Many dog owners wonder if their dogs remember getting into fights with other dogs. Dogs are complex animals with good long-term memories, so it is very likely that they do retain memories of altercations with other canines. Understanding how dogs remember fights can help owners better manage their dog’s behavior going forward.
How good is a dog’s memory?
Research has shown that dogs have excellent long-term memories. In lab experiments, dogs have been able to remember hand signals and words they were taught up to 10 years later. Studies focused on short-term memory have shown dogs can remember events for at least 2 minutes.
Working dog trainers and behaviorists also confirm that dogs have good memories. Dogs that have had traumatic experiences at a specific location or with a specific person will often remember and continue to be wary or afraid long after the experience. On the flip side, dogs also remember positive experiences and people who have treated them kindly.
Since dogs have such good memories in general, it is very likely this extends to remembering altercations with other dogs as well. The specific details and length of time dogs remember fights may vary between breeds and individual dogs. However, owners should assume their dog has not forgotten fights from months or even years ago.
How do dogs remember fights?
Dog memories work very similarly to human memories. When dogs experience events that produce strong emotions, either positive or negative, they tend to remember those events strongly. Getting into an altercation with another dog is frightening for dogs, produces adrenaline, and makes a strong memory.
Fights are also remembered because they reinforce territorial and dominance behaviors in dogs. Dogs that win fights gain confidence, while dogs that lose may feel fearful or submissive as a result. These learned behaviors stick with dogs so they remember how to act the next time they encounter the same situation.
Specific details dogs might remember about a fight include:
- What the other dog looked, sounded and smelled like
- Where the fight happened
- When the fight happened, for example if it was night or day
- How much it hurt when the other dog bit them
The memories are stored through associations in the dog’s brain between the senses – sight, sound, scent, touch, etc. Any associations linked to pain and fear tend to be the strongest.
How long do dogs remember fights?
Dogs can remember fights long after they occur, ranging from months to years. Some key factors that influence how long dogs remember fights include:
- Breed – Dogs with good memories like Border Collies may retain memories longer than other breeds.
- Severity of fight – Fights that resulted in injuries will be remembered longer.
- Training – Well-trained dogs can be conditioned to forget altercations faster through positive training methods.
- Trauma – Dogs that have PTSD from severe fights or abuse may remember forever.
On average, most dogs will remember at least some details of an altercation for 1-2 years. Very severe dog fights that result in life-changing injuries or trauma may never be forgotten.
Why do dogs remember fights?
For dogs in the wild, remembering fights and opponents has survival value. Remembering territorial boundaries and which dogs are aggressive or non-aggressive is important information that wild and feral dogs need to retain. This good long-term memory also aids domestic dogs in situations of danger.
Specific reasons dogs remember fights include:
- To recognize opponents and avoid future fights
- To remember successful fighting techniques that worked
- To avoid places and situations associated with past fights
- To retain their social position and relationships in a pack
Even though pet dogs are no longer in the wild, their memories still serve the same purposes. Dogs use memories of fights to better understand their relationships with other animals and for protection.
Do dogs hold grudges after fights?
Dogs do seem to hold grudges against other dogs that have fought with them or hurt them in the past. If they encounter the same dog again, they will likely remember it and be on guard.
However, dogs live much more “in the moment” than people do. If a dog fight happened a long time ago, the dog may recall the fight if they see the opponent, but they are not dwelling on it like a person would. They also do not plot revenge. The grudge simply means they wish to avoid the other dog in the future.
How can past fights influence dog behavior?
Memories of past fights can influence a dog’s behavior in the present in many ways. Some common behavior changes owners may notice include:
- Increased aggression toward other dogs
- Increased anxiety when seeing dogs that look similar to the opponent
- Acting fearful when approaching the location of a past fight
- Becoming skittish or defensive when hearing barking
- Trying to avoid interacting with unknown dogs altogether
The specific triggers and behaviors will depend on the details of the original fight. If the fight happened in a dog park, the dog may no longer feel safe there. Or if the opponent was a large, black dog, the dog may now fear large black dogs.
How do you know if a dog remembers a past fight?
Some signs that indicate your dog remembers fighting with a specific dog in the past include:
- Barking, growling or lunging when seeing the dog
- Acting aggressively or defensively when the dog is near
- Moving away to avoid the dog
- Excessive drooling, yawning, shaking, or lip licking when seeing the dog
- Whining or acting anxious when the dog is visible
You may also notice more subtle clues like your dog watching the other dog intently, freezing in place, or trying to move so that you or other objects are between them and the other dog. If your dog reacts this way only to one specific dog, it is likely they remember fighting with that dog before.
Do dogs remember fights with other species?
Yes, dogs can also remember negative encounters and altercations they’ve had with other animals, not just other dogs. Some examples include:
- Cats – Dogs will remember if they were scratched or hurt by a cat, and may become reactive toward cats.
- Wildlife – Bad experiences with skunks, porcupines, or other wildlife can make them wary in the future.
- Livestock – Farm dogs that were kicked or hurt by large livestock like cows or horses can become fearful of those animals.
