Ae German Shepherds self aware ? - Page 7

To be fair though Jesse you cannot shove all humans into the same box; some people with disabilities don't spend much time bothering about them, or what 'might have been'. They too live in the Now, and just accept and get on with life. Some humans have much more 'ego' than others; I don't think dogs show 'ego' at all, at least not in the terms of human understanding of the concept. So for me while there may be varying amounts of empathy, sympathy, solidarity, altruism there in various animals, the bit that is missing is a rounded conciousness, an appreciation of past present and future - which (most) humans have in various degrees but which other animals do not seem to present evidence of possessing. That does not prevent humans being the most vicious animal; but it does serve as a conscience in many of us.

sorry, DP ( again !!!!)

Thanks Susie 🤗
Hundmutti-
I don‘t put all humans in same box.
Please reread my post as I think we are on the same page and are saying the same thing.
I write that is the tendency for some unaware humans.
I also write that dogs have no egos, not as we do. They have a survival mechanism, of course, but not a ego per se...if they do, perhaps more like a group-consciousness ego, less individual ego as humans do.
No doubt there are varying degrees of self consciousness in the animal world, including us. Which I also mention.
I try not to think or write in absolutes or only black and white.
I know that the whole world is varying shades of grey.

 

I wonder if anyone else has ever had to part with a beloved dog and then years later, meet them again? I have witnessed extraordinary responses on opposite ends to each other. Extreme vocalization and affection that can only be described as joy for the reunion. And also, the cool look of recrimination... from being abandoned. Surely those individual dogs had memories and that those produced states of feeling in a way we could call internalization. Without that, no reaction should have been both of their reactions, wouldn’t they?

Yessss....Good one Bee!
In my experience, dogs never forget an encounter.

Bee ... I agree !!
The experience that you just posted is not that uncommon . YES !! dogs do remember people from many years ago ! Some do respond with over joyousness and others seem to not be so moved by the reunion . Then again e see this with humans too . They remember people from long ago .. HOW ? I can'y prove this , but I use what we know . If we want to understand a dog , we have to realize that a canine is 90% nose in essence . In a court of law if a canine picks out a felon from his scent by comparing that scent , to a scent that is 20 years old and has been properly stored / uncontaminated, that indication of a match by the dog is enough evidence to bring a conviction in court. So , dogs most certainly do remember people and the ones that are over joyed show a great capacity of affection for that person they hadn't seen . which brings me to a critical point : we know exactly what a dog is thinking and feeling ... simply by the behavior that dog expresses. That ' knowing ' being , IMOp , one of the most, if not THE most crucial aspect in teaching/training a dog. and developing your relationship with your dog .

Bee -

Your story reminded of the lion Christian of whom a book was written.

 If this lion doesnt bring tears to one’s eyes, one is made of stone.
The short video of 2 men and a lion’s heart:

https://youtu.be/0ZIQUb-d4GQ

a longer version:

https://youtu.be/Sju3kSTAzdI

 

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(Edit: Did not intend to post so many videos in this thread. My apologies!)

As expected, it's still going on and on with nothing new to take home EOD.

But, carry on gals, the answer is just waiting to be revealed in the next post.

And, anyways it's far better than that Civil Dog fanaticism of yours.

Swarnendnu

Maybe you could post another topic that interests you?
Edited

 

Swarn, at least I think this is an interesting topic.

Personally I believe dogs don't just "exist" but do have feelings and memories - Self aware? I guess yes, but in relation to animals, not to humans.

Dogs simply are no humans, I don't believe they are able to question their behavior or think about past and future. Any goals are instinct related, any memories are instinct related, too ( good feelings, fear, anger, whatever ), any "future" only exists in direct attempt to reach a personal goal ( praise, food, sex ).

Generations of trainers made and still make use of this genetic behavior.