Every time I look at my dog, just sitting there with his silly ears and big brown eyes, I just have so many questions.
“What are you thinking?”
“What did you even do today?”
“Do you feel guilty about going through my bag and eating my left over lunch?”
“Why do your feet smell like popcorn?”
“Do you…love me back, darling sweetheart?”
This list goes on.
Often, I actually ask him, and demand that he “use his words”.
Note: Thus far I have been unsuccessful but I am certainly not giving up hope.
This is my boyfriend dog Caesar.
I CAN'T. HE'S SO CUTE I WANT TO GO HOME JUST TO BE WITH HIM. Image supplied.
Given that Caesar is yet to answer my burning questions because he would rather bark at nothing/chase his tail/get into my bed when I'm not looking, I decided it was time to do my research.
1. Dogs do not actually feel guilt.
About a year ago I got home and my dog was waiting, head down, eyes avoiding mine, by the back door. He knows that when he does something bad he has to go outside. They are the rules.
So I knew Caesar had done some fu*ked up sh*t.
Lo and behold, he had eaten an entire chicken. And he KNEW that he shouldn't have. His eyes said "Yes, I ate the chicken, which I knew would make you mad. But I'd do it again #noregrets."
But according to the experts, it was not 'guilt' that Caesar was feeling.
The research suggests that although dogs feel a range of emotions, guilt and shame are not among them. Instead, they are likely responding to their owner's body language.
Top Comments
Number 5, my dog loves hugs :), she puts her paws on my shoulders for hugs.
Mine sort of does that, she's a bit small, but when I hug her, she puts her little paws around me and snuggles her head in :)
She also sits next to you and grips your arm with her paw, like she wants to hold hands.
Such a crock of BS that's dogs don't luke hugs, my cavy crawls onto my lap and paws at me for cuddles. My beagle is the same loves nothing better than being spooned in bed.
Not sure where they got their research from but I call BS.