About Talking Pets

Recently I had a meeting with a woman who wanted to cooperate with me on a research project, but the meeting left me puzzled. We were talking about dog research, and I explained some of our latest findings, and then she said, “Well, but I do not believe that.” What? She did not criticize our methods; she simply did not trust the results.

Later, she presented anecdotes of her dogs. She told me, for example, that her older dog sends her younger dog to perform certain tasks. This time I was the one who thought, “I do not believe that.” She presented an interpretation that, as far as I know as a dog researcher, we have no evidence for.

Overestimated pets

Well, I know this situation. From time to time, I receive emails or video clips from owners overestimating the skills of their beloved animals. These owners seriously claim that their pets talk, that they have a sense of morality and humor—or that they are, in a way, better than humans.

There is research from which this over-interpretation derives: In the Western world, we see dogs, for example, virtually everywhere, from children’s books to blockbusters, commercials, and TV shows. Most of the time, these dogs are presented as beloved family members, and their stories offer a romanticized portrayal of dog ownership. Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Marley, Balto, and others embody not only the ideal dog, but also the ideal member of Western society (Weir & Kessler, 2022).

Unfortunately, dogs are primarily used as symbols or props, while they are rarely shown as individuals with their own agency and inner lives (Duranton & Perrin, 2023; Pallotta, 2024; Rebout et al., 2026). These dog heroes are loyal, obedient, brave, honorable, and devoted to their human family, and they are even willing to sacrifice their own lives to save those of humans. I am afraid my dog would not do that.

Such representations can spread misconceptions about canine behavior and can lead to unrealistic expectations of dogs. For example, people see smart dogs in movies, and when they get a real dog, they might be disappointed that she does not behave like Lassie, that she is aggressive or disobedient or chews up shoes. One way to deal with these expectations is obviously not to overinterpret the behavior of pets.

Who they really are

When I receive these emails and video clips, I am polite. I know the senders love their pets. So usually, I just try to explain carefully that—according to our present scientific knowledge—dogs do not talk.

But the above-mentioned lady who did not believe my study results came from a scientific background, and her intention was to do a study with dogs. That left me even more puzzled, and when I further thought about it, it actually made me a little angry. My job as a scientist is to find out what animal behavior really means. In order to understand animals, we formulate hypotheses and test them in controlled experiments.

Our hypotheses are sometimes wrong, and the methods might sometimes not be appropriate, but we keep on trying. In order to understand certain behavior of animals, we need many studies from many different angles.

I do understand that doing science is my task, and a “normal” dog owner does not have to be overly critical. What still annoys me, however, is that some pet owners do not seem to want to see their individual dog. They seem to want to see Lassie or Marley in their dog. They are projecting their wishes of how their dog should be a better human. And this kind of thinking does not do any dog any justice.

I admit I love my dog, although she does not talk and would probably not save my life. But I try to love her as what she is—an individual dog.

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