Can Dogs Distinguish Good from Bad? How They Do It!

One: Can Dogs Really Distinguish Between Good People and Bad People?

It is often said that dogs can differentiate between good and bad people, primarily because they have the ability to observe whether someone treats their owner kindly or not. If they do not, the dog may categorize that person as a 'bad person.' However, it's important to note that this does not mean dogs can truly discern the moral compass of individuals. Their assessment of others' goodness or badness is based solely on how they interact with their owner. Nonetheless, this ability is incredibly heartwarming for owners, reflecting the unique and profound love that dogs have for them.

Those who have interacted with dogs are likely to have noticed that when someone wellliked by the owner visits, the dog generally does not display any hostility. This is because the dog recognizes that the visitor harbors no ill will towards its owner and poses no threat. Experts have also confirmed this through experiments. Professor Takahashi from Kyoto University discovered that dogs have an innate tendency to seek benefits and avoid harm, and they can, to some extent, discern good from bad.

In one experiment, 34 dogs were observed as their owners sought help from strangers, who were categorized into three groups: the first group was helpful, the second group did nothing, and the third group was unfriendly. The interactions were simulated, and the dogs were allowed to observe. Subsequently, the three groups were tasked with feeding the dogs. The dogs' reactions were astonishing. They happily accepted food from the first group and showed no resistance from the second. However, they strongly rejected the third group's offerings. The conclusion was clear: dogs can judge whether to trust a stranger based on the stranger's attitude towards their owner, demonstrating their intelligence and ability to understand social interactions and gather information from them.

Two: How Do Dogs Distinguish Between Good and Bad?

1. Exceptional Insight

Dogs possess an impressive ability to understand human body language and emotions. They can pick up on subtle cues from a person's movements, gestures, expressions, behavior, and even microexpressions to form their perceptions of different individuals and differentiate between good and bad.

2. Sharp Senses of Smell

With an incredibly keen sense of smell, dogs can not only find their way home but also detect chemical changes in human pheromones. When someone is harboring ill intent, their body odor changes, and dogs may pick up on these changes, leading them to identify 'bad people'.

3. Past Experiences

Dogs are skilled at reading people and can detect when someone is up to no good, even through subtle actions or expressions. They use their past experiences to judge whether someone is a trustworthy individual.

4. Instinct to Seek Safety

Dogs have an instinct to seek safety, which sometimes allows them to quickly identify 'bad people' and keep their distance. For instance, if a dog often sees someone mistreating animals, it may bark and display aggression when that person approaches, as it associates the person with danger.

The love and loyalty that dogs have for their owners is undeniable. It is hoped that owners can observe and understand their dogs more, appreciating the protection and care they offer.