
You’ve probably wondered if your re.sc.ue dog remembers their previous owner if you’ve ever had one.
Dog memory isn’t the same as human memory, so it’s impossible to say how much of what kinds of things dogs remember over the course of their lives.
Nonetheless, there is evidence that dogs remember previous owners, particularly if their experience with that owner was either extremely positive or extremely negative.
Humans have “episodic memory,” which helps us understand past events by placing them in context and recalling people from our past.
Dogs, unlike humans, prefer to live in the moment and have a limited understanding of time. The majority of what they recall is information that they require to survive. For example, that person harmed me; I need to avoid them. That person cared for me and fed me; I’m safe with them.
Dogs primarily use their sense of sight to recognize their owners, according to research, so older dogs with failing vision or signs of canine dementia would be much less likely to recognize and remember a previous owner than a younger dog with perfect vision.
It appears that certain actions or characteristics can elicit memories of their previous owner. You may have heard of re.sc.ue dogs who are afraid of men with beards or puppies who are particularly fond of the elderly.
Overall, it appears that while a dog may recognize a previous owner if they meet them, they are unlikely to engage in casual reminiscence about good or bad times.
Do you think your re.sc.ue dog remembers who he or she was before you? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!