Do dogs know that they're dogs?

Brains On! Science podcast for kids

Brains On Universe

Kids & Family, Education For Kids

4.4 • 13.5K Ratings

🗓️ 18 November 2025

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

We treat dogs like they're part of the family. But do they know they are a different species, or do they think they're just short, four-legged people?

In this episode, canine cognition researcher Alexandra Horowitz helps us puzzle out this question. We’ll also find out what happens (or doesn’t) when a dog looks in the mirror. Dogs are always dozing, and we’ll check in to see if they are dreaming too. And, we take a quick trip around the world in the language of barks. All that, plus a brand new Mystery Sound!

Guest: Alexandra Horowitz - Dog Cognition Lab

Guest: Vanessa Woods - Duke Puppy Kindergarten

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Have you looked at the calendar lately? The holidays are coming up fast, like a sprinting cheetah
0:06.0	hungry for merriment and joy. But don't fret, we are here to help. We've got a great
0:12.9	gift idea, the Smarty Pass Galactic Explorers Club, and it's on sale. You get ad-free versions of all of our shows, discounts on merch,
0:23.6	and I'll do a personal message for anyone on your gift list. Just join by December 15th to make
0:30.2	sure you get that message in time. Head to brainson.org and select the Galactic Explorers
0:37.0	Club.
0:43.4	Oh, and we're doing a Smarty party December 6th for all of our Smarty Pass subscribers with games, mystery sounds, and more.
0:46.6	So if you sign up now, you can be there for the fun.
0:49.9	Again, join the Smarty Pass Galactic Explorers Club today,
0:59.5	get the sale price, a message for the holidays, and cross one big thing off your list.
1:01.7	Thank you so much for your support.
1:07.5	Lemonada Brains on Universe. Lemonaura.
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	...

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