What Do Dogs See In The Mirror

Since this weeks 52 Snapshots of Life theme is the MIRROR I started thinking about how dogs react to their reflection.

What do dogs see in the mirror. She asked about domestic dogs responses to mirrors noting that some seem bothered by or stare at the looking glass. Since dogs rely the most on scent it is more likely that a mirror is simply not that interesting. It determines if animals could recognize themselves when looking in the mirror.

When dogs look into a mirror they typically have one of two responses. In the animal kingdom however only higher primates dolphins orcas elephants and European magpies recognize that what appears in a mirror is actually their reflection. Most studies have shown that when dogs see their image in the mirror they will either treat it as another animal or ignore it completely.

The concept of self-awareness in your dog is probably better worded as a sense of self. They may try to fight the dog in the mirror or play with it but very few dogs demonstrate any behaviors that would signal they recognize the reflection as their own. If youve ever wondered what is going on when your dog looks in the mirror there is an explanation for this.

Many researchers thus conclude that dogs lack any advanced level of self-awareness. Its thought that dogs ignore mirrors because they lack self-awareness meaning dogs dont understand that the reflection is them. Passing the Rouge Test is one sign that a childs cognition is developing according to generally accepted benchmarks.

Dogs do not have the ability to recognize their own reflection in a mirror the way humans and some other animals are able to. When a young cat or dog first sees his image in the mirror he often reacts as if a strange animal suddenly appeared. Young puppies encountering mirrors for the first time may treat the image as if it is.

Puppies are more prone to seeing their reflection in the mirror and acting like it is another dog leading to barking and play bowing at their reflection. When your pup looks into a mirror there is usually one of two responses. Young dogs may think their reflection is another dog and bark or bow to invite play.