Memory like a....doodle?

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin and I had another close call last week (we were almost hit by a car while walking).  The whole experience left me pretty shook up and I had to stop for a while and catch my breath before an emotional walk home.  Tonight we were out walking and just happened to revisit the corner for the first time since the incident.  I would not have even thought of it, but Gavin who had 3/4 of his leash for casual sniffing purposes, came right to my side and walked at perfect heel without instruction, checking my face every few seconds.  This went on for half a block, then he went back to his sniffing.  Did he remember? 

One time when he was young, I tried to get him to jump into the back of my SUV and being a bit over-zealous he jumped too high and hit his head.  He now goes through the side door as he flat out refuses to jump in through the back hatch.  Does he remember?

A year ago he had a romp in the back yard of a house several blocks over from us.  Every time we go by he slows down and looks in.  Does he remember?

What things do your doods remember?

[Pat and Traveler]

Yes, they definitely remember some things.  Trav remembers the place by the sidewalk where the kitty was hiding and jumped out at him.  He walked way over on the other side of the sidewalk, watching that dangerous spot for quite a long time.  He remembers quite a few 'dangerous' places, and happy-making sounds.  My personal theory is that this is a hard-wired survival response.  An animal in the wild doesn't get 10 chances to get away when they hear the sound of a rattlesnake--if they're lucky, they get away the first time and stay far away after that.  If a dog gets hurt doing something, they are cautious about doing it again.  Makes sense to me! 

[BG and Gavin]

A kitty hiding spot!  How intriguing!  Gavin would love to investigate that.  I think you are right, survival instincts are pretty strong (in all of us).

[Ginny Nightingale]

oh yeah--mine always remember when anything unusual happens...they remember far better than I do!

[BG and Gavin]

lol Ginny!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

First let me say OMD, I am glad that you two are okay!

And yes, I think doodles remember, mostly the bad things cause life is sweet for the most part, those bumps in the road make them smarter.

[BG and Gavin]

Thanks Lisa, my life passed before my eyes and so did his!  You are rights, our doods have a pretty sweet time of it!

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

The doodles and I have been living in a temporary apartment for just under 3 weeks.  It is often rainy and wet here so when I take them out on a leash to potty I have to wipe their paws when we come back in.  It is easier to take one dog at a time so the one waits in the bedroom while I go out with the other.  Cubbie now knows that when we come in he has to sit while I take his leash off and grab the paw towel.  He raises his left paw automatically now, then the right.  I have to remind him to stand for the back paws but once I finish with those he heads down the hall into the other bedroom to wait while I take Ollie out.  If I happen to take Ollie out first, I can hear Cubbie barking and carrying on.  He likes his routine I guess. 

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin does the auto paw lift too.  He lifts his paw and turns his head away - hohum just get this over with.  Then I say "up" and he stands and waits for the rears to be done.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Webber remembers the exact time he gets two sweet potato fries in the afternoon, every day.  He remembers that he goes out every night at 11pm and he tries to go up the neighbor's driveway to see their doodle every time we walk by their house.  He remembers if I say "I am going to the store", that he cannot go and he climbs in the leather chair.  He remembers the time he eats every day, and reminds me if I am doing something else.  If I ask him if he wants to go to Atlanta, he turns in circles, appearing to remember that is where my son lives.  I could go on and on.  I am convinced they remember a lot of things.  When Webber was small he walked into a nest of hornets, that followed him and stung both of us.  To this day, anything flying overhead sends him running into another room.  Doodles are very smart.  I am glad that the two of you didn't get hurt.  Bless Gavin's heart for remembering to stick by your side.

[BG and Gavin]

Linda, the bee incident must have been a nightmare!  I would be checking the sky too.  Going to the chair when you leave for the store is funny.  No wonder we love them so much.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Those hornet stings hurt!  I had to pick them out of his fur.  They stung his belly, repeatedly.  Bad scene!!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Rosey remembers more than I do these days, if I could just get her to remember to take out the garbage and vacuum.....