ARE THEY "LITTLE PEOPLE" IN FUR COATS?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I read something yesterday that had me a little intrigued.  We all have heard about the problems with anthromorphising our dogs.  I agree that if you take this too far, you can really lose sight of the wonder of their "dogness" (I'm sure that's not a word), and it would be unfair to expect them to act in ways that they are incapable of.  But, I also have been thinking that it's also a mistake to underestimate the degree to which they "feel things".  Here's the actual question that got me thinking..."How am I made any less human or my dog less canine if I am willing to grant that animals feel pain, joy, grief, love, anger, loyalty and more?"  It seems like society is very willing to attribute feelings such as anger and rage to dogs, but much more reluctant to believe that they are also capable of joy, love, and even grief.  I think most of us here on DK have seen our dogs display a wide range of "emotions".  What are your thoughts?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Hmm, I never really thought about how quickly they can move from one emotion to another....I guess it's that "living in the present" thing.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

sure!  If only we could claim them on our taxes!!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I know some people who DO!! :)

[Kyoko]

I definitely believe that dogs have wide range of emotions, like joy, excitement, fear, anxiety, nervousness, jealousy, etc... And I believe that they are fully capable of feelings like love, grief, frustration and disappointment. However, I do think that it is not the same as how we would feel them. Because, us human and animals have different level of cognitive ability, and thought processing as well as level of thinking. Even among humans, say for example, toddlers experiences a wide range of emotions with very concrete level of thinking, which are different from the experience of adults who has higher level of cognition and thinking. But, having that said, in my reality, I feel like Charlie is thinking " Mom, I had Agility class tonight and I am tired. What time do you plan to go to bed?"  Who knows... May be they do think like that! Hahaha....

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

While dogs don't think in ways we do, it is so obvious to those of us who have dogs that they do experience a myriad of emotions. Our Springer Spaniel was depressed for about a year when we got Ned. It was in his eyes (I have pictures) as well as his behavior. Grief -Anger - my DIL's whippet was grief-stricken and then so angry at her for leaving him behind when she went on her honeymoon that he wouldn't be near her or make eye contact for a week after she came home. As for joy - just come into my house and be greeted by dogs who are just overjoyed to see you - even if you have only been gone for 60 seconds. Love? Just own a dog and you know the answer to that one!

[Jennifer Tramell]

Here's my thoughts: dogs do feel emotion, I believe most mammals have some emotions, however I don't think the "grief" a dog feels is the same as the grief a human feels.  I do believe that dogs can mirror the emotions of thier family members and therefore appear to have a wider range of emotions then they actually have.  I believe you will see many emotions in a wild wolf pack: affection, loyalty, determination, excitement, loss, etc.  I think animals who aren't attached to people go through their emotions more quickly and move on, but if they are mirroring our emotions, they appear much more complicated. 

[shelly]

I think so... or at least I WANT to think so... DH on the other hand says... "She's a DOGggggg!  Yeah sure- I say

'whatttt-eva'!  LOL