04/06/2025
Why We Anthropomorphise Our Dogs – And What They Might Really Be Thinking
It’s so easy to do. You see your dog sitting by the door, ears back, eyes soulful, maybe letting out a soft whine. And before you know it, you’re interpreting it all through a very human lens: “Oh, bless him, he’s heartbroken I’m leaving.” But hold on — is he really pining for your presence, or is he just unsure about whether breakfast is still happening?
Take this moment, for example: my partner was heading out the door, and my dog Sam started whining. It’s easy (and tempting) to say, “He’s missing me already!” But my partner hit the nail on the head when he said instead, “He’s probably just wondering what’s happening with his breakfast.” Because honestly? He probably is. (And I’m very proud of my human training as well at this point 😂)
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Why We Do It
Anthropomorphism — giving human thoughts, emotions, and intentions to animals — is something we do all the time, especially with our dogs. It’s how our brains are wired. We’re social creatures, and we use empathy to navigate the world. So when we see someone (or some-dog) react emotionally, we instinctively interpret it through our own emotional framework.
Dogs are expressive, too — they wag, they sigh, they avoid eye contact, they bounce with glee. It’s no wonder we see them as furry little people with thoughts just like ours. And to be fair, they do have emotions — just not necessarily in the same complex, story-driven way we do.
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What’s Actually Going On?
Sam’s whining when my partner leaves could mean a few different things, but chances are, it’s not a deep existential grief. He might be:
• Anticipating a change in routine – “Hang on, one human’s leaving? Who’s in charge of food now?”
• Feeling a bit insecure or unsettled – “Something’s shifting in the dynamics — what happens next?”
• Hungry and unsure – “Is anyone going to feed me now, or…?”
Dogs are brilliant at pattern recognition. They know that certain cues mean certain things — the rustle of car keys, the sound of the coffee machine, or even the way you tie your shoes. If your morning routine usually includes feeding your dog, but now there’s a disruption, their whining might be more about logistics than longing.
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The Danger of Misinterpretation
While it’s harmless — and even endearing — to describe our dogs as missing us or feeling left out, sometimes anthropomorphism can cloud our judgement. For example:
• We might think a dog is “guilty” after chewing a shoe, when in fact he’s just reacting to our tone or body language.
• We might believe a dog is “being spiteful” by toileting indoors, when he’s actually anxious, confused, or unwell.
• We might assume a dog “knows what he did wrong” when really, he’s just trying to appease us.
When we project human motives onto our dogs, we risk missing what they’re actually communicating — and we might respond in a way that adds stress rather than helping.
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A More Balanced View
Of course, dogs do form deep attachments. They do miss us, and they do show love and excitement and worry. But the way they experience these emotions is often more in-the-moment and practical than our romanticised version of it.
So next time your dog looks at you with those big eyes as you grab your coat, you might still say, “Aww, he doesn’t want me to go…” But also spare a thought for the real question on his mind:
“Yeah, yeah, you’re leaving. But who’s in charge of breakfast now?”
And honestly? That question is just as valid.
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