Curiosity- Page 5 of 6 - Daily Dog Discoveries

What’s Your Dog’s Play Style?

December 2, 2016April 1, 2016 by Admin

Let’s face it: dog play can be quite entertaining to watch and its associated amusement can even beat the best television shows. Have you ever found yourself putting down the remove and shutting off the T.V. to watch your four-legged companions play? The best part is that every dog seems to have a preferred play style. There are dogs who love to chase, dogs who love to wrestle and dogs who are just satisfied to watch other dogs play while carefully monitoring their interactions. In a previous article we looked at the different meanings behind dog sleeping positions, today instead we’ll be discovering different play styles in dogs. Interestingly, there are several! How does your dog play?

The Referees

These dogs may not actively play among other dogs much. Instead, they’ll carefully monitor play sessions sticking by the edges of a group of dogs playing. Their main “play style” seems to entail following at a distance repeatedly barking at the players and swiftly intervening if things seem to get out of hand.

What triggers their intervention? Overly exuberant play or the first signs of a fight brewing may cause them to raise their yellow “penalty card” evoking them to get in between the dogs in an attempt to split things up or break up the fun.

Caution: While these dogs’ interventions may be helpful to split things up when dogs seem to not play “by the rules,” things can turn problematic when certain dogs don’t appreciate their “fun police” intrusions and get tired of having their movement controlled.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

“Herding dogs often assume the cheerleader or fun police role.” ~Pat Miller

The Chasers

These are dogs who love to romp around chasing other dogs or being the ones chased. They may do a play bow to initiate a chasing session or they may pick up a toy to entice a game of “keep away.” Then, off they go running around wildly.

Most dogs cannot resist a game of chase when one dog takes off asking to be chased. Dogs may even take turns in a tag-like fashion and sometimes play “freeze tag” where they stop and go, stop and go. Herding breeds may add their personal twist to the game and also add staring, stalking and nipping the heels of the dog being chased in the mix.

Many dogs do not mind being chased, but some may get a bit nervous especially when they are cornered. Keep an eye on the body language of the dog being chased. If his tail is low and he is trying to hide somewhere with his ears flattened or paw raised up, there are chances he’s intimidated by the game.

Not too sure if the dog being chased is having fun? Here’s a good test to find out. Gently restrain the chasing dog and see if the dog being chased runs right back to the chaser for more play.

Caution: chasing can be contagious! Keep an eye on dogs joining in and chasing down a single dog as seen in the picture! Also, use extra caution with large dogs chasing small dogs; predatory drift is a dangerous phenomenon that can be easily avoided by simply dividing play mates by sizes. Don’t take the risk!

“A dog that is having fun chasing is relaxed and loose. The dog that becomes predatory looks stiff, fixated and intense.” Robin K. Bennet

The Rugby Players

Some dogs like to play hard and their passion may be body slamming at full speed against others dogs and even flipping them over. These dogs enjoy full-contact play which can be fun if they find another buddy with a similar play style, but the problem is that not all dogs are accepting of this rough play style.

The body slams and hip checks may be perceived as frightening to smaller dogs, old dogs, and puppies which can get hurt or end up being bullied, cautions dog trainer Jolanta Benal.

Caution: dogs who do not find this type of contact sport acceptable may respond by lunging or snapping and things can take a turn for the worse.

It’s a good idea to train rough-and -tumble dogs a solid “leave it” or a recall so they can be re-directed before things get out of hand.

The Wrestlers

As the name implies, these dogs seem to mimic a wrestling match with dogs jumping up and pawing at each other. This play style entails mostly vertical play. Along with the pawing, there’s often also big displays of teeth where dogs take turns biting on faces and necks, a behavior that many dog owners refer to as “bitey faces.”

These players are often great in inhibiting their bites and despite how vicious they look, it’s for the most part harmless play. You may sometimes stumble on hounds who will chase dogs and then they’ll start wrestling, ending the matches with fearsome growls and playful mock attacks aiming for the throat.

Many sporting and working breeds, along with the larger terriers, may enjoy this type of play.

Caution: as with rugby players, this style of play requires close monitoring to check how other dogs are perceiving it.

The Tuggers

Some dogs are particularly passionate about tug-of-war games and they’ll encourage other dogs to play by shoving their tug toy near their faces. Despite what you may have heard in the past, this game has little to do with “dominance’ but more about just having fun.

Indeed, you’ll often see large dogs “self-handicapping” when playing it with a smaller or younger dog. This game is reminiscent of ancient times, dating back centuries prior to when tug toys were invented.

Indeed, in the old days a dog’s ancestors were playing games of tug by using remnants of pieces of hides of killed animals.

Caution: this game puts dog faces close to each other and there may be some inevitable moments of direct eye contact. Watch the game as some dogs may not be comfortable with this. Also, keep an eye open for signs of resource guarding.

