12/03/2020
Dachshtradumus: Wieners Tell Time
Your Dachshund knows when they will eat; they seem to know when you're leaving and coming home. Dachshunds even know when it's time to go for a walk.
As a curious and loving Dachsund mom or dad, you may wonder, can dogs tell time? It certainly seems that way.
Unless you're trying to win your companies step challenge, you're not going to see a watch around their little paw. So if they can tell time, how are they performing this instinctual magic?
Scientists and researchers alike are still in the process of uncovering exactly how this happens. A recent study at Northwestern University discovered a previously unknown set of neurons that turn on like a clock when your Dachshund is waiting. It's also worth noting that this discovery has helped progress early detection of Alzheimer's. Just another example of how Dachsunds make our world a better place.
There's a fair share of data collected on other reasons your long dog knows what time it is, that we'll discuss further.
Circadian Rhythm
Just like us humans, your Dachshund has a circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is how their long bodies react to physical, mental, and behavioral changes within their environment. It's with this rhythm that they know it's time to put their snout in your face at 6 am. Superior sense of smell, temperature, and social cues also work with this rhythm. So if you move your dog from Indiana to Colorado, they'll have to take time to adjust as well.
The smell, the smelly smell, that smell like the future
Here's where things get interesting. We all know that dogs have a superior sense of smell. Dachshunds can use this keen sense of smell to tell the future. Here's an example of how they do it. Your scent is most prevalent when you're around. The stronger the smell, the more likely you're near. As you head out the door, the clock starts. Dachshunds can predict when you'll be back based on how much of your scent is in the air. As your scent fades, they know that more time has passed. If you run a pretty regular schedule, your Wiener dog can likely tell when your work day is over. There are a few studies that implicate your Dachsund(s) can tell when a natural disaster is on the horizon; hence Dachshtradumus.
I hope you enjoyed this looong article. Wien the Day :)
