Dogs do have memories, including both short-term and long-term types. They possess episodic-like memory, which means they can recall past events and experiences with some detail, such as what happened and where, although this memory tends to decay over time if not reinforced. Dogs also have a strong associative memory, often linking commands, people, and places with positive or negative outcomes. While their short-term memory may be limited to a few minutes, their long-term memory can last for years, especially for emotionally significant experiences like recognizing their owners or favorite places.

Types of Memory in Dogs

• Short-term Memory: Lasts only a few minutes, around 2 minutes based on studies.
• Long-term Memory: Can last years or even a decade, particularly for emotionally significant events.
• Episodic-like Memory: Dogs can remember specific actions or events (like imitating a command seen earlier), even if unexpected, although this memory fades over time.
• Associative Memory: Dogs remember commands and associate them with outcomes based on repetition and positive reinforcement.

How Dogs Use Their Memory

• They recall commands and behaviors learned through training.
• They associate people and places with emotions, such as feeling happy when recognizing their owners.
• Their memory is strongly influenced by their sense of smell, which acts as a key trigger for recalling memories.

In summary, dogs have complex memory systems that enable them to remember people, commands, and experiences, although memory retention varies by the type and context of the memory.