For the past thousands of years dogs could be seen side by side with humans.  They served as hunting companions, transportation, war heroes, and even sometimes food.  They have been thought of as loyal, valuable, and in some cultures evil.  But the question still lingers, what do they think of us? Or can they think of us?  Over 36 percent of people share their lives with canines, so the question is one that affects millions of people.  Do dogs have thoughts?

In older times, say the 1500/1600s it was thought that since animals had the tools needed for speech, such as organs, and didn’t use them then it was concluded that they did not have an internal monologue.  It was also thought that since dogs could not premeditate actions, then they did not have a soul. And if they had no soul, thoughts were impossible to have. In the 1700s, a French philosopher Rene Descartes believed that the impulses that dogs had were the result of biomechanics, and that their muscles would just move like a machine.

Rene Descartes

However, when Charles Darwin came around a different perception of thought was discovered.  His studies on evolution led him to believe that the only difference from animals and humans is what the level of intelligence is for the species. That made him conclude that dogs may be self aware, but not as much as a human would be.  More recently research has shown that nerve cells in dogs brains work very similarly to human brains, supporting Darwin’s theory.

Personally, my experience with dogs leads me to believe that they are conscience beings.  I have had a dog since I have been four, and honestly I would have a hard time believing that they are impulsive biological machines.  My dog is one smart dog, and not only is he smart; he is manipulative.  We keep our dog treats in the laundry room, and after a while my dog learned that if he took a sock from the room and dropped it in front of one of us, we would have to go back to the room and return it, giving him the opportunity to beg for a treat.

Me and my dog, Teddy, before my senior ball

We may never know what is really going through a dogs head, but we can get an understanding that something definitely does.  Evidence points to dogs simply not having as well developed brains as we do, thus not being able to communicate as well.  However, there is countless evidence that points to a dogs ability to premeditate.  Look at all of those stories of dogs going and getting help, or even my own personal story of my dogs endless efforts to get feed.  A canine’s brain is one of mystery, but maybe someday man’s best friend will evolve enough to communicate effectively with man.