These Dogs Are SO Guilty

Early research in the field of canine cognition found that 74% of pet owners believed their dogs felt guilty when they disobeyed. Pet parents can even describe how their dog’s behavior appears to change when confronted with evidence of wrongdoing. Although many of us are determined that we know exactly what our pets are thinking, trying to understand our dogs’ minds based on their behavior has limitations. So, while the jury may still be out regarding whether or not dogs feel guilt, in this hilarious post from doghugland, these pups certainly look guilty of something!

The Signs of a Guilty Conscience

Our dogs know when we are upset with them, but they are unlikely to understand why. Dogs focus on their owners’ change in behavior, as well as the consequences of that change. Your dog can read your body language, expressions, and tone of voice. They may even be able to sense changes in your scent associated with stress.

When we show that we are unhappy with our dogs’ behavior, they typically react in a way that makes it look like they are feeling remorse. Our pups may give us a sad look, close their eyes, smack their lips, fold back their ears, or hunch down with their tail wagging rapidly or tucked between their legs. These behaviors are similar to behaviors we associate with guilt in humans, such as avoiding eye contact and looking regretful. However, for dogs, these behaviors have a different interpretation.

What Those “Guilty Looks” Actually Mean

Most researchers currently believe dogs’ “guilty looks” are a response to cues from their owners’ behavior. If your dog gives you the sad puppy dog eyes, looks away, or even closes their eyes, this is most likely a fear response. They are avoiding looking at the source of their stress and are trying to defuse a tense situation with appeasing behavior.

When a dog hunches its body with its tail wagging quickly or tucked beneath it or between its legs, this is a submissive pose communicating that the dog feels anxious and is trying to placate you. If your dog licks its lips, this is typically a stress reaction as well. Folded ears, especially in combination with other stress signals, also mean your dog is feeling fearful and anxious.

Do Dogs Really Feel Guilt?

The behavior described above shows that dogs experience different emotional states. Yet, the trap many fall into is assuming that animals think and feel like humans do. We tend to anthropomorphize our pets, which means we ascribe human characteristics and behavior to our animal friends. Scientists explain that this takes for granted that the human-like behavior we see in dogs is indicative of a specific emotional state in dogs. It also fails to acknowledge emotional states that are unique to canines, or to individual dogs.

Experts in canine cognitive science point out that the problem with presuming dogs feel guilt is that guilt requires complex cognitive skills that dogs probably do not have. For humans, guilt involves a certain amount of self-reflection and the understanding that we have caused harm to another person. While researchers believe our pups do have some sense of self, it is not as sophisticated as in humans. For our dogs to feel guilt, they would not only have to recall their behavior, but also evaluate that behavior, and then determine they should not have done it. Current research suggests this is unlikely.

However, interest in canine cognition has had a resurgence. With new methods and cutting-edge technology, we may yet learn what our dogs are really thinking. In the meantime, let the record show these pups are innocent and can leave the court without a stain on their character.