Month: June 2016

Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Dog Training

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Abraham Maslow first proposed his Hierarchy of Needs in a 1943 paper called “A Theory of Human Motivation” and still as of today, his theory remains a popular framework in modern sociology and psychology. His theory is very simple: meet your basic needs and you will have unlocked the path for reaching your full potential. The basic needs are portrayed in a pyramid, with the most basic and fundamental needs at the bottom and further secondary needs at the top. One cannot move to the next level if the needs of the current level haven’t been met. While Maslow designed his pyramid with humans in mind, similar principles can also be applied in dog training.

maslow

The List of Needs

  • Physiological needs: these are the most important of your dog’s needs, they are basically the ones your dog needs in order to survive. Air, food, water, adequate sleep, veterinary care and shelter are examples of these important physiological needs. If dogs are sick, undernourished and sleep deprived, there’s little space left for learning as their biological needs must be met first.
  • Safety Needs: Dogs need to feel safe and protected in their environment in order for learning to take to place as they cannot effectively learn if they are stressed. Dog training should be as stress free as possible and this means avoiding harsh, aversion-based training techniques. A structured, predictable routine is also reassuring to many dogs as they know what to expect.

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  • Love/Belonging: A history of trust and a strong bond with the owner is an important foundation. It’s important for dog owners to provide gentle guidance under the form of force-free dog training techniques. Play is also great way for dogs to bond with their owners and so can be physical contact when the dog shows signs of enjoyment. When there is a history of trust and bonding, dogs are more open to learning and they look forward to being involved in family activities. As social animals, dogs like to feel part of the family.
  • Esteem: Think only humans have self-esteem? Then, think again. Dogs thrive when they are praised and rewarded for a job well done. Training should focus on making the dog feel confident setting the dog for success. As shy, tentative dogs are trained using positive reinforcement, they  gradually become more and more confident.

old dog learns tricks

  • Self-actualization: at the apex of the pyramid is self-actualization which entails achieving personal growth and reaching our full potential. However, this doesn’t  necessarily mean reaching perfection. Every dog has the potential to excel in some area of specialty. Identifying what your dog does best is key to allowing him to thrive. Building on his passion by refining his skills and adding new challenges help keep the dog mentally stimulated and happy. There are many new sports and specialties crafted for dogs nowadays and these include Treibball, canine nosework, Rally Obedience, hunting trials, search and rescue, weight pulling, Canine Musical Freestyle and many more. Even simple things like trick training and letting the dog complete small chores performed at home can help gives dogs a feeling of confidence and achievement.

“”Dog training should not be a battle of wills, but an ever-evolving dance of communication and cooperation” ~Nicole Wilde

References:

  • Dogs Are People Too: The Practical Guide to Understanding and Training Your Dog (Because You’re More Alike Than You Think!) Paperback – April 4, 2016, by Mary Jean Alsina First Edition Design eBook Publishing (April 4, 2016)
  • The Dog Rules: 14 Secrets to Developing the Dog YOU WantPaperback – November 5, 2011
    by Kyra Sundance, Touchstone; 1 edition (November 5, 2011)

Photo Credits:

  • Pyramid showing Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, by FireflySixtySeven, (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Dog Breeds With Webbed Feet

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Webbed feet consist of toes connected by a membrane and are characteristic of animals with a history of spending time in aquatic environments. Just like flippers, the main function of webbed feet is to help animals effectively paddle through water. On top of helping water creatures propel themselves through water, webbed feet also help them walk over muddy surfaces.  Animals with webbed feet therefore have a history of leading an amphibious life (able to live both on land and in water). While dogs are terrestrial animals, some dog breeds are known for having webbed feet, however, there is a substantial difference between their feet and the webbed feet of animals who spend time in the water.

duck“If It Waddles Like a Duck”

Water and land creatures such as ducks, frogs, geese, swans and otters are known for having webbed feet.

Because these animals spend a good amount of their life in water, their feet are heavily webbed, and when they walk on land, they may not be very “dexterous” walking over land as terrestrial animals (think ducks, swans and geese waddling).

Dogs, on the other hand, being terrestrial animals, tend to have minimal webbing between their toes.

As cursorial animals that walk on  their toes, their feet have been crafted in such a way as to allow them to effectively walk and run over land.

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A Touch of Webbing  

dog paw pads

If you carefully take a peak at the feet of dogs, you’ll likely notice how they all have a bit of “webbing” in between one toe and another. This is normal.

Even humans have a certain extent of “webbing” with some skin found between one finger and another.

This “webbing” though is quite a far cry from the webbing we see in animals who spend more time in the water.

However, interestingly, there are some dogs breeds who have more webbing compared to others. Let’s therefore focus on several dogs breeds with webbed feet.

