Dogs are one of the most popular pets, not just because of their appearance, but also because of their social abilities. Dogs often touch our hearts, and we see them as friends, companions, or even full-fledged family members. Jealousy is not foreign to dogs, and this has now been scientifically proven. Researchers from the University of California San Diego have conducted a study that shows dogs are capable of feeling jealousy.
The study involved 36 small dogs, and their owners were asked to interact with different objects, one of which was a fake dog. In all three situations, the owners paid attention to the test object and not their dog. The dogs showed little reaction to the first two situations, but when the fake dog was introduced, the real dogs became visibly jealous. They pushed themselves between their owners and the fake dog, barked, and even physically went after their owners. This experiment clearly shows that dogs are capable of consciously acting within a three-way relationship and expressing their social position. This cognitive behavior also requires the ability of self-awareness.
The close relationship between dogs and humans is well-known, and dogs are often perceived as full-fledged social beings. The fact that dogs have come so close to humans and have ultimately allowed themselves to be domesticated shows the adaptability of canines. The ability of dogs to feel jealousy is not surprising to many dog owners, who have long suspected this. However, this study provides scientific evidence that jealousy is not just a human trait, but can also occur in animals, such as dogs.
