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Ask any dog owner and they will tell you at least a dozen reasons why these animals are the finest creatures on Earth. However, sometimes even the best have an off day. And when they do, they end up on the subreddit r/DogShaming!

It's a place where people share amusing pictures of their naughty pups after they have eaten all the donuts, covered the patio in pee, or committed some other unforgivable crime.

Continue scrolling to meet the suspects and don't miss the conversation I had about guilt in dogs with Kate Litaker, Dogtown Lifesaving and Care Supervisor for Best Friends Animal Society.

#2

The Determined Doggo!

The Determined Doggo!

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Ty Stratton-Quirk
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The really impressive part was that he screamed "OH, YEAH!" as he came through.

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In some of these pics, it appears that the pups are repenting for their "sins." However, even though dogs can learn what their owners consider appropriate and inappropriate behavior, we still aren't sure if they feel guilt.

"I personally don't think that dogs feel guilt, their reaction is just a response to environmental stimuli and human reactions," Kate Litaker, the staffer at Best Friends, told Bored Panda.

Scientists don't have a concrete answer as well. In a 2009 study, researchers observed dogs and their owners under several sets of circumstances and concluded that dogs tended to display "guilty" body language more frequently when their owners scolded them than when the owners remained neutral – regardless of whether the dogs had actually done anything wrong.

Dog cognition scientist and author Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, who was in charge of the research, said that "a better description of the so-called guilty look is that it is a response to owner cues, rather than that it shows an appreciation of a misdeed."

#4

We’re Pretty Impressed By Our 7 Month Old German Shepherd/Great Pyrenees Mix

We’re Pretty Impressed By Our 7 Month Old German Shepherd/Great Pyrenees Mix

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Callie Dryer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Doggo: hey uncle, do you know what my parents did? They left me home alone…. Can you believe this bull pucky? Hey, got any bacon?

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#5

Get An Australian Cattle Dog, It'll Be Fun They Said

Get An Australian Cattle Dog, It'll Be Fun They Said

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Downunderdude
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, I had a blue heeler. As the vet said, she was as tough as a box of broken glass and old pipes. Smart as hell, though. RIP Sherry.

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What about you? What would you do if you came back home after a long day and your four-legged buddy greeted you with shreds of your favorite jacket?

Litaker said an appropriate reaction would be to act excited to see your dog, clean up the mess, and work on preventing it from happening in the future. For example, maybe put all of your clothes inside the wardrobe and toss a nice chew toy on the floor instead.

"One of my office dogs did destroy my window blinds and house plants trying to escape the room because she was left alone in the office," Litaker recalled. "She really preferred the company of another dog or humans, so I didn't leave her alone in the room anymore."

#7

This Classic My Dad Posted To FB Several Years Ago

This Classic My Dad Posted To FB Several Years Ago

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Chich
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a Lab once who *loved* the smell of beer. Got into leftover pints after a party once and ended up blotto'd. Had a terrible doggie hangover the next day and never went near beer again. Smarter than a lot of people I know.

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#9

Supreme Leader Kylo Solo Ren Got Out While I Was Bringing In The Groceries. Luckily I Found Him Down The Street

Supreme Leader Kylo Solo Ren Got Out While I Was Bringing In The Groceries. Luckily I Found Him Down The Street

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According to the American Kennel Club, when we consider a dog looking guilty, we usually mean it displays some or all of the following behaviors or signs:

  • Tucked tail;
  • Visible whites of the eyes;
  • Cowering, hunched posture;
  • Yawning;
  • Licking;
  • Flattened ears;
  • Avoiding eye contact.

These expressions are signs of fear and stress in dogs. But determining if they truly feel bad about breaking our rules is tricky. Guilt is a complex concept.

It requires an understanding of cause and effect in relation to time, which is difficult to prove. Plus, dogs can't use words to describe how they feel either, so we are really running out of options here!

There can be a number of reasons why dogs act out. "They can become destructive or have an accident because they are bored, because it's fun, or because they didn't like being alone," Kate Litaker added. "Providing interactive toys and food puzzles when you're not home, and plenty of playtime and exercise when you are home can help prevent these types of behaviors."

For more information on pets and their behavior, visit Best Friends.

#10

My Co-Workers Keep Eating Office Supplies

My Co-Workers Keep Eating Office Supplies

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#11

Dog Shaming Shenanigans

Dog Shaming Shenanigans

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#12

Beatrix, Queen Of Poor Choices!

Beatrix, Queen Of Poor Choices!

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#13

This One Took Teamwork

This One Took Teamwork

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like I said, we should be allowed to give out one ten-upvote prize per day!

