Can dogs fake being sick

Clever Dogs Can Fake Sickness and Injuries to Get Attention and TLC

One dog in Utah did try this trick on his pet parents but experts explain why the trickery isnt deliberate.

It's already known that our dogs are clever animals: they can learn different commands and tricks after a few weeks of training among their many other skills. But did you know that dogs could also learn how to fake sickness and injuries? Apparently, they do it to get attention and TLC from their owners.

Dr. Richard Pitcairn, who wrote the book Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, said via Wild Insights that veterinarians believe in this notion that dogs can pretend to be sick for attention. Its owner, in fact, might have reinforced the behavior.

Pitcairn explains how this reinforcement likely happens. A pet owner, for instance, might show extra concern when his dog suddenly develops a cough, and goes to pet and soothe him.

Now, this person might have been spending more time at work and less time with the dog, right? But once the dog sees that his owner pays more attention when he's sick, then he could pretend he's not in good shape so that his owner will stay awhile longer or consider skipping work.

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Kennady, Alex and the Faker Sullivan

Kennady from Utah had this very experience with his dog Sullivan. She recounted via Buzzfeed how her dog one day started making this weird coughing sound when she prepared to go to work. When she gave the dog attention, the coughing stopped, so she thought that Sullivan could've just had something stuck in his throat.

The next day, however, the coughing started again as Kennady and her husband Alex prepared for work. Alex decided to stay with the dog to make sure he's okay. He also took him to the vet but the doctors found nothing wrong. In fact, Sullivan was in great health.

Not wanting to take any chances, the couple got a second opinion and consulted more animal doctors. Surprisingly, most of them told the couple the same thing Sullivan was faking sick in the mornings because his owners would leave for work.

Kennady said that since being busted and after all those trips to the vet, Sullivan's weird coughing stopped. But the dog mom marveled at the fact that the pup pulled one trick over them. She said that she's not surprised at all as Sullivan has always been clever.

What Is Operant Conditioning?

Dr. Jill Sackman said that this Sullivans behavior could be classified as operant conditioning. Dogs don't exactly know how to fake sick. Instead, they learn that doing certain behaviors can bring good results, like receiving attention from their owners. Cognitive science Prof. Colin Allen also said similar points as Sackman to Buzzfeed. Sullivan wasn't deceiving his owners but he's using his experiences based on a learned behavior.

According to veterinarian Herbert Tanzer, pet owners should learn not to fuss over their pets when they're showing fake symptoms. Instead, they should coddle their pets when theyre exhibiting behaviors that the owners would actually like to reinforce.

How to Determine If the Dog is Faking It

Meanwhile, any sign of sickness must never be disregarded, though. Pet owners still have the responsibility to get their dogs checked. As with Sullivans case, it helped the couple the real problem. So, just to be on the safe side, visit a vet as soon as possible to have the symptoms ruled out.

Another way to determine if the dog is faking it is by observing their general demeanor. A dog that is not feeling well cannot go back to forth to being healthy and sick, meaning they don't suddenly feel when you decide to skip work and stay with them. If they are really sick, the symptoms remain consistent.

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Can dogs fake being sick?

You may think it is a little far-fetched for your dog to fake an illness, perhaps you even think it is impossible. Funnily enough, your dog can very much fake being sick for attention! They know exactly what they need to do to raise alarm in their owners in hopes they will get some extra love and attention.

As dog parents, we want to keep our canine companions in the best possible health. When our pup isnt feeling well, we naturally want to do what we can to make them feel better. But what if they arent really sick? Can dogs fake being sick? Its possible, and its important to understand why they might be doing it. In this blog post, well explore the potential reasons why dogs fake being sick and the signs to look out for. Well also discuss what you can do to help your pup and ensure theyre receiving the best care possible.

Signs that a Dog is Faking an Injury

When your dog pretends to be hurt, theyll exhibit symptoms that they know will draw your attention. This may be based on personal experience or seeing another pet get sick or hurt.

Your dog may exhibit signs of lethargy, such as weakness, inactivity, a lack of interest in food or water, shaking, or whining. They may be clingy and unwilling to separate from you. This is probably going to be inconsistent if your dog is fabricating an illness. Your dog may stop acting out if they think they are alone or if you are not present.

In a similar vein, a dog that is acting injured might exhibit varying degrees of exaggerated limping. There might also be audible signs of distress, like crying, howling, or whining. Once more, keep an eye out for consistency. Owners of dogs who have gone through this have reported that the injured legs would switch and the symptoms would vanish when the dog thought they were alone. Increased attention may also result in better behavior, so remember to look at their tail. They might be having more fun than theyre letting on if its wagging!

There is, of course, a thin line between deceptive behavior and signs of an actual injury. If you have any doubts, keep a close eye on the situation, but always err on the side of caution. Instead of taking a chance on unnecessary harm or long-term complications, it is preferable to consult a veterinarian to ensure an Oscar-worthy performance. If your dog is afraid of the vets office, the threat of going there might even cause their symptoms to improve quickly!