The Batters

You often see this play style in small, toy breed dogs or in dogs who lack confidence or have a history of being intimidated by rowdy play. These dogs engage in cat-like play where they will be gently batting other dogs’ faces with their paws and engage in other forms of soft play.

Some dogs may have converted to this play style because of some physical impairment such as arthritis or other orthopedic problem.

Caution: These dogs do best playing with appropriately sized playmates or other dogs who match their play style as wrestling, body slamming may be too much for them physically or emotionally.

As seen, there are many different play styles in dogs, but you may find that many like to combine many of the above and some dogs may have some quite unique play styles. How does your dog play? Regardless of the type of play that dogs engage in, the most important factor is to make sure everyone is having fun! A good way to dog this is by hand picking dogs that make good, compatible play mates.

References:

Quick and Dirty Tips: Dog Play Styles and Aggression, by Jolanta Benal, retrieved from the web on April 1st, 2016.
Play with Your Dog, by Pat Miller, Dogwise Publishing (July 1, 2008)
Off Leash Dog Play: A Complete Guide to Safety and Fun, by Robin Bennett, CPDT and Susan Briggs, CKO, Dogwise Publishing (January 1, 2008)

Photo Credits:

Flickr, Creative Commons, Ha, Gotcha! by Eileen, CC BY 2.0
Flickr, Creative Commons, Taro the Shiba Inu, nori chases harley, CC BY 2.0

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Discovering Why Dogs Bunny Hop when Running

June 27, 2016March 27, 2016 by Admin

It’s not a common sight, but when you see a dog bunny hopping you may be wondering what may cause such an unusual gait. Just for clarification, a dog who is bunny hopping is picking up his back legs at the same time, a movement that reminds us of how rabbits hop. It’s often seen in young dogs, but sometimes can be seen in older ones too. Because there are some medical conditions that may cause a dog to run this way, it’s always a good idea to stop by the vet for an assessment just to play it safe before assuming it’s just a cute quirk that will possibly go away as the puppy matures.

Hopping Through Grass

Sometimes, you may stumble on videos of dogs happily hopping through a tall field of grass almost as if they were the canine personification of a kangaroo. In this case, the dogs look like they may be pouncing, a hunting strategy used by predators to hunt down some small critter, perhaps a rodent. The pouncing may help the dog flush the critter out from its hiding spot so it can be caught. Some dogs will also instinctively do the bouncing/hopping behavior when a ball ends up being tossed in tall grass. It’s sure a fun behavior to watch! See the video below for a fun video of a dog hopping and pouncing through tall grass.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

A Case of Puppy Zoomies

In some cases, hopping like a bunny is simply a sign of a puppy who is playing and acting excited. Many dog owners report that their puppies bunny hop when they are happy and have a bout of zoomies. These puppies are simply having lots of fun and will run like rabbits arching their backs and tucking their rear legs under as they speed as fast as lightening. Even when getting x-rays done, many owners of puppies and young dogs claim that their vets found to nothing medically wrong with their dogs’ joints.

“I wouldn’t say that bunny hopping would make me concerned,” says veterinarian Dr. Marie on her Ask a Vet Question website. However, if there are signs of pain such as limping or whining when walking or jumping then the situation may be more concerning, she remarks.

“Bunny hopping is a descriptive term that is often at least part of a normal gait in many dogs, often young ones.” Dr. Peter Bennett

A Temporary Glitch

There is a reason why young dogs are often the ones seen bunny hopping: they are in the a transitional period of their development. As the dog is rapidly growing and adapting to his body, the developmental process can be awkward, explains veterinarian Eric Barchas.

The good news is the puppy goofiness and lack of coordination stage is often short-lived and the young dog may outgrow the bunny hopping as he matures. Generally, bunny hopping is only seen occasionally when the puppy plays, but if it seems to be persistent or if the puppy appears stiff, it’s always a good idea to check with a vet. Determining if the pup is just going through normal development or the bunny hopping may be an early sign of something else can be tricky. “This can be a difficult call in the large and giant breed pups because they are usually so gangly and awkward at this stage anyway” says Dr. Melj, a graduate of the University of MN College of Vet Med.

A Hip Dysplasia Problem

An orthopedic problem that could cause a bunny hop gait in dogs when running or climbing stairs, is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a condition that is most commonly seen in larger dog breeds and occurs when the dog has a loose-fitting hip joint that leads to abnormal wear and tear, eventually causing arthritis with its associated (and much dreaded) inflammation and pain. The condition arises from the abnormal development of the puppy’s hip joint. Genetics are often the main factor to blame, but environmental factors may also play a role. Dogs who are affected by forms of moderate to severe hip dysplasia may show signs as early as 4 months of age.

“Clinical signs of hip dysplasia can be seen as early as 4 months of age, however, many dogs are 8 to 12 months of age. Bunny hopping, stiffness on rising after a rest, lameness on a limb, and atrophy of the muscles of the hind limbs are typical clinical signs.” ~Dr. Daniel A. Degner, Board-certified Veterinary Surgeon.

