There are many reasons for the canine’s well-practised skill in manipulating humans.
The attachment hormone oxytocin has been shown to increase in humans when we meet the dog’s entreating eyes, inducing us to hand over a portion of our dinner.
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The food bowl pushed noisily around earlier than routine feeding time is unlikely to go unrewarded. Many people spend sleepless hours in a bed that the family pet has decided to share.
Comfortably sprawled out, the dog snores contentedly while the consenting humans, contorted into the most awkward positions, struggle to sleep.
Dogs are aware of ways to feign excuses for errant behaviour. After taking the dog out for bedtime toilet the dog adopts delaying tactics.
As the human’s vocal entreaties become more insistent, the dog pretends to be searching for a suitable spot. Only when patience wears thin is the all-important position adopted.
The dog has fooled you into believing this was a matter of difficulty in toilet rather than a delaying tactic to suit his own interest.
My dogs will come to me and offer the most fantastic rendition of their latest trick, knowing I will feel compelled to reward them.
Some humans go to greater efforts preparing the pet food than they do their own. When the pooch pulls his nose up, the food is snatched away and replaced by more tasty offerings.
In this way some conniving companions succeed in being favoured with only the choicest delicacies.
Feigning injury for attention is another classic prank.
My late dog Shenanigan was an expert at this. If she thought I was displeased with something she had done or would prefer not to do something I required, she adopted a limp, resulting in me rushing to her aid, studying her paws for thorns and gently flexing leg muscles in search of signs of injury.
Susan Henderson© (Accredited Animal Behaviourist)
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