Not Guilty!
A lot of dog owners tell ys they know when their puppy or dog has been naughty because of the guilty look on its face.
In reality, the guilty look that we are actually seeing is an appeasement reaction based on the body language and sound of your voice, which intimidates them when you think they are guilty and telling them off.
Dogs are not able to feel guilt, likewise, they cannot reason or rationalise. Studies have proven that whether a dog is guilty or not they will naturally display the appeasement reaction in response to the owner’s behaviour not because they have realised that are you telling them off for something they did wrong hours or seconds ago. Remember, dogs live for the moment.
Justin Jordan is a dog behaviourist and the founder of Jordan Dog Training, a family-owned Brisbane business. With more than 35 years of experience in the pet industry, Justin and his team help families with puppy training, everyday manners and behaviour concerns.
