Archive for July, 2009
Dog Psychology – Do Dogs & Other Animals Have Emotions?
Posted by: | CommentsDog Psychology - Do Dogs & Other Animals Have Emotions?
Animal behaviorists have always been fascinated about studying whether or not dogs and other animals have emotions. While some researchers conduct ongoing studies to find scientific evidence, regular folks like you and I could answer that question immediately with a resounding "Yes!"
Having been around dogs and other animals all of my life I can tell you that these lovable companions have emotions just like you and I. All you have to do is look at them, watch them, and listen. Watch their faces change expression and their tail and body showing signs of communication in connection with people and other animals. Common sense can clearly show that what a dog displays on the outside tells an enormous amount of information of what's going on inside.
Most animal behaviorists start their research with the thought of what it would be like to be a dog. Skepticism is the initial drive which these men and women spark their research with. They wonder if dogs and other animals actually "feel" anything inside. As you can probably guess, since you cannot place an emotion under a microscope, most scientists dismiss the idea.
However, as time goes on, more and more people are becoming less skeptical about the idea of dogs and other animals having emotions. For example, there are scientific journals that are considered prestigious publications who have reported such findings as rats experiencing joy, mice that have empathy, and elephants which feel grief. Now with this information is clearly founded that yes, your dog and mine, has emotions.
Now the big question is, why? Why have emotions evolved in certain species as adaptation tools to their environment? The answer could be in the possibility that these emotions have evolved to become somewhat of a "social sticky" which glues the bond between animals and each other for a variety of social reasons.
Interesting Examples
We know that emotions allow animals to be flexible and adaptable to there behavior through a variety of venues. An interesting study has reported that mice are empathetic, yet they're also fun loving. Other reports show that iguanas seek pleasure, baboons become angry, and elephants - surprisingly enough - have flashbacks and post traumatic stress disorder. That's not all, we have reports that fish are sentient and that otters show affection as well as grief.
Many researchers also concluded that animals which are living as companions to humans, especially dogs, can develop specific emotions due to our relationship with them. There are quite a few common emotional traits that are shared by both dogs and people alike.
Car Chasing No More: Day 1
Posted by: | CommentsAs dog owners, we are left with the necessary task of finding a way to educate our pet to let him know that chasing cars, and bicycles, however thrilling and pleasing, simply will not be tolerated any longer.
Because we cannot appeal to our pet's intellect, and share a cup of coffee together as we discuss the problem of car chasing, we must ensure that each and every instance of chasing culminates in a displeasing (and very humiliating) experience for the dog.
Because no two dogs are exactly alike in personality and temperament, neither can there be just a single method to accomplish educational lessons for all dogs. Your dog may respond to just one particular method, and he may get the message quickly. You may have to use a combination of several methods and the schooling may take up to four days because it takes the average dog approximately four to five days to learn the average thing.
An important key is consistency. Consistency here doesn't mean selecting one method and sticking to it, instead, consistency is desired in that each instance of car chasing must culminate an unpleasant consequence which the dog must be able to relate to his action of chasing the car.
You can't run out the door, after the fact, or even during the actual chasing, call your dog to you and beat him senseless, and expect them to learn anything. If that type of action resulted in learning, it would simply be his response in your command "come" would result in getting his brains knocked in. The dog must be able to relate the consequences to the act of car chasing, and nothing else!
Tackling this problem will require time, effort, and perhaps some creativity on your part. If you truly love your dog and are concerned for his safety, the safety of others, and your personal liability, you'll devote the next four to five days to the task of convincing your dog that car chasing always will conclude in an unpleasant consequence.
Day 1
Tie a length of clothesline rope to your dog's standard slip-chain training collar. About 35 feet of line will do just fine. Allow the dog to drag the line around the yard. Position yourself close to the end of the dragging line to await for your "opportunity."
Act relaxed, but keep one eye on the dog and the other on the end of that line. Do not give any attention to your dog so when an automobile approaches, watch for the moment he starts his barking charge. You want your dog's attention focused entirely on the car during that specific moment.
When that moment has arrived, pick up the end of the line and jerk it as hard as you can, giving it everything you've got. This jerk should put a shock into your dog as he is stopped in mid-air. Pull the line and when your dog is at your feet, give the animal an abrupt shaking, enough to really give him the message. Verbally shock him as well, with loud, angry words, showing your complete and total displeasure.
The foregoing procedure must be fast accomplished. Remember, the dog must be able to relate this displeasing series of events with his act of chasing the car. If you're too slow to jerk the line then the dog's mind will sidetrack to something else. And just as the timing of the pool is important, so is the importance of your verbal assault, ensuring that he knows you are unhappy with his decision to chase the car.
Dog Cologne: Start Pampering Your Dog With Its Own Cologne
Posted by: | CommentsDog Cologne: Start Pampering Your Dog With Its Own Cologne Or Perfume
As unbelievable as it may sound, many people say that pets and their owners start to resemble each other over the years. I personally know a man who looks a lot like his old pet Yorkie. But whether or not you start to look like your dog, you certainly don't want to smell like your dog!
