Let's talk about pet moves!

Dogs don't understand time in the same way humans do, but they do have several ways of sensing its passage, especially when you're away.

According to Dr. Walter Woolf, here's how:

1. Circadian Rhythms (Biological Clock)

   Dogs have an internal body clock that helps them recognize daily routines—like when it's timefor a walk, food, or bedtime. They may not know "it's 3:00 PM," but they sense that it's "about the time" you usually return.

2. Memory and Routine

   Dogs are experts at learning patterns. If you leave around the same time each day, they associatecertain cues—grabbing your keys, putting on shoes, or even the sound of your car—with yourdeparture and eventual return.

3. Scent Decay

   One fascinating theory is that dogs can use their powerful sense of smell to track how longyou've been gone. Your scent fades gradually in your home, and dogs might learn to associate thestrength of your scent with the time since you left.

4. Environmental Cues

   Dogs pick up on ambient sounds like school buses, mail carriers, or other predictableneighborhood noises to mark the passage of time. If something regularly happens an hour beforeyou get home, they'll use it as a "countdown."

5. Emotional Anticipation

   Dogs form strong emotional bonds and can experience separation anxiety. Their excitementwhen you return—whether you were gone five minutes or five hours—often reflects their strongattachment rather than an accurate sense of time.