Any animal that hurts a dog, even accidentally, can trigger memories and reactions later on. Dogs may become generally fearful of that species, orReactive only to the specific individual that hurt them before.
Why do some dogs remember fights more than others?
While almost all dogs will remember a fight to some degree, some individual dogs seem to recall altercations more strongly. Reasons why some dogs remember fights more than others include:
- Breed – Dogs bred for guarding like Doberman Pinschers often have very good, long memories.
- Early life experiences – Dogs that experienced trauma early in life tend to have stronger memories of fearful events.
- Frequency of fights – Dogs that fight more often form even stronger memories and associations.
- Training – Untrained dogs do not learn positive associations to overwrite negative memories.
Ultimately every dog is an individual, and some simply seem more inclined by nature to recall fights strongly. Owners of these dogs need to take extra precautions to prevent fights from happening in the first place.
Do puppies remember fights as adults?
Puppies that get into altercations can certainly still remember those experiences as adults. However, the impact of early fights on puppies depends a lot on the puppy’s age at the time.
Some key factors to consider about puppies remembering fights include:
- Puppies under 8 weeks old are unlikely to show lasting trauma or behavioral changes from fights.
- Fights that happen up to 6 months of age may still be remembered, but can often be counterconditioned with training.
- Puppies in early fear periods (8-11 weeks and 6-14 months) can develop deeper phobias from bad experiences.
- The more severe the fight, the more likely even a young puppy will remember it into adulthood.
In general, incidents that happen in the first 1-2 months of a puppy’s life won’t leave a major lasting impression. But fights after that sensitive window of early development can be remembered long-term.
Can dogs forget about previous fights?
While dogs never completely forget about altercations with other dogs, there are ways owners can help them overcome the memories and reactions over time. Some methods to help dogs forget fights include:
- Counterconditioning – Using treats and positive reinforcement to create new, happy associations.
- Avoidance – Preventing subsequent fights through management like leashes, fences, etc.
- Medication – In severe cases, anxiety medication can reduce reactions.
- Training – Obedience training improves impulse control and coping skills.
With time and patient training, dogs can come to mostly ignore or at least manage their memories of past fights. But you should always remain vigilant about situations that might trigger your dog based on past experiences.
How can you make your dog forget a fight?
Some of the best ways to help your dog forget or overcome bad memories of a fight include:
- Using high value treats to countercondition and create positive associations with other dogs, areas, etc. linked to fight memories.
- Changing your walking routes to avoid places your dog remembers a fight happened.
- Asking friends with dogs to help socialize and play with your dog to replace bad memories with good experiences.
- Avoiding triggers like dog parks or daycare until your dog seems less reactive and fearful.
- Talking to your vet about anti-anxiety medication or supplements to reduce your dog’s fear response.
Professional training may also be needed for severe cases. The important thing is managing your dog’s environment to prevent repeat fights, and replace fearful memories with rewards and fun!
Should dogs that have been in fights interact with each other again?
In general, it is not recommended to have dogs interact again after they have had an altercation or fight. The likelihood of another fight happening is very high since they will both remember the previous incident. Re-introducing the dogs should only be attempted under special circumstances.
It may be possible to begin reintroducing dogs that fought if:
- It has been a very long time since the fight occurred
- The dogs only fought a single time, and never severely
- The dogs will be carefully supervised and on leashes
- A trainer or behaviorist helps facilitate the introduction
But extreme care and caution should always be taken in this situation. The safest approach is to simply keep dogs that have fought separated permanently.
Are dog fights common?
Dog fights are relatively common and happen frequently enough that the average dog owner will encounter this issue at some point. Some key statistics on how common dog fights are include:
- Approximately 14% of reported dog bites happen when dogs are fighting with other dogs.
- Male dogs are at least twice as likely to be involved in fights compared to female dogs.
- Unneutered male dogs account for 70-76% of reported fights.
- Chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite than unchained dogs due to fear and territorial behavior.
Certain breeds like Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds are overrepresented in dog fights compared to other breeds. But any breed can become aggressive toward other dogs under the wrong circumstances.
Table: Dog breeds most likely to fight
| Breed | Percentage of reported fights |
|---|---|
| Pit Bull | 14% |
| Rottweiler | 9.1% |
| German Shepherd | 7.8% |
| Bull Terrier | 6.7% |
| Boxer | 4.8% |
| Doberman Pinscher | 3.7% |
Dog fights most often happen around resources like food and toys, when dogs feel territory is being threatened, or due to misdirected predatory behavior between unfamiliar dogs.
Conclusion
Fights between dogs are memorable experiences that dogs can recall in detail long after they occur. Breed tendencies, early life experiences, frequency of fighting, training, and other factors influence how strongly and for how long dogs will remember altercations with other canines.
While dogs do not dwell on past fights like humans, the memories still influence their behaviors and reactions in the present day. With time, positive training, and careful management, dogs can overcome bad memories. But owners should always be alert and proactive to avoid trigger situations that may cause their dog to recall a previous fight.