Everyone has laughed at internet photos of shamefaced dogs alongside evidence of their naughty deeds. There's no doubt that dogs are good at looking guilty, but is guilt or shame an emotion they actually experience? If your guilty dog is truly ashamed of his bad behavior, why does he turn around and do it again at the next given opportunity? Read on to see if dog shaming really means anything to your dog.

Do Dogs Feel Shame?

Puppy looking guilty next to flowered bucket.

While there's little doubt that dogs are capable of feeling primary emotions, which include feelings such as happiness, sadness and fear, there's far less evidence that dogs experience what are called secondary emotions, which include guilt and shame, says Scientific American. Secondary emotions are much more complex, and researchers surmise that dogs simply don't have the cognitive ability to process such complicated feelings.

Learned Behavior

The truth is, while there is no scientific evidence that dogs actually feel guilt or shame, there is also no proof that they don't. That said, PBS News Hour reports that some studies, such as one conducted by New York City's Barnard College associate professor of psychology Alexandra Horowitz, suggest that the guilty look dogs give when they're caught in the act is a learned response to human reactions. In the study, dogs acted guilty when scolded by their owners, regardless of whether they had actually committed the act for which they were being scolded. Based on this, it seems likely that dogs learn quickly that when pet parents unhappy with them, they can placate their humans by looking sad.

Another experiment conducted by Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, which appeared in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science, corroborated these findings. The experiment was designed to answer two questions: would "guilty dogs" who had misbehaved greet their owners differently from those who had not misbehaved, and could owners accurately determine by the way they were greeted whether their dogs had done something wrong? The study found that not only were dog parents unable to accurately tell whether their dogs had messed up, but as with the other study, both guilty and innocent dogs acted ashamed only when their owners assumed they had misbehaved and spoke to their dogs accordingly.

Does Dog Shaming Work?

Maybe your dog doesn't feel actual guilt over his transgressions, but it's clear that he can tell when you're unhappy with him. The problem is, your dog often has no idea why you're angry, The Telegraph reports. Dogs can't be shamed into avoiding bad behavior when they have no understanding of which thing they did was bad. Reprimanding your dog only works if you can do it either while he's committing the act or immediately after so that he makes the association between his behavior and the consequence, reports USA Today.

Can Dog Shaming Harm Your Dog?

Black and white border collie looking up feeling ashamed while lying next to person's foot.

The dog shaming trend may do more harm than good. The concern is that what's being interpreted as a guilty look is actually a sign of anxiety or fear, and that shaming or scolding your dog will only add to his stress. There's also the possibility that many of the behaviors for which dogs appear on dog shaming sites, such as destructive chewing or relieving themselves inappropriately, might be signs of an anxiety disorder or an underlying health issue, such as a urinary tract infection. While it seems unlikely that your dog will be harmed by having a picture of his guilty look posted on the internet for fun, it's a good idea to discuss his unwanted behavior with your veterinarian, especially if it's out of the ordinary or if it becomes a chronic problem.

Ultimately, it's important to keep in mind that scolding or shaming your dog too long after the fact will only serve to make you feel better. It won't make your dog feel bad about his actions — he'll only be sad that you're upset. So, if you find yourself coming home to torn up pillows or puddles on your floor it is best to think about training your dog some more. If the actions continue, you may have to consult your vet for a health check or a dog behaviorist for better training instruction. Dogs are pack animals, and they see you as their pack leader. They want to make you happy, not angry, so just remember that their bad behavior is not intentional or directed toward you. Keep calm and be sure to reward his positive actions, rather than disciplining him for bad behavior. In time, he can start to understand, and you can start to build an even stronger relationship with your pup.

Jean Marie Bauhaus Jean Marie Bauhaus

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger, and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of fur babies.

Related articles

Why Is My Dog Rubbing Their Nose Raw?

If you notice your dog rubbing his nose raw on different surfaces, you probably want to know why. Learn common reasons for this behavior & prevention tips.

Why Are Dogs Scared of Vacuums?

Discover why your dog is afraid of the vacuum cleaner, how you can help them get used to it and overcome their fear.

Hypothyroidism in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Learn everything you need to know about hypothyroidism in dogs, including risk factors, signs of the disease and how it gets diagnosed & treated.

Learn About the Best Dog Breeds for Children

Learn tips for choosing the best dog breed for your children and family, considering things like breed size, energy level, temperament and age.

Identifying & Preventing Separation Anxiety in Your Dog

Learn how to spot separation anxiety in dogs, what you can do to help with his stress, and ways to prevent anxiety in the first place.

Bladder & Urinary Stones in Dogs: What They Are and How They're Treated

Learn about bladder stones in dogs, including common types of stones (struvite vs oxalate), symptoms your dog might show & treatment options from your vet.

Can Dogs Eat Cheese?

Learn whether cheese is a snack that's safe for your dog, including specific types of cheese, ingredients to watch for and how much is ideal.

Why Is My Dog Foaming at the Mouth?

Why is my dog foaming at the mouth? Learn more about what may be causing your pup to foam from the mouth.

How to Build a DIY Dog Ramp

Learn how to simply and inexpensively build a DIY dog ramp to help your dog get up & down more easily (great for senior dogs & those with mobility issues).

Registering Your Dog as a Therapy Dog

Learn about therapy dogs, the training that therapy dogs go through, and what you need to do to register your pup with a therapy dog organization.

How Can I Stop My Dog From Chewing?

Learn the real reasons why your dog likes to chew on your stuff and some effective ways you can control his crazy chewing habits.

What Is Dog Yoga? (& How to Do it With My Dog)

Learn how dogs can benefit from yoga's mindful breathing, physical touch and guided movements, and how to get your dog involved in your yoga routine.

Are Dogs Really Color Blind?

Are you wondering if dogs really are color blind? Get the scoop on which colors your dog can actually see and which ones should catch his attention.

How Proper Dog Oral Care Leads to Healthy Dog Teeth

Are you paying enough attention to dog oral care? Learn some great ways to keep your dog's teeth & gums healthy, including a guide for brushing his teeth.

Tips for Helping Senior & Older Dogs in Winter & Snow

Learn how to help senior dogs navigate cold winters and snowy weather, including how long to leave them outside & walking tips.

Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?

Your dog is a descendent of the mighty wolf, a noble hunter and confirmed carnivore. You feed him meals of the best possible quality, so why does he insist on eating grass?

Overcoming Obesity in Small Dogs

Learn how to properly feed and treat your little or small breed dog to keep their weight under control to avoid any weight-related health issues.

Great Ways to Pamper & Spoil Your Dog

Learn how to spoil your dog without compromising his health. Discover how to reward him for good behavior and not overdue it.

Albino Dogs: Understanding a Rare Condition

Are all dogs with white fur considered albino? Learn the characteristics of albino dogs, along with considerations if you're interested in adopting one.

What Is the Cost of Owning a Dog?

You've made the emotional decision to get a dog, but have you crunched the numbers? The cost of owning a dog requires upfront funds to get started.