Patience is a virtue
Let’s start with an uplifting story about a man who was reunited with his dog after two years.
On the other hand, a few weeks ago the Wall Street Journal had story about a Marine service dog suffering from PTSD. The more we learn, the more the similarities between people and animals become apparent.
On that note, a panel assembled by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) discussed dolphins and how their intelligence (at least according to some research) may rival those of humans and what sort of ethical challenges that may present. Unfortunately the full version of the article is only available to subscribers. Here are some dolphin facts though:
- Dolphins can recognize themselves in mirrors.
- Dolphins have larger brains than us, and while they are also larger than humans, they still have a greater brain-to-body-weight ratio than great apes.
- Dolphins have a neocortex, the part of the brain responsible for self-awareness and solving problems, that is quite complex. This could indicate a very sophisticated level of intelligence.
- Researchers have found neurons in dolphins that have been linked to emotions, social cognition, and theory of mind.
So, maybe we should be treating them better?
Research has a dark side too, and the source of animals for research can be very controversial. Some research is supported by “Class B” dealers that have a sordid history of misconduct. Fortunately, this may be coming to an end.
There’s been some great news on the Breed Specific Legislation front. Elgin IL has passed a dangerous dog bill that does not include any breed specific language. One city at a time, folks.
Weekend Update March 12, 2010 is a post from: Dog Spelled Forward
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- Weekend Update January 15, 2010
- Weekend Update February 19, 2010
- Weekend Update: January 1, 2010 (!)
The New Jersey Tundra
A dog that went missing in Virginia showed up 600 miles away in Florida! What a nice surprise!
In the United Kingdom, a dog that has saved many lives in Afghanistan was recognized with the Victoria Cross.
A woman punched out a coyote that attacked her and her puppy.
A dog kept a toddler alive in the cold by staying with her.
Keep your dog on a leash! A Springer Spaniel plunged 300ft off a cliff while chasing a seagull. Here’s some amazing footage of the rescue.
A while back I posted about the wonderful production of 101 Dalmatians that is using rescue dogs. Mary Haight at Dancing Dog Blog has background and backstage information on 101 Dalmatians over here.
Last, did they nail the dialogue on this one or not? “Lazy energy,” “actively submissive,” “kitty leader,” “negative conduct”…..maybe he consulted on this?
Weekend Update February 27, 2010 is a post from: Dog Spelled Forward
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Digging is a common complaint for dog owners. The problem is, digging comes very natural for many dogs. As a matter of fact terriers are named for Terra, as in Latin for “earth.” They are literally called “earth dogs” — and it’s not because they are environmentally friendly. Digging is frequently a “hard-wired” behavior in dogs and stopping it is literally trying to stop a dog’s natural tendencies. So….
Instead of Fighting the Instinct to Dig, Harness It!
One of the most effective ways to deal with instinctual dog behavior like digging is to give a dog a way to do it that is not disruptive. My favorite is to set up a “digging pit” somewhere and then convince the dog that digging there is more rewarding than around the petunias.
Either purchase a sandbox or dig a hole and fill it with sand. (Sand is a lot easier to clean up than soil.) If you decide to go with a hole, it may be helpful to line it with plastic sheeting. Then, hide some toys in the sand and show your dog his new place to dig!
Start out making the hidden goodies easy to find and then work your way up to making it more and more difficult. Make it a game, and be sure to spend some time with your dog. Which is a nice segway to the next point…..
Idle Paws are the Devil’s Digger!
In detective fiction we frequently read or hear about “motive and opportunity.” We covered motive for digging, now you need to deal with the opportunity! Are you leaving a “known offender” alone in your yard? Leaving your dog alone outside is not a good idea for a lot of reasons, but leaving a bonafide digger alone is just asking for it.
Left to their own devices, dogs may not choose the recreation activities we would prefer. Trying playing with your dog instead of leaving him alone. Trying using toys and games to exercise his mind and redirect his desire to dig.
Training Can Help
Even when you are with your dog, his eyes may wander over to those petunias. This is a prime opportunity to train him to leave things alone on cue. That, along with some work on impulse control, will make it easier to redirect your dog’s attention to more productive pursuits.
Digging can be a big nuisance, but it’s not an insurmountable problem. Try these steps and remember: enjoy your time with your dog. That why’s you got him!
How can I stop my dog from digging up my yard? is a post from: Dog Spelled Forward
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I was going to wait a few weeks to do another product review, but my sample Nina Ottosson Dog Brick from A Company of Animals showed up and it is just too cool to wait!
The Nina Ottosson line of games are properly called games, not toys. They are designed to make dogs think while playing together with their people. The toys are available in both wood and plastic. My sample is a plastic Dog Brick. (Be sure to select “Brick” under “size” if you want the same game.)
The plastic is heavy and very high quality. As you will see in the video below, I unleashed Gage on the game, and it is still intact — not even a scratch. However this is not a game that you should leave out unattended. It is intended for supervised (and team) play.
The dog brick has four sets of two sliders under which you can hide treats (I used kibble), as well as a center row where you can place treats either in the open or under plastic covers shaped similar to bones. This simple design provides you with a variety of options in varying the level of difficulty for your dog. The key with games like this is keeping it interesting for your dog without making it too difficult. The game includes a short but very helpful DVD explaining how to gradually introduce the game to your dog.
Enough talk. Here’s Caffeine with the game.
At first Caffeine seems a little intimidated and gives up, but after some help she gets into it. This illustrates how working together yields better results and more fun. This is not an alternative to the Kong – it’s a game!
Here is my wife, Dagmar, playing with Gage:
This process is similar to the one described on the companion DVD. To round out the Stooges, here’s Buddha:
Isn’t it interesting to see how the three dogs approach the game differently?
This game is a lot of fun! It’s definitely worth considering for any family. The Nina Ottosson games used to be more difficult to get in the U.S. (and quite a bit more expensive) but now with options like Amazon (affiliate link) the toys are much easier to find. The Dog Brick (Again: be sure to select “Brick” under “size” if you want the same game) is a medium level game, if you check out A Company of Animals website you can see the full line of toys, including the easier and more difficult options.
As promised, here is Gage unleashed:
Product Review: Nina Ottosson’s Dog Brick is a post from: Dog Spelled Forward
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Ready for Cold Walkies!
Now the news…..
Over at Pawcurious, Dr. V wrote a nice series of articles on dental health this week. It starts with how to perform a visual inspection yourself and continues with dental care at home. Dental care for dogs and cats is getting a lot of attention lately, and it’s a good thing. Very useful stuff from a great vet!
I’m a huge fan of Animal Behavior Associates. Dr. Hetts and Dr. Estep are experienced professionals and they publish some of the best behavior information you can find online. I’m a happy member of their Behavior Education Network. Here’s a great blog post from Dr. Hetts on how to have a better behaved pet.
Looking for a way to combine your love of your pets with saving the earth? Sponsor a memorial tree for your pet, or give it to someone as a gift. This is a very worthy cause that is helping replenish trees in our national forests.
Despite the cold and record snows, it’s time to start planning travel. Dog Jaunt has a great list of dog-friendly places ready for you, based on reader feedback. Pop in and tell everyone about your favorite spots.
If you are in my neck of the woods, GoPetFriendly.com has put together a guide on Northward Hound’s Escapes from New York. (No eye patch or life sentence required.)
Last, great news on the puppy mill front from Dancing Dog Blog. West Hollywood has banned sales of puppies and kittens! Can I get a “woo-hoo?”
Update: I just got word of a great contest that wraps up next week: Do you know of a dog that has changed someone’s life?
Weekend Update February 19, 2010 is a post from: Dog Spelled Forward
