1 of 20

Write now Article Tools

I recently read an article in which animal behaviorists "just discovered" that dogs, among a few other animal species, have a sense of fairness. For example, two dogs side by side are asked to "shake" hands with the human. Both dogs do as they are asked, but one gets a treat and the other simply gets praised. The one that did not get a treat may refuse to do the task again until he feels he will get a treat as well.

When I read the article, I had to laugh because I have noticed this behavior for several years now with my own dogs, as well as other ways in which they let me know what they want in ways that are often more "human" than most humans I know communicate. My dogs are usually pretty straight forward with what they want, or don't want, and there aren't any mind games that we humans like to play.

"What's wrong, honey?" "Nothing." "Really nothing? Because you just seem like you aren't happy." "It's nothing, don't worry about it." "It? You mean there is something?" "No, really it's nothing. I'll deal with it myself." "Deal with what?" "Nothing."

When my dog, Trooper, wants to go outside to run and play, he will bring me one of my Crocs - the shoes I wear when we go out in the field. He could pick any shoe he wanted (they tend to gather under my dresser during the work week), but instead brings me the one he knows is associated with going outside. No guessing games there.

But when he just wants to play inside, he will bring me one of his toys, so he clearly lets me know when he wants inside games or outside games. When he feels he has had too many days at home without his friends at the dog park, he will stop at the car door when we are going out for a walk and look at me. Again, no guessing games there - "Mom, when are we going for a ride to the park again?"

I often dog-sit his best friend, Ripken. They eat in separate rooms, but I still have to bring both bowls to Trooper to let him sniff what he is getting and what Ripken is getting because if he thinks Ripken is getting something better, he won't eat his bowl of food. Ripken gets a low calorie dry food diet most of the time since he is older and less active than Trooper. Trooper gets a quarter can of wet food mixed in his dry food because he is two or three years younger and tends to be just a little underweight with a higher metabolism and more activity. Trooper will sniff both bowls and sometimes choose Ripken's bowl because it smells better. I will have to mix a quarter cup of Ripken's food in with Troopers

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Talking dogs: How dogs communicate in human-like ways?
We want to hear your view. Write now!