Study Says Dogs can Also Be Pessimistic

Like us dogs can also be pessimistic, finds a study.

Researchers from the University of Sydney found dogs also have a tendency to anticipate negative things and have a pessimistic outlook on life. For the study, experts trained dogs to touch a target in reaction to listening to two sets of tones, one tone meant a reward of milk and the other water on completion of task. The dogs soon learnt to associate the tones with type of drink they received as a reward. When the dogs would touch the target after listening to random tones merrily hoping to get milk in return, it showed they were optimistic. But some dogs grew anxious and distressed when they were not given milk after reacting to the sound cue and eventually gave up, reports the Washington Post.

These observations suggest dogs too have different personalities and tendencies. They can be trained and controlled to equip them for search and rescue mission.

"Pessimistic dogs appeared to be much more stressed by failing a task than optimistic dogs. They would whine and pace and avoid repeating the task while the optimistic dogs would appear unfazed and continue," said Melissa Starling, from the Faculty of Veterinary Science in the University of Sydney , reports the Laboratory Equipment.

The authors also believe certain behaviors of dogs like withdrawal, being unfriendly and pessimism could be a result of lack of care and affection by its owners.

"This research could help working dog trainers select dogs best suited to working roles. If we knew how optimistic or pessimistic the best candidates for a working role are, we could test dogs' optimism early and identify good candidates for training for that role. A pessimistic dog that avoids risks would be better as a guide dog while an optimistic, persistent dog would be more suited to detecting drugs or explosives," Starling adds.

More information is available online in the journal PLoS ONE.