What dog breed has an apple head? Among the vast array of dog breeds populating the globe, some of them have some distinct features that sets them apart from others. The shape of the head is quite a distinguishing feature whether a dog is destined to be a pet dog or a show dog.
The apple head refers to a head that has a skull that’s round on top and dome-shaped versus being flat. As the name implies, it’s similar to the shape of an apple. There is one breed in particular that is known for having an apple head; indeed, this feature is even in the dog’s breed standard.
Can you name what dog breed has an apple head?
A Chihuahua
B Italian greyhound
C Corgi
D Dandie dinmont terrier
The correct answer is:
There is one breed in particular that is know for having an apple head. According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, this breed’s head is described as having a “well rounded apple dome skull, with or without molera. ” So what dog breed has this type of head? The correct answer is A, the Chihuahua!
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What’s an Apple-Headed Chihuahua?
Typically, an apple head Chihuahua has a shortened nose and the top of the head may have what’s called the “molera,” a sunken area that’s present since birth, something similar to a human baby’s “fontanelle” or soft spot. This sunken area can make the head of the Chihuahua look similar to the top of a cooking apple, and the dome of the skull being broader than the jaw, makes the head also appear “apple shaped.” How cool is that?
According to the Chihuahua Club of America, the Chihuahua is known for having a well-defined stop with an almost 90 degree angle when the head is viewed in profile. Basically, you could place a letter “L” on the dog’s face and it should fit nicely. Just to clarify, the stop is where the muzzle joins the skull.
The apple-headed Chihuahua is therefore the poster child of the Chihuahua breed standard.
Apple Head Versus Deer Head
When it comers to the Chihuahua’s head, there are two types: the standard apple head, as described above and the deer head. The dear head Chihuahua has a longer nose and narrower muzzle compared to the apple head.
This type of head is a deviation from the AKC’s breed standard which calls for a “well rounded apple dome” skull. While the deer head may still have an apple-domed head, it’s not as pronounced.
As mentioned, the stop is quite pronounced in a Chihuahua with an apple head; indeed, according to the AKC standard, “when viewed in profile, it forms a near 90 degree angle where muzzle joins skull.”
In the deer head there’s more of a slope in the forehead than an “L”shaped, 90 degree angle when the head is viewed in profile.
These characteristics of the deer head is what have caused many to describe their deer-headed Chihuahuas as looking a bit like small foxes.
Gidget the Taco Bell mascot.
A Word of Caution
Some breeders put an emphasis on advertising apple head Chihuahuas as if they are superior and thus should be more costly. Sure the name “apple head Chihuahua” is quite catchy, but apple head Chihuahuas are just normal Chihuahuas bred to standard. Reputable breeders won’t make a fuss about apple heads, because they know that’s what the breed standard asks for. No biggie.
While the apple head Chihuahua adheres to the standard, the deer head Chihuahua benefits from some health perks such as less dental issues, less breathing trouble and easier deliveries.
As seen, a deer-headed Chihuahua is still a Chihuahua, just not of show or breeding quality, but a Chihuahua nevertheless. This doesn’t make a deer-headed Chihuahua less lovable or less worthy, to each Chihuahua owner, their little Chis’ are priceless companions regardless of head shape.
Did you know? Gidget, the famous Taco Bell Chihuahua who worked as a mascot for the restaurant chain from 1997 to 2000 was a lovely deer-headed Chihuahua. You can admire this dog’s intelligent expression in the picture above.
References:
American Kennel Club, Chihuahua breed standard, retrieved from the web on March 15th, 2016
Chihuahua Club of America, Illustrated Standard for the Chihuahua, retrieved from the web on March 15th, 2016
Photo credit:
Gidget “The Taco Bell chihuahua” (February 7, 1994 – July 21, 2009), popular advertising figure and mascot, fair use.
Just in case you didn’t know, dogs have a special olfactory sense organ that plays a major role in their lives. Also known as the Jacobson’s organ, the vomeronasal organ lives quite in the shadow, secluded as it is up by the dog’s nose. Indeed, it wasn’t until 1732 that Frederik Ruysh discovered it, and then later in 1813, it was rediscovered by Ludwig Jacobson, hence this organ’s name. Interested about the role of this organ? Let’s see what the dog’s vomeronasal organ has to say!
Introducing the Dog’s Vomeronasal Organ
Hello, it’s your dog’s vomeronasal organ (VNO) talking! Yes, the introduction has it right. I am not very popular, indeed, many dog owners aren’t even aware of me. But let me tell you something, I am one important piece. Sure, I may not seem to be as important as other life-sustaining organs, but I do cover some important functions. Where am I located exactly? I am a long pouch-like structure located close to your dog’s vomer and the nasal bones (hence my name), right by the inferior part of your dog’s nasal septum and in the anterior portion of the palate. You never see me, but you can sure see me at work, when your dog is busy analyzing smells. Unlike the mucosa in your dog’s nose, I am lined with microvilli instead of cilia.
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I Convey Messages
What is my main job? I am responsible for conveying chemical messages known as pheromones which are purposely left behind by other dogs for reproductive or other social purposes. I am lined up with olfactory receptor cells responsible for detecting these chemical messages which are then relayed to the dog’s amygdala and hypothalamus, important parts of the dog’s brain that generate emotional and behavioral responses. To receive these chemical messages, since they’re non-volatile, it’s necessary that they make contact with me. Have you ever seen horses who lifted their lips exposing their front teeth as if they were laughing? This is known as a “flehem response” and what the horse is really doing is he’s helping those pheromones or other scents reach me.
Other animals exhibit similar behaviors such as snakes flicking out their tongues, cats opening their mouths and wrinkling their noses in a grimace and elephants using the tip of their trunks. You won’t likely see your dog exhibit a flashy flehem response as seen in horses, but dogs actually do something similar when they’re smelling something such as urine. They might push their tongue against the roof of their mouth, (tonguing) so to send some pheromones to me through special ducts found right behind the top front teeth (the incisive papilla) which connect the mouth with me. You may also notice some dogs foaming at the mouth and teeth chattering as they do this. Pssstt.. wanna see an image of an incisive papilla in a dog? Then click here and here.
