Study shows dogs have capacity for empathy


Posted on Aug 8, 2008
By Julia Szabo


A scientific study conducted at London's Birkbeck College shows that dogs find human yawns contagious. Don't yawn now - yawning is common in many species of animal, but catching a yawn is big news. It means the animal who catches a yawn has a rudimentary capacity for empathy.

A yawn triggered by seeing others yawning has previously been shown to occur only in humans and chimpanzees. Now scientists have proof of what dog lovers have suspected for centuries: dogs have the capacity for empathy. For those requiring more proof, observe any therapy dog in action.

The study was published in the journal Biology Letters; the authors said the dog subjects' yawning behavior showed they are skilled at reading human social cues.

For more proof of that canine skill, ask a professional dog trainer.
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