How do dogs think
Discussion
Pizzaeatingking said:
Love this, very much along the same lines I often ask my wife ‘don’t you think it’s strange how we keep animals as pets’. Particularly the cats and dogs, we share our houses with them, our sofa, our bedrooms, yet we can’t really talk to each other, we can’t explain our feelings to each other.
I often think about the evolutionary and species success side of things. There's likely 100's of millions more dogs in the world than there should be. Primarily because they made (great) friends with the dominant species I have two spaniels.
One will come up and sit next to me on the sofa and start shivering. As in she can shiver on demand. This is her telling me she wants the fire on.
The other has just leapt up from his sleep when the movie we were watching had the noise of some flies buzzing around a dead body. He then spent three minutes jumping around, searching for the flies.
I know what the clever one is thinking and what she is asking for (usually biscuits) when she looks at me. The thick one just chases his tail.
Actually talking of biscuits, dogs can also count. They each get two biscuits before bed. Even the thick one knows if I've only given him one
One will come up and sit next to me on the sofa and start shivering. As in she can shiver on demand. This is her telling me she wants the fire on.
The other has just leapt up from his sleep when the movie we were watching had the noise of some flies buzzing around a dead body. He then spent three minutes jumping around, searching for the flies.
I know what the clever one is thinking and what she is asking for (usually biscuits) when she looks at me. The thick one just chases his tail.
Actually talking of biscuits, dogs can also count. They each get two biscuits before bed. Even the thick one knows if I've only given him one
Slowboathome said:
Tango13 said:
The clocks go back tonight so those of you that have posted about your dogs knowing their feeding time report back and let us know how your dogs respond 
I fear there's going to be some kind of meltdown at my place.As the nights draw in she's started asking for her bedtime snack earlier and earlier.
My daughter's school bus pulls up outside our house at 15.50 every day. She comes in, the dogs get fed. The dogs start staring out of the window waiting for her at 15.36 every day. But only on weekdays. They know if mum's at home it's the weekend and the bus doesn't come.
Actual said:
Regardless of morning events and timing of walks and earlier meals our Border Terrorist knows when it is 4pm dogs tea time to within 3 minutes daily.
How do they tell the time? Mon - Fri he gets his morning walk after the school run so 9:05 and he will be sat in the window as I pull onto the drive. Weekends he just doesn’t get. 9:05 where’s my damn walk or if I take him early what’s going on it’s not 9:05. Anyone else got a street dog? Ours came from the mean streets of Cyprus and the funny thing is he’s not motivated by food at all. Very often leaves his food for 10 hours but if the kids drop a piece of cheese he will eat that. I had to wrestle a manky old kebab out of his jaws this week I got the wooden skewer but there was no way I was getting the chicken. I’m not that concerned as he’s healthy and a Jack Russell so probable doesn’t need to eat much.
BoRED S2upid said:
Actual said:
Regardless of morning events and timing of walks and earlier meals our Border Terrorist knows when it is 4pm dogs tea time to within 3 minutes daily.
How do they tell the time? Mon - Fri he gets his morning walk after the school run so 9:05 and he will be sat in the window as I pull onto the drive. Weekends he just doesn’t get. 9:05 where’s my damn walk or if I take him early what’s going on it’s not 9:05. Our dogs do seem to know their rights and only ask for a walk once a day and then seem to know exactly when tea should be provided.
I suppose there could be a few variables to this rule...
Asking for their 4pm tea can start anytime from 2 pm onwards.
We think they are clever but really we only notice the occasions when they start asking for tea precisely at 4pm.
I suppose there could be a few variables to this rule...
Asking for their 4pm tea can start anytime from 2 pm onwards.
We think they are clever but really we only notice the occasions when they start asking for tea precisely at 4pm.
I am sure I read once a dog can recognize about 50 words or so, can't recall the number, however used to have a little terrier type dog that seemed to understand a lot. Had a dog once that would watch out for traffic before crossing the road.
If you watch working dogs it is amazing what they can do and would suggest they have some intelligence, my current dog has very little.
If you watch working dogs it is amazing what they can do and would suggest they have some intelligence, my current dog has very little.
Likely the "average" dog could learn 50 words, but here is the record holder, Chaser, over 1000 words, truly amazing
https://youtu.be/J982KYWohT8?si=Sqefm9UEl52tojcc
https://youtu.be/J982KYWohT8?si=Sqefm9UEl52tojcc
Edited by bogie on Sunday 12th November 21:13
BoRED S2upid said:
Anyone else got a street dog? Ours came from the mean streets of Cyprus and the funny thing is he’s not motivated by food at all. Very often leaves his food for 10 hours but if the kids drop a piece of cheese he will eat that. I had to wrestle a manky old kebab out of his jaws this week I got the wooden skewer but there was no way I was getting the chicken. I’m not that concerned as he’s healthy and a Jack Russell so probable doesn’t need to eat much.
Yes from Spain. Won't sleep on anything remotely soft. All other dogs I have ever had hog the softest spots (beds/settee etc).Pizzaeatingking said:
Love this, very much along the same lines I often ask my wife ‘don’t you think it’s strange how we keep animals as pets’. Particularly the cats and dogs, we share our houses with them, our sofa, our bedrooms, yet we can’t really talk to each other, we can’t explain our feelings to each other.
Mind you, I have sometimes thought the same about my wife.In scientific terms this is the hard problem of consciousness. We can observe and test dogs ability to think, remember and solve problems but we have no way of getting inside their heads and understanding how it feels to be a dog, how they experience the world and how it feels to think like a dog. It is fascinating.
Slight thread resurection channel 5 tonight (20/02/2024)
The Pet Psychic: What’s Your Dog Thinking
Channel 5, 7pm
An amusing (not always intentionally) series featuring self-styled pet psychic Beth Lee-Crowther as she travels across the UK helping owners understand their pets’ ailments and odd behaviours. First, Petal, a chicken that’s stopped laying, and Yogi the dog who hates walkies.
The Pet Psychic: What’s Your Dog Thinking
Channel 5, 7pm
An amusing (not always intentionally) series featuring self-styled pet psychic Beth Lee-Crowther as she travels across the UK helping owners understand their pets’ ailments and odd behaviours. First, Petal, a chicken that’s stopped laying, and Yogi the dog who hates walkies.
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