Signs of a Dog Remembering a Sibling
Dogs likely cannot make the distinction between what dog is a sibling and what dog is not a sibling. This means dogs do not have the ability to sit there and think, “this is my sister and I knew her for the first few months of my life.” However, smells and scents can stick with dogs for a very long time, with some dogs for longer than others.
Theoretically, if your dog were to come into contact with a sister a few months or years down the road, they may not recognize the other dog as a sibling, but they may remember their scent very well and feel immediately safe and comfortable with the other dog. This is because the other dogs scent is familiar. Dogs who have a scent memory may be able to feel more comfortable with a sibling than with another dog, however, this is not always the case.
You can tell if your dog can potentially remember a sibling if they come in contact with a family member and seem to react to them differently than any other dog they have never met. For instance, they may sniff them more intently, seem more calm and comfortable with them, be alert and seem interested in their presence. On the other hand, your dog may not be able to recognize their sibling and not react any differently than they would with meeting another dog, and this is not an uncommon reaction.
Here are some signs you might notice if your dog remembers their sibling:
Here are some other signs you may notice if your dog recognizes their sibling:
Do dog mothers get sad when their puppies leave?
Once a pup is weaned and no longer feeding from mum, most dams will begin to distance themselves from their pups in order to teach them important survival skills. Puppies may feel anxious about this to begin with, but with a little help from their new family, theyll soon gain their own sense of independence.
How long do dogs remember their siblings for?
The age at which pups were separated is a key factor in forming memories. If your dog stayed with their littermate until they were 16 weeks or older then theres every chance that they’ll remember each other’s scent if they meet further down the line. However, if they’ve gone more than six years without seeing each other, they may be less likely to spot a sibling.
Dogs split at 12 weeks (a common age for pups to head to their forever homes) will less likely recognise each other, especially if a lot of time has passed.
Mother Dog Reunited With Her Puppies All Grown Up | The Dodo Reunited
As excited as you are to bring your new family member home, it can feel heartbreaking to know you are taking him away from the only “pack” he has ever known. Puppies bond closely to their littermates and mothers, but their developmental stage at around 8-10 weeks old also predisposes them to be ready to bond with you, too!
