It isn’t an unfamiliar sight when you have a pet dog at home. At one time, it seems to go wild with joy and excitement, no sooner does it observe that you are reaching out for the leash. Then again, it will sulk and show dissent when you have the bag in your hand and are about to leave for work. These scenarios make pet owners wonder whether they are acting based on memories or it is purely instinctive.
Undoubtedly, this is something that has fascinated dog lovers for ages. We understand that our four-legged companions have a classic understanding of our emotions, and they also have a solid sense of love, fear, excitement, and even jealousy. However, when it comes to memory, we are unsure. So, let us try to identify what science and past dog owners’ experience say about dogs’ emotional memory and their ability to remember the past.
Dogs do not remember like us, but they do remember old things
Of course, the way we humans remember things is different than that of our canine friends. We tend to rely on episodic memory, which lets us recall specific events. Dogs, on the other hand, are known to depend more on associative memory. To be precise, dogs do not have any special memories of a specific day or event, but they somehow attach to the feeling or association with the event or day.
To put it in simple words, they will not remember your birthday, the day when you gave them a special treat. But it will remember the joy and taste of that day, and the smell of the treat or tone of their owner’s voice might trigger similar excitement later. Thus, while dogs aren’t recalling minute details like us, any is denying their incredibly sharp emotional memory. They tend to connect with experiences, sounds, and scents, and that is the main reason that makes their bond so powerful with their respective owners.
The power of scent and association
The nose of dogs is considered to be the most powerful diagnostic tool for them. Their sense of smell is known to be 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than that of humans. Thus, every scent it comes across creates a kind of memory in its brain. It is for that reason that your dog can recognize you even if you have been away for weeks. Sniffing is the key to their happiness in all counts.
Your appearance hasn’t got anything to do with it, but it is your unique scent that they can recall. The same theory explains the reason for them returning to spots where they once might have had a good time or avoiding places that scared them. So, as you can see, their emotional memory is deep-rooted in their sensory experiences. Each smell, sound, or action manages to pull up an emotional reaction from their past.
Dogs remember people who love them
It is well established now that dogs have an incredible ability to remember people and emotions, and that too for years. So, for instance, if you have ever rescued a dog or adopted one from a shelter, you will notice that it will take time for the dog to build trust with the new owner. The reason is simple, they remember, although not the exact incidents, but the fear or pain they encountered once.
Likewise, they will never let it get out of their mind, the warmth of someone who treated them with unconditional love. Even if the person is away for some time, when they return, the wagging tail symbolizes that they remember the person.
Various studies and research work conducted thus far show that dogs can recognize their owners even after being separated for an extended duration. Thus, it proves that the emotional connection isn’t temporary; it stays on their mind for ages.
Can dogs feel nostalgia?
Various dog lovers also come up with the question of whether dogs can feel nostalgia. It seems so when their affectionate furry friend snuggles into the blanket or displays crazy acts when finding a familiar toy. The truth is, dogs cannot feel nostalgia like humans, and they cannot reminisce about the good old days. Yet, they do experience some emotional recall at times. Specific smells, places, or voices can bring back feelings of comfort, security, or happiness that are related to the past.
So, the next time you observe the dog getting excited after being at a familiar park, or seeing a friend who hasn’t visited you for months, it is their emotional memory that is having an effect. They remember that person or the place that made them happy before, and they are ready to relive the good times all over again.
Bad experiences can also leave an effect on dogs
Just like humans, dogs can also hold onto negative emotions. So, for example, a dog that was, for some reason, mistreated or frightened by an event would react anxiously when in similar situations later. Here again, their emotional memory is responsible for their behavioral changes as it reminds them of that particular setting that made them fearful. Thus, experts always stress positive reinforcement during training sessions. If you notice the dog becoming anxious in specific situations, you can overcome their fear with patience and consistency. Gradually, new and happier memories can replace the negative ones.
A dog’s emotional intelligence is extraordinary
Now comes the most amazing aspect of all dog breeds, and it is the way they use their emotional memory to understand their human counterparts. To put it in a nutshell, they don’t remember commands, but they recall how their owners made them feel. The scent training may also have a lot to do with this.
Thus, when their owners are stressed, the dog realizes it instantly. It is from their past experiences that they can realize what your moods reflect. Your raised voice can signal trouble, while gentle tones mean everything is fine. That is the reason they respond so instinctively to human emotions. It is their emotional intelligence that makes dogs such incredible companions for humans. They might not depict our words appropriately, but they do understand us completely.
Do dogs have the ability to remember the past without any hint?
This is another interesting aspect. Studies conducted thus far illustrate that some dogs might possess a type of episodic memory just like humans. That means they can recall specific events without requiring any hint. Some researchers identified that dogs do remember actions they have been through or seen earlier, even when they weren’t expecting it that time. Thus, your dog may remember watching their owners grab a treat from a shop for them, even if it happened while going out for a walk.
The verdict
So, your dog’s memory might not be as sharp as yours, but they do tend to remember everything that matters to them. They do remember the kindness you showered over them, your pleasing voice, and above all, your scent. All these things make them feel they are being loved. Again, they do remember the walks, the cuddles, and all the moments of comfort when they enjoyed it the most. Likewise, as mentioned before, they can also develop anxiety owing to bad experiences. Therefore, dogs will not recall the minute details of everything that happened, but they do carry the emotion of those experiences with them. This is the reason that makes the bond between humans and dogs so special.