Dogs Breeds With Webbed Feet Listdog swimming

Dog breeds who have more webbing compared to other dogs are those that have been selectively bred to work in water. This is something that has been noticed for quite some time and is even mentioned by Charles Darwin in the book ” The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication.”

In the book, Darwin mentions how Isidore Geoffrey noticed that in Newfoundlands the webbing reached the third phalanges, while in other dog breeds it extended just up to the second.

According to the American Kennel Club  those webbed toes therefore play an important role for water-retrieving dog breeds, helping them swim.

What dog breeds have webbed feet? Following are several dog breeds with a history of working in water and known for having webbed feet:

List of Dog Breeds With Webbed Feet

  • Portuguese water dog:
  • Otterhound 
  • Newfoundland
  • German Wire-haired Pointer
  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  • Weimaraner
  • Chesapeake Bay Retriever
  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
  • American Water Spaniel
  • Labrador retriever

Did you know? All the embryos of terrestrial vertebrates have webbed feet, but later on, as they develop and form, through a process known as apoptosi (a process of programmed cell death) the webbing it then eliminated, explains  Nelson Çabej  in the book “Epigenetic Principles of Evolution.”

 

References:

  • The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication, Volume 2. Voorkant · Charles Darwin. J. Murray, 1868.
  • American Kennel Club, Glossary, retrieved from the web on June 9th, 2016
  • Epigenetic Principles of Evolution (Elsevier Insights) 1st Edition by Nelson R. Cabej, Elsevier; 1 edition (December 5, 2011)

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Dog Word of the Day: Trigger Stacking

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Let face it: when it comes to being exposed to annoyances and inconveniences of life, we all eventually have a breaking point. As humans, most of us have gone at some time or another through some phase where everything just seemed to go wrong. Even the calmest person on earth may therefore lose it after being exposed to a series of inconveniences that take place one after another. Like us, dogs can also suffer from the cumulative effects of stress and this can even affect the calmest, well-rounded dogs, the ones that dog owners would never expect them to lash out.  Learning more about trigger stacking can help us better understand the effects it can have on our dogs so we can take steps to better manage their environment and hopefully prevent them from reaching their breaking point.

tetrisUnderstanding Trigger Stacking

Trigger stacking is often a phenomenon that causes dog owners to make remarks such as “Out of the blue,’ my dog bit him, I never expected this from my dog!”  Fact is, ALL dogs (yes, even the calmest, friendliest ones!) have a breaking point. Dog trainers call it “bite threshold“, which is the point where, when push comes to shove, the dog reaches the point where he will bite. The presentation of several triggers, presented one after the other (trigger stacking.) therefore has a cumulative effect which can lower the dog’s bite threshold.

For sake of comparison, imagine the game of Tetris, or for those playing more recent games, other tile-matching video games like Bejeweled or Candy Crush Saga. If you do not clear enough blocks, gems or candy pieces on time, they will start stacking up and accumulating putting the player under cumulative pressure. Failure to clear them in time leads to the stacked pieces piling up to the point where the player loses and the game ends. In a similar fashion, exposure to several triggers stacking up, can put a dog under pressure until he reaches a point where he loses it (literally!)

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“Announcing that nice dogs don’t bite and vicious dogs do is like saying that nice people never argue or get angry and vicious people do” ~Jean Donaldson

Subtle Signs of Stress

Imagine going through a bad day. You wake up with flu-like symptoms, you want to stay in bed but you must get your kids ready for school. Then, right when you are about to take a nap, the phone rings. It’s a debt collector, you forgot to pay a bill. You therefore get dressed and go mail the payment. Then, once back home, you want to take a nap, and a sales man pops up at your door. By the time you go back to bed and you are about to fall asleep, your kids are back from school and it’s time to prepare lunch. You warn your husband and kids that you’re not really in a good mood so you ask them to please be quiet and understanding. All the earlier mishaps have certainly stacked up and you are reaching your breaking point. Dogs can go through similar happenings, but in dogs though the effects of trigger stacking can be trickier to recognize.

Unlike people, dogs can’t talk to warn you about their growing levels of stress and frustration. Spared from the gift of voice, their only form of communication is through their body language. Many signs of dog stress are therefore often missed because they can be quite subtle and dog owners may fail to recognize them. On top of that, dog owners may not realize the effect exposure to certain stimuli can have on their dogs and therefore may assume their dogs are coping well with them, when they are not.

“Trigger stacking refers to numerous triggers occurring together and pushing a dog over this threshold in combination when they would not on their own.” ~Stephanie Hedges

dog tongue flicks whale eyeAvoiding The “Tetris Game Over” Effect

In order to reduce the chances for trigger stacking, you will need to get better accustomed with your dog’s body language and subtle signs of stress, 2) understand his triggers and 3) get more acquainted with his threshold levels, 4) manage your dog’s environment, and 5) get professional help. Following are some general guidelines to prevent your dog from becoming a victim of the effects of trigger stacking.

