Do Pets Have A Conscience?

[Doc Tinker]

I think dogs do, to some extent. My Lab knows when he's done wrong, but once you figure out what he did wrong, he seems to forget about it right away and goes about his day wreaking havock on my life.



Kats seem to react when you catch them in the act, but I think theywouldn't care otherwise.



Doc

 

[chuck3]

NO

The neighbors dog don't think twice about pooping in my front yard, the little #%$#$%$ *&$%#&*@#$%#$%.

 

[illflem]

Dogs definitely show guilt when busted, depends on the dog how long it lasts though. With my Australian Shepherd I have to be very careful, if I lower my voice too hard at him it sends him into a "depression" for the whole day. This can be good for a serious offence but usually isn't necessary. Sometime if I overreact I have to give him some love so that it isn't the end of the world for him. They have to be caught in the act in order to realize what they've done wrong, just a couple minutes later and no connection is made. I've seen other dogs you could hit between the eyes with a 2x4 while they are tearing the neighbors chickens apart and they still wouldn't know what's going on. Some dogs are just more sensitive than others.

 

[chuck3]

Is it really guilt?

Or just the fact he knows your mad at him, which he dont want his master to be.

 

[ETOBICOKE]

Ask Tyson

Doc just ask Tyson yourself!



Neil

 

[Ram4Sam]

Illflem, I laughed out loud when I read your post. We have a half lab/half australian sheperd that is the same way. If I yell at it, it crawls under my wife's computer desk and won't come out until I pet him for a bit. Even funnier, if the dog hears me swear when I'm working on my truck or in the garage it does the same thing.



On the other side of life, we have a new lab pup that, if you act mad or stern with, it just plays even harder. Earlier today while on the TDR, I heard a strange crunching noise coming from the kitchen. I knew as I went in there it wasn't going to be pretty. Sure enough, Kirby is laying on the kitchen table consuming the garage door opener. As I said @#$%&* out loud, she brought me the largest piece of the opener and dropped it at my feet as I have been teaching her. Of course, Rocko headed for the computer desk and wouldn't come out for a while.



Dogs, gotta love 'em!

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Our old cat used to do "carpet bombing" in the living room about two times a year. He never showed any remorse about it. *LOL*

 

[Champane Flight]

Think

this guy didn't think twice about eating a Badger. However really feels bad when he eats a sprinkler head and I catch him.

#ad

 

[Bigsaint]

No doubt they do have a conscience. If we come home to find that one has gotten into something he or she shouldn't have, I just have to watch which one has it's head hanging low to find the culprit. The other one will be just sitting there looking like this with drool . Kinda reminds me of my MIL, but that's a long story .



Scott W.