A Possible Patella Problem

While large dogs are more prone to get hip dysplasia, small dogs are more prone to a medical condition known as luxating patella. In this case, what happens is that the knee cap (patella) pops out of its groove. Affected dogs may be seen bunny hopping or running on three legs, sometimes shifting the back legs, explains veterinarian Dr. Gary. Also known as luxated knee cap, floating kneecap or trick knee, this condition is graded into 4 degrees of severity ranging from a stifle joint that appears almost normal to a disabling degree where the patella is dislocated all of the time and requires surgical correction.

“An owner typically notices a little skip or ‘bunny hop’ in their dog’s step. The dog may even run on three legs, holding one hind leg up, and then miraculously be back on four legs as if nothing has happened. “ Adobe Veterinary Center

Other Possible Causes

What can cause a bunny hop in a dog who has had x-rays and no signs of hip problems were found? Something to consider is that x-rays can be subjective, points out veterinarian Dr. Andy, a UC Davis graduate. A veterinarian specializing in radiology can sometimes find things on x-rays that a general practitioner may miss. Other possible causes for bunny hopping other than hip dysplasia or floating knees may include growing pains, a tear of a dog’s cruciate ligament (more limping though than bunny hopping in this case), or a soft tissue injury. In some cases, vets may prescribe a trial of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to determine if there may be some form of inflammatory process going on. Other possible causes for bunny hopping in dogs also may include disorders of the nervous system. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, bunny hopping may be a sign of spinal dysraphism causing neurological symptoms by 4 to 6 weeks of age or protozoal polyradiculoneuritis causing bunny hopping by 3 to 8 weeks of age. As seen, bunny hopping can have many causes, and a stop by the vet is warranted for a diagnosis or to simply rule them out.

Disclaimer: this article is not meant to be used as substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your dog or puppy is bunny hopping, please see your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Five Dog Sleeping Position Meanings

November 21, 2016March 18, 2016 by Admin

Let’s face it: dogs tend to sleep in the oddest positions. Whether your dog sleeps on the couch, on the bed or on your feet using your slippers as a pillow, you likely must have wondered at least once or twice why dogs sleep in weird sleeping positions. Believe it or not, you can discover some interesting findings about dogs just from the position in which they sleep. While your dog’s sleeping position perhaps may not reveal as many insights as human sleeping positions do, it’s sure interesting learning what your dog’s sleeping positions may possibly mean: to each their own!

picture-4

1) The “Dead Cockroach” Position

You might see this sleeping position in dogs a lot in the “dog days” of summer. Indeed, this is a favorite summer sleeping position that looks quite silly, but your dog sure knows what he’s doing.

Turns out, “the dead cockroach” position is one of the best ways to cool down. Indeed, if you take a look at your dog’s tummy you will notice he has some areas with little fur so by exposing it to the air, he’s granted some speedy cooling.

On top of that, his big paws are also exposed to air which helps out since that’s where a dog’s exclusive sweat glands are located.

Often this sleeping position is seen in dogs who feel secure in their environment for the simple fact that by sleeping on their back they are more vulnerable as it may take some time for them to flip over and stand up in case of a threat. This position is a sign of comfort as all the muscles are relaxed. You’ll likely see your dog sleep in this position mostly when he’s indoors in his safe haven and around people he trusts. If your dog sleeps this way close to you or against you, consider it another of those ways dogs say “I love you.”

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

2) The “Snowball” Position

Most likely, your dog is sleeping in the curled up, nose-to-tail snowball position when the temperatures start dipping. Indeed, this sleeping position is the best way to conserve heat. You’ll often see Siberian huskies sleeping this way, with the tail strategically covering their nose for further warmth.

However, there may be more to that. This position is somewhat similar to the human fetal sleeping position for the fact that it involves being curled up.

Other than keeping warm, this is a protective position reminiscent of ancient times when dogs used to dig up a den and sleep curled up inside. Indeed, this position not only kept dogs warm, but it also had a protective function as it helped protect vulnerable organs from dangerous predators, explains Margaret Gruen, a board-certified veterinary behavior specialist working for North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital.

Like the human fetal position, a dog sleeping in this position may be trying to feel secure and therefore can be seen sometimes in a new puppy or dog exposed to unfamiliar territory and in need of some time to acclimate to his new place, adds Dr. Gruen. This position indeed allows the dog to be on his feet immediately if need be. Does this mean that if your dog is sleeping in this position he’s feeling insecure? Not necessarily. Just as in human behavior, there are no rules written in stone.

Did you know? The curled up position may seem comfy and make a dog feel more secure, but it’s one of the less restorative sleeping positions. By sleeping curled up, your dog’s muscles are likely tense and therefore he’ll be less likely to slip into the REM stage, which is the most restorative sleep stage, explains veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker.

3) The “Pancake” Position

A dog who is sleeping flat on his side with legs extended is also comfortable in his surroundings as it takes a bit to get back on his feet from this position.

