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The answer may be jealousy, if a new study is correct. Dogs are intensely jealous creatures that experience a range of human-like emotions, the analysis found. The study of 1,000 pet owners in southern England uncovered cases in which jealous dogs acted as “uninvited chaperones” between couples sharing romantic moments, said the researchers, psychologist Paul Morris of the University of Portsmouth, U.K. and colleague Christine Doe. While many pet owners may think it obvious that some animals feel jealousy, scientists demand proof of such things. Researchers generally accept that animals feel simple emotions, such as anger, anxiety and surprise, Morris and Doe said. But more complex “secondary emotions,” such as jealousy, guilt, shame and pride, are thought to be the sole province of humans and perhaps chimps. In the study, the researchers asked pet owners to take notes of their pets’ behavior. Dog owners showed “remarkable consistency” in reporting jealous behaviour, said Morris, an animal behaviour expert. He said dogs could feel intense pangs of jealousy and animosity when in a “love triangle” involving the owner and another person or animal. |
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Jilted dogs feel intense jealousy, study finds
Aug. 22, 2006
Courtesy British Association for
the Advancement of Science
and World Science staff
Ever wonder why Rover keeps poking his head in the door just as you’re getting some private time with the one you love?
Researchers generally accept that animals feel simple emotions, such as anger, anxiety and surprise, Morris and Doe said. But more complex “secondary emotions,” such as jealousy, guilt, shame and pride, are thought to be the sole province of humans and perhaps chimps.
The research is to be presented at the British Association for the Advancement of Science Festival of
Science in Norwich, U.K. on Sept. 7. Send us a comment
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The answer may be jealousy, if a new study is correct.
Dogs are intensely jealous creatures, a
study has found, challenging long-held scientific beliefs. (Image courtesy
City of Boston)
Dogs are intensely jealous creatures that experience a range of human-like emotions, the analysis found.
The study of 1,000 pet owners in southern England uncovered cases in which jealous dogs acted as “uninvited chaperones” between couples sharing romantic moments, said the researchers, psychologist Paul Morris of the university of Portsmouth, U.K. and colleague Christine Doe.
While many pet owners may think it obvious that some animals feel jealousy, scientists demand proof of such things.
In the study, the researchers asked pet owners to take notes of their pets’ behavior.
Dog owners showed “remarkable consistency” in reporting jealous behaviour, said Morris, an animal behaviour expert. He said dogs could feel intense pangs of jealousy and animosity when in a “love triangle” involving the owner and another person or animal.
Jealousy, defined as a pet “pushing” between its carer and a third party, was reported in more than 80 percent of cases, Morris said. “Most academic theorists agree this behaviour is appropriately labelled as jealousy.”
The study “has convinced many scientists that dogs at least demonstrate behaviour that is very like human jealousy,” he added. “The data clearly suggest that complex emotions are present in a wider range of species than once thought and that animals do indeed have rich emotional lives.”
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