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- What Dogs Think About

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee
When your dog's endearing, curious eyes are watching you closely, it's natural to wonder what's happening in her mind. Are dogs driven purely by instinct or do they have thoughts and emotions much like your own? Research into animal cognition reveals that canine thinking is more nuanced and unique than many people realize.
This article will delve into some of the most common questions pet owners have about how their dogs think, experience emotions and perceive the world. Understanding your dog's unique thought patterns can help you deepen your bond with your pup.
Do Dogs Think Like Humans?
Not quite. While dogs and humans both rely on a mix of instinct and learned behavior, the way they process the world is fundamentally different.
For starters, a dog's brain is proportionally smaller than a human's, with its frontal lobe (which handles language and problem-solving) taking up less of the brain.1 So while your pup might be a genius at finding the treat stash, he's not solving algebra any time soon.
On the flip side, dogs crush us in the smell department. Their sense of smell is estimated to be at least 100,000 times more sensitive than humans'.2 That's not a typo! Their world is nose-first—where we see and hear, they sniff and decode.3
Another difference: Dogs live in the present more than humans do. They don't spend time pondering past mistakes or future worries. You could walk out the door for 30 seconds and return to a tail-wagging, full-body celebration, thanks to living in the moment.4
Does My Dog Think We Are a Pack?
The popular concept of dogs seeing humans as a "pack" is rooted in their wolf ancestry. There may be some truth to that—dogs often treat their human families like a pack, and you might be the unofficial leader (or at least the one who controls the snacks).5 However, recent research shows that domesticated dogs tend to form emotional bonds with their owner that look more like the attachment between a child and a caregiver.6
Either way, you'll likely notice your dog watching your reactions to new situations and people and taking their cues from you. Dogs may even notice that one person is helpful to you and another not, and favor the helpful person more in their own interactions.3
What Does My Dog Think About Me?
Dogs observe their human owners incredibly closely. They can even tell the difference between something we do on purpose and something we do by accident. That's not just smart—that's next-level social awareness.7
And their connection goes much further than observation. Dogs form deep emotional bonds, becoming visibly excited or stressed based on their owner's presence or absence. They don't just see people as resources for food and shelter: Studies show they form attachments that mirror the bond between a child and a caregiver.6
Do Dogs Think About the Past?
While dogs may not reminisce on the past like humans do, they can recall events tied to strong emotions or routines. This is referred to as associative memory. They link specific stimuli, like smell or sight, to particular outcomes.4
A dog that had a frightening experience with thunder may be scared of the sound of rumbling. If she had a bad experience with a man as a puppy, she may be fearful around strange men as an adult dog.8
So if you find yourself wondering if your dog rationalizes decisions, such as whether to bark at a dog on TV, some actions may be linked to an instinctual associative memory. If a sound on the TV triggers a strong emotion from the past, for example, that might be why your dog is barking.
Do Dogs Think About the Future?
While dogs don't plan for their future weeks and years in advance like humans do, their memories can impact future behavior. They may associate a specific time of day with an activity, for example, and anticipate that it will happen again. If you always go for a long walk after you get home from work, don't be surprised if your pup hangs out by the door, waiting for your daily exercise routine because they "remember" it.8
What Do Dogs Think About When They Are Alone?
If you've ever peeked at your home camera to see what your dog is up to when you aren't there, you might have noticed your pup napping, playing with toys or doing "zoomies." These activities suggest dogs can entertain themselves, at least to some extent.
Confident dogs tend to settle into a routine, curling up for a nap or exploring the house when alone. Others may get stressed and show signs of separation anxiety or boredom. While you can't know exactly what your dog is thinking while alone, you can notice the signs that he may need help feeling more confident.1
Do Dogs Think in Words or Pictures?
It's tough to know how dogs think because they can't explain anything to us directly. Do they think in words, pictures or a combination of both?
