As dog owners, we’ve all witnessed the classic “guilty” look on our pets’ faces after they’ve done something they shouldn’t have. We may think that their behavior indicates guilt, but in reality, our dogs are expressing a simpler emotion: fear.
This revelation comes from a 2009 study conducted by dog cognition scientist Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, who has authored books such as “Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know” and “Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell.” The study reveals that humans tend to misattribute dog emotions based on our own emotions, and the “guilty” look is a prime example.
According to Dr. Horowitz, the guilty look – cowering, showing the whites of their eyes, and pinning ears back – is more indicative of fear in response to owner cues (such as scolding) rather than actual guilt. Dogs may not have the same “executive function” as humans, which means they’re unlikely to reflect on their past actions and decide they’ve done something wrong.
The study showed:
- “Trials varied the opportunity for dogs to disobey an owner’s command to not eat a desirable treat while the owner was out of the room, and varied the owners’ knowledge of what their dogs did in their absence.”
- “The results revealed no difference in behaviors associated with the guilty look. By contrast, more such behaviors were seen in trials when owners scolded their dogs. The effect of scolding was more pronounced when the dogs were obedient, not disobedient.”
- “These results indicate that a better description of the so-called guilty look is that it is a response to owner cues, rather than that it shows an appreciation of a misdeed.”
To put that a bit more succinctly, the study found that dogs demonstrating a “guilty” look were actually demonstrating fear of scolding (“owner cues”) rather than guilt (“an appreciation of a misdeed”).
While our understanding of dogs’ emotions and memories is still developing, there’s no denying the numerous benefits of having dogs in our lives. Research has shown that dogs offer 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, assisting people with autism or other social disabilities in connecting 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 in forming strong social bonds.
As we continue to learn more about the emotional lives of our canine companions, it is essential to recognize and appreciate the myriad of ways they positively impact our lives. Whether or not they experience guilt as humans do, dogs undeniably provide us with companionship, love, and support.
