I used to have a dog 2 years ago, but because I was sent to study overseas, she was given to my dad's friend.
Now that I'm back here for the holidays, I plan to go visit her.
But I'm afraid that she might already have forgotten me.
What I want to ask is, do dogs forget about their previous owners?
Im sure some dogs do.... but not all. i used to hunt with my dog when she was a puppy, but ended up moving to town for 4 years so the hunting birds etc. stopped for that period. Then we bought a house out in the country. Not long after we moved in, i took the gun out just to adjust the scope, and our dog Bear instantly ran up beside me and sat down, staring in the direction i pointed the gun. She remembered exactly what to do despite it being so long. As soon as i would pull the trigger, she would tear into the bush to go find what i was shooting at.
I don't think so. I've seen dogs from previous owners react in a specific way when they encounter their former owners. They at least seem to remember them.
i think they do forget about their previous owners my friend had a dog and when he gave it away to his cousin...that was it he didnt recognize him any more after a few months
I've always been intimate with my dogs and they never forgot me. Some stupid homeless stole my dog last year and I couldn't find him for about 1,5 month but he was so happy when he saw me again. Lots of flees and stuff on him but it doesn't matter, I really like my dogs and they usually give that love back to me. Its and intimate relationship we have, 
Depends on how long you had the dog and if you guys were friends I might put it? Also depends if the dog is dumb or not 
I think that a dog's memory is quite similar to a human's memory. I don't remember anything that happened before I started preschool, I believe that a dog probably doesn't remember anything that happened when it was a puppy. However subconscious recognition is something totally different. I think that if something significant enough happened in your life no matter what age you were it will stick in your subconscious forever, I believe that this will also stick in a dog's subconscious as well. A dog has recognition, they have that spray that keeps the dog from jumping on you and basically keeps it in line or the shaker can, anyway after you use it a few times it will remember it doesn't like that so the next time you go to reprimand the dog all you have to do is show it the can and it will behave. However this conditioning can be extinguished if you do not keep it going long enough. So its a crap shoot as to whether your dog will recognize you, it depends on how long you had the dog prior to leaving it and how long its been since you last saw it.
Hi all,
I don't think dogs forget their previous owners. Of course it will depend on how well you treated and got on with your pet. Like if you mistreated your dog and it wasn't happy and it found a loving home then I think it just may forget the previous owner to some extent.
I believe that dogs even remember previous owners from previous lifetimes aswell so I really don't think that any dog on some level would forget there previous owner.
Gail
I once heard from a friend that a dog's memory bank recycles itself in a way after seven years, so theoretically it can forget its past owner(s). I once had to take care of a friend's dog under certain circumstances for a year; whenever my friend came to visit, the dog would do the most insane things. One time, the dog managed to free itself of its playpen by jumping until his rib cage hit the top bar; at that point, the dog just squirmed until he fell on the other side.
no.. i don't think dogs will forget about their previous owners.. they are very loyal and will alwayys remember their owners no matter how long it is..
No way - especially if they were abusive (sad, I know). A couple strays that we've adopted in my life have very obviously had vivid memories of previous owners. One dog was terrified of the broom, most likely because she was beat with it. Another hated my dad for the longest time, probably because she was abused my a man. It took a long time for her to actually not mind him, and she never really warmed up to him. Dogs have good memories, albeit probably mostly instinctual, but they don't forget past deeds. I'll bet dogs also have positive associations as well, but they're usually harder to identify.
Perhaps it depends on the breed. I didnt see my wolves for like a year, when I moved back the didnt seem to know me.
I think it really depends on a lot of factors. Such as how much you interacted with the dog. Be it negative or positive interaction, the more it occurs, the more vivid the memory will be. Also on such things as the breed of dog, the time apart, whether or not you saw or interacted with the dog at all when it wasn't living with you. Probably the new owner would have some influence as well, depending on how much they interact with the dog.
So really its hard to determine whether or not a dog would remember a previous owner.
as was said earlier, I do think some dogs do forget, but I belive for the most part they don't....unless of course you rid yourself of them as a puppy. Now cats on the other hand will go to where the food is and forget about thier previous owner totally.
Just my opinion.
(and no, I am not a cat hater)
Well, it depends on the age of the dog.I purchased my German Shepherd dog, Prince when it was five weeks old in 1999.Recently, I had the chance of meeting the previous owner but Prince did not recognise him at all.
On the contrary, he still recognises my previous driver and maid servant who had worked for us for quite some time.
They don't forget. Just yesterday my friend was telling me how her new puppy squeals everytime she sees her old owner. Then all of a sudden her aunt comes in (previous owner), and as soon as she heard her voice, the dog started squealing, it was pretty sight.
Don't worry.It will never forget especially if they were special signs or carresses that it was used to,then it can never forget.Or if they were a few tricks that you taught it.Just tell it to jump and it will.! 
I have heard it said that dogs have no concept of time....so today is forever to them. When they see us come back home....it's a joyous occasion for them (the food bringer cometh)....nice thought huh?