  • Recognize subtle signs of stress such as lip licks, yawning, whale eyes, shedding of hair.  For more on this read ” Signs of stress in dogs”
  • Learn more about what triggers stress in your dog  and consider that sometimes even what look like fun events such as going to doggy day care or the dog park can have elements of stress. Many dogs can also be stressed by continual exposure to boisterous kids or other pets sharing the household.
  • Learn more about your dog’s threshold. How much can he take before getting stressed? Recall past events when your dog acted stressed so that you can take steps in the future to prevent him from reaching his breaking point. Is he bothered by other dogs when they are at a certain distance?  Then increase that distance. Does he seem to do fine with kids until they interact with him? Then limit such interactions. Does he dislike when dogs are in his face? Then keep him away from places where dogs are allowed off leash. Manage his environment so that you can better gauge the amount of stress he is exposed to and significantly reduce it.
  •  Play it safe, doing your best to not put your dog into situations he cannot handle. Consider that a dog’s  threshold can lower considerably when a dog is not feeling well or is victim of cumulative stress.
  • Look for professional help to nip the problem in the bud before reacting defensively becomes your dog’s new way of life for dealing with stressful events. Vitally important  is to enroll the aid of a dog trainer/behavior consultant specializing in force-free training and behavior modification so that your dog isn’t exposed to the negative effects of aversive dog training. 
  •  Keep in mind that when dogs are exposed to stressful events the stress hormones linger for a while and therefore your dog’s threshold is often lowered for quite some time. Following a stress reduction program is important.

” It takes a while for the stress hormones involved in preparing the body for flight or fight to dissipate and so repeated exposures to frightening or highly stressful situations mean that the body never gets a chance to return to normal.” ~Taryn Blyth

References:

  • Culture Clash: A New Way Of Understanding The Relationship Between Humans And Domestic Dogs Paperback – January 19, 1996 by Jean Donaldson, James & Kenneth Publishers (January 19, 1996)
  • Practical Canine Behaviour: For Veterinary Nurses and Technicians, by Stephanie Hedges, CABI Publishing; 1 edition (11 July 2014)
  • Stress and your Dog By Taryn Blyth, DipCABT (OCN UK) retrieved from the web on June 8th, 2016

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What’s that Bump on Top of a Dog’s Head?

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You may have at some time or another stumbled on a dog with a prominent bump on his head and may have wondered why some dogs have a bumpy head while some others do not. In the fictional world, Pluto is a great example of a dog with a bumpy head and despite being a cartoon character, Disney was inspired by real features considering that bloodhounds are notorious for having a bumpy head. Today’s trivia question therefore revolves around this bump on the dog’s head. The question therefore is:

In the old days, this bump on a dog’s head was indicative of what?

A Intelligence

B Stubbornness

C Loyalty

D Obedience

The correct answer is: drum roll please….

drum

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The correct answer is: A, Intelligence.

dog bump on headIntroducing the Smart Bump

The bump on the dog’s head is technically known as “occiput” which comes from a Latin word meaning “back of the skull.” Many dog owners though still like to proudly refer to it as their dog’s “smart bump” for the simple fact that in the old days having such a bump at the top of the head was considered a sign of intelligence. Some other dogs owners may choose to call it instead “knowledge knot, brain bump or wisdom bump.” Regardless of how it’s called, one thing is for sure though (and sorry to burst someone’s bubbles) this is an old wives tail as there is no proof that a bump on a dog’s head is associated with superior cognitive abilities.

More Prominent Than Others

The dog’s occiput is a bony protuberance on the dog’s head and its primary role is to protect the dog’s bones of the skull and brain. On top of this important protective function, the dog’s occiput also promotes movement of the head in relation to the spine. While all dogs have an occiput, it’s more prominent in certain breeds compared to others.  We often see it in hounds, particularly the bloodhound and several sporting breeds such as golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers and English setters.

Did you know? Because the occiput is commonly prominent in hounds, it was also once considered to be an indicator of a dog with a superior sense of smell.

Signs of Trouble

While the presence of an occiput is normal part of a dog’s anatomy, an occiput that appears to be more prominent that usual may denote a health problem. Usually, this is an indicator of some level of muscle wasting going on, points out veterinarian Dr. Marie. It’s important therefore to investigate what could be causing the muscle atrophy in the first place.  Some types of cancer or masticatory myositis may be underlying causes. This area is also prone to getting bumped and when this happens, a bruise can form on top of it, making it appear more prominent, adds veterinarian Dr. Pete.  So any changes to the dog’s occiput should be investigated by the vet. On a less alarming note, the occiput may appear temporarily more prominent due to hair loss and in developing adolescent dogs.

