It's unclear whether dogs can feel guilt: They can pretend to be sorry to avoid punishment

Pet owners tend to assume their dogs are not only intelligent, but experience emotions like humans do.

While they can be sad, happy, or angry, emotions like guilt might be too complicated for them to experience.

Let'd find out more.

Specialists aren't sure

The concept of dogs feeling sorry or experiencing guilt is a topic of ongoing debate among experts. 

While dogs are highly intelligent and have complex emotions, the ability to feel genuine guilt or remorse is still uncertain.

When a dog displays behaviors like a lowered head, avoiding eye contact, or cowering after a misdeed, it is often interpreted as guilt by their human companions. 

It's more about being afraid of punishment

However, scientific research suggests that these behaviors are more likely associated with fear of punishment or the owner's disapproval rather than true guilt.

Dogs are experts at reading human body language and are attuned to our emotions. 

They can pick up on cues such as tone of voice or body posture, which may cause them to exhibit submissive behaviors. 

They learn to associate certain actions with negative consequences based on the owner's reactions.

They live on their instincts

Dogs live in the present moment and may quickly move on from a situation once the immediate consequences are over.

Instead of assuming they feel sorry, it is more productive to focus on positive reinforcement training methods and creating a safe and loving environment for them. 

• Related news:
• pets
• pets facts
• dogs
• guilt
• 8 July 2023

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