Unfortunately this is the sign of a highly neurotic dog. It will manifest in other ways as they age, and not good ones, either.

Anonymous wrote:Our 6 yo golden failed stainless steel, black plastic, and now clear Rubbermaid. Once she sees reflection she won't drink from that bowl. She's been skiddish since we got her at 9 wks old. Never abused or traumatized while with us. Any advice?

If you've had the dog for 6 years, clearly you've figured something out so that she can eat and drink.

Anonymous wrote:Sorry but I wouldn’t find it cute because I know what it means…the dog is mentally limited. BTDT. Can still be a great, loving partner but I doubt it is going to win any training awards.

He’s just a puppy! My first golden that was basically a genius dog and the best dog anyone has ever met (really intuitive with humans, perfectly behaved, knew all the tricks and a massive human vocab, endlessly patient with toddlers) was afraid of his reflection as a puppy. It was hilarious when we’d pass a glass door because he would start to approach, then jump back, then forward, etc. He got over it and it was so cute when he realized “oh that’s just me!”
Another funny day was when we took him to the FDR memorial. He was hiding behind us and then we realized Fala looked like a massive aggressive giant Scottie who was not reapondijg positively to any of our dog’s welcoming body language. When he got older, he understood the concept of “art” (looks like a dog but does not smell or act like a dog).

Anonymous wrote:Our 6 yo golden failed stainless steel, black plastic, and now clear Rubbermaid. Once she sees reflection she won't drink from that bowl. She's been skiddish since we got her at 9 wks old. Never abused or traumatized while with us. Any advice?

Is the bad reflection coming from the bowl, or the water?

Try a bubbler to break up the water surface reflection. Try smoother ambient light to remove reflection of light bulbs

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks to the pp with the idea to put a treat in the dish with his food, it worked! Now I just need to get him to drink from the water dish.

You are mean. Why can't you just switch bowls without a reflection?

Teaching a dog to be non-aggressive to images of other dogs is a kindness to everyone.