Dogs & Envy

[Just Midol]

http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/2414/do...us-and-petulant

Does anyone have a link to the study?

I want to see how they conducted the study and whether they tested the dogs alone as well.

I find the study to be a load of crap just based on that info, but I want to read it properly.

[Nekhbet]

"The fact that the subjects refused earlier, and hesitated longer, to obey the command to give the paw to the experimenter, when the partner received a reward but they themselves did not... suggests that dogs are sensitive to an unequal reward distribution," they said.

maybe they need to learn a bit of dog training. How do we extinguish a behavior ... or how do we make a behavior go away ...

we ignore it or we provide some sort of aversive.

dog commanded, got nothing for it and thought 'stuff this' and didnt do it again. I Dont think dogs are smart enough for true envy. Yes they see another dog getting treats, but I would be suprised if the dog didnt just start exhibiting behaviors to get one, then stopped when it saw it wasnt gettnig anything.

ahhh another lovely push towards anthropomorphisation

Dude why are you reading Cosmo ...

[Just Midol]

I like Cosmos

The thing I am confused about is the specifically say they tested both single dogs and dogs in pairs but then don't really give any real results.

I don't believe dogs feel envy but in order to properly refute a study you have to have read the entire study.

Edited December 23, 2008 by Lord Midol