LONG-TERM MEMORY

(Part of the Memory flow chart of the DOG-GAMES website)

"BAD" When a dog has a very unpleasant experience (or an unpleasant one that is repeated until the dog associates it as being a very unpleasant), it stores the sights, sounds, scents, tastes and textures of the environment in its long-term memory by making an environmental photo. When it recognises the same "photo" in the same or similar circumstances the dog will display various calming signals both to its owner and to the dogs around it in order to avoid conflict. It will also feel a very strong desire to avoid and escape the situation it finds itself in. If the dog has no escape route available (ie the handler does not recognise the dog's body language and calming signals, and prevents the dog moving to a more manageable distance from the "threat") it will resort to more drastic measures to resolve the situation - This page is now part of the Dog-Games Members Area and the full version is not available here. Please click here to view the full version:badltm.htm