12 Facts You Might Not Know About Your Dog
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A dog owner has gone viral for sharing 12 surprising things they learned while raising their pup.
The owner of Cashie, who uses the social-media tag @cashsimonton, shared a slideshow of 9-month-old yellow Labrador along with what they have discovered.
The video quickly racked up over 3.2 million views and more than 700,000 likes, with dog lovers flooding the comments to share their own insights and emotional reactions.
Veterinarian Dr. Abel Gonzalez, clinical director at virtual vet service Dutch, told Newsweek that many of these facts are backed by science and rooted in dogs' emotional intelligence, memory, and bonding behavior.
Here are the 12 facts you might not know about your dog—supported by veterinary science.
A split image of Cashie the golden retriever.
A split image of Cashie the golden retriever.
@cashsimonton/@cashsimonton
1. Dogs Can Recognize Their Owner's Voice Above All Others
Gonzalez said that dogs show increased brain activity in reward centers when they hear their owner's voice. It is not just familiarity—it's emotional recognition.
2. They Bring You Toys To Share Joy—Not Just To Play
While dogs often bring toys to initiate play, Gonzalez said some also do it as a bonding gesture. These "gifts" can be signs of affection from dogs who are strongly attached to their humans.
3. They Choose Their Favorite Resting Spot Based on Your Scent
Your dog's favorite spot may not be the comfiest cushion, but wherever you usually sit. Gonzalez said this is likely due to scent association and the comfort of being near their human's smell.
4. Dogs Remember Kind People
Studies show dogs form long-term positive memories of people who treat them well. Gonzalez said that kindness and consistent positive interactions stick with them.
5. Most Dogs Have a 'Favorite Person'
Dogs often bond most closely with the person who feeds, trains, or spends the most time with them. This mirrors attachment theory seen in human relationships.
6. They Can Detect Illness and Pregnancy
Gonzalez said that dogs are highly sensitive to chemical changes in the body. Trained dogs can detect conditions like cancer, seizures, and hormonal shifts such as pregnancy.
7. A Tail Wagging to the Right Signals a Happy Dog
Research shows dogs wag their tails to the right when they are experiencing positive emotions—and to the left when they are feeling unsure or stressed.
8. Dogs Often Mimic Their Owners' Behavior
Dogs can unconsciously mirror human actions, moods, and energy levels—a phenomenon called behavioral synchrony. It is one more sign of their deep emotional connection to us.
9. They Nap Near You Not Just To Sleep, But for Comfort
Sleeping beside you is a sign of trust and belonging. Gonzalez said this behavior goes back to pack instincts—resting close reinforces social bonds.
10. They Study Your Face To Read Emotional Cues
Dogs are remarkably skilled at interpreting human expressions. They often focus on the eyes and mouth to understand how we are feeling.
11. Dogs Enjoy Music—Especially Classical
Research shows that genres like classical, reggae, and soft rock can reduce anxiety in canines. Individual preferences may vary, but many dogs seem to respond positively to soothing sounds.
12. Seeing You Triggers a Rush of 'Love Hormone' Oxytocin
Mutual gazing between dogs and their humans increases oxytocin levels in both. It is the same hormone that fosters bonding between parents and children.
TikTok Reacts
TikTok users were quick to chime in with stories and enthusiasm:
"On #8, my partner and I randomly 'scare' our dog by throwing our arms up and letting out a little scream. He LOVES it. Sometimes he comes up to us, barks as loud as he can right in our faces, and wags his tail. And I realized the other day that he's just trying to scare us back lol. He's adorable," said Vera.
"I'm the best in the household at reading my dog's body language. So when my dog is feeling sick or has pain, he comes to me because he knows I'll notice and get him help. My mom calls me the dog whisperer," another user wrote.
"My favorite fact about dogs is that they have the ability to know when you're in distress," added Ashley.
"BRB playing classical music for my dogs," posted Tracy.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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