This is why the perfume industry is now catering to the most sensitive noses on the planet: Dogs. Whether you want to deodorize your pooch after a long jog in the park, keep him smelling powder fresh all day long, or just give him a boost of a strong jasmine scent for that extra attention, there's definitely a dog perfume out there that will appeal to both you and your dog.
A Great Addition To Grooming Habits
Giving your dog his own perfume is definitely the next step in grooming. It is more than just giving him a bath and getting his coat trimmed. Dog perfume is a whole new level of pampering your animal buddy.
Dog perfumes and colognes have evolved to meet the needs of consumers with four-legged friends. Since perfumes are considered an accessory, like outfits and jewelries, the way you dress and pamper your dog reflects your personal style. So if are into perfumes, you can now buy one exclusively for your dog.
Is Cologne Too Strong For Your Dog?
Dog colognes and perfumes are very popular these days. But what's even more popular are grooming spritzes and sprays. Spritzes and sprays offer the same sweet scents and freshness for your dog, but they are not too strong like regular cologne. Their fresh scents appeals to the upper class but the prices are reasonable so that people from every income bracket can afford to buy a dog spray.
Dog sprays as well as spritzes were first used to extend the time between your dog's baths. Nowadays these products keep your dog smelling fresh and better for a longer period of time. Some are even formulated to repel dirt, making your dog really clean and not just smelling clean. Other sprays have glitters in them and give your pooch a little sparkle and make her truly the belle of the ball.
Commercial Dog Food – Do You Know The Truth About
Posted by: | CommentsCommercial Dog Food - Do You Know The Truth About Dog Food Yet?
As a kid growing up in a family full of dogs, I remember the old days when mom and pop used to feed our dogs any type of table scraps that we had from our meals. And sometimes, the dogs would all have their meals prepared ahead of time. We ate all types of food and back in those days so did our animals, except for one major difference of today's house pets - they didn't eat a bite of commercial dog food.
Interestingly enough, three out of the four dogs we owned lived to the age of 18 and 19 years of age, with one dog reaching 21 years of age. And the only reason why the fourth did not hit these high numbers was because of bone cancer. Now our experience with these dogs does not negate any type of nutritional value that commercial dog food may provide, especially considering the leap in information and nutritional research that we have today, but it is a little ironic that standard human food did so well just a few years back.
Pet Food Advertising Has Brainwashed Us
A lot has changed over the past 20 or 30 years. Most dog owners feel that feeding their pets commercial dog food makes the most sense. They believe that high quality dog food sold in stores is not only the most convenient way to feed their animals, but it also is thought to give their dogs and puppies the best nutritional value offered, even better than human food. They believe that this decision is the right thing to do.
You hear this sort of thing over and over again whenever a discussion takes place about dog food. Just the other day I was discussing some dog tricks with my neighbor and the subject switched to what we fed our dogs. One comment that he made which is quite redundant is that "I feed my dog 'dog food' because it's for dogs. Why would I feed him human food?" My neighbor goes on to display his sense of knowledge about nutrition for dogs by insisting that my way of feeding Charlie (my dog) table scraps was cheating him of the proper foods he needs for energy and growth.
Processed Food is still Processed Food
I realized that there was little chance of me convincing my neighbor of his falsely believed notions about proper nutrition and his dogs. Try convincing one of these people that a dog and a human both need similar nutritional foods. It's not that easy. However, I did get across one point in which he understood and that was about processed food.
No matter how you look at it, or what you believe a dog should eat as opposed to humans, processed food is still processed food! This stuff is manufactured, which means it goes through various steps of processing, preservatives, and other additives before it hits the can and is packaged. Every step that is taken to get this food to the store shelves reduces its quality and nullifies most of its nutritional value.
Declaring War On Ticks Part 2
Posted by: | CommentsOnce on a dog, a female tick buries her head beneath the skin tissues, extends her barbed "tongue" and is then clamped on tight. Once the head and barbed probe are beneath the skin, no amount of shaking or scratching by the dog will cause the tick to dislodge.
The tick then feasts upon the dog's blood in this manner until she bloats to about the size of a pea. The male tick (brown, and a fraction of her size) then mates with the female. When she has received her fill of blood from the dog, she withdraws her barbed probe, and drops off of the host dog. She'll then crawl into tiny crevices between sofa cushions and carpeting to lay her thousands of eggs.
Once a home or kennel is infested, eradication is no simple process, any more than ridding a dog of the parasite is a simple process. A single tick found on a dog necessitates immediate and zealous efforts at all stages of its life cycle.
Removing a tick - or ticks - from a dog can be done by the owner, providing the tick has not attached itself to the inner ear, on the eyelid, or some other inaccessible place that would require anesthesia. And because the tick's probe is barbed (similar to a fish hook), brushing or combing by the dog owner may rid ticks that haven't yet "locked on", but does nothing for those that are already attached.
The dog's hair should be pulled back from around the tick for the benefit of full exposure. A few drops of iodine or rubbing alcohol can then be applied directly on the tick. This will momentarily shock the parasite, and in some cases, cause it to loosen its probe.
