If a dog barks at the mirror and looks back, it does not mean that it recognizes itself. Dog trainer V. Golubev stated in an interview that dogs recognize themselves and their peers through smell, not sight.
As the specialist noted, the behavior of four-legged animals in front of a mirror can vary, but generally, after sniffing, the animals lose interest in their reflection, not having detected a scent.
However, Golubev does not rule out that the mirror can capture the pet's interest. For those whose dog constantly barks at its own reflection, he recommended distracting it with treats or play, and calming it down.
It is necessary to understand whether the pet has enough physical and mental stimulation and to observe its behavior with other animals, as barking at the mirror may be due to aggression towards its peers. In this case, the dog trainer urged to train and socialize the dog. The owner should find out why other animals cause irritation and fear in the pet and address this issue.
