More proof that animals are smarter than people think.

Post by **fourpawsonthefloor** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 4:46 pm

It's an interesting read, yes. It just further proof of what a lot of pet owners already instinctual know.

But it also means so much more than that.

Right now there are movements all across north America to change animal welfare laws. This includes trying to get animals classified as other than 'property', because animals shouldn't be looked at as the same as your car or TV. But right now? For the most part, they are.

The more research that can prove that they are way more emotional and intelligent than people give them credit for, the more the judges and law makers will have to take this into account, and the stronger penalties can be given in cases of neglect and abuse.

Paws

[Edited on 26/6/07 by fourpawsonthefloor]

Trigger · Post by **Trigger** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:35 pm

I've always known that my dog was a genius. It actually scares me how smart he is sometimes.

Most of the time my dog gets better treatment than my family.

I'm not sure what that says about me...

[Edited on 26/6/07 by Trigger]

Post by **JSherlock** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:22 am

Oh yeah, animals are muuuuch smarter than most people give them credit for.

rain360 · Post by **rain360** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:38 pm

I've known this for a while,
my doggie is very smart.
=]

One time, she had a stick in her mouth and wanted to run outside with it. She was inside,
and our sliding glass door to her backyard was open,but not open enough for her to fit through with the stick in her mouth.So the first time, she was stopped by the door, then she tried again but only she turned her head to fit through. I was amazed.
=D

Angelique · Post by **Angelique** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:24 pm

Dogs are pack animals, so it stands to reason that they pick up learned behaviors from each other. For instance, the eldest of my dogs was taught to sit and raise her paw for attention, very much like a schoolchild, as we found that preferable to barking and nosing people.

I did not teach any of my other dogs to do that. They picked it up from her.

That being said, I agree that there are more important things for scientists to do besides waste time and money proving what we already know. Isn't there, like, an AIDS pandemic they could be curing?

rain360 · Post by **rain360** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:55 pm

There are scientists that specialize in different feilds,
these guys obviously study animals intelligence levels.

You can't throw an archeologist into Africa and tell them to cure HIV/AIDS because they are a scientist.

Post by **fourpawsonthefloor** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 11:02 pm

Yup. And it is sometimes suprizing what interlinks things can have. For example look at how many inventions (PVC ect) have been discovered while researching for something else entirely.

And we are all lead on different paths on life. Look at all the different causes and charities and areas that you can volunteer in. You have to follow your heart, cause that is where you are needed.

Paws

Angelique · Post by **Angelique** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:00 am

Originally posted by rain360
There are scientists that specialize in different fields,
these guys obviously study animals intelligence levels.

You can't throw an archaeologist into Africa and tell them to cure HIV/AIDS because they are a scientist.

My point was about priorities, not specialties. Anyone, be he or she an animal behaviorist, an archaeologist, or an epidemiologist, is not contributing much by proving what's already obvious to most people. So someone proved that dogs are smart. For one thing, I already know that. For another, just exactly what affect is this discovery going to have upon us? Was there any mention in the article about possible stiffening animal cruelty laws, application in training working dogs such as herding, assistance, or police dogs? And closer to home, this really is not going to affect how I treat my dogs.

And if it was only a curiosity, did it receive any government funding?

NachtcGleiskette · Post by **NachtcGleiskette** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 3:44 pm

It's kind of like that study that was done to try to prove how effective prayer was.

Angelique · Post by **Angelique** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:21 pm

Except the prayer study has an obvious application for people's benefit- helping sick people.

NachtcGleiskette · Post by **NachtcGleiskette** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:25 pm

they should focus on that more. Maybe prayer will cure AIDS.

The Drastic Spastic · Fri Jun 29, 2007 12:21 am

I was going to say something but I think Nacht has it covered.

My kitty is so smart. I can't play blanket monster with her any more because she figured out it was me and she ignores my hands under the blanket and goes straight for my face.

Post by **fourpawsonthefloor** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 4:51 pm

Here's another interesting article.A cancer treatment first made for and tested on dogs, can go onto help people. Cool. See - studies done for animals can help people too.

This is just one example.

Paws

The Drastic Spastic · Post by **The Drastic Spastic** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:43 am

I had no idea there were cancer treatments for dogs. How much does that cost?

Post by **fourpawsonthefloor** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 2:17 am

Me neither, and beats me. Exciting though. I am imagining a lot.

Paws

NachtcGleiskette · Post by **NachtcGleiskette** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 5:31 am

It's alot. My aunt and uncle had two boxers that died of cancer. They paid a ton to keep them going before putting them down when there was just nothing left. Broke their heart....

Then their daughter bought them that Katrina refugee from hell. BAH

Angelique · Post by **Angelique** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 5:36 am

Originally posted by fourpawsonthefloor
Here's another interesting article.A cancer treatment first made for and tested on dogs, can go onto help people. Cool. See - studies done for animals can help people too. This is just one example.

Paws

Did I say they couldn't?

Saffire · Post by **Saffire** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:27 pm

at 4 weeks old my cat figured out my hands where conected with my face and if i tried tyo wrestle with him he would attak my face, the cute thing was he would claw and bite my hands but after the first scratch when i freaked out he pulls in his claws and only slaps at my face, never scratches it....all this from a 4 week old kitten....bows to the cat that will obviously suceed in conquering the world

The Drastic Spastic · Post by **The Drastic Spastic** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 9:11 pm

My cat also knows to not use claws when we're playing. Sometimes we get her too worked up and she "forgets" though.