A Natural Communication System
As mentioned, I specialize in relaying information deriving from non-volatile compounds and most of them of pheromones. What are pheromones exactly? According to Karlson and Luscher (1959) they are “substances secreted to the outside of an individual and received by a second individual of the same species in which they release a specific reaction…” Where do they come from? Pheromones secreting glands are found in the dog’s ears, lips, genital/anal area, between the toes and by the inter-mammary sulcus, explains Bonnie Beaver, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in the book “Canine Behavior: Insights and Answers.”
While it may seem like your dog’s life doesn’t depend on me as much as with other life-sustaining organs such as the heart, liver or kidneys, I play an important role in reproduction and survival by generating appropriate behavioral responses. You must thank me if dogs are able to coordinate their activities with other dogs without saying a word. What type of messages do I pick up and transmit to the brain? Here are a few examples.
Reproductive Pheromones
Intact male dogs rely on me to determine the reproductive status of female dogs. When male dogs are exposed to female urine, the pheromone content can help determine if she’s receptive. The compound has been identified as methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, and according to a study, when this compound was applied to spayed female dogs, it caused male dogs to attempt to mount.
Alarm Pheromones
Alarm pheromones may be left behind by frightened dogs. There’s belief that when dogs spontaneously empty their anal glands during fear, alarm pheromones may be secreted, explains Sarah Heath, a European VeterinarySpecialist in Behavioural Medicine. Dogs in waiting rooms at the vet may pick up these pheromones and react in a stressful manner.
Territory/Information Pheromones
Why do dogs scratch the ground after they eliminated? They release pheromones from their paw pads which are detected by other dogs and may signal territory. Pheromones are also left behind in dog pee, which explains why dogs are so obsessed in marking and sniffing it. These pheromones tell a whole lot about other dogs! Dogs may react differently to pee, some just sniff it and leave the area, while some others will pee on top of it.
Did you know? Some puppy potty training pads or pee posts are sometimes treated with synthetic pheromones for the purpose of grabbing the pup’s attention and hopefully enticing him to soil on them next time nature calls.
Calming Pheromones
Some pheromones make dogs alarmed, while others calm them down. When mother dog gives birth, she releases special pheromones which are meant to comfort her puppies. Today, a synthetic form of dog appeasing pheromones (DAP) is made to craft special dog appeasing pheromone plug-ins and collars. These DAP products have been found to calm down anxious dogs even if adult.
As seen, I do a whole lot! So next time your dog is sniffing, think about me, and how fascinating it is that I relay information left from other dogs even after they’re gone! I hope this has helped you understand my important roles better, have a good rest of your week and send some lovely pats to your dog.
Sincerely,
Your Dog’s Vomeronasal Organ
References:
Karlson P., Lüscher M. Pheromones: A new term for a class of biologically active substances.Nature. 1959;183:55–56.
Veterinary Nursing Journal, Volume 22, Issue 9, 2007, Understanding pheromones, by Sarah Heath
Wikipedia, Vomeronasal Organ, retrieved from the Web on March 14th, 2016
Wikipedia, Flehem Response, retrieved from the Web on March 14th, 2016
Photo credits:
Flehmen response in a horse by Brandinian – Own work, sjp horse, public domain
Sunday March 13th, it’s that time of the year again, if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to move your clock ahead an hour before going to bed, but how will your dog cope with the time change? In humans, the effects of daylight saving time aren’t that good. Losing one hour of sleep may sound like a small change, but in 1999, researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Stanford found a small, yet significant increase in the number of car accidents. From the average 78.2 seen on a typical Monday, the numbers jumped up to 83.5 on the Monday following the daylight savings time shift in spring. Fortunately, dogs aren’t likely to be at the wheel on Monday morning with a cup of Java besides to keep them awake, but the time change can sure affect them as well.
Dogs Love Routines!
As we have seen in our previous article on dogs predicting when owners come home, dogs are very routine-oriented animals. They have an internal clock, that provides them with information about when it’s time to eat, go to sleep and wake up. Some dogs even seem to keep tabs on when it’s time to go on a walk or when owner come home from work.
This occurs courtesy of circadian rhythms, which include all the physical, mental and behavior changes occurring in a 24 hour cycle. In evolutionary terms, circadian rhythms offer the advantage of helping animals and plants prepare for environmental changes.
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Daylight Confusion
How your dog reacts to daylight saving time depends on how precise his routine has been so far. If your dog is used to you getting up and feeding him at different times, he may hardly notice the difference, but if you have being feeding your dog every single day precisely at 7AM, it’s quite normal for him to look at you with a puzzled face when you wake up an hour earlier. Your dog may still be in snoozing mode and his gastric juices may not be actively flowing, but the good news is that most dogs adjust fairly quickly to their new routines. There are a few things though you can do to help them out.
Fun fact: In the spring, you’re likely the one to have to wake up your dog, while in the fall, your dog is likely to wake you.
Helping Dogs Adjust
There is a way to help dogs and prevent them from getting confused about the daylight savings time change. You can adjust your dog’s schedule gradually in 10-15 minute increments starting a week prior to the time change. Simply wake up each morning earlier and earlier. If you haven’t started doing this, you still can remedy by playing with your dog or going for a walk an hour before bedtime. This should allow him to relax and be able to go to sleep an hour prior to make up for the earlier Monday morning awakening. Going to bed a little earlier Sunday night can benefit both you and your dog so you’re both more likely to wake up refreshed.
Did you know? Losing” an hour in the spring is more challenging to adjust to than “gaining” an hour in the fall.
Six Dogs Who Hate Daylight Saving Time
Think you’re the only one to dislike Daylight Savings Time? You’re not alone. Here are six adorable pooches who are not too excited to start their day. This is just for laughs, we know most dogs are eager to get up, eat and start their day!
Many people assume that dogs who are afraid of men must have endured some negative experience, such as being abused by a man, but it’s not necessarily so. Dogs may be afraid of men for several other reasons that some dog owners may find surprising. In order to understand fear of men, we must put ourselves into a dog’s mindset and see the world from a dog’s perspective. Dogs who are fearful of men are often reactive towards a combination of features such as their voice, their movements, their general appearance and their gait. Following is a collection of reasons why dogs may be fearful of men.