This is a restful position that works very well for restorative REM sleep. You have likely seen your dog pawing, chewing, kicking, twitching and paddling while sleeping in this position and you might be wondering whether he’s dreaming about chasing the neighbor’s cat or eating that sandwich you left unattended on the kitchen counter.

Regardless, consider that REM sleep seems to occur much more frequently in puppies and elderly dogs.

4) The “Sphinx” Position

This is a similar position to what your dog assumes when you cue him into a “down.” I remember back in dog training school, our trainer teachers under which we apprenticed, wanted our dogs in a perfect “sphinx-position down” with the front legs straight in front and the rear legs nicely tucked under.

Why so much emphasis on getting dogs in this position? This was the best position to get the dog from a down position to sprinting in little to no time. The position therefore was optimal for “down/stays,” followed by a recall, so when the dog was called, he could quickly get up on his feet and run towards us.

You might see this as a transitional position when your dog is sort of in between awakening from sleeping and getting ready to do something.

At times, this can be a sign of dog who isn’t too comfortable in his surroundings so he can be ready to react, but it may also be seen in a dog who is ready to sprint into action to follow his beloved owner around at a moment’s notice.

5) The “Super Man” Position

Does your dog sleep like Superman ready to take flight? However, instead of taking flight though, he’s drifting into dream world…

This is certainly a position that grants many chuckles and one of the most shared on social media.

It’s a variant of the sphinx position, with the back legs instead of being tucked in, being kept stretched straight out as if the dog was flying.

What does this position tell about your dog? Again, as with the dead cockroach position, this may be an attempt to cool down; however, instead of cooling his belly by airing it upwards, he’s cooling down by laying on a cool surface such as moist grass, tiles or hardwood floor.

You may likely see your dog assume this position after playing hard. Suddenly, he plops down, and since the floor’s surface feels good, he stretches his four legs out and falls asleep in this awkward position. A bit like the sphinx position, the superman position offers the advantage of allowing your dog to sprint into action as needed.

As seen, your dog’s sleeping positions can give you a few insights on what may be going on in his body and mind. In many cases, you may find that your dog sleeps in a certain position just because it’s comfy and feels good. How does your dog sleep? Regardless of how your dog sleeps, consider that it’s important that he has the opportunity to do so undisturbed. Sleep deprivation can lower a dog’s impulse threshold and increase reactivity. As the saying goes “let sleeping dogs lie.” Just as humans, dogs need their daily dose of sleep so they can restore their energy, get relief from stress hormones and wake up happy and relaxed!

“Rest and relaxation is important to the management of biological and emotional stress as it allows the body to recover from releases of ‘stress’ hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. “~ Lizi Angel, Canine Mind.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

dog sleeping position meanings

Does Daylight Saving Time Affect Your Dog?

June 27, 2016March 13, 2016 by Admin

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.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

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!

Pointing Out the Dangers of Laser Pointers for Dogs

March 10, 2017March 11, 2016 by Admin

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.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

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

Photo Credits:

Flickr, Creative Commons, Laser Game, by Szapucki, (CC BY 2.0)

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Five Ways Dogs Know You’re Coming Home

June 27, 2016March 10, 2016 by Admin

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?

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

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” by Rupert 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)

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

The Secret Behind Dog Tricks

June 27, 2016March 3, 2016 by Admin

It’s Talent Thursday and today we will be focusing on the secret behind dog tricks. How do dogs perform tricks? We are used to seeing shows where dogs perform amazing tricks. Whether it’s a dog playing dead, a dog grabbing a tissue when a person sneezes or a dog walking backwards, what you see is mostly the finished product, but there are many things going on behind the scenes before the dog performs the tricks so naturally and fluently in front of an audience. Today, we’ll be taking a sneak peak into how dogs are taught to perform tricks and what really goes on behind public view.

A Matter of Prompts

When dogs are taught to perform tricks, there are several different kinds of prompts trainers may rely on. Prompts, as the name implies, are simply aids that help the dog perform the behavior. Food used as a lure is a common prompt used by trainers to evoke behaviors. Because dogs tend to follow treats with their noses, a food lure is often used to guide the dog into a desired position.

For example, holding a food lure at the level of the dog’s nose and lifting it up towards the back of the dog’s head will often get a dog to sit. Lower that food lure down from the dog’s nose to the middle of his paws and outwards and you may get a dog to lie down. Move the food lure in a large circle, and you’ll likely get a dog to spin. Other forms of prompts include physical prompts such as gentle physical assistance, under the form of guiding a dog with a leash or giving a light touch to get a dog to sit, however, it’s best to avoid physical prompting as it can distracting and even disruptive. Another more subtle type of prompt can be slightly leaning forward towards a standing dog to get the dog to take a few steps backwards.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

“A prompt is defined as an antecedent stimulus (something that comes before a behavior, as opposed to consequence, which comes after a behavior) that is likely to elicit (achieve without any training) the desired response. ” ~ Jean Donaldson

The Power of Reinforcement

The purpose of training a dog is getting the dog to first perform a desired behavior, and then, having the dog to repeat the behavior. As we use a prompt to get the dog to perform a behavior, how do we tell a dog: “Oh, that’s great! Can you please do it again?” The best way is to provide feedback through positive reinforcement training. To inform the dog he did something good, positive reinforcement trainers will mark the desired response with the click of the clicker or a verbal marker such as “yes!” immediately followed by a treat. Some dogs who are highly motivated by toys, may find the use of a ball instead of treats rewarding enough.

