How does a dog's memory work? What do our furry friends remember? And why does their memory sometimes seem so incredible?
Let’s start by telling a story.
Luca is twenty-five years old and recently moved abroad for work, leaving behind his parents’ house where his sweet little dog, Nuvola, lives.
Life in the new city is hectic, and Luca misses his furry friend terribly. When he finally returns home after six months, he wonders if she will still remember him…
It’s a Saturday morning. He arrives at the station, rents a car, and drives to his parents' house. Just a few meters from the gate, he hears Nuvola's familiar barking: she’s running toward him, extremely excited, and even trembling a bit!
Her tail is wagging wildly, and as soon as Luca opens the gate, she jumps on him, licking his face, arms, hands... she's a whirlwind of affection!
Luca crouches down and hugs her. Nuvola's love melts his heart.
Even though six months have passed, she welcomes him with the same enthusiasm as when they lived together.
After this emotional moment, Luca sits on the ground and wonders, "Is a dog's memory really that strong?" The answer is yes—Nuvola proved she remembered him and sensed his arrival even before seeing him.
As soon as Luca manages to stand up from this whirlwind of emotions, he takes Nuvola to the park, returns home, and they play for hours. Later, they enjoy a quiet evening in front of the TV. After a few days, when it’s time to leave and return to his work routine in the city, Luca promises his little friend that he will come back as soon as he can.
And so, every time Luca returns home, Nuvola shows him that no matter what, no barrier of time or distance can break their bond, which will always remain strong.
Luca and Nuvola are filled with cuddles and kisses.
What do we know about a dog’s memory?
Luca and Nuvola's story intertwines the realms of memory and time—two dimensions closely connected, as we saw in the article dedicated to how dogs perceive time.
Today, we’ll try to understand what we know about a dog’s memory, referencing some studies on the subject and attempting to answer the most common questions about what our furry friends are able to remember.
A story like Luca's may have happened to many of us, maybe with some variations. But how many times have we been amazed to discover that our dog remembers the exact location of an object, for example?
Or how do they recognize certain people, even if it’s been ages since they last saw them?
And furthermore, is a dog’s memory tied to their past? If they’ve suffered—perhaps from being abandoned or having lived in a shelter under terrible conditions—has this left a mark on their memory? Could their particular behaviors in certain situations stem from a memory?
And what if dogs' memory and humans' memory had some things in common?
What’s the difference between a dog’s memory and a human’s memory?
We know that dogs have memory, and this is an important starting point that helps us understand their emotions and behavior.
In fact, according to Darwin, “The senses and intuitions, the various emotions and faculties of which man is proud, such as love, memory, attention, curiosity, imitation, reason, etc., can be found in an incipient stage, and sometimes even developed, in animals.”
In general terms, dogs' memory and humans' memory are naturally different from one another.
However, there are some similarities. To understand them, we can imagine a dog's memory as if it were made up of many small drawers, with each one containing a different mnemonic ability.
What confusion! Better to run away immediately…
Associative memory in dogs
Also called declarative and relational memory, it’s the ability to relate elements to events, people, or places that belong to a past temporal dimension.
For example, when we pick up the leash, our four-legged sweetheart has already associated that object with an imminent walk.
But let’s also think about the vacuum cleaner… it’s usually a pet’s nightmare, and as soon as they see us grab it, they run away at full speed.
For humans, associative memory is incredibly significant because the brain continuously makes associations based on the objects seen; when the mind recalls information, one thing reminds us of another, then another, and so on.
Species Memory
Also called ancestral memory, it dates back to when dogs were wild animals and, even earlier, wolves. It is closely related to survival but can be awakened if conditions arise that require it, such as finding the way home if the dog gets lost.
In humans, we talk about the reptilian brain, the most primitive part that regulates the instinct for survival and primary needs. Several researchers trace back to this brain's action the mechanisms designed to safeguard survival, such as the fight-or-flight response. If, for example, something potentially dangerous happens, humans choose to flee or attack.
It is interesting to note that this mechanism is still so ingrained in the human brain that it perceives even events and situations that are not at all dangerous as potentially threatening, and this seems to be the cause of anxiety and stress that humanity suffers from.
Fortunately, our pets know how to alleviate it with their presence and their endless affection.
Why do certain puppies already know how to behave?
The memory of breed
The memory of dogs related to breed is what determines their nature and character tendencies. It is separate from any education received and is what distinguishes, for example, the memory of herding dogs from those that are burrowing or pack animals.
This memory in dogs is quite mysterious because it would explain how, for instance, an Australian Shepherd that has never seen a flock of sheep is drawn to them and already knows how to behave around them even without having received specific training.
Since humans belong to a single race, in this case, we cannot speak of human breed memory, as is the case with our furry friends.
