Dogs can sometimes tell if people are lying to them, study finds.
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| dog can sense his owner is lying |
Scientists believe future studies can help unravel the evolutionary origin of dogs’ ability to distinguish between truths and lies.
Canines (dogs) can sometimes tell when people are lying to them, according to a new study.
This suggests mechanisms that underscore sensitivity to others’ beliefs may not be exclusive to the lineage of primates.
In the study, researchers, including those from the University of Vienna, analyzed 260 dogs of different breeds. The canines were taught to follow the advice of an unknown person in choosing one of two bowls that contained a hidden treat.
At first, the dogs got the treat when they followed the person’s advice. Scientists then proceeded to mix things up and added another human to one of the experiment models.
As the dog and first human watched, the second human switched the treat from one bowl to another.
Researchers, however, also call for further studies with better controls to document the mental accounts of the situation from the human communicator’s perspective as well. This will enable a better understanding of the likely thought process of the dogs when they make decisions.
Scientists also believe future studies can also help unravel the evolutionary origin of dogs’ ability to distinguish between truths and lies.
source: Article was originally published on The independent uk.