reply on: Meta-analysis seeks to explain why dogs wag their tails \ stacker news ~Dogs_And

10 sats \ 6 replies \ @Bitman 18 Jan \ on: Meta-analysis seeks to explain why dogs wag their tails Dogs_And_Cats

Surely it's down to feedback. Most things work with feedback.

If micro movements (a slight tail wag) produce a desired effect, that perceived movement is increased to test if the desired effect increases too.

I saw this happen today when I approached a spaniel sticking it's body out of a van window - when I smiled, they tail began wagging to it's right.

I'm down for a research grant to continue such interactions - in fact, I'd gladly pay to do it.

22 sats \ 5 replies \ @Bertha 19 Jan

I never could understand the right wag, left wag distinction. They always seem to sweep both right and left, so I have trouble telling what kind of wag it is.

25 sats \ 4 replies \ @Bitman 19 Jan

I know what you're saying and imagine that the jury might still be out on this hypothesis until proven. The study that raised this used a mere 43 dogs. Unless you've got perfect eye line down the dog it's pretty tricky to gauge - but in lab (pun intended) conditions, it's a whole lot easier - as in the videos I've seen, there is a sweep - but with a little more emphasis on one side than the other.

I'm guessing such studies, if examined now, with the abilities of AI increasing at such a rate, we've got an even better chance of unlocking the language of our furry friends!

The study mentioned can be read, for free, at: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(13)01143-3

22 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bertha 19 Jan

Thanks. I will look at the study now.

21 sats \ 2 replies \ @Bertha 19 Jan

Videos like this? https://youtu.be/IQLS1akdxKU?si=tMjrVlNI87heviPs

25 sats \ 1 reply \ @Bitman 19 Jan

I think it is!

It's really difficult to perceive outside of perfect conditions though isn't it...

In the real world, the park, it's even more difficult - plus we want to believe that all the dogs we meet love us!

22 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bertha 19 Jan

The video makes it look easy, but I can't even tell on my dog. She's moving around so it's hard to see it from the right angle.