Here are a couple of ideas that might explain what we are imparting. This gives you a good iudea what is going on in a dog’s mind.

Immediate Reinforcement
Dogs, like many animals, live for the here and now, so if it’s not for fun or survival, incidents or places are soon forgotten. All the more reason to remind them immediately with a stern “no” when they chew up your favorite shoes. Let even a few seconds pass and they won’t connect the stern warning with what it was for. You may have noticed that your dog’s memory is also strongly connected with their sense of smell, which is why they will remember a friend or intruder (be that animal or human) after a long absence.

Where Did I Learn That?
Some people can remember where and how they learned to tie a knot or hit that first home run as a child. But while you can train your dog to sit, stay or fetch, he or she won’t be able to remember where or how they learned it. In National Geographic, Dr. Lind notes that “episodic memory,” or the ability to recall certain past events, is a human trait. It’s why we can remember where we bought that great jacket or shoes, or where to buy candy or flowers for a loved one for Valentine’s Day. To a dog, these are non-essential incidents that have nothing to do with fear, sensory pleasure, survival or pain.

There you have it. If your dog does not think it’s important a memory is simply lost and Rover has to be reminded.

The mind and memory of a dog is truly a fascinating subject and if you would like to read more please go to Care 2. Our domesticated pups need guidance and we are here to give it to them.

Think twice before you get angry and consider that the poor pooch might have just forgot about it!