My dog is becoming self aware

[Manjushri]

That's so interesting! What do you think he's pondering, Manjushri?

I was a young child when my Mom held our cat up to the mirror and pointed out to me that he would avert his eyes away, not wanting to look at himself. Her theory was that the cat didn't appreciate the reminder that he was 'different' from humans. Sad theory

Another sad theory - the cat thought of himself as ugly? Lol

This dog is the most unusual I have ever lived with. Another behavior of his I am reminded of is that he will sit on the couch and bite his nails and chew and eat them. He has the same shameful reaction if I call him out on it - even in a happy and encouraging way. Like a child caught picking his nose. So I don't call him out on it anymore.

I wonder myself what he is pondering. But the mirror and bean bag chair have only been within this reach and in this configuration for a few months. So I suspect he is pondering the new discovery that he is the dog in the mirror.

My other dog has no interest in the mirror. Just now, they were playing together in front of it and the big boy would stop and stare and then continue to stare at himself while continuing to play with his brother.