Unfortunately, the cunning dog makes it difficult to pinpoint precisely which body language they might be copying. But its probably something theyve already garnered attention for. Look for these signs:

Other signs your dog may exhibit that lead you to believe they are ill include:

It may sound like the start of a joke, but the owners of a dog named Sully in Utah actually experienced this when their pet pretended to be ill in order to prevent them from going to work. Sully had developed what appeared to be a hacking cough, but a vets examination revealed otherwise. Sully had been faking the whole thing for attention!.

This is just one of many stories of doggy deception. Pets have been known to pose as injured again after healing in order to continue receiving the extra attention their owners have grown to know and love. On numerous occasions, dogs have attempted to mimic the actions of their injured siblings, usually with limited success.

Animal behaviorists believe that these incidents result from a dogs desire for attention. They draw a connection between the extra cuddles, treats, and love that result from an illness or injury. They try to replicate a learned behavior in order to get the same result. While it might seem that only humans engage in deception, there is proof that our canine friends can also be surprisingly skilled actors.

Dogs are creatures of habit. They enjoy routine and are typically skilled at connecting an action to a result. Consider the first skill they pick up as a puppy in their new house: housetraining. You will diligently take them outside on a regular basis as their owner, and you will praise them when they behave well. Dogs dont comprehend why they must go outside to relieve themselves, but they eventually come to associate asking to be let out, going potty, and getting positive attention.

When dogs are hurt or see one of their siblings getting better, they notice that their owners affection for them increases. They draw a connection between the pertinent symptoms and a satisfying result. Dogs may then repeat the behavior they know will garner more attention.

Try to trick your cunning dog into disclosing his ruse. Try ignoring him for a moment to see if his symptoms mysteriously return, as most fakers do this to win your sympathy.

The dog learns that a minor symptom prompts you to rush to his side, ready to show him affection, much like learning to sit or shake in exchange for a treat. Then, even after his cold has passed or his sore paw has healed, he still sneezes. Pretty clever, huh?.

Your dog might experience brief relapses after a recent injury or illness before the problem is fully resolved. However, if your veterinarian is unable to detect any evidence of the prior condition, you might be dealing with a forger.

Give your dog the benefit of the doubt and take him to the vet if he displays any symptoms of illness or injury. Your dog may not be fabricating symptoms if the doctor cannot identify a clear medical cause for them.

Fortunately, dogs cannot mimic the majority of symptoms such as fevers, diarrhea, or inflamed skin, so how can you tell if your pup has a real problem or is just acting dramatic? The majority of faker-Fidos limp, cough, sneeze, sniffle, or itch, all of which are controllable symptoms.

What do dogs do when they want attention?

Your new puppy will likely jump up at you when you greet them, feed them, or leave them alone. However, as they get older, excessive begging, nudging, whining, barking, jumping on furniture, and bringing you toys may be signs of attention-seeking.

FAQ

Can dogs make themselves throw up?

A dog can self-inflict vomiting by doing certain things. Overeating, eating too quickly, doing too much exercise right after eating, motion sickness, stress, or worms are some additional causes of vomiting.

Can a dog fake a cough for attention?

For a dog, faking a cough is a learned behaviour. When they begin to link the cough with your love and attention as their owner, the fake cough emerges. Your dog will do anything to get your sympathy and cuddles because it sees your attention as a potent reward.

Can dogs pretend to be hurt?

It turns out that dogs can learn to pretend to be injured. When they want attention or to get what they want, they learn to pretend to be hurt or in pain. Perhaps your dog refused to leave the dog park, so you sternly ordered them to come.

Do Dogs Fake Injuries?

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Do you suspect your dog is faking an injury? Keep reading to discover whether faking is possible and the actual causes of this behaviour.

The internet is packed with videos of dogs appearing to fake an injury, only to recover miraculously. But can dogs really fake an injury or illness? Or is there another explanation?

Before we begin, a limping dog is nearly always experiencing pain, so dont assume that your dog is faking. Dogs are actually much more likely to hide pain than exaggerate it. Always consult a vet if your dog is limping or showing other symptoms of pain.

With that said, some dogs learn that a limp gets positive attention often after a real injury. They may then repeat this learned behaviour even when theres no pain. Lets take a closer look at why this might happen.

Dogs Naturally Hide Injuries or Weakness

There are many reasons why a fake injury is uncommon, but a dogs instincts are one of the most important.

Dogs are domesticated animals, but they still retain some wild instincts. One of these instincts is to hide pain and illness.

In the wild, any sign of weakness could make the dog appear vulnerable to potential threats. So, dogs naturally avoid showing outward signs that there is something wrong.

The instinct to hide pain makes it very unlikelythat a dog is faking an injury. And, as well discover in the next section, dogs dont have the ability to scheme or conspire to take advantage of their owners.

Signs of a Dog Thats Hiding Pain or Sickness

As dogs hide signs of illness, its important to watch for subtle changes in their behaviour. Some examples include:

• Decreased appetite or drinking less water
• Low energy or lethargy
• Excessive licking
• Hunched posture
• Diarrhoea or vomiting
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Hair loss
• Personality changes

Can Dogs Fake Injuries for Attention?