What do we accomplish by marking and rewarding behaviors? It’s as if we were telling the dog, “Yes! you got it right, here comes a treat!” For the sake of comparison, it’s sort of like a game show’s right answer bell going “ding, ding ding!’ immediately being followed by money being deposited into your account. Doesn’t getting a right answer motivate you to get more right answers in the future so you get more money? You bet!

“Skinner introduced a new term into the Law of Effect – Reinforcement. Behavior which is reinforced tends to be repeated (i.e. strengthened); behavior which is not reinforced tends to die out-or be extinguished (i.e. weakened).” ~Saul Mcleod, Psychology Tutor at The University of Manchester.

Fading the Prompts

When you watch a dog perform an impressive trick on television or at an event, you’re unlikely to see the trainer still using prompts. After all, it’s not very impressive (and it’s also very wrong!) if the trainer must show food to get the dog perform the behavior or if she must rely on other types of prompts. Good trainers will start fading prompts as soon as they can, otherwise the dog will become overly reliant on them. The longer they stick to prompts, the harder it will be to remove them. So prompts are gradually faded.

The trainer who leaned forward towards the standing dog to get him to him to take a few steps backwards, will start leaning less and less. The trainer who used a food lure to get the dog to spin by moving it in a large circle will have a little more work. First, he must fade the food lure by using an empty hand to make the large circle hand motion. Then, to make the trick even more flashy, he may be making the hand motion smaller and smaller until the dog performs the spinning trick with a mere wave of the hand.

Introducing Flashy Cues

Once a dog gets pretty good at performing a behavior, a new, flashier cue can be permanently assigned to it. In other words, the behavior can be named and the dog can be taught to perform the trick when the trainer says the cue. The cue doesn’t necessarily have to be a word. For example, a dog may have been taught to grab a tissue from a tissue box when the trainer pointed to the tissue box. To make the trick more impressive, the trainer may wish to have the dog grab the tissue the moment he sneezes. To introduce this new cue and replace the pointing gesture, the trainer would therefore first sneeze, and then point. After several repetitions, since most dogs love to anticipate, at some point, they’ll grab the tissue upon hearing the trainer sneeze even before the trainer points at the tissue box!

“Once you have the behavior you want, practice it until the dog is actively offering exactly that behavior—that perfect behavior—80% of the time, then add the cue.” ~Melissa Alexander

Feeding on Variable Schedule

You may have heard in the past that dogs who are trained with treats are bribed and will go on strike that day the person isn’t carrying treats. This may be true, there are several dogs who won’t budge until you get that treat out of your pocket, but this doesn’t mean that using treats for training is wrong. It just simply means that the treats are being used incorrectly. A good trainer will make sure to fade those food lures quickly so that the dog doesn’t rely on them and think that they’re part of the cue.

On top of that, the trainer will also move from a continuous schedule to a variable schedule. This means that while it’s fine in the initial stages of training to reward the dog for every single correct response (continuous schedule), once the dog’s behavior becomes reliable, treats can be given in an unpredictable, random manner (variable schedule, also known as intermittent schedule). Since the dog won’t know when the next treat will be coming, he’s kept on his toes just like people who don’t know when they’re going to hit the jackpot next when playing the slots at Vegas. From a performance standpoint, it means that the dog can compete in an event without the trainer having to dole out treats too often, while feedback can still be given though under the form of praise which can be rewarding on its own if it’s been astutely paired with treats in the past!

“When your pet is learning a new behavior, reward him every time he does the behavior. Once your pet has reliably learned the behavior, you want to switch to intermittent reinforcement, in which you continue with praise, but gradually reduce the number of times he receives a treat for doing the desired behavior.” ~The Humane Society of the United States

Practice Makes Perfect

Training a dog to perform a trick requires lots of practice so to attain a high level of fluency and a high response rate. To help dogs generalize the trick, the trainer makes sure to train in different contexts in gradually more and more distracting environments. The trainer may first train the trick in the home, then may practice in the yard, then on walks and then in front of a crowd. Other challenges are added, such as training the dog to perform the behavior at greater and greater distances (think a dog sitting from across a room) or for longer and longer times (such as a dog holding a five-minute stay) Distraction, distance and duration are known as the 3D’s of training and they are part of what’s needed for proofing behaviors. The rest involves getting the dog to perform the tricks with precision and speed. Once the dog performs the behavior fluently and reliably anywhere upon hearing the cue, the behavior is said to have attained stimulus control.

