Dogs may be more intelligent and complex than most previously thought, having a sense of self and an awareness of the consequences of their actions, a new study from Hungary suggests.
Existing research has established that dogs are highly-intelligent animals, capable of social learning and empathy. The new study, published in the Scientific Reports Journal, reports that they also understand how their bodies exist in space — one aspect of self-representation.
Researchers used two scenarios to reach this conclusion: First, they attached a ball to a mat and asked the dogs to take the ball to their guardians. Then they attached the ball to the ground and repeated their ask to the dogs.
In the first case, the dogs could complete the task so long as they didn’t stand on the mat, and so cement it to the ground. The dogs quickly figured that out and moved their bodies off the mat, researchers found.
In the second situation, the dogs discovered that moving their bodies didn’t help them complete their tasks, and they were less likely to step off the mat.
Researchers concluded those actions showed dogs could perceive the difference between their bodies as an obstacle, versus an obstacle they couldn’t control, and could also change their behaviors accordingly.
Dog guardians gave their voluntary approval for the study, approved by the Ethical Committee of Eötvös Loránd University, and remained present with their pets during the tasks. The guardians retained their right to withdraw from the study at any point if their dogs showed signs of stress. No animals were harmed during the study.
Lady Freethinker never condones cruel animal testing or experimentation. But studies like this one — where the well-being of animals in loving homes is prioritized, and no animals are possibly harmed — can safely and humanely contribute to people’s understanding of the sentience and intelligence of other species and so underscore the importance of treating all species with the respect and care they deserve.
What’s New…
I have found that dogs and cats are often far smarter than most humans.
I would not doubt that animals have a sense of self. Survival is a sense
of self, self preservation and all animals have that in abundance.
Never ever what??? You think dogs or any other senient being can’t have a sense of self etc just because they aren’t humans?????????
What?
Never ever
Of course they are self aware. All animals are self aware
All animals have a sense of self. Only people who do not interact with animals think they don’t. It’s just easier for most people to believe animals aren’t self aware so people can justify the horrific cruelty committed against animals for experiments, entertainment, agriculture, breeding, hunting, etc. Some people still believe animals don’t experience emotions or pain, either!
Yup. These ppl u describe r idiots and deserve all that is coming to them.
People have to do a “study,” exert domination, and apply tests to “learn” that dogs have a sense of self?
I tell you, it is scary to be in the world with such people. They have no natural discernment, no connection to the Creator. I would go into more detail, but am trying to honor the request of L.F. and remain “family friendly” in my comment. Can I say the dogs are smarter than the people who are testing them? Because it IS the truth.
^^^ What she said! Ten times over!
DOG IS LOVE!!!
Thank you for posting this awesome piece of research. Now, if this is true, it makes me even sadder and infuriated to know that millions of dogs are torture and kill for their meat all over Asia every year.