Dogs and Fair Play
Scientists are now discovering that dogs can experience a wide range of complex emotions, ranging from the more common love and affection, to jealousy, and pride. Until recently it was believed that only Chimpanzees and humans were capable of these emotions. I think that it is about time that scientific evidence will prove once and for all of what dog lovers are already aware, and they no longer will be considered as just "anthropomorphizing" in relation to their pet's feelings.
According to CNN.Com/technology, Paul Morris, a psychologist at the University of Portsmouth, England who studies animal emotions, told the SUNDAY TIMES, "We are learning that dogs, horses, and perhaps many other species are far more emotionally complex than we ever realized. They can suffer simple forms of many emotions we once thought only primates could experience".
Scientists are now saying that often dogs hate to see their owners show affection to other dogs, and often become jealous when a new partner or baby appears in their territory.
As an experiment, scientist Friederike Range and her colleagues at the University of Vienna, Austria, asked 33 trained dogs to "give their paw" to a human. Whether or not they were rewarded, the dogs responded to the command almost every time, when alone or in the presence of another dog. But of course after not receiving rewards, the dogs soon lost their enthusiasm for the game when they observed other dogs receiving treats to reward them for their behavior.
The dogs that were not rewarded with a treat or praise obeyed the command far fewer times than the dogs who were rewarded, only responding positively 13 out of 30 trials. They also displayed anxious behavior by scratching and licking themselves.
Dr. Range told NEW SCIENTIST magazine, "They are clearly unhappy with the unfair situation." She postulated that this sensitivity to food might extend further to more abstract things, such as attention and praise. She added, "It might explain why some dogs react with 'new baby envy' when their owners have a child."
This research now has me wondering if the emotions I attribute to my cats are also accurate and that cat lovers truly understand the emotional makeup of the species.
Do you believe that dogs and cats are capable of complex emotions? Tell us about your experiences by leaving a comment.
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Comments (7)
Ruth from England March 25, 2009 11:48 AM
Who needs scientists to tell us what we already know ?Cats are definately capable of complex emotions, just look how they grieve when a family member (person or another pet) dies.
Amy March 25, 2009 2:30 PM
I believe that we under estimate our critters so much. I have seen all the emotions, happiness, sorrow, grief and jealously right in my own home many many times over the years.
Vicki March 25, 2009 4:24 PM
I have eight dogs and most certainly believe they have emotions. My St. Bernard is extremely jealous. To the point that we have to keep an eye out for her if we are showing attention to another dog. They wag tails when they are happy, and show a lot of different kinds of emotions. So yes, I do believe dogs show ., and have feelings and express them.
Diana March 25, 2009 5:01 PM
I know that both dogs and cats have emotions and express them if we are astute enough to pick up on them. I distinctly heard by black chow, Bear, say, "Oh, crap!" when he fell in the pool.
fran March 25, 2009 6:26 PM
Dogs most definitely experience and express a full range of complex emotions, including joy, relief, silliness, embarrassment, guilt and resentment---just to name a few. These can be recognized by observing a combination of body language, breathing and vocalizations. One of my dogs has "silly ears" which only go into that position when she is being goofy and we are laughing at her. Most people can spot a sad or worried dog, just by looking at their eyes. Not only do animals feel emotions, they can read our emotions-- sometimes better than we read theirs.
Jim Arnold March 25, 2009 11:14 PM
I help take care of Vizsla puppies and I am amazed when I pay attention to the now 9week old pups, the mom and two yearling siblings try to distract me from paying attention to them. The Mom often works on me to get me to let them out of their pen so she can play with them, and I finally tell her, lets to get the pups out, she runs gets a stick and heads right for the pen.
Joanne March 26, 2009 9:32 AM
Great article, Jo. Dogs are very aware of fairness and certainly exhibit jealousy if another dog is getting more attention. As a multiple dog household, I try to be very aware of what I am doing with one dog or the other. If people acknowledge the emotions and feelings that dogs and other animals posess then you couldn't possibly allow puppy mills or horse slaughter. Just a thought.
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