Researchers have suddenly discovered that dogs have reasoning abilities. I don’t know how much money was wasted on the study, but if they wanted to know about dogs… all they had to do was ask us!
Sneaky dogs take food quietly to avoid getting caught
LIKE children with their hands in the cookie jar, dogs steal food quietly to make sure they don’t get caught. The finding adds to evidence that dogs can work out what others are thinking.Shannon Kundey of Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, and colleagues, gave 40 dogs, which had previously been trained not to eat food left on a plate, a chance to take food from inside two containers. Both containers were fitted with bells, but on one container the bells were muted.
When someone was watching, the dogs took food from both containers equally. But if the watcher looked away, for instance by putting their head between their legs, the dogs went for the silent container. This suggests they knew they could get a meal without the watcher hearing them (Applied Animal Behaviour Science, vol 126, p 45).
Kundey says her results back up other evidence that dogs can represent for themselves how others perceive their actions. For example, previous studies had found that dogs are more likely to take food when people are not watching them.
Tell us something we don’t know.
26. July 2010 at 11:21 am
No shit Dick Tracy – honestly – do none of these people own dogs? Somebody PAID for this? I love it when money is wasted on dumb crap like this.
On the other hand – rub the belly rub the belly rub the belly
26. July 2010 at 11:39 am
These guys are giving Sherlock Holmes a run for his money, eh?
26. July 2010 at 11:48 am
26. July 2010 at 12:10 pm
Lance asked to be excused for a moment after seeing Daisy’s picture and said Rwrrrrrrr
26. July 2010 at 12:15 pm
I told Daisy that she is being sexually objectified and she asked for Lance’s phone number. So much for canine feminists!
26. July 2010 at 10:05 pm
I read this post to Sloane… her response?
“Well, Duh.”
27. July 2010 at 7:50 am
27. July 2010 at 1:04 am
Bingo T. Pug and Cochise’ Apache Princess don’t even try to sneak anymore.
27. July 2010 at 7:50 am
Are you sure?
28. July 2010 at 6:17 am
Dogs are so intelligent!I know that dogs are more likely to take food when people are not watching them and my dog Molly does it!