The dog has a sense of humor

Dear Fisher,

I’m a lady, 13 years young, who doesn’t get out much. I find it very entertaining to bash my food bowl about. I do it when my people are home. But when they’re gone, I nudge the bowl to unlikely places – like under the bed, in the middle of under the bed. It’s hilarious to watch them search all over. Especially Ma. She acts all mad and laughs her butt off at the same time. I love that!

Another thing I do is bury the food. I kick it over and cover it, say, with an area rug. This is interesting, but more obvious. It does serve to make food readily available, though – all I have to do is go around and tidy up. The one time I dug up dirt from the potted plant to cover my dish, Ma got out the vacuum cleaner. Can’t stand the thing!

Why don’t humans understand that dogs have a well-developed sense of humor? I mean, everything isn’t instinct, is it?

Maddie

Dear Maddie,

What you are describing here is instinct with a good dose of humor, except for the part about the re-emergence of the vacuum. Evidently not horrific enough to curb your creative side by adding humor to your life and entertaining your humans just to the edge of frustration. May they keep their good sense of humor!

The instinct part is your need for attention which is quite common in most dogs. Instinct may also come into play as you “bury” your food for future ingestion. But, that is where it stops and your playfulness and humor take over. My what busy days you must have.

Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety which is not funny and must be dealt with. Symptoms are excessive barking, whining, or chewing up everything in the house. You do not do these things, so let us explore your sense of humor.

Humor has many different forms, for instance:
1.Slapstick – basic level, usually physical: Tripping over your dog dish to get a laugh.
2.High-level, involves thought: Next time you dig in the plant, hide the vacuum.
3.Psychological, involves startling: Hide in dark corner of hallway, jump out at Ma first thing in the morning.

You are engaging in all three: hiding the bowl under the bed, in the middle of under the bed, and making her scold and laugh at the same time. I think that covers it. You can find more information (and a few new ideas) by visiting Practical Pets, Do Dogs Have Humor? My vote? Of course they do.

Your friend,
Fisher