Perovskites LaNiO₃, LaNi_1−xMg_xO_3−δ and LaNi_1−xCo_xO_3−δ were synthesized by auto combustion method. TPR analysis reveled that Mg or Co substituted perovskites were more difficult to reduce. The perovskites were evaluated as catalyst precursors in the dry reforming of methane. Catalysts obtained by reduction of LaNiO₃ and LaNi_1−xMg_xO_3−δ perovskite had the highest catalytic activity for CO₂ reforming of CH₄ at 700°C using drastic reaction conditions (10mg of catalyst, a mixture of CH₄/CO₂ without dilution gas). Methane and carbon dioxide conversions were 57% and 67%, respectively, with a H₂/CO ratio equal to 0.47. The presence of cobalt leads to a decrease of the catalytic activity. This decreasing of activity may be attributed to the Co–Ni alloy formation. Computational calculations revealed that Ni atom cleaves the C–H atom while Co is not able to activate the CH₄ molecule. The interaction energy of CH₄ with the Ni and CO atom was 18kcal/mol and 0.7kcal/mol, respectively.The catalysts were characterized by TPR, TEM and in situ XRD.