How Long is a Dog’s Memory? What Your Pet Really Remembers
We’ve all heard touching stories of dogs reuniting with their owners after years apart. And even when your pooch buries a bone in the backyard and digs it up weeks later, it seems to prove that dogs have good memories.
There are various types of memory that dogs use at different times, and some memory types are stronger than others.
Short-term Memory
Refers to what we are thinking about at the moment. This type of memory is transient—it lasts for a little while and then disappears, except if we commit the information to long-term memory.
Long-term Memory
Long-term memories are stored differently in the brain and can last for years. It is generally believed that animals’ and humans’ long-term memories don’t work the same way.
Associative Memory
This type of memory is when the brain creates an association or relationship between two things. Dogs have very strong associative memories.
The Role of Your Dog’s Memory in Training
Strong emotions create better memories, so try to make training exciting for your dog. This will help your pet to learn commands faster and remember them for longer.
Do Dogs Remember Their Owners?
While it hasn’t been completely scientifically proven, the evidence does seem to suggest that our pets can recognize and remember us.
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