do dogs have feelings of ups and downs like people do?
2007-01-02 03:02:28 · 11 answers · asked by gijane 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thats two questions! No, and yes. Dogs, while they seem to be pretty bright, actually aren't intelligent enough to have a conscience. They see bread on the counter, they eat the bread on the counter. When caught, they can tell they have done bad, and eventually they can be trained to not eat the bread...but this is not done out of guilt. Dogs act on instinct, and part of that instinct is to obey the pack leader (you, I hope!), but another part of the instinct is to...eat the bread.
But yes, dogs DO feel elated and depressed. A good example is when you come home...elation! When you leave...sadness. However, they are simpe creatures, and as long as they do not have a biological reason for depression, they get over it. Even so, don't worry about it! A quick belly rub chases away all the blues...
2007-01-02 03:08:33 · answer #1 · answered by Fierybird 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Current thought doesn't support the idea that dogs recognize right or wrong, therefore, no conscience.
However, science it just starting to study emotions in dogs and making new discoveries every day. Dr. Patricia McConnell has a new book out c" alled "For the Love of a Dog"
I highly recommend it.
2007-01-02 15:28:58 · answer #2 · answered by renodogmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs have feelings and emotions, yes. In fact, I read an article in Discover magazine the other day that said that dogs actually smile and laugh, in their own way.
Do they actually have a conscience, as in they're aware of time and mortality? Well, that's yet to be proven...
2007-01-02 11:10:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah i guess so.My dog is a black lab and she think she is a cat,a human and a lap dog,lol.We are thinking about to get a second dog so she don't forget what dogs do and what not.Maybe you sould call Cesar Milan or you need to watch his show The Dog Whisperer.He is also a Dog Psychologist-i guess now of these days everthing can happen.
2007-01-02 11:22:27 · answer #4 · answered by hunnybunny3und2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so. Our dogs will have slow days .... but I think it's more related to health than what we might call the "blues."
As far as conscience .... if you say "bad dog," our dogs will slink around like "oh my goodness ... I'm so sorry" .... and I think that is a guilty conscience.
2007-01-02 11:10:32 · answer #5 · answered by Tad D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs live in the moment. They don't know right and wrong. We train them to know what we expect of them. But if we did'nt they would do as they like. Your dog only knows limitations because you place them on him.
No a dog will do what is natural to it's breed.
2007-01-02 11:08:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bond, the connection that I share with my dogs is primarily one of emotion. I do not have dogs for them to perform tasks for me. And I certainly don't have them just to provide the items necessary for their survival. I choose to live with dogs because of the emotional relationship that enhances and enriches my life.
2007-01-02 11:34:37 · answer #7 · answered by Peek-A-Poo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't have a conscience in that they think they've done "wrong", because they don't have a concept of right and wrong. They just know when they're in trouble.
2007-01-02 11:16:18 · answer #8 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No conscience
they might act different ways in different conditions(sad,happy)
but they don't really have feelings or a soul
2007-01-02 11:11:03 · answer #9 · answered by signmypoodle 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they don't have a "conscience" as such, but they do experience emotions, and understand what we want them to do...
2007-01-02 11:12:48 · answer #10 · answered by cher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