Dogs Can Tell if You're Untrustworthy
I've always maintained that my animals can tell about people much better than I can, and if my animals like you, then you're very likely a good person. Funny thing, it's true!
Dogs may not seem terribly intelligent when they're chasing their own tail, but it turns out that dogs are very clever, and are very socially aware-- not only of each other, but the humans around them.
Many studies have been conducted on dogs recognizing human emotions, and the latest research shows that dogs can tell the difference between happy and sad faces, and can even show jealousy.
It now seems that dogs can tell if a person is trustworthy, and will refuse to respond to a person who mixes their signals. Scientists and owners have long known that dogs understand what it means when humans point at something. Now, it is known that dogs can quickly figure out if those gestures are misleading.
A research team in Japan conducted tests on 34 dogs with three rounds of pointing. The first round, the researchers pointed to a container of food. The dogs responded favorably. The second round involved the researchers pointing to containers that had no food. The dogs were disappointed. When the researchers pointed a second time to containers of food, the dogs stopped, thought a bit, and some responded, while others did not.
The surprise was that dogs discounted their human researcher so quickly. Their ability to assess their researcher so quickly shows a sophisticated level of human understanding-- possibly evolved over their long association with humans.
The research indicated that dogs like their life to be predictable. If dogs don't know what is going to happen, on a day-by-day basis, they become aggressive, agitated, and fearful. I certainly believe their adherence to a strict routine. When Tommy goes with me to Owensboro, he wakes at 4:30 am, (5:30 am Louisville Time-- when my husband gets up), and fully expects me to leap out of bed to let him out. If not, he becomes agitated to the point that I may as well get up and let him out, because he is going to bug me until I do...
At least in my life, it is easier to do what they want me to do, when they want me to do it. It's the same with the cats. This is why I have a Head Kitty-- to direct my life on a day-by-day basis. I've learned that if I make certain sacrifices for their wishes, all of life goes better. 
It is increasingly clear that dogs are very intelligent creatures, but their intelligence is very different than ours. Dogs do not worry about the future, and don't dwell on the past.
Maybe that's a lesson we could all use!
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A lot of my life is ruled by three dogs and three cats-- but I couldn't stand to be alive without them, for sure! Since I grew up an only child, in a neighborhood with few children, I spent most of my childhood in the company of my animals-- my cat, Faybian, and my dog, Demi. They were my playmates and best friends. To this day, I rely on my animals for a great deal of emotional support, morale, and general happiness.
Fortunately, my family seems to understand this-- and feel the same way. Plus, they also know that if The Mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy. So we each have a dog and a cat, and we all manage to get along well, out in the world...
I love animals and dogs are one of my favorites.
My 12 year old Harry would and does sleep most of the day, getting up just to go outside and to eat. However my ten year old (Sally is the only true Shih-Tzu, the others are mixes) and the two year old (Molly) get me up every morning for their treat (they all get to split a hot dog). They follow the sun. In the winter they wake me up much later then in the middle of summer.
Molly the youngest (two years old) and Sally can always tell when my depression is bothering me a lot. They come over close to me on the couch and at the slightest indication are in my arms to cheer me up with lots of sloppy kisses. Sally also likes to lay with her head on my legs when I feel down, looking up at me with huge brown eyes. I swear it's look of compassion on her face. They are a big therapeutic help.
Animals are smarter in some respects than the world of science gives them credit for.
Mine, too, Pat! Although I couldn't do without my kitties, either!
Yes, they are!
I could not make it through, day by day, without their love and affection, too!
It always annoys me to no end when scientists pat themselves on the back for "proving" something that common sense has always told me for years...
Animals are actually smarter than we are about a lot of things! (I think, anyway.)
The best part is that their love and affection is unconditional!
What's even more amazing is their ability to detect cancer in humans:
So can cats:
Dowser
Good article
When I first met my wife, she had two boys and a pug and it became obvious that if our relationship was to last, I would have to win all three over. The boys were pretty easy, but Pudgy was a bit more challenging.
If we sat on the couch, he snuggled in between us, if a door was closed with him on the other side he went insane and snuggling brought about barking and snarls. He finally came around and was an important member of the family until we lost him
I guess I finally passed his trustworthiness test
RW, I love how they communicate-- it's all body language, for the most part.
Mine have become used to me being home all the time, now, and are upset when I'm not. When I come home, they all greet me at the door!
It's nice to know that they are glad to see me!
Both of these are amazing! I think their senses are so keen, they can tell a whole lot of things, that we just don't get!
Thanks, Buzz, for coming by!
They're our family, dear NWM... My little Mo has been dead for over 20 years, but it is second nature for me to look for him in "his" chair.
What a lovely story-- they loved each other, too!
Ha! Same with my husband! He had to win over all the cats and the dog-- but they took a shine to him immediately, so that was a non-issue. I'm still, after all these years, trying to "win over" my step-daughter.
And what a glorious slavery it is!
Dogs know when we are not feeling well. Mine will come and just lay by my side if I don't feel good. They areso caring and loving.....sigh
I used to only have 1 dog at a time, now that I have 2, I don't think I will ever have less that 2,,,they're such great entertainment!!
Well, I love dogs but right now I only have Wally, my cat and Paulie, my budgie.
But Wally does think he's a dog.
He plays fetch, tag, and walks besides you.
And if he doesn't like someone (he likes everyone) then I know!
Here is Wally playing fetch.
That's really interesting Raven, because Wally is a snowshoe and they are the only recognized mixed breed cat... with Siamese being part of the breed, (the other is bi-color).
Must be a siamese thing.
Good Wally! He even returns it! Smart kitty......
About 25 years ago I moved to Phoenix from Michigan. I was staying with a friend of mine and his wife who had two cats, the older (and quite crabby) one completely ignored me. After I was there several weeks I came down with a bad case of valley fever as it's called there and was sick in bed for several days The whole time I was in bed the older cat who had been ignoring me hardly left my side, except to eat and do her litter box thing. The rest of the time she slept with me, snuggled with me and was always there with me. When I got better and was back up and about she went right back to ignoring me as if I had never existed.
That's amazing MM!! Kind of "I feel sorry for you because you're sick, but when you're well again, phooey on you!!"
Who knows what goes on in their cute little heads???