[PJ-Comix]

I'm sure most of you have seen dogs acting guilty. You can't miss it. Of course, it came from contact with people and only exists in dogs that are domesticated.

[aruanan]

I'm sure most of you have seen dogs acting guilty. You can't miss it. Of course, it came from contact with people and only exists in dogs that are domesticated.

A dog is, by definition, a domesticated animal.

[antivenom]

Good observation...however I have seen less then domesticated dogs act “sneaky”.

So how did dogs learn “sneaky”?

[cripplecreek]

Cats will crap on your dinner and look disinterested while they do it.

[Dumpster Baby]

[SonOfDarkSkies]

Guilt is not an emotion in any part of the rest animal kingdom

In all due respect, that is pure supposition on your part!

[1rudeboy]

Say, for example, throughout your formative years you were punished for going poo on the floor. Then, at age 40, you go poo on the floor. Would you remember being punished for it?

[La Lydia]

Not only does my dog act guilty when, for instance, I catch her sleeping on my pillow, but after we have had words she tries to guilt-trip me.

[Billthedrill]

To get a little serious about it, it's a fascinating behavior. I assumed it was imitative behavior except on second thought I don't know what opportunity that puppy had to observe it and would speculate that he hadn't one, that expression being fairly rare in human behavior on a day to day basis. So where did it come from?

Personally I suspect that doggies read minds. Not well, but they do. Prove it ain't so! ;-)

[Dallas59]

Guilty Dog

[SC Swamp Fox]

My theory: Dogs are pack animals and they will assume submissive postures to members of the pack that have a higher status. A dog that gives you the “guilty” look has broken a pack rule and views you as higher ranking pack member that is about mete out discipline.

[Vendome]

I have no idea. But they are so damn cute when they do it.

[Arthur McGowan]

My sister’s cat would act guilty, skulking behind furniture, etc. My sister knew that meant there was a mess somewhere in the house. When it was found, and she gave a cat a swat, the cat was all cheerful again.

[Rodamala]

          Guilty

[Chode]

guilty? GUILTY?? i had a 130lb Rotty that could damn near clear a room when he farted... and as soon as somebody said Who Farted let alone did YOU fart MAXX??? he got this guilty look like he was just been whipped or something

he droop his head and turn and leave the room numerous insults were made on his way out.

yeah... he looked guilty all right

[jla]

I know Shelly never appears “guilty” because she never does anything wrong! :^)

[MarkL]

We call it guilty... Actually it's a submissive position. When the dog knows it's done something it shouldn't have it displays submissive behavior which other dogs see as being no threat.

Mark

[brytlea]

I’ve never seen proof that they feel guilt. When they believe you might be angry at them (they are masters at reading body language) they will try to show you they are not a threat, they will act like a puppy, try to look smaller, etc so you will not harm them. They do the same thing to a dog of higher status if they think that dog is going to hurt them.
People have a tendency to anthropomorphize way too much.

[CaptRon]

I’ve done a search and I can’t find it, but in the past couple of days there was a posting about research showing that dogs are more attuned to action like humans than chimps because they have socialized with us longer.

[ThomasThomas]

Have checked horses on this. I knew a neighbor whose horse would not look guilty but would stay at the far end of the field sometimes.

[allmendream]

Not so sure that a wolf doesn't act guilty when he does something the alpha doesn't want and gets caught (like sniffing after alpha female).

Guilt is part of a self correction that makes social animals better able to interact and cooperate.

My own dog does a guilt/submission by lifting his paw as if it were hurt, as in...

“you wouldn't beat/scold a dog with a hurt paw, would ya?”

That is a known wolf submission sign.