A question about the "guilty look" in dogs?

Question

So, I've done research. I know that a dog does not associate your punishment (stern, angry voice, etc.) with anything it did previously, even if you're showing him a ripped up pillow. He does not know that it was wrong of him to rip up the pillow because no one was there while he was doing it to tell him that he was in the process of doing something wrong. So getting angry at the dog does not accomplish anything.

I just got into an argument with my mother about this. She walked in the door, saw the ripped up pillow. According to her, she had been petting and playing with our dog outside before coming in, and when she came in, she picked up the torn pillow (and I mean the stuffing had been completely pulled out of it-- coincidentally, I'd made it for her as a Christmas present a few years ago) and without having said anything to our dog, apparently just upon seeing my mom pick up the pillow, he walked and hid behind the couch. She figured that meant he knew he'd done something wrong, and so she proceeded to scold him. My sister and I tried to tell her that what she was doing was ineffective, but she doesn't think so because our dog hid before she showed any sign of being upset.

What accounts for him hiding like that? Did he actually know he'd done something wrong? Could he have been reacting to something else? To be honest, when I found it earlier, I showed him the pillow stuffing, and didn't say "no" until he tried to take it. I was not showing anger for him having ripped anything up, I only showed disapproval once he tried to take it. So, was that wrong? And could that have been what he was reacting to? It doesn't seem so to me, but... I don't know, any ideas? Explanations?

While we're here, if you have suggestions about how to keep him from ripping things up, that would be swell. It's not separation anxiety or boredom, because we have another dog and they play together a lot. We adopted him about a month or so ago, and he's around 2 years old. We think his previous owners didn't have enough control over him, but we're not sure how to fix this, because it's not possible to watch him all the time, and keeping him in the crate when we're not around won't teach him anything.

Silly Turtle [Dont forget about the avocados] · Accepted Answer

As for the guilty look - your dog was responding to your mother's body language. Your mom did NOT walk into the room and pick up the destroyed pillow as if she was picking up something she'd just dropped. She had a reaction even if she didn't think the dog noticed. Maybe her heart started racing. Dogs can hear a human heartbeat from quite far away (70 feet I think). Not only that, but their sense of smell might pick up the different hormones in our bodies, which are likely different when we're upset. Your mom didn't become upset when she started scolding your dog. She was upset when she picked up the pillow. It wouldn't surprise me if dogs could "smell" anger. There are stories about dogs sensing cancer in their owners. That's a very molecular thing.   

For the second part of your question - I suggest buying him some of those toys that you can put a treat into. The ones where the dog has to work at for a while to get them out. Also... sometimes I play this song on a continuous loop for my dog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSgPDKG6bB0 You can play it on YouTube replay's site if you want. It's a "predictable" song which pets tend to like. There's no surprise melody or beat or rise in volume. Some animal shelters actually use music at night to get dogs/cats to fall asleep. It might help your dog calm down, so he doesn't feel like he needs to play. Lastly, try taking your dog on a walk before you leave him alone. That way, he'll be more content to rest before you leave him. 

Hope that helps :)

Anonymous · Answer

"she doesn't think so because our dog hid before she showed any sign of being upset."

Really?  Then how does she explain that the dog didn't hide *before* she picked up the pillow?  What happened is that dogs are EXPERTS at reading body language.  He noted such things as your mom's change in intake of breath, stiffening of her body, quick movement to the cushion, perhaps even the look on her face.  He knew from previous experience such actions mean he is going to get yelled at.  That's why he hid.   Did he know why he was being punished?  Probably not. 

The way you handled it was perfect. Bait the dog into misbehaving, then scold him in the act.

And yes, you DO crate him when no one is around to supervise.  The more often he gets away with tearing up pillows and things, the more confused he will be that *sometimes* he doesn't get yelled at for doing it and other times he does.  Once you start catching him EVERY time, it should become clear.  And that's when you can start leaving him with the run of the house.  Be aware though, that some dogs just love tearing things up and can't be totally broken of the habit.  It's fun.  In that case, crating becomes a permanent solution.

? · Answer

So, she thinks that she saw the torn pillow and she remained totally calm and was not upset?  Bull.  She started reacting as soon as she saw the pillow.  Dogs are tuned in to read humans by thousands of years of living and working with us.  Your dog can see when a family member is upset and it's time to become as invisible as possible.  
The best way to keep a dog from destroying things is to keep him away from the things when you are not there to supervise.  Why not crate when no one is home?  What do you expect to teach him when no one is there?

Trust Only Your Vet · Answer

Dogs observe us very well. Of course your dog ran and hid. I am 100% positive your dog knew your mom was angry. Body language, facial expression, tone of voice, sighs, what ever behavior she exhibits when angry, he saw.  From experience he knew oh, she's mad, my butt has had it. I just do not understand why. What did I do? She came in, looked at me and got mad and I wasn't doing bad boy behavior. What is the problem? Better hide till she feels better.

H · Answer

You are 100% right about all of it. Your dog hid because he could sense your mothers actions. Dogs notice even the smallest of things. Your dog did not know he ruined her pillow and wasn't hiding because of that. He sensed your mom was angry or frustrated and that's why he hid.

A question about the "guilty look" in dogs?

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