Dogs often exceed our expectations when it comes to understanding and intuition. A recent study conducted at Kyoto University by Japanese researcher Akiko Takaoka reveals that these animals can assess a person’s trustworthiness. This experiment, organized in three phases, aimed to determine whether dogs could discern malicious intentions in a human being.
In the first stage, the owner points to a container holding food, encouraging the dog to approach eagerly. Then, another empty container is presented. The dog, deceived, approaches but finds nothing inside. This reaction shows that our four-legged companions understand our pointing gestures. If they realize that this gesture is not based on a reliable reality, they display anxiety and nervousness.
During the third attempt, the dogs no longer follow the manual indication. This behavior can be interpreted as a loss of trust in what they perceive as a lie. In total, 34 dogs participated in this scientific experiment. The result is unequivocal: dogs rely on their past experiences with a person to judge their reliability. Armed with these conclusions, the Japanese researchers plan to extend this study to a species closely related to dogs, wolves.
The Empathic Sensitivity of Dogs
Furthermore, it has been observed that dogs monitor the social interactions of their owners. In another experiment, strangers requested help on the street. Those who had helped the owners later offered food to the dogs. Surprisingly, the dogs accepted treats only from those who had been kind to their owners. Even those who had not responded favorably to the request for help could feed the dogs, provided they were not aggressive or hostile. In contrast, anyone exhibiting cruelty towards the owner immediately lost the animal’s trust.
Dogs are capable of interpreting our gestures and facial expressions, as highlighted in a study published in the journal Biology Letters by the British Royal Society. According to the tone of our voice or the expression on our face, our companions perceive our emotions, whether we are in a good or bad mood. Researcher Kun Guo from Lincoln University explains, “Our study demonstrates that dogs know how to combine different sensory sources to build a coherent perception of both human and canine emotions.”
The Beneficial Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy
Animal-assisted therapy, or zootherapy, offers many benefits for human health. Accompanied by a zootherapist who facilitates the relationship between the person and the animal, the contact becomes more natural and soothing. Freed from the feeling of being judged, the individual experiences a moment of genuine relaxation and connection with the animal. Whether in children or adults, this sharing improves quality of life and can help alleviate certain psychological neuroses. Here are some of the recognized benefits of this therapy:
– Encouraging communication with others
– Reducing anxiety, stress, and feelings of loneliness
– Stimulating memory
– Enhancing psychomotor skills as well as orientation in space and time
– Developing cognitive functions and facilitating language access
– Allowing the expression of emotions
– Strengthening self-esteem and personal confidence
– Easing adaptation to a new environment
