Do Dogs Really Understand the Concept of Time? The Answer is Surprising.

by Denisse Aguilar on in Interesting Facts 47
pug waiting for a walk

Do dogs really know what time is? Find out below!

Does your dog seem to know when it's time to go to the dog park, even before you've taken out the leash? To many dog owners, canines may seem to have an uncannily accurate concept of time. But do our four-legged friends really know what time it is, or is there something else at work in their minds?

Dogs are capable of being trained based on past events and taught to anticipate future events based on past experiences.

There is also research evidence for dogs' understanding of the concept of time based on changes in their behavior when left alone by their human companions for different lengths of time. Studies show that dogs display greater affection toward their owners if they've been separated for longer periods of time. As the amount of time away increases, so does the dogs' excitement.

For dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, the difference between one and five hours can mean the difference between mild agitation and a full-blown panic attack.

Dogs often get anxious when separated from their loved ones, but usually have little trouble coping with that anxiety. Most will simply sleep through it. That's because canines are equipped with a natural instinct to live in the moment, despite having an understanding of the concept of time. It's that devil-may-care attitude that allows them to forget about what happened yesterday — good or bad — and not worry a bit about what will happen tomorrow.

How interesting! Dogs DO have a sense of time! They're so smart (but then again, we already knew that)! Now you can understand why your dog seems to know when it's time for a walk before you go grab his leash. LOL!

For more information on dogs and their fascinating concept of time, check out Animal Planet.



Pages: 1 2

47 thoughts on “Do Dogs Really Understand the Concept of Time? The Answer is Surprising.”

  10. Mike Gill

    - Edit

    Reply

    I think they can. My daughters tell me our dachshund Bogart starts going nuts about 15 minutes before I get home for work around 5pm. When I don’t get home at my normal time, they tell me he lays by the door until I do.

  22. Nina Gedney

    - Edit

    Reply

    Definitely-when I am off work and we are busy and his dinner time arrives…..he stops what he is doing (unless we are at the park or beach!!), and comes to me and sits and stares at me!

  31. Ann Adkins

    - Edit

    Reply

    Tom Neo Ashley I have Ziva Cortana and a boxer retriever mix named Koda and about 7 o’clock we cut up either watermelon or cantaloupe and they get about five small pieces at that time and we call it melon time!

  46. Dee Omiotek

    - Edit

    Reply

    Heather Holland I did not mean to say do not my phone changes things. But I’m pretty sure they do. They come to me the same time everyday to be fed, and when it’s time for my husband to get home they all line up in front of the door waiting to see him. Sorry about the earlier post. I think dogs are smarter than people!

Add Comment