1) Lack of Socialization
One of the primary reasons why dogs are afraid of men is lack of socialization. During puppy hood, generally between the ages of 3 to 12 weeks of age, puppies should be exposed to many different people, dogs and animals during what is called the “critical period of socialization.” An inadequate level of exposure to a wide variety of men during this time may negatively affect the puppy’s social upbringing leading to a lack of social attachment towards men. This lack of pleasant experiences with men during puppy hood, could, as a consequence, trigger fearful responses. In some cases, dogs are indeed introduced to men during their critical period, but they are introduced too quickly or in an inapropriate way, leading to an overwhelming situation. This means that the puppy wasn’t ever given the opportunity to habituate and form those positive associations leading to fear memories that were never given an opportunity to resolve.
“Being afraid of men is very common for dogs living with single women, since the dogs have had little opportunity to interact with men on a daily basis. “~Ian Dunbar in an article for Modern Dog Magazine.
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2) A Negative Experience
As mentioned, people often assume that dogs who were fearful of men must have been abused, but it’s often not the case. All it takes is a negative experience to make a dog fearful, and the negative experience doesn’t have to involve pain or purposeful intimidation. To a fear-predisposed dog either by genetics or under-socialization, all it may take is something as small as a man wearing a hat hovering over them to pet them, a large man coughing nearby or a man dropping something or carrying something scary for a negative experience to occur. Men often wear hats and uniforms, drive loud trucks, carry ladders, use loud electrical equipment and enter people’s properties to do yard work, construction work or deliver packages. These simple things are enough to create a negative experience and for the dog to form negative associations with men.
“Your dog needn’t have had a traumatic experience with something to become frightened of it. Just because your dog is afraid of certain people, don’t jump to the conclusion that he was abused before you got him. Poor socialization is more likely the cause.” ~Animal Behavior Associates Inc.
Sexual Dimorphism
Among many species, male and female specimens may exhibit clear distinctions between each other, beyond the obvious difference of their reproductive organs. This is called sexual dimorphism and may occur in different animals. In humans, the differences are quite distinct, so much that a man can be easily distinguished from a woman even from a distance. These differences, that encompass anything other than the reproductive organs, are called secondary sexual traits. Dogs, as the keen observers they are, are readily able to take note of these differences courtesy of their sophisticated sense. Following are secondary traits that may cause fearful responses in dogs.
3) The Manly Gait
A study published in the September issue of Current Biologyrevealed that,when women walk, their swaying hips and protruding elbows made them appear as if they were moving away, while the masculine gait was perceived as coming nearer. The researchers suggested that at some point there must have been some evolutionary benefit in assuming that a male is walking since men were more often considered a threat. This way, the observer had the option to get ready to fight or flee. There are possible chances that dogs, being the observant animals they are, are sensitive to this difference in gait and perceive it as more direct and intimidating.
“If the critical points of men are seen as coming closer at higher rates or stronger intensity than women, no wonder dogs are more afraid of males than females. Fearful dogs are ALWAYS more afraid of something coming at them than they are at approaching something themselves.” ~Patricia McConnell
4) Those Facial Hairs
Unlike women, men often have facial hair. Whether it’s a beard, goatee or a mustache, dogs may be reacting to facial hairs if they haven’t been socialized properly to people with facial hair or if they had a past negative experience. Interestingly, in one study, pictures of bearded men and clean-shaved men who were making aggressive facial expressions were compared. The pictures of the bearded men were perceived as more intimidating. Perhaps this is because beards are perceived as a sign of active testosterone in the body which may signal status and aggressiveness. Another interesting study by Guthrie in 1970, explains how throughout primates, male facial hair are associated with threat displays likely because facial hair causes the size of the lower part of the face to appear bigger. One must wonder if dogs may see men the same way.
Eeek..I think I heard a man!
5) The Intimidating Voices
An interesting study has shown that dogs can spontaneously categorize human gender by hearing voice alone. This means that dogs can associate certain tones of voices with men. Men in general have a deeper voice which some dogs may find intimidating. Perhaps to some dogs deep, booming male voices may resemble a bark or growl and that’s why they may react by growling or barking upon hearing them.
Desensitization and counterconditioning through the “hear that” method can be used with the aid of a professional to help dogs fearful of men who become reactive upon hearing male voices. Dogs can be systemically exposed to voice alone at first with the man at a distance for mild cases or out of sight for more severe cases. By pairing the voice with treats, positive associations can be gradually created. Afterward, further criteria can be added, such as the voice becoming louder and adding other subtleties such as laughing, clearing the voice and coughing.
6) The Size of Men
When it comes to size, men may likely appear more intimidating to dogs compared to women. Men are generally taller and and have more muscle mass than women, even though this is not a general rule. Men also are known for having broader shoulders and chest, larger feet and hands and a larger skull and bone structure. Dogs fearful of men may notice these differences, especially when accompanied by other “manly” features.
7) A Man’s Scent
Can dogs detect human gender just by smell? We know that every individual has a distinct smell, but is there such a thing as a “man smell” and a “female smell”? Scientists seem to concur that we emit gender-specific odors. A study has shown that actually humans are able to extract (at a subconscious level) gender information from chemosensory cues associated with gender. With a dog’s sensitive sense of smell it wouldn’t be surprising if dogs could detect gender too, but at a conscious level, rather than unconscious, thus making them react accordingly.
Overcoming fear of men requires trust
Man’s Best Friend?
Dogs are known as man’s best friend, but many dogs are afraid of men (and some of women too!). When it comes to fear, dogs as other animals tend to be hyper specific which means that they are prone to be afraid of several small, specific details. Fear of men is likely the sum of many details such as voice, smell and gait. To help a dog overcome his fear of men it’s important to identify all the details that trigger fearful responses so that you can work on each component a little at a time.
This means gradually introducing the scent of men, then the voice of men versus a full-scale exposure to a tall man, who is coughing, wearing a hat and quickly carrying a ladder into your home! Through a gradual and systematic program of desensitization and counterconditioning, dogs fearful of men can be helped. If your dog is fearful of men, consult with a force-free dog behavior professional for safety and correct behavior modification implementation.
References:
Gustafsson A & Lindenfors P (2004). “Human size evolution: no allometric relationship between male and female stature”. Journal of Human Evolution 47 (4): 253–266.
