Despite a vast amount of research, scientists have a lot more to learn about dog memory. One thing we do know is that dog memory is basically associative versus real.
Associative memory refers to a dog’s ability to remember people and places based on associations. For example, a puppy will learn to react to something you do. If you put a certain coat on before taking the puppy for a walk, the dog will react to your picking up the coat. The puppy associates the coat with something fun such as a walk around the neighborhood or a ride in the car. This positive association can last a lifetime unless you establish a new association with the coat.
Both positive and negative associations can affect puppy memory. Your picking up the coat you use to walk the puppy is a positive association. An example of a negative association is one where the puppy associates a car ride with the traumatic experience of going to the vet’s office. In this case, the puppy will demonstrate fear towards the car until a positive association such as taking the car to the park is established.
In general, dogs do not have long memory spans. Most research shows that a puppy’s short-term memory lasts about 10 to 20 seconds. That is why you should not scold your puppy for something unless you catch him or her in the act of doing the forbidden.
Dogs are capable of learning and remembering vocal commands and hand signals for many years. Scientists think this is a form of associative memory rather than real memory.
Scientists believe there are different levels of memory. One is the very short-term memory, which acts sort of like a receptionist for the brain. Very short-term memory takes in all of the information available and decides just how important the information is. Because of this, it is best to hold puppy-training sessions where outside distractions are at a minimum.
Short-term memory is another level. This is where the brain’s receptionist decides where and how to store the information for retrieval at a later date. The short-term memory is where the information is processed and put in the proper perspective.
Intermediate-term memory is where moderately important information is stored – usually for a one or two-week period of time. One might compare this area of the brain to a shelf where we store items until they will later be replaced by others.
Long-term memory is where information is stored after it goes through the other three levels. Scientists also believe that this area of the brain helps to shape the dog’s personality.
The process of storing information from lower levels to long-term memory is referred to as consolidation or learning. Scientists have found that when a pleasant experience follows a learning session, the puppy more easily recalls that lesson at a later time. That’s why it is a good idea to end a training session with a pleasant or positive experience. This is also why positive reinforcement is so much more successful than negative reinforcement.
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