Comments on: One study’s verdict: Dogs found not guilty http://www.ohmidog.com/2009/06/12/one-studys-verdict-dogs-found-not-guilty/ a site for dog lovers Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:21:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Anne'n'Spencer http://www.ohmidog.com/2009/06/12/one-studys-verdict-dogs-found-not-guilty/comment-page-1/#comment-9051 Anne'n'Spencer Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:48:49 +0000 http://www.ohmidog.com/?p=10007#comment-9051 I dunno. I'm in the minority, since I think dog feelings and human feelings are quite different. But I could come up with two scenarios. Let's say you're returning home. You turn the key in the lock, open the front door, and step inside: 1) Dog comes running to greet you. Head is up, ears are forward, tail is up and wagging. He greets you eagerly, kissing your hand or begging for a scratch or doing whatever it is he does that lets you know he's glad to see you. Chances are the house is pretty much as you left it. 2) Dog comes only when you call, and then he comes verrrrry sloooowly. Ears are down, tail is between legs, posture is slouched. He seems pitifully grateful for any crumb of attention you may throw his way. Odds are you will find a violated wastebasket, chewed slipper, destroyed knitting, or pee puddle. Assuming it's the same dog, and assuming he's well treated and happily adjusted otherwise, Scenario 2 looks a lot like guilt to me. If it's not guilt, it's probably well-founded concern about your disapproval. I dunno. I’m in the minority, since I think dog feelings and human feelings are quite different. But I could come up with two scenarios. Let’s say you’re returning home. You turn the key in the lock, open the front door, and step inside:

1) Dog comes running to greet you. Head is up, ears are forward, tail is up and wagging. He greets you eagerly, kissing your hand or begging for a scratch or doing whatever it is he does that lets you know he’s glad to see you. Chances are the house is pretty much as you left it.
2) Dog comes only when you call, and then he comes verrrrry sloooowly. Ears are down, tail is between legs, posture is slouched. He seems pitifully grateful for any crumb of attention you may throw his way. Odds are you will find a violated wastebasket, chewed slipper, destroyed knitting, or pee puddle.

Assuming it’s the same dog, and assuming he’s well treated and happily adjusted otherwise, Scenario 2 looks a lot like guilt to me. If it’s not guilt, it’s probably well-founded concern about your disapproval.

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