Cross Breeds

Why do dogs not see objects in pictures or in the mirror? Is it because they only see what they can smell?

Or is it just my dog? I've always wondered.

Public Comments

1. my dog is the same, he will look away if i point at him in the mirror, however he watches and reacts to the tv, go figure!
2. They can , Just some dont care at all really. Some just more curious than others
3. both my dogs see their reflexions in the mirror...one even goes beside the mirror and looks behind...then comes back and barks...charges the mirror but never wags....the other wags and gets droolie...when their together and mirroring the seem to discuss it...then back away and come for another look.....now they both wag once they see one of their reflections doin it
4. just your dog.
5. Yes, dogs do see reflections in the mirror. However since dogs are unable to have complex thought, they don't know it's only a reflection. When a dog sees himself in the mirror, he only sees another dog. If he is dog aggressive, he may bark or try to fight with the dog in the mirror. If there is no stimulus to the dog in the reflection, the dog won't show any type of reaction.
6. My little Yorkie tries to play with her reflection in the mirror. It is so cute to watch her!
7. My dog that i allow in the house has a game she plays with herself and the mirror, she pounces, yips, and generally carries on like an idiot, then she tries to check behind the mirror. My 2 kids also like to get in on the act with her too, so i end up with all 3 sitting in front of my free standing, full length mirror playing at idiots. Mind you this is the same dog that if she hears an animal sound on TV that isnt familiar to her, she will patrol the entire house to try to find it, then she will come and sit back down on the lounge beside me, looking very puzzled, then if she hears it again, she will inspect the TV. My other 4 dogs dont seem to be worried by the mirrors?
8. Most dogs can see it some just don't care My dog knows theres a clone of him in themirror as a puppy he would have woofing matches & stand up against the miror & play games now he just occasionally sniffs his alter ego refelction & wags his tail. Occasionaly he frogets & scares himself whilewalking by & sees himself - quite funny to watch
9. I'm quite sure all dogs can see them. How they react to them, however, varies enormously. I think it may depend a lot on whether your dog is signt- or smell-oriented. A dog that is sight-oriented is more likely to care about what it sees in the mirror. A scent hound, like a beagle or a bloodhound, will have zero interest in things that don't "speak" to its nose.