Some Stil Doubt Dogs Have Emotions?? - Page 4

Nice evasive action Bubba. My mind is FIRMLY wrapped around the fact that I was born a human, I am proud to be one and I dont go around comparing myself to dogs, simple enough for you sir? My mind is human, as such it is attracted to other humans, ones you can have a dialogue with, who share some of the same values as you and perhaps you can learn something from. I am sorry you were so hurt by another human that you now feel the need to raise animals above your own species. In closing, no, dogs do NOT have the same HUMAN feelings, no morals at all and they do discern, when their own survival depends on it, have a great day!

"Not all people have the full range of all possible emotions".

Absolutely correct Blitzen, not all people do.

The emotions that humans feel are animal, mammal, and earth based life form derived and are not limited to humans .. one species among many animal life forms on Earth .. the research and observed facts are clear and undeniable.  Human emotion is an oxymoron .. look it up Hired Dog.

Ouch, Bubba. You have a point there (re. soldiers and slave owners.) 

I'm not going to get into too long of an explanation, but it seems some here are familiar with the academic work on the intelligence of dogs and others haven't been exposed to any of it. 

First, mammals that live in groups to survive, all have some capability of expressing emotion to one another, how much is where the debate currently is, however there is no argument whether they have emotions or not (I'm talking about mammals, not reptiles, fish or insects) .  If they did not have any kind of emotional capability, they would not be able to function as a group to do organized hunting or grazing, etc and would have evolved to operate independently from one another, with no desire to "group up".  For example lone African wild dogs have been known to group up with hyenas to fulfill this social need when separated from other African Wild dog packs for extended periods of time, in contrast you'll never see something like a panther do this.  Complex and unorthodox hunting strategies, such as my above example, require emotional intelligence to effectively execute.  The ability to express limited emotional range, effectively, regardless of specific grouped species, is a core function of mammals whom have evolved to live in groups. 

The second issue, of animal intelligence is that of tool use.  Although dogs do not have hands, they do in fact have the ability to manipulate objects in a limited fashion using their mouths and both front paws simultaneously.  Contrary to belief, this gives dogs some capacity to use tools, which is usually a sign of higher intelligence in mammals.  So despite the lack of an opposable thumb, there are many "Carnivora" that have this evolutionary trait, which allows to perform "limited tool use".  That puts them higher up on the intelligence chain than other grouping mammals such as a sheep or cow, but also less than primates whom have opposable thumbs.

So in summary, the things to keep in mind when judging the intelligence and emotional capability of a mammal, are the following:

Does the species live in a group, acting cooperatively to increase the chances of surviving in the wild?

Does the animal species have the physical evolutionary traits to allow "tool use" of some kind?

Does the animal species exhibit both of the above traits simultaneously?

If your answer is yes to all three, you are likely dealing with something that has at least some capability of expressing a limited range of emotions.

Now if you don't believe in evolution "selecting" for such a trait, than I don't have anything to say to those in that camp.

I have witnesssed dogs that literally mourned the passing of a companion:  dog, human, or cat in some cases.

Hundmutter, when my cat was run over by a car, Ranger DEFINITELY showed signs of missing him. They were subtle, and unless you knew him really well, you might not have picked up on them. But at that time, he was my service dog, and we were together a lot, so they were quite noticeable to me. He seemed unusually subdued, and was picking up bits of my dirty laundry and keeping them with him on his bed, as if the smell comforted him when I had to be away from the house. He'd never bothered with my laundry before.

DP

Hired Dog, I guess you don't want to see dogs as anything other than instinct driven for whatever reasons, my guess is your training methods reflect your negating their emotional and cognitive abilities. Dogs are so much more than tools to be trained and used. 

When I look in the mirror, I see someone who respects the cognitive and emotional abilities of my dogs and is pretty glad they are in my life.  We are judged by how we treat those who are vulnerable or dependent on us.

Animals have a much more complex world than many researchers give them credit for.  It's not all instinct and drive, it is so much more. 

Dogs are nonverbal and have a very rich nonverbal communication.  We as humans are verbal, dogs must interpret what we want based on our verbal cues and body language, I think that is one indication of their abilities (there are many more).

Anyone that only sees an animal as something to control and keep for what it can do for you, will never know the love a dog feels for their owner and families.

   You can't tell me that the dog that sits at the end of the driveway waiting for you to return does not feel pure delight at the sight of your return, and that the wagging tail and the opportunity to lick your hand or rub your hand over their head, if even for a brief second, is not a display of love.

   Dogs can and do differentiate the difference of vehicles as they approach the house, and they have a very good idea as to who they expect to be getting out of the vehicle. And the reaction to specific people is predictable,  and expected.

   Dogs certainly display loyalty and devotion, moreso than a good number of people. Shit, you have humans that will shoot their own mothers and fathers in the head for a dollar. Fathers that will rape their own daughters,and sons and mothers that will kill their own children.

   And yes, it was easier for me to sleep with a lion than it would be for me to walk certain streets in some of our civilized towns where those with intelligence and human feelings live.

   My dogs live with me, not for me. They are a never ending source of  companionship with unlimited, unconditional love.

   I have no doubt that my dogs truly love me.