Can you tell what your dog is thinking? Can you know what he knows?
Dog owners often make assumptions about what their dog is thinking.
But here’s the thing. Scientists have been working on this question for a long time. They are discovering a lot about how dogs think, what emotions they feel and how they learn. We still have a lot to learn about dogs!
So let’s agree that we can’t know for sure what a dog is thinking or what he knows.
After all, it’s difficult enough to understand what another human is thinking, let alone an animal of a different species! How often are we totally wrong when we assume we know what another person is thinking or intends?
So let’s not jump to conclusions about our dogs. Because, just like with people, we can be completely mistaken.
Here are some examples of negative assumptions people might make about dogs:
“He knows he did a bad thing!”
“She just won’t listen!”
“He knows he is wrong because he acts guilty!”
“This dog is just stupid!”
When someone describes a dog like this, it suggests an underlying belief that dogs have a conscience like a human’s.
But dogs don’t have a moral conscience. They have instincts. Their instincts cause them to act in a way that is in their best interests. For example, fight or flight instincts help animals survive.
When a person scolds a dog, the dog’s body language appears to be “guilt”. But it is actually appeasement. The dog is fearful of the person and tries to appease the threat to avoid a bad outcome for himself.
Words have power.
Negative words reflect negative thoughts. A critical and judgemental mindset undermines what is meant to be a wonderful friendship.
Fear drives your dog away from you. Fight or flight.
Ditch all the negative comments and judgment.
When you talk to your dog, tell him how good, cute, smart, sweet, and funny he is. Tell him you love him.
When you talk about your dog to others, say positive things. Don’t criticize or demean him.
Changing can be hard at first, but the results are so worth the effort. Dogs mirror the people they are with. Change your point of view and you will change your dog, too!
You can’t know for sure what your dog is thinking. But you can absolutely know and manage what you are thinking.
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