[StopNightmareDogIndustries] Fw: ON DOG INTELLIGENCE AND EMOTION

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ON DOG INTELLIGENCE AND EMOTION

LEXIANN GRANT INTERVIEW WITH A MIAMI HERALD INTERN

 

by Lexiann Grant

In the following article, author Lexiann Grant, was

interviewed by a student intern at the Miami Herald on

the subject of canine emotions and intelligence. The

questions and answers below are a summary of that

interview.

 

 

 

Question Miami Herald Intern (QMHI):

Are dogs more intelligent than we give them credit for

being?

 

Answer Lexiann Grant (ALG):

Absolutely. For most of the thousands of years that

dogs have lived side by side with humankind, they were

viewed in primarily a utilitarian manner -- as hunting

aids, or farm workers. This relationship was

self-limiting in that humans did not expect more and

were unaware of canine potential.

 

When we look at what a dog can accomplish without

special training, say, saving the life of a loved one

by warning them of a fire in the home, it is even more

amazing what they can be trained to do. Early on we

learned to develop their natural instincts to do such

things as guard livestock or hunt, now they help us in

many capacities including serving as ears for hearing

impaired persons, leading the blind, as arson

detection dogs and much more.

 

As humans ask " What can a dog learn to do? " , we raise

the expectation and discover that dogs are capable of

learning a great deal more than originally believed,

and that they are capable of using that knowledge to

interact with humans in helpful, meaningful ways.

 

The scientific community, in particular animal

behaviorists, have only recently begun to study animal

intelligence on a serious level. The findings of some

of the initial studies are astounding -- that some

non-human animals can comprehend abstract ideas,

symbols, new concepts, and, can analyze situations and

choose varied but appropriate responses for their

reactions.

 

Personally I believe that there has always been much

more to the canine mind than what we have in the past

permitted ourselves to perceive. Believing this is no

longer the wishful thinking of a pet owner

anthropomorphizing their own thoughts onto those of

their dog's. Rather, dogs have recognizable

intelligence.

 

 

QMHI:

Do dogs have a similar state of mind as humans? Do

they share our emotions? For example, when a dog's

owner returns home after being gone and their canine

companion shows happiness or is excited, is it because

their human is back and the dog is truly happy that

they have returned, or do you think they know food is

now available to them?

 

ALG:

Intellect or intelligence, and emotion, are two

different things. However, in addition to

intelligence, the field of animal emotions are also

now being investigated in depth by scientists. The

result? Animals do have recognizable emotions. Many

animals, particularly the dog, are social animals. In

order to live in a society or pack, or even within a

human family, it is necessary to use intellect to

survive and maintain order.

Emotions come into play when the members of an animal

social group interact with one another -- playing,

respecting the pack leader (or head human), appearing

to be lonely or missing another pack member when they

are gone. Are they the same as what humans feel? I

can't know for certain, but I strongly feel they are

similar and serve similar functions.

 

Do my dogs miss me when I'm gone? Are they happy when

I return? Yes, I believe they are. I've had this

discussion with a few trainers who believe that dogs

are intelligent enough to know that when their human

is gone, they can't get the food necessary to their

survival. These trainers believe that everything a dog

does is done out of what they instinctually know to be

in their best interest. However, I have seen instances

where food is forgotten, or someone else is providing

the food and the dog still appears sad when their

human is away and happy when they return. In my

opinion that makes the " instinct to please in order to

survive " theory less of a complete explanation.

 

The bond, the connection that I share with my dogs is

primarily one of emotion. I do not have dogs for them

to perform tasks for me. And I certainly don't have

them just to provide the items necessary for their

survival. I choose to live with dogs because of the

emotional relationship that enhances and enriches my

life.

 

What do these emotions, this emotional interaction, do

for the dogs? The connection is not one way, but is

reciprocal. I feel my dogs loving me and I believe

they feel my love for them. We play together, I laugh,

they look as if they are happy. At night we cuddle up

together and there is a comforting peace. My dogs are

healthy and content. And given a choice, I don't think

that if they could, they would chose to live anywhere

else. The food and shelter may be equally as good

elsewhere, but they would remain here because of

emotions -- the emotional bond that nourishes their

minds and souls*, not just their bodies.

