Scratchings-and-Sniffings

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Do Dogs Think? Posted: 10 Jun 2009 07:41 AM PDT Do dogs think? That's a question a lot of people debate - scientists, behaviorists, pet parents, veterinarians, everyone has their thoughts on the topic - and sometimes the conversations are quite silly, if you ask me. First of all, dogs have a brain...I know this, I studied biology and anatomy when I was training to be a vet's assistant. So, if they have a brain, then...they do think. What they think about is the issue, I guess. Scientists want to know if they think intelligently. I want to know why scientists don't already have this answer...cause, all they have to do is ask a dog owner. Does your dog think intelligently? Mine does - or, did. I could watch the wheels turning in her brain sometimes. She would sit and stare at me...watching what I was doing, definitely assessing the situation as to whether or not my actions were going to get her a walk, or dinner. This article even says dogs are beginning to learn morals from their owners. Wow. Joe Camp, producer and director of the Benji movies, says Benji was a great thinker. He tells a story about Benji figuring out a problem during a scene in one of the movies. This is in his  newsest book, The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd. He also maintains that horses think. Well, during an interview about Benji... and the movie... he told the story of Benji figuring out a problem, obviously thinking it through, and the reporter refused to print it - because everyone knows dogs don't think!!! A study posted over at Suite 101 talks about dogs reading human emotions on our faces. Hmmm...I think that requires thinking. What do you think? Let's put this question to rest: yes, dogs think. They think intelligently, but they don't think the way we do. So, if you attempt to relate to your dog from a purely human perspective, you may be disappointed. Remember he (or she) is a dog - full of love and energy, able to discern much of what you want of her, but not always able to express it the way you'd like. Be patient and kind. Your dog will think more of you, if you are.

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