Did you know? The occiput is blessed with several nerve endings and as such, it’s a location of interest to many canine therapeutic massage specialists.

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I am Your Dog’s Supraorbital Whiskers

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A couple of weeks ago, we discovered the dog’s inter-ramal tuft, a solitary tuft of whiskers found under the dog’s chin. Today instead, we’ll be discovering the dog’s supraorbital whiskers. Mother Nature hasn’t placed those whiskers casually in a meaningless fashion. Instead, whisker placement was strategically thought with a dog’s survival and well-being in mind. So why do dogs have supraorbital whiskers? Let’s listen to the dog’s supraorbital whiskers story and discover more about them.

dog whiskers eyeIntroducing Your Dog’s Supraorbital Whiskers

Hello, it’s your dog’s supraorbital whiskers talking! As the name implies, we are a tuft of whiskers found on top of your dog’s eyes. The word “supraorbital” indeed means “situated above the orbit of the eye, where in humans the eyebrows are located. ”

Indeed, many people confuse us and think we are the equivalent of human eyebrows. Eyebrows in humans have a specific purpose: to prevent salty sweat from pouring down from the forehead to the eye socket. It is thanks to the eyebrow’s arched shape and slant to the side therefore that sweat flows sideways.

Dogs are not equipped with eyebrows for the simple fact that they do not sweat in the same way we do, explains Stanley Coren, in the book “How to Speak Dog.” So if we aren’t the equivalent of human eyebrows, what is our original function?

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The Dog’s Antennaedog eye whiskers

Your dog’s whiskers are unlike any other hairs found on your dog’s body. Whiskers are made of stiffer and thicker hairs that sprout from a hair follicle that is highly innervated (supplied with nerves.) The purpose of these nerves is to relay important information in regards to the dog’s surrounding environment. Whiskers are also known as “vibrissae,” which comes from the Latin word “vibrio” which means “to vibrate.”  Basically, when these hairs get in contact with something in the dog’s environment, they “vibrate”  like antennae and transmit  information to the dog’s brain so that the dog can make decisions about how to navigate around obstacles. For instance, the whiskers on the dog’s upper lip may help him determine whether he can squeeze through a tight space without risking  getting stuck; whereas the whiskers on the dog’s chin help provide information about obstacles found under the chin, which is a blind spot.

Did you know? According to Grammarist, both in the U.S. and Canada, the plural of the word antenna is antennae when used to depict the flexible sensory appendages found on insects and other animals; whereas antennas is used to depict the metallic apparatus used for sending electromagnetic signals.

dogA Protective Device

Back to us, your dog’s supraorbital whiskers, we sit there just above your dog’s eyes for a very good reason: to protect them.  Your dog’s eyes are quite delicate and oh, so very important structures for his survival!  A dog’s eyes can easily be poked or injured by protruding objects such as branches.

The moment we therefore detect something dangerously close to your dog’s eyes, the dog’s blinking reflex is triggered so that your dog can close his eyes before they have a chance of being harmed. You may have seen us in action before but didn’t really think much about it when you pet your dog’ face, and inadvertently touch us causing your dog’s eye to blink. Pretty cool, no?

I hope this article has helped you understand us better! As seen, we are there for a very good reason!

Yours truly,

Your Dog’s Supraorbital WhiskersDog Pawprint

 

 

References:

How To Speak Dog, By Stanley Coren, Atria Books; New edition edition (April 17, 2001)

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Are Poodles Smart Dogs?

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Are poodles smart dogs? The video of Sailor the poodle performing impressive tricks has gone viral and many people may be wondering whether poodles are smart dogs, or perhaps the smartest dogs on earth. Well, the answer is that it depends. Sure, Sailor can push a shopping cart with ease, jump a skipping rope and even climb a flight of stairs using his rear legs, so there’s no denial that poodles can be smart dogs, and their history may even suggest that, but when we talk about canine smarts, things can go beyond the ability to perform tricks. So let’s take a peek at how smart poodles really are.

Five Reasons Why Poodles are Smart Dogs 

Sailor has set a new record for the Fastest 10 Meters on a Walking Globe, setting an amazing 33.22 seconds, and, on top of that, he has also set another world record in 2015 for the Fastest Time to Climb 20 Stairs using the hind legs. These tricks are quite impressive and this has got many people wondering whether poodles must be one of the most intelligent dogs on earth.  The following five reasons can explain why poodles are so smart.

Poodles Are Versatile Dogs…
poodles

Behind the poofy hair tied in ribbons and regal attitude, the poodle is a working dog at heart, and quite a versatile one too! Poodles have a history of making great water retrievers, jumping into water without hesitation in order to retrieve waterfowl for their hunters. Indeed, if we look at their name, it derives from the German word “pudel” which means “to splash in water,” while in France these dogs are referred to as “caniche” which means “duck dog.”