Anna Brooks et al, Correlated changes in perceptions of the gender and orientation of ambiguous biological motion figures, Current Biology, Volume 18, Issue 17, pR728–R729, 9 September 2008
Guthrie, R. D. (1970) Evolution of human threat display organs. Evolutionary Biology 4:257– 302. [aJA]
Behavioral and Brain Sciences, (2009), Does sexual selection explain human sex differences in aggression? by John Archer.
Cross-modal discrimination of human gender by domestic dogs V. F. Ratcliffe, K. McComb, D. Reby* School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Falmer, U.K, Animal Behaviour 91 (2014) 127e135
Modern Dog Magazine, Dogs That Hate Men, retrieved from the Web on March 12, 2016
The Other End of the Leash, Why Dogs are More Afraid of Men, retrieved from the Web on March 12, 2016
Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior By Temple Grandin, Catherine Johnson, Mariner Books; 1 edition (Jan. 2 2006)
Let’s face it, laser pointers seem to offer an ideal way to play with dogs especially because dogs seem to be very fascinated by them. Dog owners may just sit down, move the laser point in several directions and off goes Rover, following it into a frenzied chase. The countless videos of dogs chasing laser pointers are proof that many find it to be a fun way to burn a dog’s energy. Many dog owners prefer this to a game of fetch since they don’t have to continuously toss and handle a slimy ball. As fun as the game may seem though there are certain risks associated with it and some dogs have been already paying the price.
Predatory Drive
Why are dogs so attracted to laser pointers? The main reason is that it triggers their predatory drive. Just like a ball, the rapid movement of the light beam stimulates the dog’s nervous system, triggering the dog’s chasing instinct. The mechanism is similar to when dogs in the wild were chasing critters in hopes for a meal.
All dogs have some level of predatory drive in them as it’s part of who they are, and it will come out at some time or another, whether it’s from seeing birds, squirrels or a ball pouncing in front of them.
There is really nothing wrong with stimulating the dog’s predatory drive through games as games redirect it to appropriate outlets, but laser pointers no matter how attractive they are to dogs, are quite unique for the fact that they come with a major flaw.
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Never Getting It
The main problem with the laser beam is the fact that unlike a ball, the dog never really gets to grasp it. The full predatory sequence in dogs consists of detecting the presence of prey, orienting towards it, stalking, chasing, grabbing, killing, dissecting and eating.
When dogs play with a ball, they get to catch it and some dogs even enjoy biting it or chewing on it. This fulfills a dog’s predatory drive. With the laser pointer, the dog sees the dot but he can never gets to feel it or hold it, thus never completes the chase and catch sequence. This fruitless chasing and lack of closure may cause frustration and confusion in dogs overtime.
This is nothing new. Trainers of bomb and drug sniffing dogs know for a fact that fruitless searches may overtime cause dogs to get become drained and mentally disturbed. To prevent this, their dogs are occasionally taken on dummy missions where they finally get to find something and get rewarded for it.
Obsessive Disorder
Playing frequently with laser pointers may therefore cause the onset of serious behavior problems, since overtime, the dog may start getting obsessed about it. Soon it becomes a behavior problem. It’s as if the chase instinct doesn’t turn off and the dog is constantly seeking a way to gain closure.
“I’ve seen light chasing as a pathology where they will just constantly chase around a light or shadow and pounce upon it. They just spend their whole lives wishing and waiting,” explains Nicholas Dodman, veterinary behaviorist and professor at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
Of course, not all dogs will become obsessed about laser pointers, but with several dogs already showing signs, why take the risk?
“Will playing with a laser or flashlight beam trigger behavioral issues in your dog?…maybe…maybe not, but it has in many anecdotal cases. Will your dog get hit by a car if you let it run loose in the neighborhood?…maybe…maybe not, but are you willing to take that chance?” ~Dr. Caryn Animal Behaviorist and Dog Trainer
Alternative Games
There are several better options than using laser pointers in dogs. One option is using a flirt pole, a stick with a rope attached at the end. With a flirt pole you can just fling it around without having to move around too much and your dog gets to touch it and catch it.
Tug of war, is another great game that can be fun for dogs and owners when played by the dog tug-of-war rules. There are several other great ways to keep dogs mentally stimulated while allowing them to channel their predatory drive.
Interactive games where dogs must chase a ball, grasp it and pour the contents out, offer a stimulating challenge that’s fun to watch too!
Did you know? According to an article on New York Times, Dr. Karen Overall, a veterinary behaviorist, estimates that about 8 percent of dogs in America (that’s about five to six millions!) suffer from obsessive behaviors.
References:
Discovery News, Pets and People Addicted to Dots of Light, retrieved on March 11, 2016
New York Times, Scientists Find a Shared Gene in Dogs with Compulsive Behavior, retrieved on March 11, 2016
Dogs often surprise us with their astounding abilities, and something really surprising is a dog’s talented perception about knowing when his owners are coming home. Surveys have demonstrated that 46 percent of dog owners in England and 45 percent of dog owners in California noticed this ability in their dogs, and in both surveys, dogs were capable of detecting their owner’s arrival less than 5 minutes prior to when the person arrived home. Some dogs though showed remarkable anticipatory signs as long as more than 10 minutes prior to the person’s arrival! How can dogs know when their owners are coming home? Following are some “pawsibilities.”
The Car’s Make and Model
OK, dogs may not be able to tell you exactly what make and model your car is, but they sure can recognize the distinctive noise of your car. Dogs are very sensitive to environmental cues and through experience they can learn to put two and two together. If every day your dog hears your car pulling into the driveway and then he hears you opening the door, through associative learning your dog will soon learn to pair the two events together. But that’s not all.
Dogs also have uncanny ability to chain together a longer series of events. We see this all the time in dogs suffering from separation anxiety. These dogs get nervous the moment you start your “getting-ready-to-go-to-work” routine as soon as you get up and prepare breakfast. So in the case of you coming home, your dog may reach a point where he’ll pair the noise of your car’s engine at a distance, the noise of your car’s breaks, the noise of your car pulling into the driveway, the noise of your car door closing, the noise of your foot steps and the noise of your keys jingling with the most anticipated event of all… you opening the door to come inside. This can explain how dogs may be able to know their owners are coming home perhaps a couple of minutes prior, but how can some dogs know even 10 minutes or more in advance?