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#14

I’m Trying To Discipline My 8 Mo. Old Chinese Crested To Not Eat Her Sisters’ And Brother’s Poop. She Turns Into The Speed Of Light When I Tell Her No And Stop

I’m Trying To Discipline My 8 Mo. Old Chinese Crested To Not Eat Her Sisters’ And Brother’s Poop. She Turns Into The Speed Of Light When I Tell Her No And Stop

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#15

Trust Us, This Looks Way Better

Trust Us, This Looks Way Better

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#16

I’m Peanut And I Like To Steal Mom’s Shoes While She’s At Work

I’m Peanut And I Like To Steal Mom’s Shoes While She’s At Work

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Lorraine Geater
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now this is funny! Doggies do this to keep the smell of its owner beside him/her when the owner is out. Adorable gorgeous doggie! Lovely picture xx

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#17

Hi I'm Sebastian And I Took Every Box Of Cereal Outside And Destroyed Them

Hi I'm Sebastian And I Took Every Box Of Cereal Outside And Destroyed Them

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#18

Guess I’m Not Leaving The Country Any Time Soon

Guess I’m Not Leaving The Country Any Time Soon

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#19

Jail Break Then An Early Morning

Jail Break Then An Early Morning

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#20

Captain Snatched A Half Dozen Donuts From The Back Of The Counter

Captain Snatched A Half Dozen Donuts From The Back Of The Counter

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TheAnimalLady
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

👮‍♂️ Nothing to see here folks, just training to be a Police Dog 🚔

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#21

This Woman Shamed Her Dog From A Distance!

This Woman Shamed Her Dog From A Distance!

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dog seems pretty smart to me. He orchestrated a hunger strike and had his demands met.

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#22

I’m Not Going To Name Names But Someone Didn’t Like Being Left In The Bedroom For A Couple Hours

I’m Not Going To Name Names But Someone Didn’t Like Being Left In The Bedroom For A Couple Hours

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#23

I’m Not Even Sorry

I’m Not Even Sorry

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#24

Maybe It’s His Way Of Bringing Down The Aristocracy

Maybe It’s His Way Of Bringing Down The Aristocracy

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#25

Was Told That This Belongs Here. Briggs Just Loved His New Bed

Was Told That This Belongs Here. Briggs Just Loved His New Bed

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#26

Two Travel Sized Bars In 3 Days...

Two Travel Sized Bars In 3 Days...

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#27

Blind Ambition

Blind Ambition

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TheAnimalLady
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sweet little thing needs a Seeing Eye Dog 😿 Some animals actually do this for others on their own, but it can be taught.

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#29

Butter Thief!

Butter Thief!

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds as though someone was expecting doggo to just eat 40% and save some for later.

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#30

She Destroyed The Couch In The Emergency Trailer We Are Living In, Because She Set The House On Fire

She Destroyed The Couch In The Emergency Trailer We Are Living In, Because She Set The House On Fire

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Hannah Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I fostered a GSD for a year, he couldn’t stand to be left alone due to anxiety. On the few occasions when he was briefly left alone he managed to destroy a door, get on the work top and start the gas on the hob, ripped all the wiring out of the boiler, chewed plugs off various appliances, unlocked a cabinet and ate all the fat out the deep fat fryer giving himself diarrhoea and ate the face off the teddy bear I’d had since birth. I took him to a PDSA psychologist who said his behaviour was due to terrible anxiety. Worth bearing in mind if your dog is destructive.

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#31

These Dummies Ate Their Bed And Then Fell Asleep In The Mess

These Dummies Ate Their Bed And Then Fell Asleep In The Mess

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#32

And He’s Yet To Show Any Remorse!

And He’s Yet To Show Any Remorse!

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#33

Untitled (2020) Urine On Concrete By Bad Boi

Untitled (2020) Urine On Concrete By Bad Boi

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#35

Congrats On The New Puppy!

Congrats On The New Puppy!

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#36

She’s Only Sorry She Got Caught

She’s Only Sorry She Got Caught

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#38

All I Did Was Run Through A Bush, How Was I Supposed To Know It Would Make Mom Itchy

All I Did Was Run Through A Bush, How Was I Supposed To Know It Would Make Mom Itchy

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#39

He’s Not Even Ashamed

He’s Not Even Ashamed

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#40

She’s So Proud Of Herself, Too

She’s So Proud Of Herself, Too

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#41

Puppies Be Dumb

Puppies Be Dumb

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TheAnimalLady
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NOOOOO!!!! Puppies teeth just like human babies and must be PROTECTED from these things. Once is unexpected, twice is a neglectful owner 🙀🤬😤😾 (Please let it only be once 🙏).

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#42

This Is Why We Keep Bedroom Doors Closed When We’re Not In Them

This Is Why We Keep Bedroom Doors Closed When We’re Not In Them

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, the embarrassment of walking around with tissue stuck to your foot! Yes, it's happened to me.

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#43

I Am Kaiju. I Ate My Mom’s New Carpet. I Am Not Sorry

I Am Kaiju. I Ate My Mom’s New Carpet. I Am Not Sorry

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Next time you ask the dog about the new carpet!! Obviously Kaiju did not approve!

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