Every dog parent wonders: what’s really going on in my pup’s head? Thanks to advances in neuroscience and behavioural studies, we now know more about the canine mind than ever before. Here are 5 fascinating discoveries that might change how you see your dog 👇

1. Dogs Understand Fairness (and Hate Being Cheated)

A study from the University of Vienna found that dogs stopped cooperating when they saw other dogs rewarded while they got nothing — even if both had done the same task. This shows dogs recognise inequity and react emotionally when treated unfairly, much like humans do.

2. They Can Smell Time

Research by canine cognition expert Alexandra Horowitz suggests dogs use their extraordinary noses to detect how scents dissipate throughout the day. This allows them to “measure” time in a way humans can’t — explaining why they often know when their owner is due home.

3. Dogs Recognize Human Emotions

A study in Biology Letters found that dogs can combine visual and auditory cues to distinguish between human emotional states. Their brains light up differently when seeing a happy face versus an angry one, showing they truly “read” our emotions.

That’s why your pup often comes to comfort you when you’re sad — or looks guilty if you raise your voice.

4. They Dream About Their Owners

Sleep scientists at Harvard suggest that dogs, like humans, experience REM sleep — the stage where dreams occur. Behavioural observations (paw twitching, soft barks) support the idea that dogs dream about everyday activities — including their favourite humans.

5. Dogs Feel Jealousy

A 2014 study from the University of California showed dogs displayed jealous behaviours when owners gave attention to a stuffed dog — pushing between, pawing, or trying to regain attention. This suggests dogs experience a basic form of jealousy, tied to social bonding and attachment.

The Bottom Line

Science continues to confirm what dog parents always believed: dogs think, feel, and bond in remarkable ways. They recognise fairness, read our emotions, dream about us, and even feel jealousy. Their minds may work differently from ours, but the emotional depth is real — and it’s part of why they’re family.

P.S. A balanced mind starts with a healthy body — NutriPaw’s vet-approved supplements support calm behaviour, skin, digestion, and immunity, helping your dog thrive inside and out.