Paws-itive Perspectives: Dogs don’t think like us (and that’s OK)

By Angel Dumoulin on January 16, 2026.

If you are a dog lover, you know we have a few things in common with our furry friends. Things like the love of naps, eating foods that may or may not be beneficial to our health, a snuggle on the couch on a cold January evening, are a few common interests we share. I guess because we have these essential common interests, humans believe that they also have the same basic belief system that we have. If you consider how many people we have on earth and how differently we all think, it seems a little nutty to me that we are so self-centred to think another species of animals think exactly like us. Even though they can make compatible roommates, and have some common interests, the importance we put on those interests is different.

For example, possession laws; If you leave your shoes out when you have a puppy, or playful young dog, and your dog steals a shoe, that shoe now belongs to your dog.

If you dare take the shoe back from your dog, you are now stealing his shoe.

In order to prevent trauma associated with stealing from an animal, you must now negotiate a trade of something else that is also yours to get the dog’s shoe away from him.

The negotiation process is much different between dogs and humans as well. Their value system is so different than ours that we now have to consider what to trade that is more valuable than a single shoe. For some dogs it’s food, for some it may be a special toy, but for many playful young dogs, it is the game of keep away that you are unintentionally playing with them that they value more than anything. The more you chase them, even with a raised voice, the more they enjoy the game.

Another thing we see very differently is hierarchy. So many humans still falsely believe that dogs share the same beliefs about who’s in charge. Because it is so ingrained in our society through school, careers, military, etc. we see it in every species of animal.

I can assure you of this, pet dogs know we’re in charge. We decide where they sleep, what and when they eat, when they are allowed outside, what furniture they are allowed on and even what rooms in their house they are allowed to access. If they try to run out the door in front of you, they are not trying to show you who’s boss. They’re trying to get some much-needed freedom and play outside of walls they stare at all day while you go to work. If they get in front of you on their walk, it’s because you are a slower walker than them, you haven’t been cooped up in the house, bored out of your mind all day, and quite frankly, you haven’t taught them the value of walking beside you rather than in front. Don’t get me wrong, all animals have a system of hierarchy, but it is much more subjective and nuanced than the strict dominance-based system we use.

Angel Dumoulin of Funny Farm Canine is a positive reinforcement trainer with 20+ years of experience, dedicated to humane, science-based methods that build trust, cooperation, and joy. Emphasizing compassion and respect, she fosters a partnership between dogs and owners without fear or force-only motivation, play, and clear communication. Her philosophy, “dominion over domination,” champions empathy and understanding, allowing each dog’s unique personality to shine. Play. Learn. Wag!

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