Does Your Dog Feel Sorry for You?

I think most people who have pets do tend to assign human characteristics to them (anthropomorphize - one of my favorite words!)

But, according to scientists, dogs may really empathize with humans! According to a study from the Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, "Indeed, a study showing that pets, namely dogs, behave as 'upset' as children when exposed to familiar people faking distress, strongly suggests 'sympathetic concern'. Also it has been reported that untrained dogs may be sensitive to human emergencies and may act appropriately to summon help, which, if true, suggests empathic perspective taking."

In their experiments, the researchers had people fake heart attacks or distress to see how the dogs would react. Many dogs just act confused, but apparently the scientists think that in a real emergency there are sounds, smells, and other things that cause a dog to react. (So, faked doesn't give them the same things as real.)

The scientists think that further study is needed to answer a large number of questions too. Is the ability breed-specific? Does training make a dog more likely to empathize?

What do you think? Do you think that dogs really do empathize with humans? Or is it just us humans assigning our characteristics to an animal? Since I don't have dogs, I have to comment about my cats. I really think that they can feel what is happening with us crazy humans. Our boys can definitely sense stress (or distress) and know when we need them to comfort us. Ben, in particular, is great at knowing when to just cuddle up to me, rather than being pushy for attention. (When I have a migraine, he is really good at being very cuddly - exactly what I need!) How about your pets? (The photo is Ben and Henry - our buddies! Ben definitely shows a lot of emotion for a pet. He is missing Mike right now as he is traveling.)

--Tammy

Comments

[Laurel]

I've certainly had some pets who seemed more sensitive to my emotions than others---just like people! For me, it's the kind of relationship that tells the tale. Some of my pets have remained "infantile" and never were a comfort to me. I was there for them, like a parent-child, yet others have seemed more adultlike and mature. They've felt like peers to me and the comfort and friendship has been more mutual. These are the bonds I cherish. These pets have "soul" and make their mark in our lives.

[Jan]

There is no question in my mind that my dogs know all my moods and feelings. Dogs are far better than humans in reading body language and body language doesn't lie.

[jen]

My gal gets visibly and audibly upset when I cry. She paces, whines, nips at me.

It actually always helps - I'm reminded that I have to keep moving on. She needs me.

[Jana Rade]

Firstly, I think fake heart attack isn't a real one, is it? I think dog senses are quite good lie detectors. I imagine that with real heart attack there would be certain secretions and smells that cannot be duplicated by faking it.

Hey, Jasmine won't even buy hubby taking a 'fake bath'.

I think it's like with faking feelings, you cannot fool a dog. If you're afraid of a dog, you can fake being comfortable all you want ...

Yes, I think that most dogs would be concerned if things really went wrong. I know our guys are concerned for each other if one of them is ill or unhappy. Jasmine is concerned about other dogs as well.

So I think that basing a study on 'fake' situations cannot possibly work.

[Heather]

I have no doubt at all that animals sense our emotions and our medical conditions. Dogs are often used successfully to predict seizures. Dogs are known to get in between family members who are squabbling and to sense when a stranger is a threat. their sense of smell, hearing, and observation are so much more attuned than us humans that they are able to pick up on subtle clues we miss.

One of the most beautiful things I have ever experienced is bringing my Samoyed, Kiko, on therapy visits to hospice. He *knows* those that are close to death and will pt his head on the bed, snuggle with them, and lick their hands in a final farewell. It is a clear act of love.

- Heather
Founder and Team Leader
New England Pet Hospice, Inc.
www.NewEnglandPetHospice.com

[Lindsay]

Ace doesn't seem to respond too much if I'm feeling sad, sick or whatever. He does respond if I am stressed, anxious or angry. He also becomes very anxious and stressed. He kind of slinks away, watching me with his ears back like he did something wrong, poor boy.

Whenever I'm crying and my cat Beamer sees, he always come and sits in my lap. I don't think it's because he cares about cheering me up. I just think he's learned over time that when I'm acting this way, I'm very likely to hug and pet him. He purrrs away and he does make me feel better, even if it's in his own interest.