[Smartdogs]

Interesting Findings. What is your experience?
Dog owners who think their beloved pooch can read their mind may be right.

Canterbury University psychology student Michelle Maginnity had completed a masters research project looking at whether the domestic dog has a theory of mind - that is, whether they can think about the thoughts and feelings of self and others.

She said after carrying out a range of experiments which tested the cognitive skills of dogs, she believed they were not only sensitive to human cues, but also had the ability to think about what their human companions may be thinking.

"So, in a way, dogs may be able to read minds," she said

Would you agree dogs are that Bright.

Interesting. I don't know if they can 'read minds' but I do know that they are extremely sensitive to our emotional state.

sometimes i think a dog second guesses what your going to do because of the actions/vocals you have used before in that situation. However they seem to me to be very swiched on, they don't get enough credit.

Possible. But I think they are more attuned to our mood. I swear my dog can feel when I'm sad. It's like she tries to comfort me.

I believe dogs are VERY sensitive to our behaviors; as for how far it goes, I have no clue.

What I DO know is that while I was fighting cancer ten years back, Neptune, the lovely black lab-chow mix I had then, was very sensitive to my condition. She watched me carefully, clearly worried, knew when I felt fine and could play with her, and on those days when I just couldn't get out of bed, she would lay across the foot of my bed and watch over me. The friend who came in to check up on me those days had to bring Neptune's food into my bedroom because the dog would NOT leave me except to rush out the dog door, do her business outside, and rush back in. She was never gone more than a couple of minutes.

Whatever else might be going on, dogs are SERIOUSLY clued in to what's happening around them.

I'm using what I learned with Neptune during my illness to help me relate to my new Maltese pup, Button. She is a bright little girl, three months old, and though I've only had her two weeks, already seems to be attuned to my moods.

Originally Posted by Smartdogs

Interesting Findings. What is your experience?
Dog owners who think their beloved pooch can read their mind may be right.

Canterbury University psychology student Michelle Maginnity had completed a masters research project looking at whether the domestic dog has a theory of mind - that is, whether they can think about the thoughts and feelings of self and others.

She said after carrying out a range of experiments which tested the cognitive skills of dogs, she believed they were not only sensitive to human cues, but also had the ability to think about what their human companions may be thinking.

"So, in a way, dogs may be able to read minds," she said

Would you agree dogs are that Bright.

I have the same experience too. When i was sick, my puppy stayed with me quietly. I could read from his eyes that he was a little sad.

YEAH absolutely my dog can read my words and mind. that day she wanna stop outside of a cake store. before i shouted but just took a strict glance to her she simply turned back and went away following me

My dog certainly understands the 'no' look and the 'be quiet' shake of the head, and if he's gone too far away from me he comes back looking very guilty without me saying a word! Not sure that's mind reading or just being aware of body language!

I also think this is possible... There are times that my dog sense my mood... When I'm tired, he doesn't approach me anymore...

Here is one related article:
INSPIRATION LINE Trivia and Facts: Can Dogs Read Minds?

Originally Posted by hanama

I have the same experience too. When i was sick, my puppy stayed with me quietly. I could read from his eyes that he was a little sad.

At the time of my cancer, it occurred to me that my Neptune was picking up the "chemo" smell when I came home from my treatments and expected me to get sick, but second thoughts point out that this requires even more rationalizing than simply watching my behavior, because she did it the FIRST time I got chemo. She had no way of connecting that "odd smell" (even I could smell it!) to my getting sick the first time.

Today, I'm certain that she "just knew" I was sick. HOW she knew is a mystery to me, except that she was "tuned in" to my moods and normal behaviors.

At times I think this could be possible, they are so tuned in to what we are doing and thinking, I know if I am sad my dog appears, of course she knows my every move, but I guess we really cannot tell if they read minds, they are our beloved pets I guess someday when we cross the bridge we will find out.

So true, my dogs know when I'm really lonely or I'm angry with them. They'll keep quiet in one corner.

Years ago a salesman came to our door and our dog, Dixie (Poodle /Samoyed mix) would not let him in the house. Dixie was a dog that loved everyone and my husband and I could tell her quietly to go in the other room and she would imediately listen. Also she never barked but that day with both my husband and I telling over and over to be quiet and to go in the other room she stood her ground with her fur standing straight up not only barking but growling and would not let him in. She never acted that way to anyone before or after that. Just that one salesman. Always made me wonder about him

I think dogs CAN sense our mind. Sometimes,when we are on walk,we encounter roaming dogs. Since I have no idea if the dog we encounter is friendly one or not friendly one,so I tend to tensed up a little.On the other end of the leash,there is my dog Palette and,she goes bark bark bark and tend to step herself inbetween me and the roaming dog.When I don't tensed up,she does not bark and butt-wagging to the dogs.

Also,I once had freak accident. We have upright freezer/fridge for human and some of my dog meal was in there.Then,I was cleaning up the freezer section and,when I lowered mysef,frozen 3lb block of Emu back hit my head and cracked my skin and I blooded.She got freaked out,and barked so loud for my husband to come check on me. When he was caring my injury,Palette brought her favorite Halloween ghost squeaky toy and put on my lap and sat closely with worry eyes.I think she sensed something is wrong with me.

Yassy,