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The Almighty Sniffer
We all know that dogs have a powerful sniffer, so it’s not surprising if dogs could smell their owners as they’re on their way home. It’s highly unlikely though that dogs could pick up their owner’s scent as they’re driving considering that scent doesn’t travel forward like sound, and on top of that, cars are for the most sealed nowadays, and at home, windows and doors are closed to prevent drafts, explains Malcolm Fish of the Essex Police Dog Section in the book “Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home” byRupert Sheldrake. Dogs are therefore more likely to pick up their owner’s scent if they’re walking and the wind is blowing the right way, but likely at less than a mile for a dog like the bloodhound.
An interesting explanation as to how dogs may predict their owner’s arrival might come from how long the owner’s scent lingers since he leaves the house. Some researchers suggest that after dog owners leave the house, their smell lingers for some time. There’s a possibility that the scent decays slowly over the day, and that around a certain time, the dogs associate a specific amount of scent with the owners unlocking the door. The video below shows an episode from “Inside the Animal Mind”: Episode 1 Preview – BBC Two discussing this theory.
Reactions of Others
As we already know, dogs are very tuned in to the slightest changes in their environments and they easily pick up even the most subtle cues. It’s therefore no surprise if dogs could also pick up “pre-arrival” signs from those around him. If, for example, you know your husband comes home every day at 5PM, you might be carrying out tasks that are telling your dog that the anticipated arrival time is coming closer. It could be anything you do on a daily basis such as starting to prepare dinner, putting the mail on a table or unlocking the front door. Don’t forget that dogs are always watching! If you notice your dog starts getting excited when you start doing these things, it could be your dog is picking up these signs predicting your husband’s arrival.
Perception of Time
Dogs may not be able to tell you exactly what time it is if you were to ask them, but they are very tuned in to their biological clocks. If you always come home around the same time, your dog may rely on his circadian rhythm to roughly predict when you are about to come home. Circadian rhythms include all the physical, mental and behavioral changes that occur in a 24 hour cycle. They offer animals and plants an advantage in evolutionary terms as they help them anticipate and prepare for regular environmental changes.
“Dogs wear an actual clock-though internally. It is in the so-called pacemaker of their brain, which regulates the activities of other cells of the body through the day.” ~Alexandra Horowitz
Psychic or Telepathic Powers
Finally, sometimes we stumble on things that are unexplainable even when it comes to science. Take for example the behavior of Jaytee, a mongrel terrier who has shown the uncanny ability to anticipate the owner’s arrival up to half an hour prior, or even more. In the case of Jaytee, nobody else knew when the owner was on her way as she returned at non-routine times, and on top of that, she sometimes arrived in unfamiliar vehicles, so the above explanations wouldn’t cut it. In the research conducted by Rupert Sheldrake and Pamela Smart, they concluded that Jaytee’s behavior remains unknown to science and must be stemming from telepathic or psychic abilities or even perhaps a “sixth sense”
” There is a strong connection between humans and animals that lies beyond present-day scientific understanding.” ~ Rupert Sheldrake
References:
Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know, by Alexandra Horowitz, Scribner (September 3, 2009)
A Dog That Seems To Know When His Owner is Returning: Preliminary Investigations Journal of Scientific Exploration 14, 233-255 (2000) Rupert Sheldrake and Pamela Smart.
Brown, D. and Sheldrake, R. (1997) Perceptive pets: a survey in California. JASPR (in the press).
Sheldrake, R. and Smart, P. (1997) Psychic pets: a survey in North-West England. JSPR 68, 353-364.
“Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home” by Rupert Sheldrake, Broadway Books; Upd Rev edition (April 26, 2011)
Pointing in dogs is a behavior that has been cherished by hunters for many centuries. Not all dogs are suitable for the task, which is why we have specific dog breeds who specialize in pointing, but how did pointing develop in the first place? If we asked the average dog, the sight of birds would maybe trigger the impulsive chasing instinct causing the birds to flee prematurely, something not very helpful for hunters who wished to just aim and shoot! Pointing behavior as seen in pointing breeds therefore must have required a certain level of constraint, something that must have happened over years of selective breeding.
Understanding Pointing Behavior
What exactly is pointing behavior in dogs? If you ever saw a dog holding very still after spotting prey, that’s an example of pointing. You may have seen some paintings from the past depicting a dog pointing with his muzzle extended forward, and one paw raised up. Perhaps behind the dog was a hunter aiming with his rifle at a bird. This is an example of pointing. Before rifles were invented, hunters were using nets to capture birds. The dog’s pointing behavior grabbed the hunter’s attention and indicated where the birds were so they could toss their nets. The pointing was very valuable because dogs are better than humans in detecting prey. Several pointing breeds that specialized in this style of hunting were therefore developed.
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A Look Back
Pointing dog breeds date back to the 1650s when in Europe hunters were still using nets. There is belief that the first pointing dogs breeds originated from Spain and then spread to other parts of Europe. Each region developed its own pointing dog with characteristics meant for that particular region and with its type of prey, but most of these dogs likely derived from a single, common ancestor. There is belief that the Old Spanish Pointer is one of the great ancestors of most pointing dogs, but more research is needed.
Did you know? The University of California Davis has been collecting DNA from pointing dogs in hopes of tracing a “Pointing Dog’s Family Tree” and unlocking the origins of pointing behavior.
Instinct or Training?
When we look at predator animals, we might notice a pattern of pausing before pouncing on prey. During this moment of hesitation, the animal’s eyes fix on the target, and if the target prey is moving, the animal will also measure speed, angle, height above the ground and size right before the attack is launched, explains Buz Fawcett in the book “Instinctive Shooting: The Making of a Master Gunner.” This “stop-listen-look” behavior is likely a way the animal can focus on his sensory receptors so to quickly collect data before making that pounce that makes the difference between dinner or perhaps another day of starvation.
There are chances that thousands of years ago, hunters may have observed the same behavior in certain dogs and they must have refined it through training so to put it to good use. For many years, they must have selectively bred dogs based on their natural ability to hold longer and longer pauses in their pointing behaviors. Eventually, at some point, they must have stumbled on dogs who would freeze at the mere scent of prey without even being prompted to do so.