The simple answer is that dogs cannot fake an injury.

Dogs act according to their emotions, instincts, and needs. They dont have the ability to conspire against their owners or formulate plans to get what they want.

In fact, dogs dont understand the concept of faking or being deceitful and certainly cant plan in advance to take advantage of your natural sympathy for their pain.

However, some dogs can learn that certain behaviours including limping make it more likely for them to get food, affection, or other positive attention. This is uncommon, but certainly possible.

Why Its More Likely That Your Dog is in Pain

Even though some dogs learn that limping gets attention, its much more likely that the dog is in real pain.

People often assume a dog is faking when the limp quickly stops and theres no visible sign of injury. But this can be misleading.

There are many reasons why a dog might briefly limp. These include:

• The dog has an injury that hes able to hide most of the time, but that occasionally flares up with sharper pain.
• The dog is suffering from an injury or condition that causes inconsistent pain. Examples include hip dysplasia or arthritis.
• The dog has a dead leg from sleeping with pressure on a nerve (read our article about why dogs limp after sleeping to learn more).
• The dog has stiff muscles from resting in an awkward position.
• The dog has become scared or hurt during play, and exaggerates to get the other dog or human to stop.

Many of these reasons wont cause visible symptoms. The pain can also quickly fade, which may lead an owner to assume there is nothing wrong.

Remember, dogs cant communicate how they feel. Its common for humans to briefly limp if weve got stiff muscles, experienced unexpected pain, or have been sleeping in a strange position. The same is true for dogs.

Note: Always visit a vet if your dog is limping for a prolonged period even if the limping isnt continuous.

Why Some Dogs Appear to Fake a Limp

Weve discussed why its not really possible for a dog to fake an injury, as they dont have a concept of lying or faking.

With that said, itspossible for a dog to learn that acting like she has an injury gets attention. This can lead to behaviour thats similar to a fake injury, even though the dog isnt thinking in these terms.

A fake limp is often learned during a real injury. The dog receives lots of positive attention and comfort when hes limping, leading to him repeating the behaviour even when there is no pain.

Note: Anxiety can also sometimes cause a dog to look injured due to trembling, shaking, or paw raising. When the anxiety passes, it can seem that the dog was faking an injury.

How Do Dogs Learn That Limping Gets Attention?

A dog can learn to limp to get attention due to accidental positive reinforcement. Heres what often happens:

1. The dog has a real injury that causes him to limp. When you see him limping, you naturally give him lots of attention and comfort and possibly even a treat to make him feel better!
2. This sequence is repeated while the injury is healing, especially if the dog aggravates the injury and starts limping again.
3. The dog makes a link between limping and positive attention. To the dog, this is exactly the same as when we use positive reinforcement to teach cues such as sit or wait.
4. When the dog is craving attention in the future, he naturally performs a behaviour that has been rewarded in the past.

Keep in mind that the dog doesnt assign any meaning to this behaviour. They are not aware that they are doing something sneaky or deceitful they have just learned that limping leads to positive attention.

They are also not limping because they are embarrassed, annoyed, stubborn, or trying to trick you. To the dog, limping is no different from any other behaviour thats been rewarded in the past.

Can Dogs Fake an Illness?

Dogs cant fake an illness, but, just like limping, they can learn that certain behaviours lead to positive attention.

This is most common after a dog has had an actual illness. Coughing, licking, and sneezing are all potential examples. If the dog has learned there is a link between these behaviours and attention, then he may continue to perform them.

With that said, most illness symptoms cannot be faked. Diarrhoea, fevers, inflammation, and many others are always due to a real illness.

And, as we mentioned earlier, dogs naturally hide illness symptoms. If you notice any signs of illness, you should always visit a vet, because the problem could serious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Dogs Fake Sneeze?

Dogs rarely fake sneeze. However, if the dog has received positive attention for sneezing in the past, then she may repeat the behaviour.

Keep in mind that dogs also use sneezing as a form of communication. This is common during play or when they are excited, so your dog probably isnt fake sneezing if they perform this behaviour without other symptoms of illness.

Do Dogs Mimic Their Owners Injuries?

No, its highly unlikely that dogs can mimic injuries that humans are experiencing.

Its true that scientists have found dogs automatically imitate their owners. Dogs do this even when there is a cost to copying the owners behaviour, including not getting a treat.

This behaviour is known as automatic imitation. Its an important part of how humans learn, and it seems to work similarly for dogs.

Even so, it seems very unlikely that a dog would mimic a specific and unusual behaviour, such as limping.

Summary

Dogs dont have the ability to lie or otherwise be deceitful, so they cant truly fake an injury. In the majority of cases, limping or other symptoms are caused by real pain and should never be ignored.

It is possible for a dog to learn that limping gets positive attention though. This association usually happens during a real injury, leading to the dog repeating the behaviour in the future.

Do you have any questions about whether dogs can fake injuries? Please let us know in the comments section below.