be any misbehavior to “correct “ These robots are hearty creations and can be kicked, beaten with a stick and shotputted about with no damage or complaint (26). At least until the day robots have human grade emotions and thought processes installed at the factory.
CyberDog 2 is a robot dog that will probably not be as popular outside its country of origin, China, because the only language it understands, at present, is Chinese. Sold by Xiaomi for $2,999, It will work also with a remote and phone app (27). This robopet is more doglike in appearance, having an actual head with recognizable ears. It is an incredible acrobat, accomplished skateboarder and talented bottie dancer among its many skills (28). One very interesting fact about Xiaomi is that this robot is open sourced so others can provide input on its development (29).
Jennie, another contender for best of show robodog, is manufactured by Tombot for $1500. This very realistic rodog was designed by the Jim Henson Creature Shop. It is “bred” for duties as a therapeutic lapdog. Making a big impression at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Jennie will become available later this year. At present, there are 8,000 people or institutions on the waitlist for a Jennie clone. This AI fabricated lab pup is a therapy robot that can react differently to varying types of touch, respond to voice commands, sound and move like a Lab puppy. Jennie cannot walk, but “her” main focus is to help those “struggling daily with severe health adversities, including dementia, autism, anxiety, depression and loneliness.” Perhaps even helping some reduction in medications. Tombot hopes to have Jennie registered as an FDA medical device (30). This therapy robot comes with instructions for bathing. Proper “bathing” will prevent infections in the facilities she is destined for. This therapy robot is crowdfunded (31). Crowdscale gives an informative review of the pros and cons of investing in Tombot (32).
The first real life therapy animals were introduced to deal with ethical treatment considerations of humans. In 1796 England, the York Retreat was “Unlike mental institutions of the time, there were no chains or manacles, and physical punishment was banned. Treatment was based on personalised attention and benevolence, restoring the self-esteem and self-control of residents. An early example of occupational therapy was introduced, including walks and farm labouring in pleasant and quiet surroundings| (33) The Retreat, run by Quaker William Tuke, introduced "moral treatment" for people with mental illness. Other institutions of that era submitted patients to degrading, debilitating interventions such as prolonged physical restraint and isolation, bloodletting through the application of leeches to the skin, and immersion in icy baths.” (34). (While the raw brutality of how patients were once treated is behind us, there is yet today a limited use in modern medicine for bloodletting, leeches and ice baths (35) (36) (37)).
ATT is an acronym for Animal Assisted Therapy. There was no mention of dogs living at the York Retreat. The grounds were stocked with a number of animals such as rabbits, sea-gulls, hawks and poultry (38). Florence Nightingale, a proponent of AAT, was a cat person. She owned over sixty in her lifetime. 17 at one time. She had a tortoise named Jimmy that helped her patients as he roamed a ward of wounded soldiers during the Crimean War (39). She also carried a rescued pocket sized owl by the name of Athena she used in her work. The owl was said to have been a bit “peckish,” if it didn’t like someone. While she didn’t use a dog in her work, her very first patient was a dog named Cap (40). Sigmund Freud had his dog attend his psychotherapy sessions. “Many patients initially felt more comfortable talking through Jofi, and that this interaction served as a stepping stone until they felt comfortable speaking directly to him“ (41). Child psychotherapist Boris Levinson noticed his troubled son found it easier to communicate when their dog, Jingles, was present. Levinson went on to author Pet-Oriented Child Psychotherapy in 1969, coin the term “animal assisted therapy” and became known as “the father of AAT” (42). It is interesting to note that as an innovative pioneer in his field he was ridiculed by colleagues at first, as was William Tuke at the York Retreat (43) (44).
The first animal AI therapy robot was Paro, a baby harp seal. Paro was introduced in the United States in 2009 (45). Paro is listed as an FDA medical device. He has a fairly hefty price tag of $6,000. There have been non AI, battery operated mechanical therapists for some time. Joy For All, owned by Ageless Innovation, is an offshoot of Hasbro. Offering two canine breeds, these soft hypoallergenic “pups” have a heartbeat, sensors for touch, wag their tails and make puppy sounds. In addition to two breeds of “dogs,” Joy For All also offers three types of robocats and two interactive birds, called walker squawkers (46). (If you have ever known someone in a large assisted living facility, you may have witnessed the extensive line of perfectly placed walkers parked along the outside walls of the dining room- just like the precisely regimented motorcycles that annually line the streets of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. A squawker, perched on a walker, could help locate an otherwise nondescript assistive device). The Joy For All robot pooch is solely a lapdog but priced at $124.99, may be a good choice as a starter robot companion (47).
There are a number of studies whose “results suggest that humans can build affiliative relationships with robots. Concentration of oxytocin, a hormone related to affiliative relationships, was significantly higher” (48). “Fifteen minutes of contact with the robot decreased the concentration of cortisol}” (49). Cortisol is the “stress” hormone. “
As mentioned earlier, not all dog related AI paraphernalia is contoured to appear like a dog. The Companion, next batch due out in 2025, does indeed herald the arrival of the future. This very smart robox device is a remote feeder with microphone, speakers, camera, computer and more. It can teach your dog to play games and learn basic obedience, while he or she is home alone. In addition the company says through AI, the Companion can detect some health issues. Using positive reinforcement through AI feedback, the homeward bound hound is reinforced verbally and with amarker and a treat for behaviors it knows and newly “captured” behaviors. Companion sets reinforcement schedules or how often to reward. (50). The cost of this device is $999 (51).
