Glossary
Theory of mind
The ability to understand that others have their own knowledge, wishes and beliefs, which research suggests dogs may show only in limited ways.
Also called: dog theory of mind, perspective taking, mental state attribution, what dogs know about us
Theory of mind is the capacity to recognize that another individual sees, knows or wants something different from you. Scientists test it in dogs with experiments, such as asking whether a dog behaves differently when a person can or cannot see it.
Findings are mixed. Dogs are sensitive to human attention: in several studies they are more likely to take forbidden food when a person's eyes are covered or the room is dark. This could mean the dog understands what the person can see, or that it reads simpler cues such as head and body position.
Researchers have not settled the question, so claims that dogs read minds go beyond the evidence. What is clear is that dogs are very skilled at reading human faces, gestures and voices, and that this ability seems to be unusually developed in them.
Last reviewed November 8, 2026