Talking to your dog = high EQ – What Every Dog Parent Should Know

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’ll be right back, don’t worry,” or “You’re being dramatic,” to your dog? Maybe you narrate your morning routine to them like they're your fluffy little roommate. If that’s you, we have good news:

You're not crazy. You’re emotionally intelligent.
And there’s science to prove it.

💬 What is anthropomorphism?

Anthropomorphism is the tendency to attribute human traits—like thoughts, emotions, or intentions—to non-human beings.

It’s why we believe our dog is guilty after chewing a shoe, or why we say “she’s mad at me” when our pup ignores us after a bath.

For decades, anthropomorphism was considered a naive or childish behavior—an emotional projection with no scientific basis. But research over the past 20 years has flipped that narrative.

🧠 The science behind why we do it (and why it matters)

Harvard psychologist Dr. Nicholas Epley argues that anthropomorphism isn’t a flaw—it’s a feature. In his book “Mindwise”, Epley calls it a reflection of our brain’s greatest strength: the ability to detect and respond to other minds.

“Recognizing minds in other things is a reflection of the brain’s greatest ability rather than a sign of our stupidity.” – Nicholas Epley, Harvard

This mental flexibility helps us connect more deeply with others, predict behavior, and form relationships—even across species.

In fact, the same areas of the brain that light up when we empathize with other people also activate when we connect with animals. Especially pets.

🐶 So why does talking to your dog feel so natural?

Dogs evolved alongside humans for tens of thousands of years. Through domestication, they’ve become finely attuned to our voices, body language, and emotional states.

Recent studies using fMRI scans show that dogs process both the tone and content of human speech—engaging the left and right hemispheres of their brains just like we do.

They may not understand every word, but they recognize:

• Emotional cues

• Intention behind voice

• Routine patterns

• Contextual clues like time of day, body movement, and objects

When you say, “It’s walk time!” they don’t just hear a phrase—they interpret your energy, the jingle of the leash, and the shift in your behavior.

So talking to them? It’s not just fun. It’s reinforcing trust, strengthening neural pathways, and offering comfort.

🌸 Why this matters for wellness

Talking to your dog isn’t just emotional fluff—it has real-world benefits:

✅ Reduces separation anxiety – When your dog hears your voice throughout the day, even casually, it provides emotional grounding.
✅ Strengthens your bond – Like baby talk, “dog talk” increases oxytocin (the love hormone) in both of you.
✅ Improves behavior – Dogs who are spoken to regularly respond better to training, tone variation, and positive reinforcement.

🧠 Final takeaway

Next time someone tells you it’s weird to talk to your dog, tell them it’s neuroscience.

By treating your dog like a tiny, furry roommate with feelings and thoughts of their own, you’re not just being sweet—you’re showing a high degree of emotional intelligence.

In the FurePET world, we believe that kind of connection is the foundation of wellness.

So narrate your breakfast. Talk through your day.
Your dog’s not judging. They’re listening—and loving it.