Is Denver Really Guilty?

CLICK FOR THE ANSWER!
Guilt Part 1: Discussion of "guilty" behavior
http://dogspies.blogspot.com/2011/03/is-denver-dog-really-guilty.html

Guilt Part 2: And what if your dog shows guilty behavior before you find the mess?
http://dogspies.blogspot.com/2011/04/guilt-part-2-she-greeted-me-showing.html

New York Times covers the "guilty look":
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/16/science/16obguilt.html

Denver's owner thinks Denver ate cat treats. The owner thinks Denver's behavior means she's guilty. But dog behavior can be misleading...

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[vivaxia]

How is it then, when I'm dog sitting for the neighbor, I walk into the house and before anything is even said or known the dog is ingratiating himself to me and "acting guilty" when he pees on the floor. I hadn't had the chance to even act annoyed or upset or project any emotion.

[dogspies]

@vivaxia - Check out Guilt Part 2 on the blog (listed above). It gives some suggestions as to why dogs might appear guilty in the presence of a misdeed.

[BadSpottedDog]

Ok, so how do you explain dogs who do something wrong, and act guilty even when no one says or does anything? My guilty dog LeeLoo exhibits this behavior when we don't know she's done something wrong. This makes us have to go looking for the offense. She gives herself away. Out of all the "experts" making comments on my video, it seems someone would address this.

[dogspies]

@BadSpottedDog

Hi! Thank you for your comment! I wrote a blog post addressing the "guilty look" in the context you describe. Check out Guilt Part 2 on the Dog Spies blog, link is listed above.

[dogspies]

Thanks happyhoundz! Please share widely so more people will see!

[JiminyKracker]

That's not guilty behaviour. It's cowering because she knows she's being scolded. So much for "real science" *sigh*

[PATOSONDX]

once i read that dogs know when we are feeling anger or well deception so they try (with their behaviour) to make us feel happy again

[OOKH1]

Yes there is a big difference in how scolding from the lady at her dog and guilt of Denver are in the two different videos. When the owner of Denver puts the camera on Denver and talks in a normal voice and even soft voice at that....you can see the squinty eyes and body posture as slouched, nervious tail wagging, feet close together. Denver is not at all like the eye wide open and sprawled out relaxed suspect number one.

[6710Humle]

Maybe its because of the sertent tone as if you were about to yell at the dog. it doesnt know what it did wrong, it just knows by the sound of your voice that it did something wrong. not guilt, confusion and sadness. sorry for my bad english.

[greyiggy]

Excellent video that beautifully illustrates how deeply problematic anthropomorphic assumptions are - and how such assumptions are often wrong. There are so many people out there who lack an accurate understanding of how dogs learn and interpret the world around them. Thanks to Dog Spies for one of the few great educationally minded dog videos! I'd encourage everyone to update their knowledge of dog behavior and check out all the current research!

[rich6421]

ive owend dogs almost 50 yrs. never gave them a reason to be afraid of me. much like denvers owner. i could always tell when one of my dogs did something wrong when i was out as i wouldnt get greeted at the door and find him hiding in a corner with a guilty look. dogs have poor poker faces

[BlazingRose1985]

Denver isn't scared, he's been trained. And while I see the lady's point, that poor dog has no idea why it's being scolded, and probably will worry even after she gets the treat, that she did something wrong. That's not funny. Dont use your pet for a social experiment.

[5150Moshpit]

Try asking your dog if they want a treat but use your "scolding" voice.Then tell them they've been a bad dog in you "happy" voice. You may be surprised at what you get. Your dog takes it's cues a lot of the time by the tone of your voice.

[dokokai]

What an annoying voice that woman has! Can you imagine having to listen to her all day long. Leave the dog alone and stop tormenting her because you think your a scientific researcher.