The scene is reminiscent of a typical video from the Internet: a dog sneaks up to a treat that was supposedly dropped by the owner, carefully rushes around and swallows the prey as soon as nobody looks. But is there more than just instinct behind this behavior? Do dogs actually think about whether they are being observed?
This question was examined by the Messerli Research Institute of the Veterinary University of Vienna. The results of the study in the specialist journal Communications Biology Published, provide exciting insights into the cognitive skills of dogs.
Can dogs put themselves in the perspective of people?
The focus of the study was on whether dogs are able to take over the perspective of people – i.e. assessing what a person sees or perceives, even if they cannot see them directly.
Dogs linked to what is seen with
73 dogs took part in the study, which were divided into two groups. In the preparation phase, they were allowed to move freely in the room and observe where the human test subject cut carrots – accompanied by the typical cutting noises. There were two feed points in the room, but only one was visible from the position of the test subject, but the other was not.
The test: Listen instead of seeing – dogs make a choice
In the actual test, the test subject was no longer in the room. Instead, a group of dogs heard the sound of the carrot cutting over loudspeakers – a sound that they had previously linked to a certain position of the person in the room. Instead, the control group heard neutral street noises.
Now the dogs had to decide whether and where they wanted to steal food. The crucial question was: Did you choose the bowl that would have been visible from the suspected position of the person, or the one that was outside of your field of vision?
The result:
The dogs that heard the cutting core preferred the not visible plate. 28 out of 36 dogs chose this plate, although he was closer to the place where the person had previously cut carrots. Study leader Ludwig Huber sees this as a clear indication that dogs linked the noise to the position of the person and closed from it, where they could use them unnoticed.
“The dogs consciously tried to avoid eye contact with the suspected person – even if they couldn't see them,” explains Huber. The fact that they preferred the unreachable plate suggests that they made a strategic decision: better closer to the danger, but outside the field of vision.
No coincidence, but cognitive thinking
The dogs apparently remembered where the person was when they heard the cutting sound, and from which they could be seen from the perspective. This behavior did not show up for the control group, which only heard road noises. This speaks against a chance and for a conscious cognitive conclusion. Christoph Völter, co -author of the study, explains: “The dogs have learned that the sound is associated with a certain perspective of a person – and use this knowledge to strategically behave.”
How intelligent are dogs really?
The study shows that dogs are able to link auditory impressions with visual memories – an ability based on complex cognitive processes. They not only act on the basis of experiences, but also make strategic decisions: they try not to be seen when they do something forbidden, even if people are nearby. This indicates that dogs act with foresight and carefully in certain situations – especially when it comes to food.
Dogs act carefully – especially when stealing
Whether it is a true “theory of the mind” – that is, the ability to understand what others think – is still scientifically controversial. However, it is clear that dogs combine perceptions in a well thought -out way. So if you think you can deceive your dog with a simple “I'm just going out”, you have probably underestimated him. The dogs know exactly when they can strike unnoticed.
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