Behav Processes October 2017 PMID 28797909

Smelling themselves: Dogs investigate their own odours longer when modified in an "olfactory mirror" test.

Alexandra Horowitz

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Mentions

105
Peak: 2 in Sep 2025
across 5 sources since Dec 2017

Extended reach

215,055
potential audience

Total likes

10,746

Video views

213,744

Mentions per month

Dec 2017 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News66 articles
  • Facebook23 posts
  • Blogs9 articles
  • X / Twitter4 posts
  • YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions highlight the study's use of scent modifications as a unique approach to understanding dog self-awareness, with phrases like 'olfactory mirror test' and statements labeling the results as evidence of canine self-recognition. The tone is generally supportive and curious, emphasizing the potential implications for animal cognition research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the idea that dogs demonstrate self-awareness through olfactory recognition, as seen in comments like 'Canines are self aware' and acknowledgment of the study's significance.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high interest with references to the novelty of using scent in self-awareness tests and noting the significance of the research.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments briefly discuss the methodology and implications, such as mentioning the 'olfactory mirror' and the use of scent modification, indicating moderate depth of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations suggest the research could influence understanding of animal cognition, although some see it as an incremental finding rather than revolutionary.

Abstract in brief

  • The study explores whether dogs can recognize their own odors by using an olfactory mirror test, where dogs investigates canisters containing their own or other dogs' scents, including modified versions of their own scent.
  • Results show that dogs spend more time investigating their own odor when it is modified with an additional scent, suggesting they may recognize it as their own, which indicates a form of self-awareness through smell.
  • The research confirms that dogs’ natural sniffing behaviors can be studied in lab settings and that they show heightened interest in their own odors when these are altered, emphasizing the importance of olfactory cues in self-recognition.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Aayushi vishnoi
@Aayushivishnoi · X

@criticalneuro https://t.co/aNk9roPeAL This is one of the studies on dogs where the author has made use of the sense of smell to do an olfactory analog of the mirror test.

Nov 15, 2020 · 1 like · 264 followers View post →
Silwer
@Silwer__ · X

@CusterKnuckle https://t.co/4jgGYAPDMz

Sep 29, 2025 · 520 followers View post →
Silwer
@Silwer__ · X

@estik___ https://t.co/4jgGYAPDMz

Sep 29, 2025 · 520 followers View post →
Lem
@Lem97907164 · X

Canines are self aware. Smelling themselves: Dogs investigate their own odours longer when modified in an "olfactory mirror" test https://t.co/J65pSHGd0r

Mar 15, 2022 · 8 followers View post →

All mentions

Silwer
@Silwer__ · X

@CusterKnuckle https://t.co/4jgGYAPDMz

Sep 29, 2025 · 520 followers View post →
Silwer
@Silwer__ · X

@estik___ https://t.co/4jgGYAPDMz

Sep 29, 2025 · 520 followers View post →
Lem
@Lem97907164 · X

Canines are self aware. Smelling themselves: Dogs investigate their own odours longer when modified in an "olfactory mirror" test https://t.co/J65pSHGd0r

Mar 15, 2022 · 8 followers View post →
Aayushi vishnoi
@Aayushivishnoi · X

@criticalneuro https://t.co/aNk9roPeAL This is one of the studies on dogs where the author has made use of the sense of smell to do an olfactory analog of the mirror test.

Nov 15, 2020 · 1 like · 264 followers View post →