That guilty look your dog gives you isn't actually guilty

That guilty look your dog gives you isn't actually guilty

As dog owners, we've all experienced the classic "guilty" look on our pets' faces after they did something they shouldn't have done. We may think their behavior indicates guilt, but in reality our dogs are expressing a simpler emotion: fear.

This revelation comes from a 2009 study by canine cognitive scientist Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, who has authored books such as “The Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know” and “Being a Dog: Following the Dog into a World of Smell.” The study shows that people tend to misattribute dog emotions based on our own emotions, and the "guilty" look is a prime example.

According to Dr. According to Horowitz, the guilty look – cowering, showing the whites of the eyes, and laying back the ears – is more an indication of fear in response to owner cues (such as scolding) than of actual guilt. Dogs may not have the same “executive function” as humans, meaning they are unlikely to think about their past actions and decide they did something wrong.

The study showed:

• „Versuche veränderten die Gelegenheit für Hunde, dem Befehl eines Besitzers nicht zu gehorchen, ein wünschenswertes Leckerli nicht zu essen, während der Besitzer nicht im Raum war, und veränderten das Wissen der Besitzer darüber, was ihre Hunde in ihrer Abwesenheit taten.”
• „Die Ergebnisse zeigten keinen Unterschied im Verhalten im Zusammenhang mit dem schuldigen Blick. Im Gegensatz dazu wurden solche Verhaltensweisen häufiger in Versuchen beobachtet, als Besitzer ihre Hunde beschimpften. Die Wirkung des Scheltens war ausgeprägter, wenn die Hunde gehorsam und nicht ungehorsam waren.“
• „Diese Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass eine bessere Beschreibung des sogenannten schuldigen Blicks darin besteht, dass er eine Reaktion auf Hinweise des Eigentümers ist, anstatt dass er eine Wertschätzung für eine Missetat zeigt.“

To put this more succinctly, the study found that dogs who showed a "guilty" look were actually more likely to show fear of scolding ("owner cues") than guilt ("recognition of a misdeed").

While our understanding of dogs' emotions and memories is still evolving, there is no denying the numerous benefits of dogs in our lives. Research has shown that dogs provide physical, emotional and social benefits to their human companions. A study by the American Heart Association found that dog ownership is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, while other research has shown that interacting with dogs can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and improve overall mental health.

Additionally, dogs have been found to be helpful in social situations and help people with autism or other social disabilities connect with others. The bond between humans and dogs has even been shown to release the hormone oxytocin, which promotes feelings of love and trust and is crucial for forming strong social bonds.

As we continue to learn more about the emotional lives of our four-legged companions, it is important to recognize and appreciate the countless ways they positively impact our lives. Whether or not they experience guilt like humans do, dogs undeniably provide us with companionship, love, and support.

Sources: