This is a very deep philosophical and scientific question that ethologists and zoopsychologists still debate. There is no final answer, but modern research allows for quite convincing conclusions. To put it briefly: dogs do not possess conscience in the human sense — as a complex system of moral principles, a sense of guilt, and remorse for abstract misdeeds. However, they have its essential biological foundation — "proto-conscience" or an emotional mechanism that allows them to understand that their actions cause disapproval from their owner. What do we consider "conscience" in dogs? Most often, we interpret it as a "sense of guilt" the classic behavior of a dog: a lowered head, ears pressed against the body, a wagging tail "to oneself," averting the gaze, trying to hide, or, conversely, soothing licking. We see this behavior when, for example, we catch a dog destroying things or find a puddle on the floor. However, research in the field of cynology shows that this is not a sense of guilt for what has been done, but a reaction to the anger and disapproval of the owner, which the dog anticipates. Key experiment: Dogs were given forbidden food, and then the owner left. When he returned, some dogs received a scolding, regardless of whether they had eaten or not. It turned out that the dogs that were scolded showed a "guilty look," even if they were innocent. Their reaction depended not on the misdeed itself, but on the owner's behavior at the moment. They perfectly pick up our tone of voice, posture, and facial expression. Emotional intelligence and empathy: the foundation of "proto-conscience" Although dogs probably do not ponder morality, they possess a developed emotional intelligence and empathy. Empathy: Dogs can "catch" the emotions of their owners. They feel our stress, sadness, and joy. This is confirmed by research showing that the level of cortisol (a stress hormone) in a dog synchronizes with the level of cortisol in the owner. Understanding social no ... Read more