I recently came across a study conducted in Japan that sought to answer an amusing yet intriguing question: Do dogs judge their humans? Well, guess what? They do! And honestly, I’m not surprised.
The study, conducted by researchers at Kyoto University, found that dogs can assess human competence. The researchers observed how dogs reacted to people who were either helpful or unhelpful in performing tasks. The results showed that dogs preferred to interact with those who demonstrated competence and were less inclined to engage with those who struggled or were perceived as unreliable. (You can read more about the study here.)
This explains a lot about my little Shih Tzu’s behavior. Whenever she doesn’t get her way or isn’t immediately included in an activity, she plops herself down on the floor with her back to me, her tiny, fluffy butt pointed in my direction as if to say, “You don’t deserve to see my cute face.” It’s the ultimate form of silent judgment, and she executes it flawlessly.
I used to think this was just a quirky trait of Tibetan dogs like Shih Tzus, who were bred for companionship and spent their days lounging in the laps of royalty. Their job was to observe and be present, so naturally, they’ve developed an innate ability to gauge human behavior. But now, with scientific backing, I can say with certainty—my dog is absolutely judging me.
It makes sense, really. Dogs are keen observers of human behavior, picking up on our body language, emotions, and actions. They know when we’re being unfair (like when one dog gets a treat and the other doesn’t), they recognize when we’re not paying attention (cue the guilty look when they steal a sock), and apparently, they can determine if we’re competent or not.
So, the next time you fumble while trying to open a snack bag or struggle with your shoelaces, don’t be surprised if you catch your dog staring at you with an expression that seems to say, “Really? You’re supposed to be the leader of this pack?”
The good news is, even if our dogs judge us, they still love us unconditionally—just maybe with a little side-eye now and then. And as for my Shih Tzu, I guess I’ll just have to work harder to earn the right to see her adorable face again! Treats anyone?
