What Do Dogs Think About and Remember?

[FAM Times reporter Lee Kyung-han] A lot goes on inside a dog's mind. We cannot help but wonder what dogs remember, how much they remember, and for how long. Do dogs have the same kind of memory as humans? How does a dog's memory work?

Dogs' memories are slightly different from those of humans. Rather than remembering human commands as words, dogs remember them by associating them with situations. They select and remember one element from the circumstances in which a command was given that helps them recall it.

Jona Lind, a biologist at Stockholm University's Centre for Cultural Evolution, studied how associative memory works in most animals, particularly dogs.

He compared this with the fear cats experience when going to an animal hospital. Negative associative memories work the same way in dogs.

A pet may remember a smell or an object at the animal hospital, become frightened, and consequently behave uncontrollably.

Lind explained, "For example, cats associate their carriers with danger. Such memories are very robust and will remain in an animal's memory for its entire life."

James Owen reported in National Geographic that dogs generally use associative memory for things that help them survive or are essential to their survival.

So, approximately how long do dogs' memories last?

To understand how long dogs' memories persist, we need to examine the more fragmented aspects of canine memory.

Monique Udell, an assistant professor of animal and rangeland sciences at Oregon State University, explained how dogs convert temporary memories into long-term ones.

Long-term memory generally focuses on the “what, when, and where.” This is because dogs do not possess self-awareness in exactly the same way humans do.

Given the little we now understand about canine memory, dogs' minds are probably filled with chew toys, treats, and the horror of visits to the animal hospital. Yet that illustrates just how charming they are as humanity's best friends.

Reporter Lee Kyung-han, fam1@pcss.co.kr