Do dogs feel guilty?

Discussion in 'Labrador Behavior' started by bbrown, Apr 29, 2015.

  1. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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  2. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Do dogs feel guilty?

    Love it. I particularly like the bit at the end: PLEASE, PLEASE STOP DOING THIS (picture of owner intimidating a dog). I'd go on to say please stop doing it in all scenarios, not just when Fido ate the loo roll....
     
  3. Stacia

    Stacia Registered Users

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    Re: Do dogs feel guilty?

    The dogs looked scared stiff, not guilty. I don't believe that dogs can feel guilt, that is a human emotion; they fear the owner's body language and the punishment that may follow.
     
  4. Oberon

    Oberon Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: Do dogs feel guilty?

    Excellent article. And I love the 'Science to the rescue' pic ;D

    Makes me mad when I see pics or videos of scared stiff dogs that everyone wrongly thinks are hilarious signs of 'guilt'. Poor scared doggies.
     
  5. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Do dogs feel guilty?

    Yes I really like that they did some tests to show what really happens in the dogs mind :)
     
  6. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: Do dogs feel guilty?

    No - neither Gypsy nor Tatze have ever given the 'guilty' look because I have never told them off.

    There is absolutely no point telling dogs off after the event. They don't look back at what has happened, they look forward to the immediate future/present (would that we could be more like them!)

    I do say 'no' or 'leave it' or 'ah ah' if I see them about to take something which is not theirs, but their look is not 'guilty' - it's more like 'why not?' :)
     
  7. Beanwood

    Beanwood Registered Users

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    Re: Do dogs feel guilty?

    [quote author=Boogie link=topic=10748.msg160009#msg160009 date=1430380807]
    No - neither Gypsy nor Tatze have ever given the 'guilty' look because I have never told them off.

    There is absolutely no point telling dogs off after the event. They don't look back at what has happened, they look forward to the immediate future/present (would that we could be more like them!)

    I do say 'no' or 'leave it' or 'ah ah' if I see them about to take something which is not theirs, but their look is not 'guilty' - it's more like 'why not?' :)
    [/quote]

    Exactly my thoughts, was just trying to work out what is Bensons appeasement look...? Couldn't figure it out because I have never seen it....Casper on the other hand... :( :(
     
  8. snowbunny

    snowbunny Registered Users

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    Re: Do dogs feel guilty?

    Well, I don't know about you lot, but even if they did feel guilt, my two never do anything bad that they should feel guilty for!

    Ahem.
     
  9. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: Do dogs feel guilty?

    [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=10748.msg160053#msg160053 date=1430387444]
    Well, I don't know about you lot, but even if they did feel guilt, my two never do anything bad that they should feel guilty for!

    Ahem.
    [/quote]

    Ahem indeed! ;)
     
  10. edzbird

    edzbird Registered Users

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    Re: Do dogs feel guilty?

    ah it explains why I have never seen the GL from Belle, and she has emptied many kitchen bins that have been stupidly left on the floor - we've not had Scooby long enough for him to commit a misdemeanor - either that or is a very very good boy :-\
     
  11. maisiesmomma

    maisiesmomma Registered Users

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    Re: Do dogs feel guilty?

    Besides a "no" or "ah ah" when she's caught in the act of a bad behaviour, if I discover it after the fact, I do scold her.. but only in the same tone of voice I would use to talk to her normally, so I say "who's a baaaaad baby!!!!! you are!!!!" just as I would say "who's my pretty baby! you are!!!" haha. Sometimes I just have to get my frustration out a bit vocally even though perhaps I should be saying "who's a bad owner… you are for forgetting to put the sweatpants out of reach!!"
     

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