August 19, 2008Dogs catch on to human yawnsScientists in Britain believe a recent experiment shows that dogs will mimic the most contagious of human behaviors: Yawning. 
A team of researchers from Birkbeck College at the University of London reported that 21 of 29 dogs yawned when a human yawned in front of them, a behavior previously believed to belong solely to humans and their primate cousins. The research indicates that domestic dogs are capable of empathizing with people. "Dogs have a very special capacity to read human communication. They respond when we point and when we signal," Dr. Atsushi Senju, one of the Birkbeck researchers, told BBC News. This is one of those controlled experiments that supports a common experience. I think most people who have a strong bond with a canine would confirm that dogs are very empathetic to emotions. I just hope that over the next 15,000 years of living with people, we share only the best of our human traits with pooches. Maybe we can elevate our existence up to their level. To read the BBC news story, click here. (Photo from BBC News) |
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Comments
[August 19, 2008 11:11 AM]
Ed S.This would make sense, as many pooches and owners form a bond that ends with the dog feeling as part of the human's pack. I've read that yawning is typical pack behavior that propogates and changes the mood of the pack (bed down, or get up).
[August 19, 2008 12:19 PM]
Heather FroeschlWhile I haven't noticed if my cats yawn when I do, I do know that they are more affectionate when one of us in the family is upset or sick. Most people think that cats are very aloof and independent, but I think they get a bad rap. I know they are sympathetic of each other too. When our latest addition was recently pretty sick with a kitty cold his counterpart paid extra special attention to grooming him and didn't try to play and attack as usual, in my opinion, being caring. Maybe we humanize our pets but I do think there are certain qualities that animals exhibit.
[August 19, 2008 1:49 PM]
KimI agree Heather. Our previous dog would have sympathy sickness with us when either my husband or I had a cold. She would be all mopey and droopy-eyed too! My oldest cat knows when I am sick or upset and she will try to comfort me. I remember I woke up one night with the worst cold I'd ever had. I went into kitchen to get some water to take my medicine with and picked her up while I was in there. She smelled around my face and got a concerned look in her eye but I put her down and went back to bed. That morning when my husband got up he shut the bedroom door to let me rest. Shade pestered him and cried until he opened the door for her. She ran right in, sniffed my face and curled up next to me until I finally got up. My "kids" always make me feel better when I'm down and out!!