Night falls and your dog stares at an empty corner, barks at a closet or growls in that one mysterious room. Can dogs see ghosts? Scientific evidence is lacking, but their keen senses and sensitivity to stimuli often explain much of this "spooky" behavior.
The super senses of our four-legged friends
Dogs hear high-frequency sounds, see better at dusk and smell thousands of times stronger than we do. So that inexplicable stare could very well be due to a beeping device, a mouse in the wall or the neighborhood cat in the yard - stimuli we simply miss.
The 'mind detectives' of the house
Dogs sense our moods intimately. Grief, stress or tension in the home can change their behavior: howling, becoming vigilant or just comforting. To some, this may seem "paranormal," but often your dog responds to subtle signals in body language, scent and routines.
The fragrant mystery of death, pregnancy and disease
Dogs detect hormonal and chemical changes. They can recognize disease odors or react differently to pregnant people. That explains why sometimes your dog is suddenly protective or curious - not necessarily because something supernatural is happening.
Does that leave nothing mysterious?
There is no hard evidence that dogs see spirits - but their world is full of scents, sounds and micro-signals that are invisible to us. That sometimes makes their behavior puzzling. Stay calm, observe the context and offer handholds with a predictable routine.
Does your dog need company when you're away? Book a dog sitter in your area and give your four-legged friend extra attention and rest.
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