The 'guilty' look

Here's a great article for those who still believe their dogs know how to look guilty, and to help those who don't to explain it to others:

[URL="https://thesciencedog.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/death-throes-of-the-guilty-look/"]https://thesciencedog.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/death-throes-of-the-guilty-look/[/URL]

Ha! I was just about to post this!

Very good article.

Good article! I think it's one thing to joke that your dog looks guilty after he's done something, but to actually assume he's feeling guilt for wrecking your favourite pair of shoes..? Nah.

Caryll wrote:Ha! I was just about to post this!

Very good article.

Great minds, Caryll!

Good article.
One of the Chapters in Unit 1 of my course deals with Theory of mind, basically the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Understand their reasoning and actions and understanding yourself.
I theorize that this is why we think our dogs look guilty, because we would feel guilty.

http://www.education.com/reference/article/theory-of-mind/

I think you could be right - we like to project our own emotions onto our dogs, because they are so empathetic.

I just think that dogs can tell we're angry/upset & appease us with 'the look'.

Whilst they're not stupid (even Dempsey!), they don't feel guilt.

Caryll wrote:I just think that dogs can tell we're angry/upset & appease us with 'the look'.

Whilst they're not stupid (even Dempsey!), they don't feel guilt.

I'm in two minds about the guilt feeling. Only on Wednesday last, Kuchar pulled me over on a walk (he suddenly darted towards another dog and caught me unawares). I crashed to the ground and being arthritic it took me a minute or so to get to my feet again. I wasn't angry but obviously a bit shaken, but here's the thing - Kuchar stopped pulling immediately I fell and walked nicely and quietly back home with me. I can't help but think that he recognised cause and effect at that time, although I'll be he's forgotten it now!

Ah, but was it because he'd pulled you down (hope you're okay, by the way) or was it that he sensed your shock/pain/hurt and acted accordingly?

I doubt that he even realised that it was him made you fall!

Lorraine wrote:I think you could be right - we like to project our own emotions onto our dogs, because they are so empathetic.

Yes, but they are not the same.

Caryll wrote:Ah, but was it because he'd pulled you down (hope you're okay, by the way) or was it that he sensed your shock/pain/hurt and acted accordingly?

I doubt that he even realised that it was him made you fall!

I dunno Caryll, I'd like to think that he realised but you're probably correct, he's not used to seeing me on the floor!

Yes I'm OK thank you, fortunately I fell in a nice soggy meadow!

tracyp wrote:

Lorraine wrote:I think you could be right - we like to project our own emotions onto our dogs, because they are so empathetic.

Yes, but they are not the same.

Of course

LyndaW wrote:fortunately I fell in a nice soggy meadow!

oh god! But very funny at your expence! Sorry Linda.

Yes I did feel very silly Tracy! Fortunately no-one saw me, and as it had been raining I was soaked through!

Dont feel bad. Everyone saw me, or should I say... couldn't recognize me? I once fell off a freaking horse that stumbled while we were racing to the stables in rain & mud. The damn horse landed on me sinking me completely into the mud. Thank god for mud!

No, I don't feel bad about being pulled over onto into wet grass!

Oh, thank goodness there was wet mud to break the impact when the horse fell on you Tracy!

That must have nearly been as embarrassing (although a lot muddier) as when my pony, at a gymkhana, suddenly sagged at the knees and lowered me into a puddle. I leapt off and just saved him from rolling in said puddle and ruining the saddle. He was a mischievous little git but I loved him to bits.

Guess this why actors say never act with animals (or children) - you never know what they will do!

I had never been so happy to be in mud in my entire life!

Damn animals... lucky you! I bet you made many laugh that day.

I was too embarrassed to notice, Tracy! But everyone was used to me and my pony; it was probably quite near the time at another gymkhana when I hugged Danny round the neck for being a good boy (for a change) and he immediately put his head down and I somersaulted over his head onto the ground!

Sounds like gymkhana's are dangerous places to go!

Only if you were daft bats like me!

Sadly, I think they are a thing of the past.

LyndaW wrote:I was too embarrassed to notice, Tracy!  But everyone was used to me and my pony; it was probably quite near the time at another gymkhana when I hugged Danny round the neck for being a good boy (for a change) and he immediately put his head down and I somersaulted over his head onto the ground!

 TAXI!

We still have gymkhanas here.

LyndaW wrote:I was too embarrassed to notice, Tracy!  But everyone was used to me and my pony; it was probably quite near the time at another gymkhana when I hugged Danny round the neck for being a good boy (for a change) and he immediately put his head down and I somersaulted over his head onto the ground!