The Dogs Mind

Limbic system is located within the cortex of the brain. It is made up of lots of sensors and circuits which help the dog make decisions based on internal and external factors such as sight, sound, memories, and feelings. “a dog understands his own relationship to the world around him through the proper function of his limbic system” (Dr Bruce Fogle, 1990).
In addition, the amygdala is found within the limbic system and the function of the amygdala is for survival and defence responses.
The rabies virus works by attacking the limbic system which further demonstrates how any disturbances to the limbic system affects behaviour.
In terms of training and behaviour, the dog has a conflict in what they want to do and what we want them to do. This conflict is played out in the limbic system and relies on memories of reward or discipline. An external event is relayed through eyes or ears to the cerebral cortex and the limbic system. If the reward offered is less engaging than what activity he is doing this decision not to obey happens in the limbic system.

The Olfactory bulb is situated in the forebrain of vertebrates that receives neural input of odours detected by the nasal cavity. A dog breathes in a scent and the Olfactory receptors connect with the brain and classify each scent. Scent information travels from the Olfactory bulb to the limbic system which deals with memory and emotions. Dogs have around 220 million scent receptors and each dog has their own Olfactory profile, for example, when dogs smell each other’s urine this provides a vast source of information about the dog, such as age, sex, mood and place in the pack.
Dogs do have long term memory; however, it works differently from the human ability to remember. Humans can remember specific events and use them to make future decisions, dogs remember by association, their brains hold a circumstance or image to use later when associated with a similar event. Hence when you come home and find something destroyed, the dog will not remember what it is they have done, they are just excited to greet you on your return. To reprimand at this stage will not only be futile but could lead to miss-communication and further undesirable behaviour. This can be a good example of why we say, “dogs live in the present”.