How Do Dogs Feel About Mirrors?
Dogs are fascinating, and many things prove so. Has your dog ever been face to face with themselves in a mirror? You may have discovered they completely ignored their reflection and thought nothing of it! This is a common reaction. Puppies view themselves in the mirror in a different light compared to older dogs. Puppies tend to assume that they are seeing another dog. Some puppies may even bark at their image or try to get it to play.
Psychology plays a role in how dogs react to themselves in the mirror. It takes time for a dog to realize that it’s its reflection in the mirror. Research shows that dogs disregard themselves because they are not vain or concerned with their appearance (talk about a significant difference compared to some humans!). Studies also show that dogs are considerably less affected by visual events.
Remember that the most important sense for dogs is smell, not sight. Dogs sense what is theirs, such as “my paw” or “my face.” Dogs also have a sense of what belongs to them compared to what belongs to others. We understand that dogs are intelligent, but we bet you didn’t know how many psychological aspects were involved in their daily lives. You will gain a deeper understanding the next time you witness your four-legged friend walking by the mirror!