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Treat dispenser? Faithful friend? Funny-looking canine that walks on two legs? If you’ve ever wondered, “How do dogs see humans, anyway?”, you’re not alone! The human-dog relationship is a unique one and likely started between 12,500 and 15,000 years ago, when canines were used to help ancient humans hunt as well as protect their communities. Over time, this relationship has strengthened and taken on many different forms.
As a pet owner in today’s world, you occupy a role that falls somewhere between parent, friend, and personal fitness instructor. You’re just as likely to give your pup a bath as you are to watch your favorite sitcom with them or take them on a walk at the park.
Taking all this into account, what exactly does your dog think of you? Do dogs think humans are dogs or do they understand that we’re an entirely different species? We’ll discuss this intriguing question and more!
The Science Behind Dog Vision
The first clue to figuring out “What do dogs think of humans?” is starting with the basics: a dog’s eyesight. Dog vision vs. human vision has some surprising differences! While your precious pup might have a favorite red ball, it’s not the color they’re attracted to as dogs can’t see red or green. They can, however, see shades of blue and yellow.
This means they aren’t going to be able to identify you by your red shirt or green eyes in a crowd and will instead associate you more with your scent. Interestingly, dogs have a wider field of view than humans, a trait that helps them detect movement easier when hunting.
A dog, quite literally, sees the world much differently than you do. This means their way of interpreting their environment, including the humans in it, isn’t necessarily how you’d imagine.
Understanding How Dogs See Humans
The biggest question for a lot of pet owners is whether their dog sees them as another canine or if they understand the concept of species to some degree. Studies have shown that dogs can correctly identify photos of other dogs from a series of images that includes humans. This means canines realize humans are distinct from their own species.
Do Dogs Think Humans Are Dogs?
Dogs can use behavioral cues to identify humans. For instance, they almost certainly realize humans generally walk on two legs and use speech to communicate with one another. A dog separated from its owner might go up to another human since they associate human beings with food, shelter, and cuddles. On the other hand, a dog will likely be more wary of another dog since they have an intuitive understanding of canine behavior such as guarding resources.
Dogs also use their famous sense of smell to distinguish humans from other creatures. In exceptional circumstances, a dog can smell a human about 12.5 miles away! These skilled sniffers can easily tell if someone is a dog or human due to complex “scent clues.”
How Do Dogs See Humans in Social Contexts
In the wild, dogs typically form packs from two to 40 dogs. Dogs that group together in this way have an easier time catching prey and protecting themselves since there are more of them to perform those jobs.
When it comes to interacting with humans, do dogs see humans as part of their pack? Dogs do often display similar behavior with their humans as they might with their pack. For example, your dog will almost certainly try to protect you from danger, including alerting you to a possible threat.
However, as we mentioned above, a dog is smart enough to know its owner isn’t another canine, so your dog won’t expect you to go running through the forest and hunt rabbits with them. Instead, you and your dog have your own unique pack relationship which involves playing in the backyard and snuggling on the couch.
Emotional and Cognitive Perceptions of Dogs
What do dogs think about humans from an emotional perspective? As with human bonds, the dog-human relationship is one that involves emotions and communication on both sides. The longer you and your pup get to know each other, the better you can pick up on and understand each other’s behaviors.
Your actions as a human can have a direct impact on your pet’s emotions. When you leave for work in the morning, you might notice your pup gets sad, lethargic, or even sends off dog anxiety signals like whining, chewing your shoes, or barking. On the flip side, when you praise your dog, they often go wild.
Can Dogs Recognize Human Emotions?
In many cases, yes. While dogs are not as attuned to the minute facial expressions we make, they are generally good at picking up on our emotions. For example, you might have noticed that your dog seems to know when you’re having a bad day. They might pick up on subtle hints to your emotions, noticing you’re not as energetic as normal when you walk through the door. Similarly, they might notice when you use a different tone of voice when you’re angry, sad, or confused.
What’s even more fascinating is that dogs have been shown to adopt their owners’ emotions and personalities over time. A shared lifestyle, similar environment, and a strong emotional connection can all contribute to your pet beginning to behave like you. What might this emotional mirroring look like? When you’re excited and upbeat, your dog might get just as energetic! If you’re a calmer and more reserved person, your dog will likely become the same!
How Does My Dog See Me and Does It Matter?
Knowing the lens your dog views you through has more than just mild entertainment value. The more your dog understands you and vice versa, the stronger your relationship will be. When dogs form strong bonds with their owners, they are more likely to show desired behavior (i.e., friendliness, a relaxed temperament, etc.).
A practical way to improve your dog’s perception of you is by teaching them basic dog commands. Training your dog and using rewards teaches your dog that you are the one in charge and that you can be trusted to dispense praise or treats (high motivators for most pups!).
Another perk of teaching your dog to respond to commands is that it helps build the foundation for a more positive relationship. When you’re able to communicate to your pup that it’s time to sit or lie down, they’ll feel much more relaxed when it’s time to trim their nails, get brushed, or take a bath.
Common Misconceptions About How Dogs View Humans
You’ve probably heard some myths about dogs over the years, including ones about their interactions with humans. Let’s clear up some of these misconceptions so that you and your pet can have a relationship based on facts!
A dog that is well-trained will never bite because its owner has taught them not to. Unfortunately, just as no human is 100% predictable, neither is a pet. Even dogs that have been trained professionally from a young age are still dogs that will use their instincts when necessary.
Dogs don’t have emotions, so they don’t really care about their owners. Dogs have been proven to undergo similar chemical changes as humans do when experiencing emotions. Suffice it to say, dogs love their people!
A dog that has had a bad owner isn’t worth adopting. Some dogs who have had a rough past may have certain behavioral challenges, yet there are many rescue dogs that make fantastic pets for families.
The Role of Pet Insurance in How Dogs See Humans
One of the most important ways to maintain a strong and healthy relationship with your pup is to care for their physical and emotional health. When your dog knows they can rely on you to get treatment for their upset stomach or pesky flea bites, they’ll love living in your home even more than they already do.
High veterinarian fees don’t have to keep your pet from getting the medical help they need! When you invest in pet insurance for dogs through Embrace, you are taking a step to protect your dog and your wallet. You can get a free, customized quote in just a matter of seconds!
Learn to Understand How Your Dog Sees You
The next time you’re wondering, “How does my dog see me?”, you can rest assured that your dog loves you just as much as you love them! Canines are impressively intelligent, and they’re smart enough to know you’re not a dog like them. They use cues related to your behavior and scent to determine that you’re part of a whole different species – one with opposable thumbs that are mighty convenient for opening cans of dog food!
In some ways, they consider you part of their pack and see you as a source of protection and support for getting food. At the same time, however, they will not “compete” with you in the same way they would with another dog.
Your dog is doing their best to understand you, and you should do the same. The next time they wag their tail or let out a bark, try and consider, “What is my dog saying?” They look to you for guidance and will try to communicate their needs, as long as you are willing to listen!
Recognizing that your dog sees you as a friend, resource, and parent all in one will help you foster an even deeper connection with your little furry one!