Who is there in the mirror? Self recognition in dogs
Have you ever wondered if dogs recognize themselves when they see reflection of them in the water or in the mirror? When Palette was puppy, probably at about 3 months old, very first time when she saw herself in the mirror, she was surprised and stepped back for a second and then, started barking at the reflection of self,jumping side to side, moved forward, stepped back etc. It was not aggressive barks because her butt was up in the air, head was low, her nub moving side to side, which means she was inviting to play. It was very entertaining to see how she reacts to herself reflection in the mirror.
If you go to youtube, you can find lots of video of dogs and mirrors. Some shows play moves, some step back from mirror and stare, some barks at the mirror, some tries to paws at mirror, some growls...
According to Science Daily site, there is a test called "mirror test" developed by Gordon Gullup Jr. It is a test to see whether animals in question can recognize themselves in the mirror. Mirror test is done by marking on animal's forehead and show themselves in the mirror. If they touched their own forehead, it means, they can recognize themselves in the mirror.
Animals that passed this Mirror test are chimpanzee, elephants, dolphin, bonobos, orangutan, and humans.
You can read full article on mirror test at Science Daily here.
You can read on Mirror test at wikipedia here.
Palette is now 4 years old. She does not react the way she used to against the reflection of self in the mirror anymore. No barking, no play invitation acts, no nothing. She passes mirror as if nothing has happened. Does she know it is her in the mirror?
How do your dogs react to self reflection in the mirror? Do you think your dogs recognize themselves in the mirror?
If you go to youtube, you can find lots of video of dogs and mirrors. Some shows play moves, some step back from mirror and stare, some barks at the mirror, some tries to paws at mirror, some growls...
According to Science Daily site, there is a test called "mirror test" developed by Gordon Gullup Jr. It is a test to see whether animals in question can recognize themselves in the mirror. Mirror test is done by marking on animal's forehead and show themselves in the mirror. If they touched their own forehead, it means, they can recognize themselves in the mirror.
Animals that passed this Mirror test are chimpanzee, elephants, dolphin, bonobos, orangutan, and humans.
You can read full article on mirror test at Science Daily here.
You can read on Mirror test at wikipedia here.
Palette is now 4 years old. She does not react the way she used to against the reflection of self in the mirror anymore. No barking, no play invitation acts, no nothing. She passes mirror as if nothing has happened. Does she know it is her in the mirror?
How do your dogs react to self reflection in the mirror? Do you think your dogs recognize themselves in the mirror?
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