“The act of pointing is probably, as many have thought, only the exaggerated pause of an animal preparing to spring on its prey.” ~Charles Darwin.
A List of Pointing Breeds
While pointers generally find game and silently point, several pointing dog breeds were selectively bred to be versatile, multi-tasking dogs who will find, point, and sometimes even flush. Here is just a short a list of several dog breeds with a history of being used for pointing:
“We speculate on the possibility that the pointing trait exhibited by several hunting breeds may have two different origins: (1) a prolonged ‘‘halt before the pounce’’ exaggerated through artificial selection, and (2) a pointing stance which appeared spontaneously and much earlier in chasing dogs.” ~SM Schmutz & JK Schmutz
Pointing Behaviors in Non-Hunting Dogs
Why do dogs point even if they don’t belong to a pointing breed? As we have seen, the behavior is natural and even if your dog isn’t a pointing breed, you may occasionally stumble on him “pointing” by default when he spots an animal. While the behavior of pointing was selectively bred for in certain breeds, several dogs will also exhibit it to some extent, perhaps though in a more “amateurish way” compared to the experts in the field. This may be just natural behavior, or if the dog is a mixed breed, it could be that somewhere back in time there may have been some hunting dog’s bloodline mixed in the dog’s heritage.
“Dogs are just dogs, and there are certain behaviors that probably any dog that’s a dog can do. Even dogs bred and trained for one trait can often exhibit other talents. You’ll see a sporting dog who circles like a herding dog, and you’ll get some herding dogs who point.” ~ Dr. Vindell, Veterinary Behavior Consultations in Pleasant Valley, N.Y
Dogs Lifting A Paw
On the other hand, you may see a dog lifting his paw up when no critters are around, what does it mean? It really depends on context. Generally, paw lifting behaviors are seen when something is about to happen, explains veterinary behaviorist Lisa Radosta. It could be the dog is anticipating a treat from the owners or it could be he’s even getting ready to lunge and bite! That paw lift is signaling that something is about to happen and the dog’s accompanying body language should give a hint as to what. A paw lift can also be seen when dogs feels uneasy or mildly stressed such as when a small dog is surrounded by unfamiliar dogs or a person approaches too fast.
References:
The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection; Or, The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, by Charles Darwin, Penguin Books Limited, 1985
Photo Credits:
Detail of the painting “The Spanish Pointer” by John Buckler, public domain{{PD-1923}
English Pointer, Stonehenge (John Henry Walsh) – The Dog in Health and Disease, public domain{{PD-1923}}
It’s Tuesday Trivia and today we will be talking about dog zoomies, those sudden energy bursts we randomly see in dogs. Whether your dog gets the zoomies after a bath, the zoomies after eating or a case of zoomies first thing in the morning or when you come home from work, one thing is for sure, your dog seems to be having a blast romping around wildly. Today’s trivia dog question will therefore revolve around these sudden energy bursts in dogs, so our dog trivia question is:
What is the “technical” name for dog zoomies?
A: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
B: Dog Hyperkinesis
C: Obsessive compulsive disorder
D: Frenetic Random Activity Period
The correct answer is:
If you answered A, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the answer is incorrect. According to Pat Miller, dogs with ADHD tend to display frenetic activity, but they have a hard time focusing due to abnormally short attention spans and they’re highly impulsive. This condition is greatly overdiagnosed and for the most part dogs who are acting “hyper” are just perfectly normal high-energy dogs. True hyperactivity in dogs is “a rare clinical syndrome, explains Debra F. Horwitz, veterinarian and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behavior.
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If you answered B, Dog Hyperkinesis, consider that this is just another term used to depict dogs who are hyperactive and cannot seem to rest even in calm, quiet surroundings.
If you answered C, Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) this answer is also incorrect–unless your dog is running in circles or chasing his tail for the most part of the day. Dogs with OCD will engage in repetitive behavior, such as chasing shadows, sucking their blankets, chasing tails, or licking paws, explains Jill Goldman, an applied animal behaviorist based in southern California.
So the correct answer is D, Frenetic Random Activity Period.
Understanding the Zoomies in Dogs
Also known as Frenetic Random Activity Period (FRAP), dog zoomies are quite popular in puppies and young dogs, but they are also seen in older dogs every now and then. Affected dogs will get a crazy look on their faces as they take a play bow and then start wildly romping up and down the hallway or from one side of the room to another. Why do dogs get the zoomies in the first place? It varies from dog to dog. Some dogs may get a case of zoomies after being restrained for some time such as when being groomed or bathed. If the dog is not too eager to stay still and be groomed or bathed, then the zoomies may be a dog’s way to release stress as if saying “ahh… it feels so good to be free to move around again” or perhaps an even more relieving “wheeewww… I am so happy this is over!” Dogs act crazy after a bath also perhaps as a way to speed up the drying process. You may sometimes see the zoomies in dogs engaged in doggy sports as a way to release their stress and in puppies it may be a sign that the puppy is getting tired and cranky, frustrated or overstimulated.
For some dogs though the zoomies are just a way of celebrating life. Some dogs get the zoomies after eating as if they were celebrating the sensation of having a full stomach and some dogs get them when their owners come home as if to celebrate the end of feeling lonely or bored. Some other dogs find that it’s a nice way to start the day after sleeping all night. And then there are dogs who act crazy after pooping as if they had to celebrate the relief of emptying their bowels or perhaps their wild running is just a way of ensuring that “no particles” are being left behind! Last but not least, there are dogs who get the zoomies when they’re tired or frustrated, just like toddlers throwing tantrums when they’re cranky and it’s time to go to sleep.
How to Handle Your Dog’s Zoomies
What should you do if your dog has the zoomies? When your dog acts crazy due to those Frenetic Random Activity Periods, you may be concerned about him hurting himself or knocking down your vases or porcelain collection off a coffee table. One option is to rush towards the door to entice your dog to chase you and let him take the steam off in the yard. With more space, there are less chances of him causing trouble and you can wait it out. Alternatively, you can try focusing his attention on some toy and encourage him to play a calmer game of tug or a fetch. A helpful way to teach your dog how to turn off his “hyper switch” is by teaching a fun game such as Ian Dunbar’s “Jazz up and Settle Down” game.
