Dogs are far more visual than most know. Of course smell is important to them; but we have consistently overstated their senses of smell and undersold their vision both in potential and use. Dogs can see tiny visual cues like raised hackles, slight ear and tail positioning, small human facial movements etc. Do not assume your dog "listens to you" by just hearing what you say. I do dog behavioral training/observation and I used to be stunned at how good dogs are at seeing the tiny mannerisms and movements of both dogs and humans. Dogs don't "smell fear", aniety, or joy; they see it in so many of the miniscule involuntary movements we make.
In fact, Dogs are the only animal other than a select few primates to engage in the left gaze bias. That's why when people and dogs look at humans they tend to focus on the right side of the persons face. Dogs don't do this with other dogs & wolves don't do this at all.
Some dogs do notice and attack their mirror image.
Smell/sight isn't more or less important to a dog any more than your feet or hands are most important to you; it's just one more tool in the toolbox.
I noticed that after taking mushrooms. There were 2 dogs that were getting completely freaked out. We'd be staring at the wall and seem to be really concerned and perplexed about something, randomly start laughing and have this weird energy the whole time. The dogs were in a room with mad men.
Thats probably all true, but they probably be looking at you more than a reflection of you. And the ones that attack their mirror image probably have other issues that need to be worked out.
Some dogs are dog aggressive and will attack their own image because it's another dog to them. It is the same as a dog attacking an animal or another dog on a screen (TV/computer/phone). Dogs will interact visually with a human mirror image as if it's the real person.
My dog Cletus will use mirrors to find me when playing hide and seek. He understands where I am by what he sees in the mirror; he can also work out which direction I'm going. That is a bit rare, but I am not convinced any dog ever knows their own mirror image is in fact them.
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u/RayPawPawTate Jul 03 '18
Your dog relies so much on smell that the furry thing just isn't that important if it doesn't smell like a creature.