DOGS have pathetically self-indulgent emotions just like humans, it has emerged.

The Institute for Studies found that thousands of years of domestication by man have caused dogs to obsess over vague and trivial emotional problems.

Professor Henry Brubaker said: “Previously we believed that dogs’ barking and howling had some worthwhile purpose, such as warning against intruders. Our analysis suggests they may be simply telling each other about non-problems such as how a local terrier seemed a bit stand-offish.

“In one case, a chocolate labrador complained for several hours about his owner replacing his filthy old red  collar with a new blue one, which he believed was ‘not really him’.

“Similarly, there was a labrador whose comfortable routine included being fed at the table, but moaned about not knowing ‘where his life was going’.”

German shepherd Tom Logan said: “There’s a really nice collie I see whenever our owners stop for a chat during our walks, and I thought we were really bonding.

“Then last Tuesday she completely blanked me and just kept barking at a squirrel. I mean, where do I stand here? Is this relationship going anywhere? Have I misread the situation?”

At this point Logan was dragged away by his owner and told to do a shit.