“When a dog performs a behavior on cue quickly, anywhere, and under a wide variety of conditions, the behavior is said to be under stimulus control.” ~Pat Miller

Did you know? Using prompts is only one way of training. There are trainers who used other different methods such as capturing, where spontaneous behaviors dogs do on their own are rewarded or shaping where successive approximations of a desired behavior are rewarded taking a step-by-step approach.

References:

Oh Behave: Dogs from Pavlov to Premack to Pinker, by Jean Donaldson, Dogwise Publishing (April 7, 2008)
Whole Dog Journal, Advanced Dog Training Methods: How to Fade Prompts and Lures by Pat Miller, retrieved from the Web on March 3rd, 2016
Clicker Training, by Karen Pryor, Fading the Click? retrieved from the Web on March 3rd, 2016
Clicker Training, by Casey LoMonaco, Everything You Wanted to Know About Proofing—But Were Afraid to Ask, retrieved from the Web on March 3rd, 2016
Clicker Training, by Casey LoMonaco, Got behaviors? Want proof? retrieved from the Web on March 3rd, 2016

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Four Reasons Why Your Dog Hates Your Perfume

June 27, 2016February 27, 2016 by Admin

Perfumes have been worn by people since early civilization, and still as of today, the world of fragrances is so popular that it is a multi-billion industry. All you have to do is visit Sephora’s fragrance aisle and you’re shortly overwhelmed with attractive-looking bottles and fragrances ready to seduce your olfactory senses. The scent of lavender, vanilla and sandalwood remind you of distant exotic places.

Whether it’s the scented candles, new body soap or air freshener, we can’t deny that as humans we are delighted by pleasant smells that stimulate the olfactory receptors in our nose. What smells are we mostly attracted to? It looks like for the most part we’re interested in flowery scents or scents that remind us of fruits or our favorite foods, but what about our dogs? Dogs seem to think things quite differently. Here are four reasons why dogs hate perfume, straight from your dog’s mouth!

It’s Just Too Much!

As you might know, Mother Nature has blessed me with a powerful sniffer that’s believed to be have up to 300 million olfactory receptors! That’s quite a lot compared to the mere six million you have! So don’t be surprised if next time you call me, I am too busy reading my Daily Pee Mail messages from the lamp post to respond right away. Each and every day, I am strongly affected by the world of wafting aromas that surround me in this man-made world. That spritz of Chanel No. 5 you put on when you are about to head out? It’s very overpowering to me! Don’t believe me? Just hear what veterinarian Ernie Ward in the below quote has to say about carpet fresheners, potpourri, hair sprays, air fresheners and perfumes.

I know that’s easier said than done, but a tiny trace to us is like an elephant-sized funk to some animals. I’m so sensitive about this that I even train my staff not to wear perfumes or scented deodorants to avoid upsetting my pet patients. Seriously. ~ Dr. Ernie Ward

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

I Don’t Like It!

The last time, I checked, I had anal glands and a tail, yup, that’s a pretty strong confirmation that I am a dog and not a human. You see, as a human, you have a totally different history than me. Your ancestors most likely got most of their nutrition from gathered fruits and nuts which explains why you’re attracted to those fruity and flowery smells that are over-represented fragrances found in your store’s air freshener aisle. When it comes to me, I am a scavenger at heart. Even if you were to ask Princess Fifi, your neighbor’s French poodle who wears a pink tutu and a collar studded with rhinestones, she would also agree that your strong perfume is revolting. Her favorite fragrance is likely “eau de toilet,” a mix of cow poop, putrid carcasses and a touch of essential oils from cowhide.

Omnivores like our early humanoid primate ancestors were always seeking out plump, juicy fruits, and that legacy drives our attraction to fruity and flowery smells. Dogs are hunters and scavengers, attracted to, rather than repelled by, the scent of ripe carcasses. ~ Patricia McConnell.

It Makes Me Sick!

On a more serious perspective, perfume can do more to me than make me cringe, it can actually make me sick, yes, even seriously sick. According to Pet Education, that isopropyl alcohol found in that perfume, cologne or after shave you use, has toxic effects on me. If I happen to ingest some or even breath in the vapors, I could develop serious nervous system disorders along with nausea vomiting and abdominal pain. In severe cases, I could even slip in a coma.

On a lighter note, if you see me itching and scratching, don’t think fleas right away. Sure, that’s a possibility, but keep in a corner of your mind the possibility that I might be allergic to all those perfumed doggy shampoos, sprays, and lotions you are so fond of. Veterinarian Dr. Crista DeJoia, explains that skin allergies in dogs may manifest with redness of the skin, itching and biting. So keep an eye on my symptoms, and if you notice anything not right, keep me safe from these products and consult with your vet.

