Dogs do not have a human-like understanding of their identity as "dogs" or "humans." They lack the self-awareness and cognitive capacity to recognize themselves as a distinct species with a separate identity. Dogs primarily perceive the world through their senses and respond to stimuli based on their instincts, training, and learned behaviors.
However, dogs are highly social animals and form strong bonds with their human families. They can recognize and differentiate individual humans based on various cues, such as scent, voice, and appearance. Dogs are adept at reading human emotions and body language, which contributes to their ability to form close connections with their human caregivers.
When dogs are treated as part of the family, they learn to adapt to their human environment and may display behaviors that indicate a sense of belonging or attachment. This can lead to the perception that dogs think of themselves as members of the family, even though they do not have a concept of "family" in the same way humans do.
The bond between dogs and humans is built on mutual companionship, trust, and positive reinforcement. Dogs may demonstrate loyalty, affection, and protective behaviors towards their human caregivers, which further strengthens the familial-like relationship.
It's essential to recognize that dogs' behavior is shaped by their evolutionary and domestication history, and they have evolved to live in close association with humans. While they may not understand themselves as dogs or humans conceptually, they form strong emotional connections with their human families, which often leads to them being considered cherished members of the household.