Episodic Memory
Episodic memory is the ability to recall an event that happened even a long time ago.
This ability has been demonstrated in dogs through training them to imitate human actions. Even after 24 hours, dogs still remembered the action, proving that they possess a form of memory that we can describe as imitative.
This study, conducted by researchers from the Department of Ethology at the University of Budapest, involved teaching 17 dogs to imitate actions performed by humans using a training method called "Do As I Do."
This method relies on the use of so-called mirror neurons—cells present in both dogs and humans that activate when we observe someone performing a particular action. In this method, the trainer performed an action, such as jumping, and then gave the dog the signal "Do It," which prompted the dog to repeat the same action.
The researchers demonstrated that dogs were able to imitate the requested action even after 24 hours, proving they have a memory of what had happened.
To delve further, the researchers showed the dogs everyday actions. After some time, they unexpectedly gave the "Do It" signal.
The result? The dogs perfectly imitated the action, and for the researchers, this indicated that the dogs were using their episodic memory to do so.
Humans also possess episodic memory, which is the ability to remember an event and, at the same time, recall when it happened.
Now that we've explored the main types of memory in dogs, let's dive into their characteristics in terms of time—how short-term and long-term memory works in dogs.
I Too Have My Sweet Memories!
Dog Memory: How Long Does It Last?
Can we determine how long a memory lasts in a dog’s mind? Research at Stockholm University has shown that dogs can remember actions for a short period of time.
In these studies, dogs were shown a hidden object and then asked to wait for a short time before searching for it. The results demonstrated that dogs were able to retain the memory of the object's location for about two minutes.
This provides a basis for understanding the duration of short-term memory in dogs.
But what happens when memories are tied to a more distant past?
How Nice it Was on Vacation Last Year...
And What About Long-Term Memory in Dogs?
We’re walking down the street and suddenly, we meet our neighbor, who unfortunately doesn’t love animals that much.
Our dog is with us, and we immediately notice that he adopts a somewhat grumpy attitude, with a look that suggests he’s not comfortable at all.
Events like this may have happened to many of us, and the conclusion we can draw is that our four-legged friend simply remembers and "catalogs" that person as unpleasant, if not even hostile.
This relates to long-term memory in dogs, but is it correct to say that dogs can remember events from such a distant past?
On this topic, one of the world’s most renowned ethologists, Mark Bekoff, explained that long-term memory would represent the archive of a dog’s experiences, where it stores all the events that occurred throughout its life.
This would allow dogs to recall smells, sounds, objects, places, and certainly the people they have encountered.
And this ties back to both episodic and associative memory in dogs, which we discussed earlier.
Do Our Little Pups Remember Having Suffered as Puppies?
Do Dogs Remember Being Abused?
According to Mark Bekoff, regardless of the nature of the events, whether positive or negative, dogs store memories of what has happened throughout their lives, especially during their early months and sexual maturation phase.
These events have the most significant impact on their future lives, as they are recalled through specific stimuli.
So, the answer to whether dogs remember mistreatment or a difficult past is yes: they remember it well.
Over time, this ability to learn—and consequently remember—does not disappear, although as they age, it may take more repetitions for a dog to memorize something specific.
Returning to the close encounter with the neighbor, the dog may have recalled unpleasant events from past interactions with him, displaying either distrust or hostility as a result.
This could even trigger more distant memories that might, in turn, lead to phobias.
Yum! With This Bone, I Have Fun and Train My Memory Too.
Dogs' Memory and Chewing
Yes, there is a significant correlation between chewing and cognitive abilities in dogs.
This was demonstrated by a study published on *Science Direct*, which examined how chew toys influenced dogs' performance in two different memory tests.
In this study, researchers gave chew toys to the dogs. Those with higher levels of anxiety showed an increased frequency of chewing, which not only improved their condition but also enhanced their short-term memory performance.
These results suggested that chewing can have very positive effects on cognitive function.
And while it may seem obvious to point out, it once again showed that our furry friends need care that goes beyond just their basic needs.
Giving them chew toys helped improve their emotional well-being, showing us how beneficial it can be to shower them with love and attention, ensuring they always feel loved and protected.
Yes, Dogs Remember the Special Moments We Spend with Them.
Is Dogs' Memory Affective?
A dog remembers every event based on the emotion it feels and perceives at the exact moment it experiences it. This is why we can talk about the dogs' affective memory, which is still linked to episodic memory.
A clear example is when a dog has a traumatic and painful experience for some reason, or a negative experience with a particular object; when it encounters that object or a similar one again, it will likely tend to withdraw and distance itself.
Conversely, a dog recognizes places it loves and people it adores, showing joy, as demonstrated by the story of Luca and sweet Nuvola, which we shared at the beginning of this article.