“Perfumes and scented products must be used judiciously with our pets. Heavily scented shampoos or sprays applied directly to a pet can cause skin reactions, nausea and lethargy, or even airway irritation.”~ Dr. Crista DeJoia

You Make me Wear it Too!

So know you know it, I thought it was time to spill the beans! My fervent hate for perfume is why I rush to the yard after a bath and start rolling on the grass… to get that awful scent off of me! Next time you smear some strongly scented shampoo or cologne on me, would you please ask my opinion first? If you see me rolling in the grass feverishly as you watch in horror, I am likely trying to remove the perfume and gain back some of my canine identity. How would you feel if I smeared you with cow poop, wouldn’t you cry and go race to take a shower? Well there you have it, we’re different species, so to each our own!

References:

The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs, by Patricia McConnell Ph.D Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (April 29 2003)

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Four Ways Dogs May Detect Human Pregnancy

June 27, 2016February 25, 2016 by Admin

We know of dogs who can detect cancer, predict seizures and recognize low blood sugar, so it shouldn’t surprise us if dogs were even able to detect pregnancy! While there are currently no studies or hard evidence to prove us that dogs are capable of telling when a woman becomes pregnant, there is surely a lot of anecdotal evidence coming from women who claim to have noticed relevant changes in their dog’s behavior after becoming pregnant. The next question therefore is: How can dogs sense pregnancy in humans? Until new studies come out, for now we can only make assumptions based on what we know. In this article, we’ll be looking at human pregnancy from a canine’s standpoint.

Mood Changes

During pregnancy, it’s not unusual for women to go through an emotional roller coaster ride. According to the American Pregnancy Association, most mood swings are experienced during the first trimester of pregnancy, and then again in the third trimester as the body gets closer to giving birth. The mood changes are a mix of stress, fatigue and major metabolic and hormonal changes which affect the level of neurotransmitters, important chemicals responsible for regulating mood. It’s not old news that dogs are deeply in tune with their owners and studies have shown that dogs are able to recognize emotions in humans by combining information from different senses.

“People and dogs have forged an incredibly close connection over thousands of years together. Along the way, dogs have been bred for certain traits, and “one of the traits would be the ability to read us.” ~Marc Bekoff

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

A Whiff of Hormones

While dogs may still be far from replacing an early pregnancy test, dogs may be capable of smelling hormones associated with pregnancy. Pregnant women experience dramatic increases in their estrogen and progesterone levels, the main hormones associated with pregnancy. Just to get an idea, consider that according to Healthline, during one pregnancy a woman will produce more levels of estrogen than she has ever produced in her entire life! A rapid increase in estrogen levels occurs in the first trimester and peak levels are reached during the third trimester. Progesterone levels are also very high during pregnancy. Blessed with powerful sniffers, it’s very likely that dogs can detect these massive changes in a pregnant woman’s body chemistry.

“Given what we know they are able to perceive with their nose, it’s a bit hard to imagine that they can’t detect at least some of the many hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy in a person living in their house.”~Karen B. London, PhD

Routine Changes

If dogs haven’t figured out about pregnancy yet, they’ll likely get the big wake-up call once they notice big changes in their routines. Pregnant women may start going to bed earlier, eat more frequent meals, use the rest room more often and they may start moving things around to create a whelping box..ahem..meant to say, the nursery. On top of that, they may no longer walk their dog as often as before and other family members may starting taking over certain chores. Dogs, being the routine oriented beings they are, will most likely notice all these abrupt changes–and likely won’t like them.

“Just like people, certain pets are very resilient when it comes to adjusting to changes in life; others less so.” ~Dr. Wailani Sung, board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

Changes in Posture

As pregnancy advances, most women will end up changing their posture at some point. This is inevitable. Starting from the second trimester, the body makes adjustments to accommodate the growing baby. The back will curve more and the shoulders will also move back to make up for shift of the center of gravity and growing belly, explains Myra Wick, obstetrician, gynecologist and editor in chief of Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. As pregnancy advances, these changes in posture will cause movements to also get more awkward. Dogs, who are masters in noticing the smallest subtleties of our bodies, most likely take notice of these changes!

Adjusting to Pregnancy

Dogs tend to pick up on things we wouldn’t expect them to and this makes them even more amazing. While we don’t know if they can predict that in a few months there will be a new human in the home, for sure in some way or another they understand that something’s brewing. Their reactions to these many changes may vary. Dog behavior during human pregnancy may result in the following behaviors:

Dogs feeling confused or stressed
Dogs becoming protective or more aggressive
Dog becoming more clingy or affectionate.
Dogs engaging in new behaviors such as chewing or marking.