A recent study using noninvasive EEG testing on dogs found that their brain patterns were similar to those of humans when presented with objects that didn't match their words. The dogs were played recordings of their owners saying a word they should know. After a brief period, they were shown an electronic window with their owner holding an object. EEG reactions were similar to those of humans, suggesting dogs may have an abstract, mental idea associated with words.9
But while dogs have been known to learn up to 2,000 human words, it's unlikely that they think in words, since they don't use language with other dogs. Instead, experts believe their "thinking" is likely similar to how they process the world around them: based more on smells, images and sounds.1
Do Dogs Have Imaginations?
Can dogs daydream or picture scenarios that aren't physically happening? Direct evidence is limited.
A recent study of how dogs search for a named object hinted that they may imagine the sensory features of a toy (like appearance and smell) when they hear the toy's name.10 And experts have shown that rats display neural patterns similar to those of humans when forced to think about a location or object not in front of them. So there's a strong case for speculating that animals—including dogs—have some form of imagination.11
Sleep also gives us a clue. Owners may notice their dogs simulating running or softly barking in their sleep, which suggests dreaming. And dogs have a REM cycle just like people do. Studies have revealed that it's very likely dogs dream much like humans do: about things that happen in their lives.12
How Do Dogs Think About Other Dogs?
Dogs are highly social creatures. They may appear excited when recognizing a canine friend. On the flip side, an unpleasant experience with a specific dog can lead to defensive responses the next time they meet.
Evidence suggests that dogs form sibling-type bonds with other dogs in their household that are different from the caretaker bonds they have with humans. They miss their canine companions when they're gone, but they don't derive the same sense of security they get from their human parents.6
Your Dog's Thoughts Are Rich and Often Centered On You
Understanding how dogs think is an evolving field of study. Dogs are not purely instinctual, but they also don't have tiny versions of human minds. Still, you don't need to be a dog psychic to get an idea of what's on their mind. You just need to observe your pup closely. By recognizing your dog's unique quirks and personality traits, you can find more opportunities to deepen your bond and respond to her needs.
Pets Best Can Help You Keep Your Dog Healthy
Pet insurance is a great way to help you protect your dog from diseases and illnesses. At Pets Best, our dog insurance plans can be customized for your pet's unique needs. In addition, Pets Best policyholders can speak to a veterinary expert anytime through a 24/7 Pet Helpline.
Sources/ Citations
- "What do dogs think about?" Molly Petrilla (8/30/2024), Great Pet Care, https://www.greatpetcare.com/dog-behavior/what-do-dogs-think-about/
- "The nose knows: Is there anything like a dog's nose?" Jan Reisen (11/2/2022), American Kennel Club, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/the-nose-knows/
- "Dog cognition: Dogs are even smarter than you think," Mary Robins (5/20/2021), American Kennel Club, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/dog-cognition-dogs-are-smarter-than-you-think/
- "Do dogs think about the past? Vet-approved canine memory guide," Melody Russell (3/18/2025), Hepper, https://www.hepper.com/do-dogs-think-about-the-past/
- "Does my dog see me as a parent? Vet-verified facts & FAQ," Nicole Cosgrove (3/17/2025), Dogster, https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/does-my-dog-see-me-as-a-parent
- "Intraspecific and interspecific attachment between cohabitant dogs and human caregivers," Nicole Sipple et al. (10/5/2021), Integrative & Comparative Biology, https://academic.oup.com/icb/article/61/1/132/6273192
- "Dogs distinguish human intentional and unintentional action," Britta Schünemann et al. (9/1/2021), Scientific Reports, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-94374-3
- "How good is a dog's memory?" Barri J. Morrison (2/23/2024), PetMD, https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-good-is-a-dogs-memory
- "Neural evidence for referential understanding of object words in dogs," Marianna Boros et al. (4/22/2024), Current Biology, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960982224001714
- "Multisensory mental representation of objects in typical and Gifted Word Learner dogs," Shany Dror et al. (6/8/2022), Animal Cognition, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-022-01639-z
- "Animals' ability to imagine proven by new study, scientists say," Robyn White (11/2/2023), Newsweek, https://www.newsweek.com/animals-ability-imagine-proven-study-1840157
- "What do dogs dream about?" Anna Burke (8/29/2023), American Kennel Club, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/what-do-dogs-dream-about/