On top of retrieving ducks, Miniature poodles were used for finding truffles while toy poodles were utilized as companions for the nobles and wealthy class.  There’s no doubt therefore that these dogs had to be quite smart to be able to play so many different roles and carry out so many different tasks!

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poodleWith a History as Circus Dogs.

Other than performing many jobs, poodles boast a history as circus dogs performing many cute tricks in front of an audience. This required dogs that were capable of traveling and quickly adjust to unfamiliar surrounding and not reacting to noises and the presence of many people and other animals.

Poodles also had to be enthusiastic performers when needed, yet capable of being calm and under control at other times. Gypsies and many traveling performers therefore used to take advantage of the poodle’s trainability dressing them up in costumes and letting them perform at circuses. Some would even sculpt their coats letting them sport fancy hairdos often boasting pom poms trimmed to match the clown’s attire so to increase their stage appeal. Even as today, poodle are often seen performing at dog shows and circuses. 

Poodles Have an Agile Body…circus poodle

It takes a certain body type for dogs to perform impressive tricks and the poodle seems to meet all the requisites.  According to Dorothy MacDonald, a history buff and field trial judge, the poodle was originally a “considerably off-square dog” when used as a water retriever. It was only when the gypsies fell in love with this dog that their off-square shape changed in favor of a square shape which granted  more agility so they could spin and perform their acrobatic acts.

“The square shape of today’s Poodle is derived more from his function as a performing dog than that of a retriever. This square shape does not hinder his work as a retriever but makes him a dual function dog.” ~Dorothy MacDonald

 are poodles smart dogsAnd Along with That, A Sharp Mind.

The American Kennel Club Poodle Standard, describes the poodle as “A very active, intelligent and elegant appearing dog, squarely built, well proportioned, moving soundly and carrying himself proudly.”

These dogs are often described as wanting to be involved in every activity and craving human companionship. This is certainly not a breed that could cope with living in a secluded yard all day!

Poodles are quick learners who are quite adept at figuring things out and they are eager to please.  Regular training and loads of mental stimulation can help put these dog’s prodigious abilities to work.

Did you know?  Living with a smart dog that is easy to train can also have its challenges. Just as they can learn desired behaviors quickly, they are as quick to learn bad habits!

 

 

And That Explains Why Poodles Rank Second Place. 

poodle stay

Stanley Coren, a professor of canine psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, compiled a list of the most intelligent dog breeds according to over 200 professional dog obedience judges. According to his list, the poodle ranks a honorable second place just after the border collie.

Does this mean that everybody should rush and purchase the top ranking breeds? Certainly not, as we have seen, owning a smart dog doesn’t mean easy!

On top of that, it’s important to consider that when it comes to intelligence in dogs there are many different types.

“Every dog has an instinctive intelligence for which it was bred. Thus the Afghan Hound, at the bottom of the list, was bred to spot, pursue and pull down antelope and gazelle. If you ever saw one of them running you would appreciate how refined his skill as a running hunter is” says Coren.

This list therefore needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Sure poodles are smart, but just because they top the list, doesn’t mean that other dog breeds less sharp. Just like human intelligence, dog intelligence comes in various forms.

 

Meet Sailor the Smart Poodle and his famous Guinness World Record tricks!

For further reading:  The Secret Behind Dog Tricks

 

References: 

  • Dog Time, Poodle, retrieved from the web on June 5th, 2016
  • Canine Horizons, Historical Poodle, retrieved from the web on June 5th, 2016
  • The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions Paperback – by Stanley Coren, Atria Books; Reissue edition (January 5, 2006)

Photo Credits:

  • Flickr, Creative Commons, Poodle by Andrew Colin# Gloria Serenity Belek, Antalya, (CC BY 2.0)

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Surprise: This Dog Doesn’t Have a Weird Coat as Thought

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There are several articles featuring dogs with the most unusual coat colors and markings, but one particular dog that is often featured as having a unique coat pattern, actually shouldn’t be there. Why shouldn’t this dog be there? Because this dog in particular isn’t sporting a striking coat pattern as many may assume, but is actually suffering from a particular skin condition that causes a loss of pigment. As striking as this dog may appear, his presence among a compilation of unusual dog coat markings and patterns is therefore a mistake, possibly due to not knowing about this condition.

dog vitiligoA Skin Condition

Several of the dogs often making their appearance as having the most striking markings  are dogs who are actually suffering from a medical condition known as “vitiligo.” This skin condition is not very common, but it’s surely an attention grabber,  and possibly one reason why these pictures of dogs with unusual coat patterns have become popular and gone viral.

