Late one night my dog suddenly let out a strange whine, followed by a timid bark at the window. I glanced outside—nothing. No movement, no shadows, nothing out of the ordinary. But he wasn’t convinced and grumbled to himself, fixated on the wall, and refused to settle down for nearly 20 minutes. No amount of reassurance or distraction could snap him out of it.
Was he seeing a ghostly presence lurking just beyond my sight? Probably not.
The more likely explanation? He heard or smelled something beyond my human limits—perhaps the rustling of leaves, the faint footsteps of a passerby, or even a skunk creeping through the yard. If a dog is barking at something invisible, perhaps it is responding to something in sound, smell, and even pressure shifts in the air beyond what humans are capable of sensing.
Whatever it was, it was real to him. And as eerie as it seemed, there was almost certainly a logical reason behind his behavior.
Dogs in religion
Throughout history, dogs have been valued not only for their keen senses but also for their deep connection to the unknown. Ancient civilizations, such as the Aztecs, believed that dogs could guide souls to the afterlife. In Aztec mythology, Xolotl, a monstrous dog-like deity, was said to lead the spirits of the deceased through the underworld.
In Hindu tradition, dogs have long been associated with death and the afterlife. Bhairava, a fierce manifestation of Shiva, is often depicted with a loyal canine companion, reinforcing his connection to the graveyard and the chthonic realm.
But the symbolism of dogs in Hinduism runs even deeper. The epic Mahabharata began with a dog’s insult and ended with bestowing utmost respect to a dog.
In the Vedas, Yama is the god of death and is said to have two four-eyed dogs named Shyama and Karvara (or Sarvara). These divine hounds guard the Aryaman Panthah, the celestial pathway that leads the souls of the departed to Pitrloka or Vaivasvataloka, the heavenly realm where Yama resides. Interestingly, etymologists link Karvara’s name to Cerberus, the multi-headed guardian of the underworld in Greek mythology.
See also: Do dogs have a religion?
These mythic dogs are also identified with the constellations Canis Major and Canis Minor, watching over the night sky just as they watch over the dead. Pitrloka is often seen as the best afterlife in Vedic tradition.
Many temples in India are dedicated to dogs: The Dog Temple in Rajasthan, Kukur Tirtha Temple in West Bengal or the Parassini kadavu muthappan temple in Kerala which according to legend, is closely linked to the folk deity Shree Muthappan, and his love for dogs. As a tribute to this connection, two dog statues stand at the temple entrance, symbolizing devotion and guardianship. Dogs freely roam the temple grounds, including the main sanctum, reflecting their sacred status in the temple’s traditions.
Some people often think that dogs are more in tune with spirits and the afterlife. Other legends depict them as guides for the newly departed, helping souls find their final resting place. This belief may stem from dogs’ unwavering loyalty—even beyond death.
Stories tell of dogs staying by their owner’s graves. In some cases, they even die from heartbreak. This shows their strong bond with the afterlife.
Can dogs see ghosts?
Despite these rich cultural beliefs, modern science remains skeptical about the idea that dogs can detect ghosts. Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, a renowned canine cognition expert, suggests that dogs can sense things that humans cannot. As a result, owners might believe that dogs have a sixth sense or something strange is happening. The existence of apparitions or ghosts itself is not proven with scientific methods.
Dogs can pick on things that escape human notice. Their hearing and sense of smell are as precise to them as vision is to us. They can hear high-frequency sounds and smell faint scents. This helps them notice small changes in the environment that pet parents might miss.
If you were to place a high-frequency microphone in the area where your dog was reacting, you might uncover the real source of their concern—perhaps a distant sound or an animal rustling nearby. More often than not, what appears to be a ghostly reaction is simply a response to real-world stimuli. Dogs can see and detect things we can’t. Dogs can detect an entire universe of scents we won’t ever notice, see in the dark, and detect movements we won’t notice. Some can detect a change in Earth’s magnetism, and some dogs can detect when a human is on the verge of a seizure.
Dr. Stanley Coren, a professor emeritus in psychology, emphasizes that while dogs possess exceptional sensory skills, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that they have a “sixth sense” or supernatural perception. He notes that their reactions are usually responses to environmental cues rather than proof of ghostly encounters.
While myths paint dogs as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realms, science has yet to confirm their ability to sense ghosts. Their amazing senses let them experience the world in ways we cannot. However, their abilities come from nature, not the supernatural. Canines are really good at picking up on human emotions. If your human is stressed out and scared because they think they are witnessing a ghost, your dog is reacting with concern and barking.
Sometimes a dog’s change in behavior is a reflection on health. If in doubt about a dog’s behavior, a vet is always the better person with whom to discuss.
That said, many pet owners have their own eerie stories—like a dog barking at an empty hallway or refusing to enter certain rooms. Have you ever experienced a moment when your dog seemed to sense something unseen? Do you believe dogs can see ghosts, or is it simply their heightened senses picking up things we miss?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Whether it’s spooky or scientific, we’d love to hear your story. 👻🐶