Can we say the same about our animal companions, as an elephant is said to never forget?
Do lost dogs remember their old names and past lives when they are adopted from a shelter home or rescued by strangers on the streets?
You must be thinking about this conversation, I am sure, especially after watching videos of dogs sniffing and licking the faces of their returning American soldiers from peacekeeping missions at the airport after a long time of absence.
They can’t possibly be doing that if they don’t remember their past lives, you might say!
How about when you give certain commands, such as “sit,” “eat”, “and stop,” and they obey the commands in a split second?
The answer is yes; lost dogs can remember their names and past lives, but the extent and ways they can vary due to certain factors.
How Can A Rescue Dog Remember Names and Memories?
The best place to adopt a dog is from an animal shelter, not just because it is cost-effective but also because it’s a life-saving opportunity for a dog, preventing the dog from being euthanised.
However, most dogs from animal shelters have previous owners, the same as rescue dogs from the streets.
They had names and good and bad memories that can easily be remembered using these processes.
Associative Memory:
This is very common in dogs.
They can remember their names or certain memories by what they associate the name-calling or memories with.
For instance, if a dog was consistently called a particular name for a long time and each time the name was called, it was followed by attention, affection, treats, or play, it is more likely the dog will always remember that name.
Also, if the sound of a bell or any object was consistently used to engage a dog for a workout or any physical activity, the dog will likely remember that particular sound because of what it represents.
Emotional Associations:
According to the American Pets Product Association, in the 2023-2024 National Pet Owners Survey, 64% of Americans own a pet, of which 54% own a dog, representing more than half of American households.
This is a testament to pet dogs’ emotional connections with the human race.
They have built a strong emotional bond with pet owners and their families. When lost, they can easily remember some cues when they see them again, especially those associated with good memories.
Body Language Signs a Dog Can Remember You:
Have you been separated from your dog for some time and you are curious to know the likely body language signs your dog will display when reunited?
Here are some signs your dog will likely display
Barking:
This is usually as a result of a great sense of excitement, and against popular belief, dogs do not only bark at strangers or when they perceive danger.
This form of vocal celebration is a downpour of relief, excitement, comfort, and security.
Licking:
While barking might be misunderstood, the body language from licking cannot.
A dog will only lick someone they are not only familiar with but love.
Licking is a great sign of affection and love a dog has for its owner, and they usually display this by licking any exposed part of their body, such as face, hands, feet, etc.
This show of emotion is usually a joy to watch.
Rolling:
This is one behaviour that can be fascinating to watch alongside licking in dogs.
Rolling on the floor is one of the most playful behaviours by dogs when they are with their owners or a loved friend.
This behaviour is usually accompanied by belly-petting by their owners.
Jumping up:
Jumping up on the bodies of their owners or carers is common in most dogs, including protection dogs.
This act shows they are energetic and enthusiastic to be reunited with their owners, and it is usually accompanied by other behavioural signs such as licking and tail wagging.
Tail wagging:
While tail wagging is a social way of interacting with dogs, it is also popularly associated with happiness and excitement in dogs when they see their owners or friends.
The motion and direction of the tail when wagging portray a clearer view of their excitement and happiness.
High, rapid, and full body wag signifies an extreme display of emotions.