Vitiligo causes  loss of skin pigmentation affecting the areas around the muzzle, nose and eyes. What causes this skin condition? The exact underlying cause still needs to be discovered, but there’s belief that it results from an autoimmune disorder causing antibodies to mistakenly attack melanin, which is responsible for giving color to a dog’s skin and coat.  The skin disorder is believed to be genetic. Triggers may include stress, exposure to toxins and certain neurological factors. This condition seems to affect more certain breeds such as dachshunds, German shepherds, dachshunds and Old English sheepdogs.

Signs  and Treatmentvitiligo in rott

The signs of vitiligo are quite straightforward, the dog develops evident patches of non-pigmented skin. Because the hairs covering the non-pigmented skin areas are also affected, white skin patches appear. Vitiligo can start from early puppy-hood, but in the majority of dogs, it develops at a later time. In some cases, the skin condition can also affect the eyes causing the inside of the eyeball to also be discolored.

While there is no treatment to cure this skin disease, there are some therapies that may help. Exposure to sunlight may stimulate the cells responsible for creating melanin (melanocytes) according to Vet Info. Another treatment option is vitamin C, claims veterinarian Dr. Debbie.

References:

  • Vet Info, Vitiligo in Dogs, retrieved from the web on June 4th, 2016

Photo Credits:

A Fascinating Relationship Between Dog and Bears

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We know of dog breeds with a wolfish appearance or dogs with or a foxy expression, but there are also some dog breeds that look like bears, with some even looking like the canine impersonation of teddy bears! Of course, these breeds are not the outcome of some love affair going on between Rover and Winnie the Pooh, but we sure can’t ignore their bear-like resemblance.  Whether it’s a dog’s long snout or fuzzy coat, turns out there may actual be a scientific reason as to why some dogs may look a bit like bears. Read on to discover the relationship dogs and bears are known to share.

Meat Eaters At Heartdog meat eating

At a first thought, we assume dogs and bears have very little in common. Indeed, dogs belong to the canidae family, whereas bears belong to the ursidae family. This means that they are different species, they have many contrasting characteristics and they cannot breed.

However, at a closer glance we discover that they are both under the order of carnivora, which includes lions, tigers, bears, cats and dogs. Carnivorans are basically animals that derive nourishment from a diet that’s mainly or exclusively made of meat regardless whether it’s obtained through predation or scavenging. However, not necessarily all members of the order Carnivora adhere to a strict meat diet (obligate carnivers), some eat fruits too and are known as facultative carnivores.

Since most of these animals are meat eaters by preference, Mother Nature has made sure to equip these carnivorans with excellent senses,  good running abilities ( yes, grizzly bears can outrun a human!) and sharp meat-eating teeth.

 

caniformiaSharing a Suborder

At some point, carnivores split into two distinct suborders: cat-like animals and dog-like animals. The carnivores that split into dog-like forms were categorized under the suborder group Caniformia.

The carnivores that split into cat-like forms instead fell under the  suborder group Feliformia.

Bears (with their long snouts and non-retractable claws) therefore ended up being grouped within the caniformia suborder along with dogs. Members of this group can be seen in the picture on the left.

 

 

A Step Back in Time

Prior to splitting into dog and cat forms, carnivorans derived from members of the Miacidae family (miacids). Miacids were small carnivores, equipped with little bodies and long tails. Some lived on trees (arboreal), while others lived on the ground. Their teeth included carnassial teeth, but their teeth were overall less developed than those seen in modern carnivorans. Miacids are therefore the ancestors of cats, dogs and bears. In particular, according to National Geographic, a small, tree-dwelling mammal going by the name of Dormaalocyon latouri  has been found to is the ancestor of lions, tigers, bears and dogs.

Divergence from miacids into carnivores is estimated to have occurred  in the middle-Eocene around 42 million years ago.

 

As seen, dogs and bears share a little bit of history when it comes to their evolution. In case you’re wondering though, no, bears and dogs cannot mate. Dogs have 78 chromosomes whereas bears have 74.

Just for Fun: Six Fascinating Dog Breeds That Look Like Bears

Let’s face it: there are certain dog breeds that look more like bears than others. This though doesn’t mean that they are more closely related to bears than other dogs. It just means that they have been selectively bred to look that why.  As much as these dogs look like cute teddy bears just asking for a hug, please refrain from doing so. Several dogs dislike being hugged, and hugging an unknown dog can be risky business! Following is a list of dog breeds that show a close resemblance with dogs.

The Chow Chow

The Akita

An American Akita,byJonnydrh -

Maremma Sheepdog

maremma sheepdog

Tibetan Mastiff

tibetan mastiff

The Great Pyrenees 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyrenees#/media/File:Great_Pyrenees_Tavish.jpg"A Great Pyrenees, by Michael L. Baird, CC BY 2.0

Newfoundland

newfoundland

References:

Lindblad-Toh K, Wade CM, Mikkelsen TS, et al. (December 2005). “Genome sequence, comparative analysis and haplotype structure of the domestic dog”.Nature 438 (7069): 803–19.

