Yes, dogs absolutely know when it's sleep time, using their internal circadian rhythms (biological clocks) that respond to light/dark and consistent routines, plus they're masters at reading subtle human cues and sensing the fading of scents to anticipate bedtime. They align their internal clocks with daily patterns, getting sleepy as darkness falls and recognizing familiar nighttime rituals like humans getting ready for bed, leading them to nudge, stare, or get antsy to signal it's time.
We know dogs have circadian rhythms, and are sensitive to day and night, as well as certain times of day. We know through living with dogs that they know when it's time to go to bed and when it's time to eat. Certainly a part of this is based on circadian rhythms and past experiences.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
Do dogs know how long you are away? They can't tell how many hours, days, or weeks you have been absent. But they can sense the passage of time through many mechanisms while you are gone. Because dogs tend to focus on the current moment, it could be a case of you either being there or not.
Dogs use multisensory perception and learned patterns to tell when a human is sleeping. They detect changes in posture, breathing, sound, scent, and routine; the stronger the bond and training, the more reliably they discriminate sleep from wakefulness.
Vets' and scientists' opinions tend to vary on this one. Some believe dogs can't tell how much time has passed: one minute of a thorn in the paw may feel like an eternity, or 10 minutes extra waiting for food might feel as long as 10 hours.
Dogs say "sorry" through submissive body language like tucking their tail, lowering their head, making "puppy eyes," licking, and rolling onto their backs to show they're not a threat, which are appeasement signals to diffuse tension after a conflict or misbehavior, often combined with whining or approaching and retreating. They recognize when their human (or another dog) is upset and use these signs to seek forgiveness, though it's more about reducing stress than human-like guilt.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for new owners, especially for rescues, showing a dog's typical adjustment phases: 3 Days (overwhelmed, decompression), 3 Weeks (settling in, learning routine, showing personality), and 3 Months (feeling at home, building trust, fully integrated). It's a framework to set expectations, reminding owners to be patient and provide structure, as every dog's timeline varies.
Dogs don't perceive time the same way humans do. Assuming that one human year is 7 dog years, every hour to humans works out to seven hours for a dog. Also, 7 dog minutes are equivalent to one human minute. This means a dog hour will pass every 8.5 minutes.
Dogs have a different sense of time compared to humans. They lack a concept of hours or days. Instead, they rely on routines and cues to understand when their owner will return. For example, if you always come home around the same time, your dog will anticipate your arrival.
While your dog may remember you leaving the house, they cannot gauge the lengths of time you've been gone. This absence can trigger stress, often linked to separation anxiety, suggesting some level of time awareness. Dogs, though, don't grasp the abstract concept of time as humans do.
Harvard psyhologists reveal that dogs dream of their humans
What you may not have realised however is, according to new research by Harvard psychologists, your dog is likely to be dreaming about you too – their human – the most important thing in their life.
The concept of human minutes in dog minutes is based on the idea that dogs age faster than humans. Traditionally, people say one human year equals about seven dog years, though this is a rough estimate. If you apply that same thinking to minutes: 1 human minute would be roughly equal to 7 dog minutes.
Generally, dogs dislike hugs, not being allowed to sniff, a lack of routine, and more. Even the most laid-back dog will hate some of the things we humans do—if they tolerate it, it's just because they love you or don't want to be dominant.
To say "I love you" in dog language, use soft eye contact, raise your eyebrows, give gentle massages (especially ears), lean into them, and engage in play or shared activities like walks, which build trust and affection through shared experiences and physical connection, releasing oxytocin for both of you.
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
Dogs develop more quickly in the first two years of life, after which development slows down. During the first two years, one dog year equals about 10.5 human years, so the dog to human aging ratio is 10.5:1 rather than 7:1.
That's a question people often worry about, especially if they're leaving their dog for a few days or weeks. Well, have no fear. The answer is yes, your dog will remember you, through both your scent and your face, especially your eyes.
🐶💛 Dogs can actually tell by scent alone. As your smell drifts away throughout the day, they learn its rhythm, how long it takes to fade and when it should return. By the time you're on your way, they're waiting by the door, sensing you even before you arrive.
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can't keep it there for five seconds, it's too hot to walk your dog. If you didn't know about this rule, chances are your friends don't, either.
Eaten from at least 7 different containers • Been held and petted by at least 7 different people • Taken at least 7 one-mile car rides • Been in a crate at least 7 times • Played with at least 7 different kinds of toys • Walked on at least 7 different substrates (grass, gravel, concrete, etc.)
Dogs are known for their loyalty and affection, but their capacity to forgive us after a mistake is equally remarkable. No matter how much we might mess up, dogs seem to always forgive us with unconditional love and care. It's as if they understand that everyone makes mistakes, and they're always ready to move forward.
Research suggests that dogs with a guilty look do not show evidence that they are aware of having engaged in misbehavior. One would not experience guilt if one were unaware that a crime had been committed.
To be coherent with your training and avoid confusing your dog, apologize by talking soothingly, petting them and perhaps playing for a while, but do not give any physical rewards.