Guilty Dog

Bulldog Looking GuiltyHello Fellow Dog-Lovers!

Well, the holidays are over but not, unfortunately, the reminder (for most of us) from a bit of extra weight. According to media reports, the average American gains seven pounds between Thanksgiving and the end of December. The truth is, however, that the usual amount of weight gained during this period is actually one pound.  But we also know that this single pound doesn’t go away for most of us so that each year we gain one more pound, then one more.  Obviously, gaining even one pound every holiday season can quickly become a problem. For most of us, who indulge with abandon during this festive time, we know we’re going to pay later.  So . . . are you feeling guilty about all the candy, chips and dip, turkey, potatoes and pumpkin pie you ate?

Which brings us to wondering if dogs really feel guilty when they eat something they shouldn’t.  I was delighted by the video sent to us from England by the remarkable social media enthusiast, Kate Williams.  Having been in Denver with my brother’s family over the holidays, I couldn’t resist sharing the video Kate sent of a “guilty dog” named Denver.  The connection between the city where I indulged in goodies too numerous to name (guilt! guilt! guilt!) and a dog named Denver, was just too good not to share.

According to a recent article in Scientific American, 74% of dog owners believe their dogs experience guilt. But does the dog actually feel guilty if he or she has transgressed?  Or, as the author points out, is the guilty look the anticipation or result of being scolded, and therefore simply a learned response. Assessing the problem is both more complicated and ambiguous than one might think.  Psychologists have long provided evidence that dogs exhibit (and, we assume, feel) primary emotions – happiness, anger, fear, for example, but empirical evidence for secondary emotions (jealousy, shame, pride, and guilt) is difficult to study and is rarely reported in the literature of animal cognition.

Assuredly, both primary and secondary emotions have been observed in animal behavior.  But some scientists, wolf biologists for example, would probably contend that this is anthropomorphism— attributing human characteristics to non-human animals. Others, particularly, students of primate behavior, contend that guilt is readily observable and has an evolutionary function: to reduce conflict and reinforce social bonds.  Still, observing selected behaviors — and understanding their meaning — is not the same thing.

As soon as I finish this blog, one could observe me stealing downstairs for another piece of chocolate from a tin sent by a lovely friend in Miami for Christmas.  But, what does this behavior mean?  Am I hungry?  Am I thinking of my friend and, consequently, have an immediate association with the chocolates? Is the thought of something sweet and forbidden tantalizing in the same way as any other taboo is made the more exciting by the sheer fact one shouldn’t have it? The answer, of course, is that I simply need some chocolate right now so that I can happily wish all our readers a Very Happy New Year (with lots of chocolates for you and a lovely cheese-y biscuit for Fido!).

All the best to you all and may this new year be our best one ever.

Dr. B

 

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