Dogs perceive time differently than humans. With shorter lifespans and a brain more attuned to the present moment, they may experience longer periods of separation more acutely. A week or two can feel like a significant duration for a dog, leading to anxiety if they’re unsure about their owner’s return.
However, dogs are highly social creatures and form strong bonds with their human companions. They’re more focused on the present moment and the people they’re with. This explains why a dog, after a long separation, might not immediately recognize a familiar face. They may need cues like voice and scent to trigger recognition. Once they do, they’ll likely exhibit joy and excitement, demonstrating their strong bond.
It’s important to note that while dogs may not have the same long-term memory as humans, they can still form lasting bonds and remember significant experiences.
Here is a real-life example by Jerry Rogers
I had a dog from age 10 to age 14. I pretty much raised Ammo from a pup, and he never left my side, except when I was at school. When I turned 14, we had to move into public housing, and we could no longer have a dog. Devastated, I gave Ammo to my best friend, Jimmy. I visited him every day for the next year. Then Jimmy’s family moved to Philadelphia, taking Ammo with them.
Jimmy and I would talk on the phone once a month (this was when the internet was just starting to take off, but we could not afford a computer, so we talked on the phone). This pretty much stopped after about six months. I thought about Ammo from time to time, but once Jimmy discovered girls, it became awkward for us to talk anymore, so I stopped calling.
Now fast forward seven years or so. I graduate college and attend a training seminar in Philadelphia. I knew Jimmy had attended Penn State and had graduated and moved to New York. I still had his parents number so I called them when I was in Philly. Sure enough, they still had Ammo and they invited me to come visit. It took a 45 minute cab ride, but I finally arrived at Jimmy’s parents house. Now at this point, I had not actually seen Ammo in maybe 8 years.
I stepped out of the taxi and I saw Jimmy’s mom open the front door. I saw Ammo come out onto the porch and immediately snarl and bark, like any good guard dog does. He was now 12 years old, and weighed 110 pounds…Ammo was a German Shepherd who weighed 70 pounds when he left me at age 4. I had grown quite a bit too, from 5′7″ to 6′2″, and weighed about 70 pounds more.
I took a step onto the sidewalk and he came cautiously off the porch, growling and barking. I said “Ammo hush!”, which is what I would always say to him when he barked. He cocked his head, turned in a complete circle, and looked at me with a much softer, albeit confused look. I called out “Come here Pup!”, which was what I usually called him. His tail immediately started wagging and he slowly walked towards me, sniffing the air as he approached.
Once he was five feet from me, he bolted into my arms, taking me to the ground. He was licking and whining and yelping as he greeted me with all the enthusiasm of a puppy. There was no doubt that he remembered who I was, even though 8 years had passed.
I spent three hours with him that afternoon. Jimmy’s parents had always been the sweetest people in the world, and I felt good knowing Ammo had a much better life than he would have had with me. I left that day, knowing I would never see Ammo again, but remembering fondly, to this day, his excitement and exuberance at seeing me one last time.
So I can’t really answer your question about how long it takes a dog to forget it’s owner. I guess alot depends on the dog, and what type of life he’s been through. In my case, Ammo hadn’t forgotten me in 8 years. Judging from his reaction, I believe he would have remembered me had 15 years passed. But Ammo could be a fluke, as he was a special, special dog.