Some owners of deep-chested dogs may be rightfully concerned about their dogs running like crazy shortly after they eat in fear of them bloating, especially if they’re predisposed. They may therefore wish to keep their dogs calm until they digest. Veterinarian Dr. Dobias, suggests not letting dogs exercise within 3 to 4 hours after feeding.
You can prevent the zoomies from occurring in the first place by evaluating when they seem to occur the most and taking action. For example, if you know your dog has the zoomies after meals, prevent them by engaging your dog in a training session or in a mentally stimulating game using interactive toys before he starts running around acting crazy. Remember that the zoomies are often fueled by excess energy so if you engage your puppy or dog in several activities during the day, they are less likely to occur. For many dog owners, the zoomies are simply an entertaining activity that’s worthy of sitting back and watching the show.
“The normal drive-you-crazy high-energy dog may have the zoomies all day long. But she gets easier to live with when you supply plenty of exercise to tire her body and reward-based training to tire her mind and improve her manners.” ~Jolanta Benal
Just like us, our dog’s spinal column is composed by several vertebrae, and just like us, dogs may suffer from several problems such as misalignment, pinched nerves and herniated discs. Not surprisingly, there are also chiropractors for dogs to help get relief from achy neck and back problems! Getting more acquainted with a dog’s spine is not only interesting, but also educational so we can understand what may be going on when dogs develop neck and back pain. So let’s let our dog’s spinal column do the speaking so we can get to know him better.
Introducing the Dog’s Spinal Column
Hello, it’s your dog’s spinal column talking! I am also known as vertebral column or simply backbone, and as mentioned, I am structured in a quite similar fashion to your spinal column. I am a tubular structure, running from the base of your dog’s skull to the end of his tail, but I am not at all rigid, I am quite flexible courtesy of several irregular bones known as vertebrae. For ease of explanation, I am divided into five regions: the cervical (composed of 7 neck vertebrae ), thoracic (composed of 13 chest vertebrae), lumbar (composed of 7 abdominal vertebrae), sacral (composed of 3 pelvic vertebrae) and coccygeal (composed of 6 to 23 highly mobile tail vertebrae).
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In between my vertebrae are several intervertebral disks that provide cushioning and act as shock absorbers so your dog’s vertebrae aren’t rubbing against each other. Other than making your dog’s back flexible, the vertebrae also protect your dog’s spinal cord, a bundle of nerves responsible for relaying information between your dog’s brain and his body.
When Things Go Wrong
When all goes well, I am well aligned and allow your dog to make fluid and smooth movements. Your dog is a happy camper with no signs of problems. However, things can sometimes go wrong, either because of aging, trauma or hereditary conditions. To get an idea, imagine your dog’s intervertebral discs as jelly donuts, with the dough being the fibrous covering and the inside being the gelatinous nucleus, suggests veterinarian Dr. Fiona. As the dog ages, the jelly substance becomes chalky and hard. All it takes is a bit of force for the disc to herniate, extruding its chalky contents, in what’s known as a herniated disc. A herniated disc is painful as it compresses the soft tissues and nerves (hence the term dog “pinched nerve”) of the dog’s spinal cord.
The condition where the discs of a dog’s neck, middle back, or lower back degenerate, is generally referred to as “intervertebral disk disease” 0r “IVDD” Some dogs breeds with long backs and short legs such as dachshunds, basset hounds, beagles and Corgis are particularly predisposed to back problems due to their “chondrodystrophic“conformation which causes their vertebrae to degenerate prematurely.
Signs of Herniated Discs in Dogs
When my discs herniate, I cause symptoms in dogs which are often confused with other conditions. Affected dogs will be reluctant to move and when they move they’ll assume unusual postures and their movements are often not well-coordinated. Pinched nerves in the dog’s neck cause lots of pain and affected dogs may vocalize as they get up or turn their head. When the nerves of the dog’s back are affected, dogs may be unable to walk on their hind legs and may even lose control of their bladder and bowels.
Fortunately, when treatment is sought in a timely manner, there are chances that I may recover. Surgery can help remove the disc material that has herniated and is compressing me. If the vet thinks, it’s worth a shot, he may skip the surgery and try to handle things conservatively by allowing the dog to rest and recover. This means strict confinement and cage rest for several weeks so to give my discs time to heal. To help the dog cope with the pain and reduce inflammation, pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) are often prescribed. More and more veterinarians are offering chiropractic care and acupuncture for dogs suffering from the chronic effects of pinched nerves in their neck and spine.
As seen, I am a very important structure! To sum it all up, I support your dog’s body and skull, I allow flexible movements of your dog’s head, neck, back and tail. I protect your dog’s spinal cord and all those internal organs enclosed within your dog’s rib cage. I offer a place where your dog’s muscles, ligaments and tendons may attach and my vertebral discs act like shock absorbers. With all these important functions, it’s important that you take good care of me! Here are a couple of ways you can help me out, according to the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University.
Four Ways to Help Prevent IVDD in dogs:
Feed your dog a balanced diet.
Keep your dog lean so to reduce stress on the neck and backbone.
Invest in a harness rather than a leash to put less strain on the dog’s neck.
Prevent jumping by keeping steps next to the bed or couch.
So do your best to take good care of me and report to your vet at once should you notice any signs of neck or back trouble in your dog. Respectfully yours,
Your Dog’s Spinal Column
References:
UC Davis Veterinary Medicine, Disc Disease, retrieved from the web on March 7th, 2016.
Pet Education,Intervertebral Disc (Ruptured Disc) Disease in Dogs, retrieved from the web on March 7th, 2016
Veterinary Practice News, Non-Surgical Options For IVDD? Keeping Hope, And Dogs, Alive, retrieved from the web on March 7th, 2016,
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs, retrieved from the web on March 7th, 2016
Dog owners who own more than one dog may at one time or another have to deal with dogs who are jealous of the other dogs coming close to the owner for attention. Many dog owners have been saying it for years, “my dog is jealous of other dogs coming near me,” but back in time, jealousy was thought of exclusively being a human trait. Yet, recent studies have found that what the dog owners were thinking was right, dogs do seem to feel jealousy, and if it’s not exactly jealousy, it’s something pretty close to it. Today we’ll discover more about the study and take a closer look into the dynamics behind dogs who are jealous.
