Do dogs think about things, like we do?

Question

i know people say they have a 6th sense, but do they actually think,
say your walking down the street and a person who you think is a pain in the backside stops you to chat about nothing, you dont want to be rude so while they go on & on & on, your thinking about shopping work kids etc etc (not that dogs will be thinking about work)
or
when you know that doing something will pee a person off big time, so you think about it for a while before you do it!
or
wonder whats for dinner later!!
you know them kind of thoughts, because i'm certain they do!

i know their thoughts wont be as deep as ours, but i was outside a shop the other day with my pup, a dog went passed that had half of its fur missing,the same way a poodle does when its been groomed (i'm sure you all know style i mean looks like it wearing a jumper but no trousers!!) well this wasn't a poodle, it was a stranger messed up looking dog (bless it)anyway my pup watched it go by then just looked at me, i swear if he could talk he'd of said "did you see the state of that!!!!!!!!!!!!"

if a dog cant see its future needs just lives for here and now!, then why will my dog bring his lead to me when he wants to go out? my friends rotti well go and sniff her lead then go & look at owners feet, if she's wearing slippers her rotti jumps on her licking and all sorts, its like they suddenly think,
cor i fancy getting out of here for a while!
i have so many examples like that,
thanks for all the answer's you can tell who the true dog lovers are!! keep them coming please,
i'm thinking about doing a comic strip about, wot dogs think!

Answer 1

Dog's obviously 'think' and as much as some people may hate to admit it, they often think in ONE way we do! 'What's in it for me' A dog isn't acting on instinct alone when he does something for a reward is he? He's thinking 'if I do this then I'll get a biscuit'.
Dog's however probably don't spend time thinking or rather worrying about who is going to pay for dinner, or why does that thing in the ceiling only give light when Master is here?
Anyone who has had a rescue dog will know that dog's have far better memories than most people think. Especially 'abused' dogs. I could pick up a yard-brush and my dog would run and hide but a mop with the same handle was something to be investigated. Guess what? Her first owner (she had 2 others before me) had kept her outside with a pack of others and often hit the dogs or pushed them around with a brush!
Why would dog's dream if they can't think at all? They may not be able to talk and their thoughts may be akin to that of a child but THEY THINK!

Answer 2

Dogs are not sentient creatures like humans are and are therefore not capable of far future thoughts nor thoughts about the past. Also, as you might expect, they do not think in languages like humans do and because their brains are not so well developed, they can only think in impulses.

A dog knows when its master is busy, or angry, or happy, or lonely through a sense rather than thought. But the dog will act on these senses with simple thoughts such as, "My master will flog me if I come too near when angry," or "My master will love me if I come too near when happy." They cannot think like, "Oh, my master is going to be angry if his report is not done," but they can think like, "If I sleep on his bed Master will be very displeased."

Of course, this is retarded in a way, as I mentioned before that dogs don't think in languages. But they certainly do think like that, somehow.

A dog would never wonder what dinner is, but rather how to get dinner when he needs it. In other words, a dog cannot see his future needs - only his current and present needs.

Hope I was helpful...

Answer 3

No, dogs live by instinct alone. They will study something and figure it out but, they don't worry about the electric, phone or feed bills. Dogs only concern themselves with their own comfort and training. If dogs where able to think they wouldn't have unconditional love for even those that mistreat them.

Answer 4

I think dogs live in the moment & do not think about anything more than what is in front of them right then. I sure wish I could live like that. No worries, no regrets, no stress.

Answer 5

We have four dogs and, yes, they definately do think - but not like we do. If they thought like we do, they'd be wearing clothes and being nasty to others and starting wars. Thank god they don't!
I love to see my dogs dreaming happy dreams, and it's obvious they're thinking when you see them cocking their head to one side, or frowning.
Dogs are intelligent in different ways. For instance, one of our dogs loves to please us and tries to do everything she can to be good. Another one gobbles her food quickly then starts off a commotion outside while the others are still eating so that she can get to their food as they run off to see what's going on!
They are perfect the way they are, I would hate for them to start thinking like us.

Answer 6

My dog has had some vivid and I can only imagine awesome dreams. She moans (in a good way), twitches, ruffs and moves her paws. I wish I could see inside her brain. That male dog must be rather sexy!!

Answer 7

I sure think they do, i image they think of what time is my owner coming home, or who am I gonna see tonight if we go out for a walk, I do wish its that sexy German Sheppard from yesterday, or maybe they just think about food and keeping us safe and loving their owners.

Sorry I am an extreme animal lover

Answer 8

There is no doubt in my mind they do think like people

They probably don't think as deeply into it as some might.

I imagine its somewhat like having ADD. Thinking about it, just being easily distracted towards something else before they think about it too much.

At least thats what I imagine ADD is like xD

Answer 9

I don't know, but I know they do think. You can see them doing it if you watch them. My little girl pounces on my boy, and she watches things he does and learns from him. They are two smart little dogs. And they know when they are doing something that upsets me, because they will go and hide from me behind the couch.

Answer 10

I know they dream so there has to be thinking in that. My dogs will twitch, bark and move their paws as if they are running.