Article: Dog guilt probably a reaction to owners' cues.(Front)

By Rob Stein

The Washington Post

WASHINGTON

Many dog owners have had this experience: Arriving home, they discover their pooch looking sheepish, with its head down, ears pulled back, tail tucked between the legs, maybe slinking behind the sofa. Puzzled, they soon discover the reason: a favorite pair of shoes chewed to pieces, or perhaps the kitchen garbage can upended.

But is their canine companion really acting guilty? Or is this an example of people projecting a human emotion onto their four-legged friend?

A new study concludes that it is more likely the latter - that the behavior people interpret as dog guilt is more ...

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