Do dogs have a sense of humor?

[oz]

Just wondering what you all think about this subject, and what makes you think either way?

I'm not talking about do they have fun, because it's obvious that they do. What I'm wondering is if they actually see some things as funny, or humorous, like a human does? I'm extremely close to my own dog, but I'm not absolutely sure about it either way.

[rokytnji]

Popeye does. When playing catch he'll tease ya with whatever you are using to play catch with and the minute you ignore him he'll drop it at your feet. He also likes to sneak up on the cats while they are sleeping and scare the be jesus out of em. I think he is laughing inside all the time.

But without ESP I can't really answer the root of your question. To me having fun requires a sense of humor.

[oz]

I think he is laughing inside all the time.

I've tried my best to notice any reaction related to humor in my dogs that might equate to a human laugh or smile, but can't see anything that I'm certain about. It might be like you say above, and they are laughing inside so we can't see it.

[cousinlucky]

Someday someone will probably invent a machine that will let human beings know just what animals are thinking. My guess is that the animals thoughts are going to be way beyond what we perceived them to ever be.

[oz]

Someday someone will probably invent a machine that will let human beings know just what animals are thinking. My guess is that the animals thoughts are going to be way beyond what we perceived them to ever be.

I've often thought that same thing.

Their senses are far better than ours, so they might be better able to process what they've sensed, even though we as humans like to reserve the top intelligence rating for ourselves.

Perhaps the future will tell all the way it really is, however it is.

[Artesia]

Not really sure about this one, but I'm leaning more towards No. I think that in order for humor to exist, you first need to subscribe to specific teachings of a culture (in this case the human culture). For example, sneaking up on a friend and scaring him is funny because you made him lose his composure. The effect is created because we place a value on being composed. Unless the dog shares that same value, the joke didn't happen.

On the other hand, the dog might perceive that being composed is important to a human without actually understanding why, and act based on that.

I don't know... but interesting topic.

[hazel]

I've never known a dog to make a joke, but my mother's corgi could definitely smile. His eyes would wrinkle at the corners, his lips would draw back a little and he'd stick his tongue out. My present dog, Roger, never smiles.

[jayd512]

I knew a Doberman that would actually give the strangest toothy smile!
If he had a new toy, he would bring it over to show you and give a smile!

As far as sense of humor... while I was still dating the wife, Rage (the Doberman) came into the room where we were working on a school project, licked us both once on the face, turned around, and gave a nasty dog-fart as he left the room!
Say what you will, I'm sure any guy on these boards will agree that this is one of the funniest things you can do to a person.

[techieMoe]

My wife's dog does have clearly-defined moods, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I thought he had a sense of humor. He can be obviously happy, sad, agitated, angry, bored and whatnot. He has enough awareness to know his name, the commands we give him, and when he's done something wrong.

As for humor? I try not to ascribe too many human traits to animals. They are, when it is all said and done, animals after all. My wife's cat doesn't take a dump on our bed because he's mad at us, he does it because we forgot to leave the utility room door open so he could get to his box. All that being said, I'm not what you'd call an "animal person," so take it with a grain of salt.

[elija]

I don't know about dogs, I haven't much experience of them but cats certainly appear to have a sense of humour.

Take my two boys.

My youngster will wait until he has my attention and start using the sofa as a scratching post. This gets a small reaction from me. He must find this funny as when he thinks I am not watching he will quite happily use the scratching post next to the sofa!

My old boy will go and get himself a mouse. He will bring it in by the scruff of it's neck completely unharmed. He will sit in front of me and wait until he has my attention. He will gently release the mouse in front of me and sit back and watch the chaos. He does this often enough that he must find it amusing.

Both of which suggest a sense of humour. A feline one but a sense of humour never-the-less!