Too true jay, dogs are so tuned in to everything about us, cos when you think, they have a very limited life, it revolves round us entirely and their very existance depends on us.
I watched a programme about the dogs that assist epileptics and how they train them. It was amazing. Apparently, when they are about to go into a fit, their actions become slower and they start to blink lazily, the dog picks up on this and responds by barking and scratching, giving them about 30 minutes to get to a safe place.
The training begins by the epileptic sufferer having an escort who praises the dog loads when a fit has occurred, so that the dog begins to look for clues that this is going to happen, excited in the prospect of a treat.
My 2 dogs read my every move and mood. One in particular gets so distressed when I am even remotely upset that I have to lighten my tone of voice and feign playfullness to appease her.
Even then, she knows and will come to me, licking my mouth (the classic, looking-for-comfort-from-my-mum, action )
I know it's nice to think they can read your mind, but in reality, they are scrutinising your every move. As humans we are, after all ,creatures of habit. They learn what's coming next, good or bad. xx