Gene linked to autism in people may influence dog sociability

DNA differences affect beagles’ tendency to seek human help

beagle in the lab

A LITTLE HELP  Beagles that encountered an impossible problem — an immovable lid covering a treat (shown) — sometimes sought help from a nearby human stranger. Variations in a gene previously linked to autism in humans may influence the dogs’ people-seeking behavior.

Mia Persson

Dogs may look to humans for help in solving impossible tasks thanks to some genes previously linked to social disorders in people.