Luckily, most dogs eventually adjust to the many changes that come with the onset of pregnancy in their owner, and right when they thought they got a hang of things, a screaming baby comes in the house. Luckily, there are many things dog owners can do to help them adjust and get used to a new baby. Paying more attention to the dog, providing a good training and exercise regimen and making gradual changes to their routine instead of abrupt ones can help them better adjust and feel reassured. For dogs having a hard time, enlisting the help of a trainer/behavior consultant prior to the baby’s arrival can help. There are also special programs offered by different organizations that provide counseling. A popular one is the Dogs and Storks program.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

How Well Can Dogs See in the Dark?

June 27, 2016February 18, 2016 by Admin

In a previous article we looked at how dogs see colors, today instead we will take a peak at how dogs see in the dark. While humans detect colors much better than dogs, when it comes to night vision, dogs come out as winners. A dog’s ability to see in the dark may not beat the night vision of cats, but they aren’t too far behind. Interestingly, this ability to see in dim light is courtesy of several evolutionary adaptations meant to help dogs see in low-light conditions.

A Matter of Conformation

While dogs can’t appreciate our same visual acuity and same color palette as us, when it comes to night vision, dogs are blessed with characteristics that make them see far better than humans. Dog eyes have a larger lens and thus a larger corneal surface, than humans, explains Dr. Randy Kidd. Why they see better than us in dim light, isn’t surprising. Animals have larger pupils than humans and this allows more light to reach the retina, which is why they have superior night vision, claims Dr. Lynsey Wagner, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist working for South Texas Veterinary Ophthalmology. While a dog’s night vision is superior to humans, it can’t beat though the night vision of cats. Cats are nocturnal animals par excellence and their incredible night vision comes courtesy of the vertical shape of their pupils and their larger cornea.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

“Compared to the human eye, the dog has a larger lens and a correspondingly larger corneal surface, enhancing its ability to capture light and thus see in reduced lighting conditions. ” ~Randy Kidd, DVM, PhD

Light Sensitive Rods

While the human retina has more cone cells, which allow a better ability to distinguish colors, dogs’ retinas have a higher concentration of rods, special light-and-motion-sensitive cells that help distinguish light from shadow. This allows dogs to see better than humans in semi-darkness.

Additionally, these rods help the dog detect small movements, which came helpful for hunting prey animals at night, or, in the case of our domesticated companions, catching a ball tossed on a summer evening. There’s a trade off though for these advantages. The price to pay for seeing in dim light and detecting small movement appears to be less visual acuity during the day.

“The dog’s retina is like a high speed photographic film with a high ISO or ASA number; great in dim light but ‘grainy’ with less detail (visual acuity) in bright light.” ~Dr. Kerry L Ketring, board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.

A Bright Tapestry

The dog’s tapetum lucidum, a mirror-like membrane lined with a layer of highly reflective cells, further helps dogs see better when the lights go out. How? This membrane reflects back any light entering the eye which enables dogs to see better. According to Dr. Steven M. Roberts, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, it is thanks to the tapetum lucidum, along with the greater corneal and pupil diameter, that dogs can see “a low-light world that’s two to ten times brighter than what we see.”

Ever wondered why dogs get “Halloween eyes?” The reason why dog eyes glow at night in an eerie way is because the unabsorbed light reflects off the tapetum lucidum. This also explains why a dog’s eyes glow in pictures when taken with flash. Humans, unlike dogs, do not have a tapetum lucidum.

“Dogs, can probably see in light five times dimmer than a human can see in.” ~Paul Miller, clinical professor of comparative ophthalmology at University of Wisconsin—Madison.

Dogs Cannot See in Total Dark

Dogs see in total darkness the same way us humans do. The reason why they see better in dim light is simply because they make better use of the light they have. The secret behind a dog’s night vision therefore relies on our companion’s ability to make better use of whatever source of light is available to them. So turns out, it’s a myth that dogs are able to see in total pitch black darkness. Dogs have an advantage though over us humans when it comes to navigating in the dark that’s worthy of mentioning. They can rely on their”feeler”whiskers which prevents them from bumping into things and allows them to navigate around a room in dim light with a good level of ease. On top pf that, they have an uncanny ability to memorize the layouts of their homes. Perhaps this is why the myth of dogs seeing in the dark got popular!

“Dogs and cats are very good at memorizing their environment. We see lots of patients that have pretty advanced visual dysfunction without their owners being aware of it simply because the layout of their home never changed.”~ Christopher Pirie, board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.

Did you know? That eerie green-yellowish glow that is emanated from the eyes of animals at night is known as “eye shine”

References:

Tufts Now, Spotting Eye Problems in Pets, retrieved from the Web on February 18th, 2016
South Texas Veterinary Ophthalmology, The Ghostly Glow, Why do Animal’s Eyes Shine? by Dr. Lynsey Wagner, retrieved from the Web on February 18th, 2016
What Do Animals Really See, by Kerry L Ketring, DVM DACVO, All Animal Eye Clinic Whitehall, MI 4946, retrieved from the Web on February 18th, 2016

Photo credits:

A three-month-old black Labrador puppy with apparent eye shine, by Jazzjohnn , CC BY-SA 3.0

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]