use Data::Dumper;

%pets = ("dog", 1, "cat", 2, "pony", 2, "dog", 2,);

print Dumper(\%pets);

$pets{dog}=3;

print Dumper(\%pets);
[download]

gives you:

$VAR1 = {
          'pony' => 2,
          'cat' => 2,
          'dog' => 2
        };
$VAR1 = {
          'pony' => 2,
          'cat' => 2,
          'dog' => 3
        };
[download]

Data::Dumper is your friend!