Do Dogs Fall for Magic Tricks?

[Still Waters]

...numerous research studies show that virtually every species, from bower birds to bees, is susceptible to illusions. But do animals feel wonderment, awe, or sense that they are experiencing the impossible?

http://blogs.scienti...9/11/dog-magic/

[Lilly]

IMO dogs are not likely to grasp magic tricks in the same manner humans do.

I think the article explains why with this quote:

Most magicians agree that 5 years of age is the threshold at which standard magic will begin to appeal to kids.

Dogs are like 3 to 4 year old kids, they just don't have the insight to understand that the laws of nature were 'magically' violated and they should be amazed or amused. Instead, dogs will probably just end up being annoyed or confused.

[eight bits]

Here's another blogger's take on the issue (working from the same Scientific American blog post as the OP).

http://uncertaintist.wordpress.com/2014/09/16/can-dogs-appreciate-a-magic-trick/

The dog in question, Clea, comes up in several posts on the blog (click on her tag below the post to see). She was an alpha, which among dogs and wolves often translates as "skilled at getting her point across, even to a different species."

The bottom line seems to be that if the dog pays attention, and the means of holding her attention isn't teasing her with food, then the reaction (at least in the specific case reported) is not confusion or anger, but engaged appreciation, or so it seemed to the blogger.

Anecdotal, to be sure, but consistent with other experiences. All things considered, dogs don't seem to miss much, IMO, although they are often too polite to say anything.

[Lilly]

The bottom line seems to be that if the dog pays attention, and the means of holding her attention isn't teasing her with food, then the reaction (at least in the specific case reported) is not confusion or anger, but engaged appreciation, or so it seemed to the blogger.

Now that's interesting...very interesting. Dogs may indeed be more savy in this than I thought.

Anecdotal, to be sure, but consistent with other experiences. All things considered, dogs don't seem to miss much, IMO, although they are often too polite to say anything.

Indeed, dogs don't miss much that's for sure.

[taniwha]

My dog is the one who performs the vanishing acts around here. I gotta say im hardly amused either.

[Whatsinausername]

I think it's possible. When I was young, my little brother and I used to pretend to throw a ball to each other and my dog would run around desperately trying to catch it.....