Paws for thought: dogs may be able to figure out human intentions

Canines seem to understand whether actions are deliberate or accidental, theory of mind' study suggests

From a canny look to a quizzical grumble, dogs have long conveyed the impression they know more about what their owners are up to than what might be expected. Now researchers have found fresh evidence of canine savviness, revealing dogs seem to be able to tell whether human actions are deliberate or accidental.

While theory of mind - the ability to attribute thoughts to others and to recognise that can result in certain behaviours - is often thought to be uniquely human, the study suggests at least some elements may be common to canines.