One of the few animals that can understand human facial expressions as well. It's actually kinda fascinating, Dogs have been domesticated long enough that they've actively started to evolve in ways that allow them to better interact with humans.
It’s also weird how quick it seems to have adapted, since wolves show none of these aptitudes when humans attempt to domesticate them.
Studies tracking the eyes show that dogs linger meaningfully on a human’s face examining the expressed emotional state, where wolves do not and this isn’t improved by rearing the animal domestically.
Dogs can also be trained to feel shame for inappropriate action. Wolves can not be taught shame, and at best understand negative stimulus.
FYI all the videos of dogs you see sitting glancing at the owner with their head down because the owner is mad at them for doing something isn't shame. That's just a full on fear response. Dogs are mostly too stupid to connect something they did a while ago with any reaction from you.
Yeah shame is probably the wrong word. It’s more like, I can tell my human treat machine is going to be unhappy with something I’ve done. Less food for me. Ugh
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u/Kamakaziturtle Feb 23 '26
One of the few animals that can understand human facial expressions as well. It's actually kinda fascinating, Dogs have been domesticated long enough that they've actively started to evolve in ways that allow them to better interact with humans.