rding to researchers, this demonstrates that dogs can remember events they witness (in this case, an action performed by their owner).
But they don’t retain those memories for very long. So, dogs may have short-term, episodic memory, but their associative memories stick with them longer. (More on this later.)
“The study showed that dogs remember events much like we do, and [it] blows out of the water the old way most scientists characterized animal memory,” said Brian Hare, a dog cognition expert at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, who was not involved in the study.
“Our dogs’ memories aren’t based simply on repetition and reward.”
The study revealed that episodic memory is not unique to humans. And it did not evolve only in primates.
Though humans and animals do not share the same level of episodic memory or self-awareness, it shows that dogs and other animals recall a lot more than we probably think.
“It’s a more widespread skill in the animal kingdom,” said Claudia Fugazza, an ethologist at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest and the study’s lead author who also said that parrots, dolphins and killer whales could be the next ones to be further tested.
Researchers have already taught these species the “do as I do” trick.
Note: A cat’s memory is thought to be at least 200 times better than a dog’s.
Associative Memory vs. Episodic Memory
Unlike episodic memory, there is associative memory which we know for sure that dogs have.
After all, a dog who’s been through obedience training can remember commands and hand signals for the rest of its life. Dogs have proven to have good memories when it comes to people, places and things.
For example, they know which fences they like to bark at and who gives them treats. It’s associative memory that helps dogs remember their favorite things.
When you think about going for a walk, you probably remember specific walks you’ve taken in the past. And you may recall a specific route you took or the time it rained on you while you were out for a stroll.
A dog’s mind, according to studies, does not exactly work the same way.
Instead, dogs have associative memory. They remember people, places and experiences based on feelings and associations they have with them.
For example, many dogs remember walks because of their association with their owners’ walking shoes. If you’re a dog owner, you know this well. Some dogs go bonkers when their owners grab their leashes because they associate that leash with a walk, and a walk is one of their favorite things.
So, this is how dogs remember things based on their associations with them.
Good Doggy Memories/Training
With training you can change your dog’s associative memories and behaviors. For example, when someone new comes to your home, have them give your dog positive attention and treats so your dog will associate that person with things he/she likes.
Your dog may not “remember” that person the same way you remember them, but he/she will form positive associations with that person.
Bad Doggy Memories/Training
Do dogs remember bad experiences? They sure do!
Although dogs don’t have the same kind of memory as we do, they can form negative associations that we may interpret as “bad memories.” Just like the good, they recall the bad.
You might notice how dogs who were abused as puppies or come from abusive homes will act scared and fearful around humans: that’s because it was most likely a human who abused the dog. That dog associates abuse with humans.
Does your dog act fearful in the waiting room at the vet’s office? If he’s had a negative experience at the vet, while he may not remember exactly what scared him so much, he associates the vet’s waiting room with that fear.
You can help dogs overcome negative associations by replacing them with positive experiences. For example, take a few “fun” field trips to the vet’s office where no exam takes place. Unfortunately, the stronger the association, the harder it is to change the memory.
Do Dogs Remember People?
You probably remember the first day your dog came home to live with you. But does yo