Indeed, the future has arrived, just quite a bit earlier than expected. One can easily imagine a robot walking a dog. It is already happening (52). Looks like there are a few kinks to work out in training but this is pretty impressive for starters. This robot has better programmed manners to have the decency to pick up after his four legged charge than a large number of wretched humans. This video was filmed in May of 2023. The Companion robox, mentioned above, leads one to imagine not just home alone dogs being trained. Envision shelter dogs being adopted having earned a leg or two towards an AKC Companion Dog (CD) obedience title, prior to adoption. We may have to wait a short time while the robot filmed in 2023 perfects loose leash walking. But picture a shelter whose dogs are lined up,in every cell, in synch who are not languishing but busy doing a choreographed puppy pushup version of Jane Fonda’s “Grapevine” (53).
So I ask myself, would I ever get a robotic dog? Probably, if the robot’s movements were more doglike, prices a bit lower and it would also have to appear and feel like a real dog. At present I have a black stuffed toy Poodle that I have carted around for many a year. This nameless Poodle serves to demonstrate accessories such as collars, head collars and body harnesses in classes. It has been very helpful when working with reactive dogs and just to simply help owners better see and understand their own dog’s body language when they first notice “her.” This Poodle helps with introducing techniques of how to approach something that makes an owner’s dog reactive and/or fearful. On occasion she hangs out with and calms a fidgety young child during a class. I have to admit being very partial to this Poodle. But my poodle or a robot dog could never substitute for seeing a real set of ears in the rear view mirror.
There seems to be no escaping AI. Robot companions are just fine working in therapeutic settings or if you want one for a “pet,” go for it. Admittedly they are accomplished in many very cool ways. But Artificial Intelligence seems to create a one way attachment, half a bond. Artificial Intelligence creates an artificial bond.
Dolly is a real deal, two year old Standard Poodle. She has a sparkly personality and a sparkly collar. The unalloyed tail wagging joy of each of Dolly’s greetings for a favorite person is contagious and one cannot help but smile. Genuine affection and trust cannot be accessed with an AI generated phone app. Joie de vivre and loyalty cannot be installed at the factory.
(1). Everyday examples and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) | Tableau
(2). Algorithm | NNLM
(3). 7 Types of Artificial Intelligence | Built In
(4). Everyday examples and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) | Tableau
(5). AI Replacing Jobs Statistics: The Impact on Employment in 2025
(6). Ibid]
(7), US Tech Salaries 2025 | Built In
(8). 10 Ethical Considerations
(9). Artificial Intelligence (AI) Terms: A to Z Glossary | Coursera
(10). What are the most creative euphemisms for layoffs? - Quora
(11). All we want are the facts, ma'am" Dragnet: 'Just the Facts. Ma'am' | Snopes.com
(12). Three Laws Of Robotics from Isaac Asimov short story, Runaround, 1942, found in I, Robot, !950
(13). military dog robots - Google Search
(14). Aibo (1999) - ROBOTS: Your Guide to the World of Robotics
(15). History of Aibo | Virtual Paws
(16). AIBO - Wikipedia
(17). Sony aibo Companion Robot | ERS1000
(18).Aibo - ROBOTS: Your Guide to the World of Robotics
(19). Spot | Boston Dynamics
(20). Ibid
(21). Ethics | Boston Dynamics
(22) Orbit Robot Fleet Management Software | Boston Dynamics
(23. Go2 Pro AI Quadruped Robot Dog | Robostore
(25). Unitree Go2 Tutorial 5 - Posture & Movement - YouTube
(26).🤖 Robotics tech, now in your life! Our B2 and GO2, powered by RL, are more than just acrobats. -
(27). Buy Xiaomi CyberDog 2 -Giztop
(28). CyberDog 2 - ROBOTS
(29). Soon, every robotic dog will have its day, and say! - Chinadaily.com.cn
(30). Tombot | Robotic Emotional Support Animals – Tombot, Inc.
(31). Crowdfunding - Wikipedia
(32). 1500 dollar dog has unexpected purpose - Google Search.
(33). The Retreat, York, England
(34). he Fascinating History of Animal-Assisted Therapy | Psychology Today
(35). Is bloodletting still used today?
(36). How Leeches Can Save Lives And Limbs for Some Patients | University Hospitals
(37). The science behind ice baths for recovery - Mayo Clinic Press
(38). AI Overview. The York Retreat in York, England used a variety of small domestic animals in its animal-assisted therapy program, including rabbits, poultry, hawks, and seagulls.
(39). Animal Therapy and Crafting - Animal-Therapy-and-Crafting-Worksheet.pdf
(40). Florence Nightingale: The Dog and the Dream | Psychology Today
(42). Ibid
(43). Ibid
(44). The Retreat, York, England
(45). PARO Robots US-Press Release 2009-11-04.pdf
(46) Walker Squawker Review - YouTube
(49). Cortisol: What It Is, Function, Symptoms & Levels
(50). Companion - AI Enrichment for Dogs
(51). Get Ahead of the Pack: Reserve Your AI-Powered Companion Dog Trainer
(52). AI Robot Dog Walker for Convenient Dog Walking | TikTok