Do dogs understand apologies?

[alessadry]

My hubby has the habit of apologizing to my our Rotties whenever he bumps into them or steps on their foot accidentally. He tells them ''I'm sorry'' and pats them on the head. I on the other hand, just go on with what I was doing when this happens, because I think they simply do not understand apologies (and perhaps get even confused by it) , yet, he sticks to his ground stating that when he tells them sorry patting them they seem to understand that it was not intentional. What are your thoughts?

[jazzking1971]

I don't apologize to my dogs. If they are standing in my way, I walk through them. If they are laying on the floor, I either step over them or give them a nudge with my foot to move.

[harleychik66]

Wow, interesting question. I've often wondered this myself.

I actually do both ( now that I think about it it probably confuses them more) If I'm walking around the house or whatever and they are walking by me and I accidently step on a paw the I say well, I guess you should have gotten out of my way, in a matter of fact tone.

If they are sleeping or laying around and I step wrong, then it's my fault and I say I'm sorry and give them a little pat.

I'm anxious to here what others say about this.

[chicatropical]

Lol...indeed an interesting question...which made me realice that i also apologize to my dogs when stepping
On their paw or bumping into them..its "aww, i am sorry" *petting their head*...
Of course not when stepping over them, but if its something that hurts them i apologize... I guess we do it
Cause it makes US feel less guilty, not neccesarily because they understand what we just did...or do they?
Maybe cause of the tone in our voice?

[ZoesMomma]

Interesting question to me too. I automatically apologize when I step on a paw or run into them. It's some sort of ingrained thing, like saying "yes ma'am" even though I'm approaching 60 or "excuse me" if I burp even when I'm alone. LOL Guess my parents programmed me well. Dogs must have some sort of communication to defuse a situation that might arise if they run into another dog accidentally, I would think, so perhaps the concept of "excuse me" isn't totally foreign to them. I'm trying to train myself to just say "Oops!" in an upbeat tone and keep going.

[Carol Burke]

If I accidently step on a paw or bump into a dog I appoligize, I also thank them when I ask something and they do it. Maybe they undertand, maybe they don't but I can't see that any harm is done. I also carry on conversations with my guys.

[Melsmom]

LOL, we do the same thing I have no idea if they understand but they wag their tail or stump so that is good enough for me.

[jazzking1971]

I think dog understand the energy behind the apology. The only time I ever apologize to the dog was when I accidentally spilled some coffee on her. (not hot enough to burn but I felt bad because it was my fault)

[Anne]

Yes I apologise if I step on a paw. Strangely they don't look at all apologetic when they step on my feet, as they do...often

[jazzking1971]

Originally Posted by Anne

Yes I apologise if I step on a paw. Strangely they don't look at all apologetic when they step on my feet, as they do...often

Ever see what happens when one dog steps on another? Usually there is some form of correction bite depending on the rank of the two dogs.

With six dogs in my house its interesting to watch the pack dynamics. There was one time a pug, I think accidently, steps on the Mal's head. It was the only time I've seen aggression out of him towards another dog. Like a blur he was up and nipped the pug in the hind quarters and it was over before I could even yell at him. Since that day, the pug go AROUND the Mal in every case.

[anichollz]

I always apologize to my boy if i hurt him accidentally and it was solely my fault. It's "Sorry boy, didnt mean to hurt you" and I'll gently rub the affected area followed by a quick pat on the head. He'll respond by giving me the "Its ok daddy" eyes, and maybe a quick lick on the palm or my ankle. And then he'll go on his merry way or continue what he was doing.

[anichollz]

Originally Posted by Carol Burke

I also carry on conversations with my guys.

I talk to Vince ALL THE TIME. And YES he talks back. We carry on some very intellectual conversations at times. I come home and tell him all about my day at work, and he tells me all about the stray cats he kept out of the yard that day, and also about how he thanked the postman for bringing the mail. He even apologizes for tearing up the newspaper, but then explains he can't help it cuz its too much darn fun!

[dragontear2s]

We hold conversations with out critters all the time. The cats actually come and sit in front of us and meow just to start a conversation. We call it our daily update with Isis. She tells us all about what the other animals did that day. I do appoligize when I hurt a critter on accident, but if they were at fault I ignore it and move on. I fell down the stairs twice stepping on a kitten, he doesn't walk in front of me or between my feet anymore when I go up or down the stairs. I felt bad for him but definately didn't appoligized. I'm pretty sure I was hurt worse.

[fostermom]

Well, if I accidently hurt one of my dogs, I do apologize...I can see the dog reacting to being hurt the same as if I was angry at them (looking uncertain, trying to avoid me)...when I apologize, the dog seems to calm down (like "well, it's ok, mom, as long as I know you're not mad at me!"). I apologize to the cats too...and as soon as I do, they stop running away and come back to me. So do I think they "understand" the words...no....but I do believe they understand the concillitory (sp?) behavior offered while I'm apologizing...I've seen dogs appear to "apologize" to other dogs (or even offer concillatory behavior towards me) for overstepping boundaries too so I certainly do believe they understand it.

[mjfish]

I do apologize and also say thank you. The only time I don't is if we're on a walk and they're being a bit hyper and walk in front of me, kind of tripping me up. Then I just say, "well, you shouldn't have walked in front of me" and keep on walking.

Do they understand? I think they do to some degree, they're in pain and your voice/actions give them a little comfort.