Using a pair of tweezers, and getting as close to the skin line as possible, the tick can be pulled out with a slight twisting motion so that the head is not severed and allowed to remain embedded in the dog's skin. If that should occur, secondary infection could result. It is always wise to reapply iodine, alcohol, or other antiseptic to the puncture once the tick is removed. If the tick's head remains beneath the dog's skin, applications of hydrogen peroxide can be helpful.
Once the dog is free of ticks, complacency on the part of the dog owner usually results in reinfestation. It should be remembered that if the dog picked up a tick, he may well have picked up larvae from four or five thousand recently hatched eggs. Dousing with a tick powder or other acaracide would be beneficial here, but if the larvae have dropped off in your home or yard, removing the original tick is only the beginning of the battle.
Attention All Lazy Puppy Owners: Yes, That Means YOU!
Posted by: | CommentsThe day your puppy was taken away from its mother and placed in your care is the day you became 100% responsible for the young pup. Accept your role as leader responsibly by training the four basic obedience commands necessary to every civilized dog's schooling.
Though your work schedule or distance from a qualified dog instructor often preclude working with an experienced trainer, teaching your puppy to sit, lie down, come and stay falls well within the average owner's capabilities. Combined with frequent outings to assure proper socialization, suitable at-home training turns your little rascal into the dog that other dog owners wish for.
Helpful Hints
Most new owners agree that teaching critical lessons, such as not pottying in the house, destroying couch cushions or raiding the garbage, to name just a few, leaves precious little time for anything else. How then, do top trainers who work full-time, raise a family and compete in various canine sports, manage to do it all?
For one thing, you don't need to spend an hour per lesson teaching basic commands. Puppies have an extremely short attention span, which is best worked within 5 to 10 minute sessions. That's only one or two sets of television commercials!
Use whatever time you have to your advantage. A favorite technique amongst many trainers is for you to let your puppy follow you around while you do light housework by putting it on a leash and tying the other end to your belt. This gets the puppy in the habit of staying with you without the worry of it wandering off into mischief. Plus, it presents an easy opportunity to periodically stop what you're doing to interact and get in a bit of training.
Realize that consistency is key in any level of training. Everyone in the home should be on the same page concerning the puppy's guidelines so the puppy doesn't get mixed signals about acceptable behaviors from different family members.
Additionally, don't be a nag. Avoid repeating the same command over and over. If sometimes you say something once and expect compliance, but on other occasions you repeat the command five times before getting the behavior, this lack of clarity creates confusion for a young dog. Be willing to wait and allow the puppy to think for itself about what you just asked for. You might be happily surprised at what you see.
Disposable Dogs
Posted by: | CommentsWhen it comes to the emotional universe of human-animal relationships, perfection becomes a much coveted goal in the eyes of the dog owner. Everybody wants to have a dog that is in perfect health, perfect confirmation, and with the perfect temperament. But does this ideal canine really exist?
While it is true that many animals, just like many people, are very close to perfection than others, it is highly doubtful that any specific animal (or group of animals) can realistically be perceived as "perfect."
A Crime Of Attitude
It is quite surprising just how naive humans can be in their outlook towards their canine friends. Everyday, puppies are returned to pet stores from individuals who have a handful of complaints from so-called imperfections of the animal. These minor imperfections cause puppies to be passed from home to home without anyone taking the time to try to understand them before hoisting them off to the next family.
Young puppies that come down with an illness or a debilitating handicap are most often put to death by euthanasia rather than the owners committing the love and care to help it cope with its disease or handicap. It's just the easy way out.
The basic theory seems to be clear: "toss away the less-than-perfect dog, for he can be quickly replaced by a more perfect one... hopefully."
Realistically, Complete Perfection Is Impossible
If you are one of these owners who has illegitimately "thrown away" a not-so-perfect dog or puppy, then it is quite obvious that you are used to simply exchanging problems instead of eliminating them.
These animals are living creatures, just like you, just like your children and your family. How in the world can you expect each one to be perfect? Is the life of a dog not worth the extra care or attention?
Also like humans, dogs may not only come with imperfections in health, they also come with complex emotional systems that may be experiencing some sort of malfunction at one time or another. Many owners concede that when a dog starts to display an unwanted characteristic, whether it be physical or mental, it is then time to dispose of the dog for a replacement.
What Will It Take?
How difficult can it possibly be for pet owners to start thinking of their animals as sensitive living beings that need more love and attention than simply filling up the food dish and taking the dog out for a walk? My favorite quote is: "Dogs have rights too!"
And not only does your dog have rights to a life of love and care, regardless of many imperfect circumstances, he also has the right to be recognized for exactly what he is, which is a creature that is neither more perfect or less perfect than the owner that cares for it. If you do not make it a practice to discard your children for their imperfections, your friends, spouse or siblings, then have the decency to treat your pet the same way.
What are the most common commands a person will use with their seeing-eye dog? ?
Posted by: | CommentsI am trying to find out what the basic communications are between a person and his/her guide-dog. Not only what the person uses to tell the dog what to do, but what the dog does with its body and voice to communicate with the person. I can't find any websites with this 'how to' information.
Hi! I'm Jamie and this is my site about dogs.