 

Photo Credits:

 

 

 

 

 

Studies Reveal Puppy Tail Docking Procedure is Painful

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We often hear claims about tail docking being a pretty much painless procedure when carried out in young puppies, but many may wonder: How can a procedure like tail docking be painless when we’re talking about cutting through skin, nerves, cartilage and bones? The belief seems to stem from the fact that since tail docking takes place when a puppy is only three-days old, chances are high that his nervous system is immature. New studies today though seem to disprove this belief and suggest that the pain is there and it can be even quite significant.

wagging tailA Lesson in Anatomy

The dog’s tail is much more than just an appendage, it actually carries many roles including balance and communication. Composed of several highly mobile vertebrae surrounded by muscles, tendons and nerves, the tail has been shown to work as a means for counterbalance when the dog is leaping, climbing or walking on narrow structures.  The muscles of the tail also help stabilize the dog’s vertebral column and support the extensor muscles of the back, croup and buttocks. The muscles of the tail therefore also play a role during defecation helping the dog evacuate properly. Docking the tail early can therefore mean failure for the muscles of the tail and pelvis to develop to their complete potential. The problem is not limited to defecation though. A study conducted by Holt and Thrusifield in 1993, also showed increased risks for urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence which leads to urinary incontinence.

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 The Tail Docking Procedure

There’s no denial over the fact that a dog’s tail is an important structure of the dog’s body from both an anatomical and physiological standpoint. Tail docking is a procedure that has been dictated by tradition for many years and nowadays  involves the amputation of the dog’s tail for cosmetic purposes. It takes place when the puppy is 2 to 5 days old without any anesthesia. More and more veterinarians have stopped performing the procedure and tail docking has been nowadays banned in many countries as it “cannot be justified medically or scientifically.” In 1992, Professor David Morton already questioned whether carrying out the procedure should be considered disgraceful professional conduct for veterinarians. In order to dock a dog’s tail, muscles, tendons and 4 to 7 pairs of nerves along with bone and cartilage are severed.

The Pup’s Nervous Systempuppy

Dogs are an altricial species, meaning that when they are born, they are in a pretty much helpless state. Indeed,  day-old puppies are born blind, deaf and barely capable of moving around. On top of that, during their first days on earth, puppies are also unable to regulate their temperature and require mother dog’s assistance in order to eliminate. Along with these traits, there has been belief for many years that puppies are born with an immature central nervous system along with an immature brain and limited sensory and motor processes. A recent study conducted by Australian veterinarian Robert K. Wansbrough has seem to have finally refuted the premise that “puppies do not feel pain therefore tail docking is not inhumane.”

“Recent advances in knowledge about pain and the changes in approach to pain management refute the premise that ‘Puppies do not feel pain therefore tail docking is not Inhumane’, and also the premise that ‘the pain and the effects of tail docking are insignificant.”~Wansbrough RK.

countries that have banned tail docking

Debunking Pain Myths

Robert Wansbrough has debunked several myths about pain surrounding tail docking such as the belief that animals do not feel pain as humans do. Even though animals may manifest pain in different ways than humans, we share with them a similar nervous system capable of perceiving pain. Feelman in 1995 found that the pain threshold in humans and animals is actually the same. When it comes to puppies, the myth that their immature nervous system makes them incapable of feeling pain has been debunked courtesy of several studies. One by Anand and Cart in 1989 found that the nerve endings in the skin in newborn animals equals or even exceeds that of adult skin. This suggests the ability to detect pain. According to Wansbrough, the level of pain in day-old pups could be actually greater than an adult because their inhibitory pain pathways are not developed.

Observation of puppies following tail docking is also suggestive of pain. The whimpering and movements suggest substantial pain. Just because puppies may not show pain in the same ways humans do, doesn’t mean it’s not present. Dogs can be quite stoic and dogs tend to hide pain as a form of self-preservation. There is also common belief that, just because puppies go back to nursing right after being docked, means that the procedure is painless, but studies on this seem to reveal quite the opposite. Veterinarian Jean Hofve points out that there is research showing that suckling releases endorphins, natural pain relievers which can explain the desire to nurse after a painful procedure. Dr. Hofve also point out that in the human medical literature newborn humans, who are also altricial, are known to feel pain – “and neonatal pain management in humans is therefore taken seriously. ”

“Although it is difficult to objectively quantify the stress experienced by puppies undergoing tail docking, observations recorded during this study suggest that the animals do experience pain.”~ Noonan et al.

Did you know? According to Veterinary Practice News, Banfield, a company with more than 730 veterinary hospitals in the United States,  has stopped docking tails and supporting unnecessary cosmetic procedures since 2009.

