Dogs have been living with humans for thousands of years. They are often considered close companions, loyal protectors, and even family members.

But do dogs think like humans? Many dog owners believe that their furry friends have human-like thoughts and emotions, while others argue that dogs have a completely different way of thinking.

Here are four dog behaviors that may surprise you:.

1. Jealousy

Jealousy is not an emotion that is typically attributed to dogs. However, recent studies have shown that dogs can, in fact, exhibit jealous behaviors.

Researchers have found that dogs will try to get in between their owners and other dogs or even inanimate objects that their owners show affection for. This is evidence of a dog’s ability to feel jealousy, which is often associated with complex, human-like emotions.

2. Guilt

Have you ever come home to a chewed-up shoe and scolded your dog, only to notice a guilty look on their face? While some experts argue that dogs cannot feel guilt, others believe that dogs are capable of feeling guilty for their actions.

Dogs may not understand the concept of wrong and right, but they are certainly aware of when their owners are unhappy with them. The guilty look may be a way for dogs to show submission or appeasement to their owners.

3. Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. While humans may assume that this is a uniquely human trait, it turns out that dogs can also exhibit empathy.

Studies have shown that dogs will pick up on their owner’s emotional state and respond accordingly. For example, if an owner is sad, their dog may cuddle up next to them and offer comfort.

This shows that dogs are capable of picking up on emotional cues and responding in kind, demonstrating a level of empathy that many thought was reserved for humans.

4. Deceit

While it may seem impossible for dogs to lie or deceive their owners, some experts believe that dogs are capable of this behavior.

For example, imagine that your dog knows they’re not supposed to eat human food from a certain table, but you’re not around to stop them. Your dog may look around to make sure nobody’s watching, then sneak over to the table to indulge in a forbidden treat.

This behavior suggests that dogs have an understanding of right and wrong, and can make choices based on what they think is acceptable behavior.

The Bottom Line

While dogs may not think like humans, they are certainly capable of exhibiting behaviors that many believe to be human-like.

The relationship between humans and dogs has been evolving for thousands of years, and our understanding of dog cognition is still evolving. Dogs are intelligent animals that often surprise us with their abilities, making our relationship with them all the more special.