Dog Memory: Unleashing the Power of Canine Recall!
Dogs primarily rely on imprinting to form memories. Imagine a young pup tentatively making its way towards the center of a room, where it encounters a massive balloon. As it curiously pokes and prods at the balloon, it suddenly bursts with a loud bang, causing the pup to become wildly startled. From that moment on, the dog will fear all balloons, not because of any memory of the event itself, but rather because of the fear imprint associated with loud, round objects.
Pet owners who have trained dogs are likely familiar with the concepts of positive and negative associations. For example, a dog might associate the sight of its owner picking up a leash with the opportunity to go outside, or see a food bowl and start drooling, or cower when their owner raises their hand. Dogs' memories are surprisingly straightforward. If a dog is called and comes, and the owner is delighted and offers a hug, the dog will form a memory of "owner's call = hug." Conversely, if the dog is called but ignores it while playing, the owner becomes increasingly frustrated, eventually scolding and even hitting the dog when it finally arrives, the dog will form a memory of "owner's call = pain (being hit)." This illustrates how the same command can lead to two different outcomes, and thus, different associations (memories) in the dog's mind. Sometimes, this is why a dog might hesitate to come when called, or needs to ponder before returning to its owner.
Many have heard stories of a dog recognizing its owner after being separated for years. While this is indeed possible, it's not due to visual or auditory recognition, but rather through scent. Dogs have an incredibly acute sense of smell, using it to identify and remember other beings. Scent is directly linked to a dog's memory. If a dog reunites with its owner after years apart, it's because the dog remembers the scent of its owner and the associated feelings, allowing it to recognize them. In the dog's memory, the scent is intertwined with the person.
Some pet owners might wonder why their dog can't remember simple commands like "don't pee in the house," yet it can remember a longlost owner. This is because a dog's memory style shapes its thought process. If a dog is punished harshly for peeing inside, and then the owner cleans up and relaxes on the couch, the dog may form a series of incorrect associations: "owner sees pee = angry owner = pain and fear," "owner cleans up = no trouble," "pee = angry owner = pain and fear." This is why some dogs may eat their own feces, not because they want to, but because they believe that as long as the owner doesn't see the feces, they won't experience pain and fear.
Besides incorrect associations leading to unusual behavior, dogs can also form traumatic associations, which are even harder to change. This is why it's crucial for pet owners to use scientific training methods when training their dogs. Should you have any further questions, don't hesitate to consult an online veterinary expert.
