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I had a guest on Sunday for the day.

I don't like him but he's been friends with my husband for years so I grit my teeth and smile...

All day one of my dogs was off colour.... he's 14 years old and the human equivilant of a grumpy old git of a man...

He spent most of the day In his basket In his little room but unusually facing the wall..

When I was cooking he curled up In the corner of the kitchen but again with his back to us and facing the wall...

So we thought he was feeling unwell with the decision to call the vet first thing In the morning...

As soon as our guest drove out of the lane to go home late that night, Mulder strolled Into the lounge, tail wagging, very pleased to jump up on the sofa as usual and engage with our other young dog.... business as usual...

Now, my question Is.... did he take a dislike to our guest or did he sense I didn't like him.

He probably sensed your dislike for the guy.

LarsMac;1405498 wrote: He probably sensed your dislike for the guy. I like to think him and I have a bond that's why I asked.... Thanks

Dogs are adept at picking up the subtle clues we give them. He was probably reading you.

Actually, I behave quite like that when the wife's sister and her son show up to visit.

I go down into the basement and hide until they are gone.

I think a pet might try to warn it's owner of what it might perceive as danger. If the animal senses a change in the owner while strangers are present it may be tricked into thinking there is in fact danger lurking. Pets feed off their owners because the owner is the source of the animal's survival.

There's no mysterious sixth sense in any animal.

Ahso!;1405559 wrote: I think a pet might try to warn it's owner of what it might perceive as danger. If the animal senses a change in the owner while strangers are present it may be tricked into thinking there is in fact danger lurking. Pets feed off their owners because the owner is the source of the animal's survival.

There's no mysterious sixth sense in any animal.


I don't think intuitive deduction is mysterious.

Dogs, in particular, are tuned to the subconscious signals humans give off. Most animals can detect subtle signals from humans and other animal. We might think it "mysterious" if we aren't aware of the phenomenon.

I suppose it could all be attributed to a simple survival perspective, but emotional response very often overshadows pure survival instincts.

LarsMac;1405565 wrote: I don't think intuitive deduction is mysterious.

Dogs, in particular, are tuned to the subconscious signals humans give off. Most animals can detect subtle signals from humans and other animal. We might think it "mysterious" if we aren't aware of the phenomenon.

I suppose it could all be attributed to a simple survival perspective, but emotional response very often overshadows pure survival instincts.I agree but wanted to comment on what I've highlighted.

If emotions are in fact adaptations for the purpose of either survival and/or reproduction, then they're not "overshadowing" anything, they're simply doing their job, or, as I said earlier, may be being tricked.

Much of the problem we have today is that the life we've fashioned for ourselves is so different than where we came from and the selection process has not caught up yet.

Example: Many people have bodies set to store food in case of famine when in fact there is no longer a need for such a body with grocery and convenient stores on every other corner - thus obesity.

That's very similar to today's emotionality.

What was even stranger about the day was the behaviour of the youngest dog...

We lost our third dog a few backs back due to old age but the youngest dog Is very much my husbands ' girl'... he's the one she sits with etc etc..... on Sunday, because the guest was my husbands friend and he was totally relaxed with him, young Rosie was her usual bouncy self.

Mulder being more 'my boy' was the one who turned his back for the entire day so I do think he picked up that I didn't like our guest..... where as Rosie picked up that my husband did like our guest.

He knows, animals always know those things....

I don't know whether my dog is picking up on some subtle change in body language that I'm unaware of or if it is something else. When I decide to go somewhere, before I make any move to actually reach for my keys, he moves to sit next to the door. He is trained to be aware of what I do and what I need, but his ability to "read my mind" is amazing. It is most probably something in body language, but it is still amazing.

Wandrin;1405623 wrote: I don't know whether my dog is picking up on some subtle change in body language that I'm unaware of or if it is something else. When I decide to go somewhere, before I make any move to actually reach for my keys, he moves to sit next to the door. He is trained to be aware of what I do and what I need, but his ability to "read my mind" is amazing. It is most probably something in body language, but it is still amazing.Mine is sensitive like that as well. I think she knows we're leaving because our actions must be deliberate, of which we are unaware of. My kids and my wife can tell things about me when they walk into the room and all I'm doing is sitting in my chair.

Mulder has always suffered with acute seperation anxiety... we have used all manner of diversion tactics to get out of the house without him knowing.... absolutely Impossible !!!!

Even when you begin to think about how you're going to get your bag, keys etc, he starts following you everywhere.