Here's an interesting read bro:
http://www.rps.psu.edu/probing/dog.html
-Hedge
Sorry...I wasn't floored by it. It's a subject that is "debatable" even by the person who wrote it.
The idea that dogs feel emotions, specifically love, is debatable.
According to Fred Metzger, a guest lecturer in animal sciences at Penn State and a State College veterinarian, "Dogs probably don't feel love in the typical way humans do. Dogs make investments in human beings because it works for them. They stand something to gain from putting so-called emotions out there. The more 'cute factor' they give us, the more we feel like they love us. This makes it more likely that we will give them more attention, food treats, outdoor access—all based on how much of a show they put on for us." Metzger theorizes that dogs "love" us as long as we continue to reward their tricks and antics with treats and attention.
looks like the word he uses is "probably" which opens the door wide open for debate...scientifically or otherwise
btw...my dog I had as a kid...did w/o any rewards & she was not given treats, toys, or scraps.
that idea may or may not be general...but I can't say any dog that I had...was like that personally.
In a statement sure to shock dog lovers everywhere, Metzger adds, "If we moved our dogs to our neighbor's house and that neighbor gave the dogs as much as we gave them and in the same motivational forms, I believe our dogs would adapt to the new life and would become as loyal to the neighbor as they were to us."
again...brilliant scientific data...he uses the word "believes"
If they did that to my old dog....I don't care what they would do to show affection...she would bite them.
Adapt? No...she would of been put down. She was heading that way before I got her. Why this dog 'attached' herself to me...I will never know. She was a neighbors dog & she hung around me. Would not leave my side....& I never fed the dog other when it was time to eat (after I got her). I never fed her or hell...even played with her when she was considered the neighbors dog.
Susan B. Eirich, founder of the Earthfire Institute, thinks that primatologist Jane Goodall's research gives us a good indication that animals actually do have emotions. "From a behavioral perspective, it only makes sense that animals would experience emotions...As Goodall notes, social animals must be able to read other animals in their society, and must be able to maintain social bonds." "When you think about it," explains Eirich, "strong emotion underpins social behavior and connection."
Animals have emotions? Maybe it's just in the owners head?
Eirich suggests that emotions underlie intraspecies communication, from barking to growling to the baring of teeth to show anger and aggression. So, are those "puppy dog eyes" signaling true love or a manipulation to get dog biscuits out of you? As long as science remains undecided, the meaning of your dog's "happily" wagging tail is up for interpretation.
yup....looks pretty black & white
what happens where your dog does these things...& there's no biscuit?
Funny thing is....humans (which are supposed to be able to express love & emotion) do a worse job than any dog I've ever come in contact with.
How many people can say they know what true love is...then divorce because they said they don't know what love is or fell out of love, etc...
Dogs (IMO) express an unconditional love far better than humans. How many times has someone Read an article about a dog that won't leave a masters grave site after they died?
I guess the dog is waiting for a biscuit.
