Dogs spend much of their day snoozing, but in the hours they’re awake, they probably spend time thinking about some of the same things that a 2- or 3-year-old child would: Solving problems, "what’s for dinner", "what’s that over there?"
But as to what proportion of time dogs spend thinking about which subjects, no one knows. It’s probably safe to assume both dogs and small children are more mindful than adults—focused on the present, rather than what happened or what might happen.
In general, dogs probably think about all the staples in their lives, from food and play to other dogs and their pet parents. Like humans, how much time they spend pondering a specific focus depends on the dog and their individual preferences and experiences.
What Do Dogs Think About When They Are Alone?
Some dogs simply curl up and go to sleep when their owners are away. Others may get stressed or even turn destructive—sometimes due to separation anxiety, other times just boredom.
As for what’s on their minds, it’s hard to pinpoint. Some dogs experience distress when they are left alone, but it is hard to know if they are actually thinking about the person they wish they were with or just experiencing their own loneliness. More research would be needed to tell what the focus of these behaviors is.
How to Tell What Your Dog is Thinking
You’ll never know exactly what’s happening inside that furry head, but you may be able to get pretty close. It’s as simple as careful observation mixed with context clues and some thinking of your own.
To start, we suggest learning about dogs’ body language. Master those visual clues, and you’ll have a clearer idea of what your dog is thinking and feeling when he’s yawning without being tired (often a sign of fear or anxiety) or baring his teeth (usually a sign of aggression), among other behaviors.
Beyond body language, if you want to know what your dog is thinking about, pay close attention to what your dog pays attention to. If your pup takes a long sniff around a telephone pole and then pees on it, he is probably taking in the scents of other dogs before leaving his own mark—and he may be thinking about those other dogs he can smell.
Quietly observing your dog’s movements and actions can often reveal what’s on his mind. If you go into the kitchen and open the fridge, you’re probably thinking about food or feeling hungry. Now apply that to your dog and his dish or the cabinet where you store his food.
But it’s not only about these obvious connections. Dogs may also think about things they can’t see or aren’t doing themselves—like when he sniffs you after you come home and, most likely, is trying to figure out as much about your day as he can.
If your dog comes up and nudges your hand to be pet, it is reasonable that they are thinking about you and their relationship with you. Or maybe they have an itch behind the ear they are trying to scratch.
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