one of my dogs Maxie is acting like a littlre old lady and for a while we assumed she is deaf because she wouldnt answer for dinner or take credit for pooping on the floor. But then we caught her hearing when it was something she wanted to hear- she only comes if she hears the OTHER dogs leash being snapped on the collar- then she comes running all pushy because she is not getting her turn first. They do act like people and I read how we have the communion with dogs because we have a similar limbic system so the brains are talking to each other on a non verbal plane or something.