 

References:

  • WANSBROUGH, R. K. (1996), Cosmetic tail docking of dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal, 74: 59–63. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1996.tb13737.x
  • Docking of dogs: practical and ethical aspects, by D Morton, Veterinary Record 1992;131:301-306 doi:10.1136/vr.131.14.301
  • Holt PE and Thruslield MV (1993) Vet rec 133:177
  • Anand KJS and Carr DB (1989) Paediatric Clinics Of North Am. 36:795
  • Noonan, GJ, JS Rand, JK Blackshaw, and J. Priest. “Behavioural Observations of Puppies Undergoing Tail Docking.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 49 (1996): 335-42. Michigan State University. Web. 8 May 2016.
  • World Animal Foundation, Cosmetic Surgery for Dogs and Cats, by Jean Hofve, retrived from the web on June 2nd, 2016.

Photo Credits:

Ljgua124 – Own work, Status of docking globally, CC0

Dr. Manfred Herrmann Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub (ADRK)

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Dog Word of the Day: Capillary Refill Time

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By looking at the color of our faces we often can deduce important information about our general state of health; whereas in dogs, the color of their gums can give us a glimpse about their health status and capillary refill time is quite an important piece of information! Contrary to what many people may have heard, a dog’s nose is not the quintessential indicator of health as we may have thought. There are sick dogs with wet noses and healthy dogs with dry noses. That moisture on dog noses may just tell us how much humidity is in the air, just as our lips tend to get dry or stay moist based on weather. So today, we will be learning more on capillary refill time in dogs and how it can help assess our dog’s health.

A Baseline Assessmentnormal gum color

Lets face it, dogs don’t get pale as humans do when they are sick, nor do they blush when they are hot or feverish. Fortunately though their gums don’t lie when it comes to giving us an idea about their overall health, which is why vets skip feeling the nose and go straight to taking a peak at the gums and the mucous membranes of the inner lower eyelid instead. It’s important for dog owners to get accustomed to the normal color of their dog’s gums so to recognize early signs of trouble.

A baseline assessment taken when your dog is in good health is therefore helpful so in the case of need, you’ll be able to promptly recognize changes and take action as needed. This may turn helpful should you one day find yourself calling the emergency vet wondering if you need to take your dog in and they ask you to check the color of your dog’s gums. Getting your dog used to having his gums checked from an early age with lots of praise and positive reinforcement is therefore a big plus. Make it fun and rewarding!

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Tip: make it a habit to also check how your dog’s gums feel. A healthy dog that is properly hydrated should have gums that are glistening and slick with saliva. Dry, tacky and sticky gums may be a sign of dehydration.

Capillary Refill Time (CRT)dog

Because your dog’s gums are closely related to his circulatory system, you can gain a lot of information by just looking at them. Healthy gums are highly vascularized which means that they are supplied with blood through many tiny capillaries. This is what gives your dog’s gums that nice bubble gum color when he’s happy and healthy. Nice pink gums tell us that there is enough oxygen circulating in the bloodstream.

Another way to assess proper blood flow to the dog’s gums, is by calculating capillary refill time which checks the level of blood perfusion. To do this, gently press your finger on your dog’s gum until it blanches (becomes white). Next, release your finger and evaluate how long it takes for the gum to go back to its pink color. Preferably, it should take 1.5 seconds for the blood to return back into the capillaries and for the gum to return to its original color, but less than 2 seconds is fine too, explains veterinarian Ron Hines.

Did you know? In dogs with dark or black gums, this test may be difficult to perform. You may to hunt for a pink spot or bypass this test and just check the color of the dog’s eye tissue instead.

Signs of Trouble

Prolonged capillary refill time is indicative of tissues not receiving sufficient oxygen. According to Pet Education, a capillary refill time is therefore sign that the blood is not flowing as it should.  This can happen with several health conditions. For instance, in the case of shock due to internal bleeding, the decreased blood volume causes the dog to become lethargic, have low blood pressure, rapid breathing and prolonged capillary refill times. In a dehydrated dog, the volume of water in the dog’s bloodstream lowers making blood thick, concentrated and difficult to circulate, hence the lower capillary refill times. Dogs with heart problems are also prone to slower refill times too as their heart fails to pump effectively causing blood to not be able to flow to certain areas as it should.

Did you know? A too fast capillary refill time may be a problem too! According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, a fast capillary refill time may be indicative of  “fever, heat stroke, distributive shock, or an early compensatory stage of hypovolemic shock.”

 

References:

  • Merck Veterinary Manual, Primary Survey (Triage) and Resuscitation, retrieved from the web on May 31st, 2016
  • Pet Place, Heart Rate, Breathing Rate & Temperature – What Is Normal in Dogs? retrieved from the web on May 31st, 2016
  • Second Chance Info, Why Is My Dog ‘s Capillary Refill Time Increased? retrieved from the web on May 31st, 2016

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