 

* This raises another issue: Do dogs have souls? I'll

leave that discussion to the philosophers and

theologians for now! Personally I think that every

living being has a soul.

 

 

QMHI:

Do dogs understand our verbal communication to them,

or have they just memorized certain sounds and motions

of ours?

 

ALG:

Studies have shown recently that dogs, cats, horses

and some other animals recognize certain words or

sounds. As in human societies, each culture has it's

own language or dialect, as well as symbolic gestures.

In order to live within the bounds of these societies,

members of the society, and even outsiders who wish to

become a part of the society, learn the special words

or motions in order to communicate more accurately

with one another.

 

This could apply to dogs living with humans: They

learn our language and gestures in order to conduct

the communication necessary to live with us on our

terms. Do they understand us? They appear to

understand very well much of what we say to or request

of them on a regular basis.

 

My dogs clearly comprehend what I mean when I say to

them, " dinner, sit, treat, stay, walk " or " ride. "

Trainers and behaviorists explain that this

recognition is the tone we use when we say these words

to dogs that causes them to react. However, if I speak

in a normal tone they still respond appropriately. If

I use an excited voice to say words meaningless to

them, such as " laundry " or " light, " they ignore me.

 

What about when we don't say or gesture any

communication to them? When we purposely block body

language so it can't be said that they are just

reading the motions we make? I have witnessed too many

episodes of dogs responding appropriately to a human,

interacting with them, to not believe that they

somehow understand us.

 

A non-doggy person might call me crazy, but I carry on

conversations with my dogs. It is an outlet for me

that provides a compassionate audience. Although their

response is non-linguistic, they do communicate with

me and are an active part of the conversation. When

I'm sad, they snuggle and are gentle and loving, not

playful or rough. When I share good news with them,

they respond by jumping around or by bringing me one

of their toys. To me, this illustrates in the dog, a

certain degree of intelligence and emotion, as well

the ability to read, understand and interact with us.

 

Whether it's words, tone, gestures, body language or

even telepathy, it doesn't matter, it's all

communication.

 

 

QMHI:

How long have you observed and read about canine

behavior?

 

ALG:

Casually for 20 years, more seriously for seven years.

I am an award-winning dog-columnist and freelance

writer. I have served as educational liaison for a

local dog club, and volunteer with various dog rescue

programs. My husband and I have shown our dogs in

conformation and agility and have trained them for

obedience; some of them are therapy dogs. In college I

studied philosophy, sociology and psychology.

 

 

QMHI:

What are your overall views of our canine friends?

 

ALG:

I enjoy their company, their behavior and watching

them think. I love them immensely and cannot imagine

my life without them in it. Because of a dog -- their

emotions and intelligence -- I:

 

Have a career;

 

Have been lifted from depression;

 

Found a new, more profound meaning in my life;

 

Coped successfully with a long recovery from chronic

illness;

 

Learned what is truly important in my daily life…and

what is not;

Know about love freely given and received without

judgment.

 

 

QMHI:

If you believe dogs experience emotions, do you think

that they are the only animals who do? Why? What other

animals do you feel possess this state of mind?

 

ALG:

As I stated above, I believe that every living being

has a soul, and if they have a soul, then it probably

follows that they must also experience emotions as

part of their life.

 

Other animals which I have observed personally, or

about which I have read in various studies that have

shown to exhibit emotion and intelligence include a

large variety of primates, bears, pigs, horses,

cattle, cats, a few various rodents, elephants and so

forth. For those interested in learning more about

animal intelligence and emotion, readers can research

the work of Marc Bekoff, Jane Goodall, Rupert

Sheldrake or Mary Lou Randour; these are just a few of

the scientist currently working in this field.

 

 

As we enter the new millennium, humans are being

called to review their relationships with pets and all

animals. We share one world together, are all part of

one creation. Since we have domesticated some animals

and placed others in captivity, it is our

responsibility and duty to care for them with the

utmost respect for their lives and well-being and this

includes their emotional and intellectual well-being.

Through this stewardship, we can come to fully realize

the depth and joy of the bond we are privileged to

share with dogs…and other animals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lexiann Grant; copyright 2000, 2001

 

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