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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder if dogs know that they are dogs?

76 replies

OverTheHammer · 14/07/2017 07:44

I mean, in a family setting do you reckon they realise they're different to the rest of the "pack" or do they think we're all the same?

I find it fascinating. I find dogs fascinating and the relationship we have with them - their loyalty and affection towards us - the expression on their faces when they're being mistreated or abandoned. I mean, if they think we're all the same animal, how heartbreaking must it be for them when they're given up on?

OP posts:

Alittlepotofrosie · 14/07/2017 07:52

Here is an interesting link about pack theory. Apparently dogs know that they're dogs and we aren't.

positively.com/dog-training/myths-truths/pack-theory-debunked/

MissWilmottsGhost · 14/07/2017 07:55

DDog was really depressed for a few months after DD was born. I always suspected that was when she realised she would never grow up to be a human

SuperBeagle · 14/07/2017 08:00

I think they know they're dogs, and I think they are pretty attuned to what breed of dog they are (providing they're not a mutt). I notice at the dog park that border collies are attracted to border collies, and my beagle always knows when another beagle is around and attaches to them etc.

That being said, I'm convinced said beagle thinks he's the favourite child, human or not.

toooldforthisshirt37 · 14/07/2017 08:01

My DDogs have NO idea they are dogs. Not sure I remember that they aren't people myself most days!

It is probably a relief to them when I get into long monologues about my day that they don't understand every word.....

SpringtoSummer · 14/07/2017 08:05

Great question. My beagle was pretty antisocial except with other beagles so definitely recognised some family resemblance. But also constantly pushed the boundaries at home (wanting to sit on the sofa with the humans etc)

ethelfleda · 14/07/2017 08:06

I was thinking this about my cat this morning. We only picked her up Sunday and I'd love to know what was going on in her head!

MrsOverTheRoad · 14/07/2017 08:06

My Dog doesn't know which way is up so I doubt he knows he's a dog bless him.

teaandakitkat · 14/07/2017 08:08

We have quite lengthy discussions about whether our tortoise knows she is a tortoise, since all she can see is the very end of her front feet. We haven't reached any conclusions.

crazypenguinlady · 14/07/2017 08:10

My Staffie definitely think she's a human, even to the point of thinking she can have access to the fridge

OvariesForgotHerPassword · 14/07/2017 08:12

Maybe they think we're the dogs and they have like a secret telepathic Dogsnet where they discuss whether we realise that we are their dogs?

EdmundCleverClogs · 14/07/2017 08:16

My dog spent years thinking she was a cat, I'm sure. She loved walking on reachable high places such as the back of the sofa or sunbath on the windowsill. She only started behaving more dog-like when we had a second dog, her bossy instincts definitely kicked in.

ListenToYourHeart · 14/07/2017 08:18

Ovaries - that made me laugh Can you imagine dogsnets AIBU?!

Growing up I'm pretty sure my DDog thought she was human, she was hand reared as a pup as her mum died in childbirth and she was so affectionate but no matter how much training she had she would sit on the sofa, open doors, open the fridge, sleep on the bed when we was out, she got up to all sorts.

fleshmarketclose · 14/07/2017 08:40

I suspect ddog thinks he is human tbh. He definitely likes his home comforts so would never sit on the floor when there is space on the sofa or sleep in his basket if there was someone willing to share a bed.
He also whines ,yips, growls, snorts and sneezes all day long making conversation and expects that you understand what he's on about.
He definitely has preferences as well when it comes to other breeds of dogs so is friendly with the small cute and fluffy variety (like himself) but is a grumpy git particularly with black labradors, lurchers and Jack Russels.

lidoshuffle · 14/07/2017 08:40

I've always wondered if a tiny chihuahua and a great dane know they are the same species, and that, say, a miniature shetland pony is different. I suppose they know by smell.

Minkyfluffster · 14/07/2017 08:42

I love this thread, I have definitely met dogs that think that they are human. A long time ago I had a lovely cat that thought that he was a dog.

orlantina · 14/07/2017 08:43

Same for fish. Or any other animal.

How do they know that other fish in the shoal are 'like them'? I know they can see the other fish but they can't see themselves.

Maybe they would realise they are in the wrong shoal if other fish start 'looking at them'...

ellestyle · 14/07/2017 08:46

StumpyScot92 · 14/07/2017 08:48

Don't care what any science says, my dog thinks shes a cross between a toddler and a cat... She was a rescue who had been kept indoors the first 18 months of her life never walked with an abusive dickwad (who I would happily run over if I seen but that's another story...)

I collected her from abusive home (abuser was not home, his disabled wife was the one who called for help) to take in to foster until rescue could find space for her and within half an hour decided she wasn't leaving me. First other animals she ever met were mine and my mums cats.... Now she is basically a giant bloody cat who doesn't realise she can't sit on my shoulders like her sister at 25kg.

BabsGanoush · 14/07/2017 08:52

Our female dog always humps eldest DD, despite being spayed (DDog not DD).

She doesn't hump anyone else in the family so we think she fights for third place in the hierarchy.

DDog only likes human food too and gets very put out at a bowl of Caesar being offered.

HemanOrSheRa · 14/07/2017 08:52

I often think it's such a shame they can't talk to us, our dog is such a big part of our family and i feel sorry for her when we're all talking and she has to stay in her silent world. Being able to bark and cry isn't enough for her. Without wishing to sound bonkers i just hope she doesn't fret about this. Oh god elle . I worry about this too. I'm looking at my little dog curled up next to me right now and welled up with tears. She definitely thinks she is a child.

KoalaDownUnder · 14/07/2017 08:53

I have often wondered the same thing!

The expressiveness of their faces just kills me. I had a (very rare) shout at my dog the other day. I caught sight of the look on her face and it stopped me mid-rant. She just looked so human - sad and scared at the same time.

She was then stroked and fed chese cubes all night

ProudBadMum · 14/07/2017 08:58

My friend has 2 dogs. One tiny one huge.

The tiny one is older. The huge one thinks he is the same size as her. So will try be a lap dog.

He knows he is a dog I think but he's confused as to what dog... he's a big staffy and other is a very small terrier.

MackerelOfFact · 14/07/2017 09:02

I don't think dogs have much sense of 'self', I expect the way they perceive their context in the world is a combination of instinct and training.

Dogs do seem to understand that there are different rules for them and humans. I always wonder what they make of things that seem obvious to humans but must be baffling to animals - things like travelling in a car (do they realise they are moving or do they just think it's magic?), gardens (why are they so much more excited about the park than the garden when surely it's all just 'outside' and 'smells' to them?), music (it is just annoying background noise or do they enjoy it?), etc.

caffeinestream · 14/07/2017 09:02

I often think this about my cats!

One seems to think she's a human. She'll eat off plates/at the table, tries to use the toilet (but is too small so falls in more often than not!) gets in bed and uses a pillow, and even sits like a person!

I do wonder what she'll make of babies....

theymademejoin · 14/07/2017 09:04

I read something once about sheep. They introduced a single sheep of a different breed into the flock. It took ages for them to accept it. They then introduced another of the same type and the only sheep who had a problem with it was the other one was the same breed.

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