Primordial Form of Jealousy
In the past, dogs weren’t believed to be capable of feeling jealousy because jealousy was always thought as being a feeling that required “complex cognitive abilities.” “Scientists tend to separate emotions into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary emotions, such as fear, anger, disgust, joy, and surprise, are considered to be universal. Secondary emotions such as guilt, shame, jealousy, and envy, are thought to require more complex cognitive processes.” explains Stanley Coren.
A dog has always been thought of not being capable of thinking in complex terms such as the anticipated loss of something of great personal value that’s associated with feeling jealousy. In order to feel jealousy the dog must think something in terms of: ” I better be careful, by looking at some past events, there’s a risk that my owner will start thinking that Scruffy is much better than me. I must take action to prevent this from happening.” However, dogs may be capable of feeling a more primordial form of jealousy, a more “in-the-moment” form versus the after-the-fact “mulling over” form, requiring more complex cognitive abilities. According to Clinician’s Brief this basic form of jealousy may have evolved from a need to “secure resources and as a survival mechanism for species with siblings.” In a recent past article we talked about sibling rivalry in dogs and the interesting revolutionary role it may have played.
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“Many people have assumed that jealousy is a social construction of human beings – or that it’s an emotion specifically tied to sexual and romantic relationships. Our results challenge these ideas, showing that animals besides ourselves display strong distress whenever a rival usurps a loved one’s affection.” ~Christine Harris
What the Study Says
The study, which was modeled from a study on human infants manifesting jealousy when their mothers interacted with a lifelike doll, was published in PLOS ONE and was conducted by University of California San Diego psychology professor Christine Harris and student Caroline Prouvost. The results of the study suggested that there might be a more basic form of jealousy affecting dogs. The dogs were found to exhibit behaviors suggestive of jealousy such as getting in between, pushing or snapping when the owner manifested affection towards an animated stuffed dog that barked, whined and wagged its tail. These manifestations were less likely to occur when the owner manifested interest in an object such as a carved pumpkin or a book.
“Our study suggests not only that dogs do engage in what appear to be jealous behaviors but also that they were seeking to break up the connection between the owner and a seeming rival.” ~ Christine Harris
Signs of “Jealousy” in Dogs
While more research may be needed before determining with certainty that dogs act out of jealousy, one things is for sure, when dogs feel that their owners are giving too much attention to another dog they give signs of not “liking” the interaction. The signs may be pretty obvious while some others may be more on the covert side.
Some dogs will approach as soon as they see another dog receiving attention and they’ll wriggle their way in between. Others may try to do things to revert the attention from the other dog to them such as pawing, rolling over or grabbing a ball and running over to the owner with it. Some other dogs may sit with their back facing their owner, perhaps even leaning against him, telling other dogs in doggy language “this person is mine, stay away!” just as they may do when resource guarding a bag of dog food. Should another dog approach, the dog may growl, lunge forward barking or even bite. Whether we call it jealousy or a form of resource guarding, one thing is for sure, it’s something that should be tackled as in some cases it may get out of hand.
Tackling Jealousy of Other Dogs
There are several ways jealousy of other dogs can be tackled, but one thing is for sure: using physical punishment and harsh techniques can make the issues much worse. Physically correcting the jealous dog may lead to defensive behavior or even a re-directed bite. On top of that, the jealous dog learns that when the other dog comes close he’s punished so he comes to dread the other dog’s presence even more. So what’s a good protocol? A good starting place is teaching both dogs to promptly respond to a verbal cue such as “lie down” or ” go to your mats!” at the very first signs of trouble so to diffuse any tension before things start building up. This is a good management practice to prevent squabbles in multi-dog households, but it’s also important to go to the root of the problem.
One way to approach this issue is removing the very thing the jealous dog wants the most: the owner’s attention. As soon as the jealous dog gives the most subtle sign of problems, the owner gets up and leaves. With no owner’s attention to stir things up, the dogs are left with nothing to fight over. If done with perfect timing, the jealous dog may eventually learn that his behavior leads to the owner leaving so he’ll reduce the jealousy episodes. Another method involves teaching the jealous dog that good things happen every time the other dog approaches. The jealous dog is therefore fed treats and given attention exclusively when the other dog comes near. When the other dog is away, the dog is ignored.
Obviously dogs with a history of serious fights, should be kept separated and owners should consult with a professional; however, for the correct implementation of behavior modification and for safety purposes, consulting with a qualified dog behavior professional specializing in force-free techniques is recommended for mild cases too. The sooner the jealous dog behavior is tackled, the better.
The Bottom Line
As seen, studies seem to suggest that dogs may show signs of a basic, primordial form of jealousy, but these studies aren’t conclusive. What may seem to us jealousy may sometimes be something else. For many years, we assumed that dogs were acting guilty and many dog owners had their own stories of dogs acting ashamed or guilty for doing something they weren’t supposed to, but recent studies found that dogs aren’t acting guilty but just responding to our behavior.
There are many interesting reads about animals manifesting “jealousy.” Below is an interesting video of wolves greeting a human. What do you see here? Do you think it’s jealousy, pure and simple resource-guarding, a matter of who gets to greet first or perhaps re-directed aggression due to high arousal levels? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!
References:
University of California – San Diego. “Dog jealousy: Study suggests primordial origins for the ‘green-eyed monster’.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 July 2014.
Clinician’s Brief, Jealous as a Dog, retrieved from the Web on March 6th, 2016
Elsevier. “What Really Prompts The Dog’s ‘Guilty Look’.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 June 2009.
What dog breed has an apple head? Among the vast array of dog breeds populating the globe, some of them have some distinct features that sets them apart from others. The shape of the head is quite a distinguishing feature whether a dog is destined to be a pet dog or a show dog.
What’s an Apple-Headed Chihuahua?
Did you know? Gidget, the famous Taco Bell Chihuahua who worked as a mascot for the restaurant chain from 1997 to 2000 was a lovely deer-headed Chihuahua. You can admire this dog’s intelligent expression in the picture above.