It’s somewhat similar to our ability to associate an emotion with a place. If we have experienced positive emotions and felt good in a particular location, we cherish that place and would return immediately. Conversely, if we have a negative experience in a place, our associated emotion with that location will be negative.
This is also a type of mnemonic learning used in dog training to teach specific behaviors, called positive reinforcement technique.
In this case, a reward or extra cuddles is associated with the desired action, so the dog will remember what it needs to do to receive that precious reward again. This way, the behaviors we want from our dog, its training in various situations, and the bond we share with it are reinforced.
Our Pets’ Noses Definitely Have Superpowers.
Dogs’ Memory Is Also a Matter of Scent
But let’s not forget about their sense of smell!
The sense of smell is the most developed sense in our furry friends, and dogs use it to remember scents, even years later.
Olfactory memory is indeed correlated with emotional memory, just like it is for us humans.
How many times have we smelled the aroma of coffee brewing and realized that a lovely cup is waiting for us in the kitchen, making us eager to enjoy it?
The same happens with dogs: the associations that occur in their brains relate to what they have sensed emotionally and sensorially when interacting with people.
As a result, gestures, movements, gazes, as well as voice, and especially smell, create memories that remain imprinted in their minds.
And this is absolutely a matter of memory.
Is There Auditory Memory in Dogs?
Of course!
The concept is the same: associating something unpleasant or, conversely, pleasant with a past memory. This also occurs in dogs’ memory with auditory sensations.
For example, a dog recognizes the sound of its owner’s car and begins to get excited even before the owner opens the front door.
This is a clear example of auditory memory in dogs.
Another example of auditory memory could be the sound of thunderstorms or fireworks; these can be truly traumatic noises for our furry friends. For this reason, during training, the dog trainer will repeatedly play the sound (even increasing the volume) to help the dog remember that noise, so that in the future it won’t be afraid of it or feel discomfort when hearing it.
Could There Be Genetic Auditory Memory?
For example, with an alarm or a siren. This particular auditory stimulus might remind them of a wolf’s howl. According to research conducted by Dr. Diana Koranova, the sound of emergency sirens is actually studied to mimic the frequencies of wolves' howls. That’s why our furry friends react so curiously!
Like us humans, dogs can lose their memory over time.
Do Dogs Lose Their Memory?
Dogs' memory can vary significantly from one individual to another. Additionally, it changes with age and also depends on the experiences the dog has had.
For example, a dog that lives freely may need to remember many more things than a dog that lives in a family setting. This is because the daily routine of a domestic dog, which is always the same, can sometimes reduce its memorization capabilities.
Moreover, dogs can suffer from cognitive dysfunctions that lead to memory loss.
In such cases, they may be affected by degenerative processes of the nervous system, failing to recognize familiar people or their living environment, and not responding to known exercises or learning new ones.
For this reason, it is crucial to keep our four-legged hearts lively and engaged.
Can You Train Dogs' Memory?
Researchers agree that it is essential to train dogs' memory, especially for older ones.
It’s a bit like what happens to us humans: if we follow the same routine every day, never do new things, or only see the same people and places, our thinking, concentration, and memory abilities can suffer over time.
To train dogs' memory, mental activation games can be used to make their days more stimulating while still maintaining their habits—a routine that our furry friends really enjoy and that is crucial for their well-being.
Furry little hearts are the protagonists of many stories that melt the heart.
Are There Books About Dogs' Memory?
A Dog's Story That Taught a Child Loyalty
A book closely related to the theme of dogs' memory is "Story of a dog that taught loyal to a child" by Luis Sepulveda.
This novel tells the story of a wolf dog that gets lost from a caravan in Chile and is found by a jaguar, who takes him to the home of the chief of the Mapuche tribe.
The new family welcomes the puppy, naming him Aufman, and he becomes the best friend of the chief's son, the young Aukamañ.
The two grow up together in harmony with nature, but their lives are turned upside down by the arrival of cruel people who want to seize the land to build roads and railways, showing no hesitation in destroying anything that stands in the way of their economic and power ambitions.
Unfortunately, Aufman and Aukamañ are separated, and as the boy grows up, he rises against the oppressors.
We don’t want to spoil the ending, but throughout the book, something occurs that makes the dog's memory fundamental, giving rise to events that celebrate loyalty, friendship, and authentic freedom.
In conclusion, now that we know a bit more about dogs' memory, we can better understand their behaviors and, most importantly, commit to caring for their cognitive well-being.
We can do this by stimulating dogs' memory through play, allowing them to experience many new things, and showering them with kisses and cuddles, so that their memories can always be wonderful.
Article written with the advice of Chiara Festelli, Canine Educator.