Your Female Dog Might Think You're an Idiot

A 2022 study out of Kyoto University just rocked every dog parent’s ego: apparently, female dogs can straight-up tell when a human is clueless. Like, “this person cannot open a container to save their life” levels of clueless. And yes, your dog is judging you for it.

Here’s what the researchers did: they had dogs watch two people try to open a see-through container. One person got it open. The other totally flopped. Then both people tried again—this time with a treat inside. And the female dogs? They didn’t even hesitate. They walked straight up to the person who crushed it the first time. The one who struggled? Yeah, they got ignored like a dropped kibble under the fridge 🙊 

The takeaway? Dogs, especially the ladies, evaluate human competence—and make choices based on it. So if your girl dog’s been giving you the side-eye when you drop the leash or fumble through commands, she’s not being dramatic. She just knows you don’t have it together.

This wasn’t about the food. It was about performance. The dogs weren’t just watching—they were silently reviewing your every move like talent show judges. Think: Simon Cowell in a fur coat. One botched attempt at opening something and boom—no treat, no trust, no respect.

Now before you spiral into an existential crisis, relax. Your dog isn’t mad at you. She’s paying attention. She notices if you’re flustered, inconsistent, or unsure. She sees whether you say “sit” three times or fifteen, and if you follow through or just... give up and toss a treat out of frustration. She’s collecting receipts—and yes, it impacts how much she trusts your leadership.

But here’s the good news: you can win her back. Step one? Quit flailing. Be confident. Give clear commands. Stop making your dog guess what you want. Let her watch you handle basic things like a pro—opening the treat jar, setting boundaries, sticking to routines. When she sees you take the lead, she’s way more likely to follow.

It’s not about perfection—it’s about presence. Your dog doesn’t need you to be a genius. She just needs to know you’ve got it under control. So the next time she pauses before following a cue, ask yourself: Would she trust me with this job… or would she rather go with the person who actually knew how to open the container?

Because according to science? She already made up her mind! 🐶 

That’s it for today, talk to you next time!