3 ms·

The article mentions that explanation and, presumably, they found it uncompelling.

• pitspotter2 5y ago
  In evolution things usually persist for multiple reasons. It seems possible that the gesture is both functional (in terms of the dog's hearing) and attractive (to humans). An attempt to perceive correctly and a signal of openness and willingness to do so. Steven Pinker on the evolution of the shrug: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPN2717RMLY#t=30s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPN2717RMLY#t=30s
  • mhb 5y ago
    Sure. I just think it would be more interesting to know why the authors of the study, who have probably invested much more time thinking about this than any of the commenters here, concluded that that explanation was not satisfactory.
    • sandworm101 5y ago
      Maybe because they had already decided to stick a particular bread of dog. Border collies are far from representative of the species. They are built for a very particular task, one that is far from universal. There are many things for which they are not suited.
      • mhb 5y ago
        Maybe the explanation is that they wanted to use their favorite doggy. Or maybe humility counsels looking deeper for flaws in the experiment.