The Dog Blog

Pages

Wow! What's That Smell?

Laurel Scarioni | Sun, 09/13/2009 - 22:27

I just got home from a Canine Nosework seminar a few hours ago and am so, so, so excited about this awesome new sport! My Border Terrier Edgar has always been very interested in following his nose and I've wanted to get him involved in some sort of nose sport but couldn't find something in my area that fit what I wanted. When I heard about Canine Nosework, it sounded perfect, so I signed up for an introductory course. It was amazing to watch all of these beginning dogs learn that they were allowed to use their noses! We weren't teaching them to use their nose, because they all know how...

Wanted: Dobies with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Dr. Nicholas H.... | Fri, 09/11/2009 - 05:26

We have just completed a most interesting genetic study of blanket sucking/flank sucking Doberman Pinschers and have found what we think is the gene underlying this behavioral discrepancy. The gene in question expresses itself in areas of the brain known to be affected in OCD in humans and affects processes now thought to be instrumental in propagating OCD.

With delight and surprise, scientists refer to canine compulsive disorders as “models” of the human condition and see them objectively as ripe for study, which they are. But we all know that dogs and people are more alike than different, so to us it comes as no surprise that they have similar psychological issues. Nevertheless, it’s good to have psychiatrists and dog behaviorists on the same page because that way we will get more done for both species.

Italian Lesson

Kelly Gorman Dunbar | Fri, 09/11/2009 - 05:06

I’m in Italy this week and it’s absolutely lovely. The September weather is ideal, sunny and warm with a gentle breeze; there’s a perfect mix in the air of the fading bloom of summer into the crispness of the promise for a spectacular fall. The golden landscape is gorgeous and each town we visit has a rich past and plenty of historical sites to prove it. The people are friendly are and of course the food and wine are divine!

However, as wonderful as it is, it’s also been stressful. You see, I don’t speak Italian, and, especially in the small villages we’re mainly visiting not that many people speak English.

Living With Multiple Dogs 101: Part 1 Be a Friend

Liz Catalano | Wed, 09/09/2009 - 20:08

Living among my multiple dog family is a joy for me. I can watch them playing and communicating with each other for hours and never tire. My five furry companions are funny, fascinating and even wonderful teachers, but they are also a ton of hard work! Thankfully, I have a husband who is equally devoted to our multiple doggie home and works with me to do all the things that need to be done in a day.

Just Do It

Kelly Gorman Dunbar | Wed, 09/09/2009 - 05:25

Are you a dog-lover? If so, one of the very best things you can do for dogs is to teach them how to best navigate our human society. The standard is high, and getting higher every day, especially with the threat of anti-dog legislation breathing down our necks. For dogs to continue to succeed as our constant companion in today’s world, they need to be mannerly and social, comfortable around people, and savvy enough to stay out of “trouble”.

Training is one of the best things you can do for a dog. Providing exercise and appropriate outlets for natural doggy behaviors is another, and actually facilitates the training process as well. Socialization is the third component is this triad of canine triumph.

Just Don't Call Them Furbabies

Eric Goebelbecker | Tue, 09/08/2009 - 20:20

More exciting research with dogs was released last week. This new study provides more evidence that dogs tend to follow human cues very closely. I wrote about an earlier study and the always fascinating Belayaev Foxes over here and here

The researchers performed a test with dogs and human-raised wolves and 10 month old toddlers. They first performed the test with dogs and toddlers. As has been repeatedly reported in the news, the dogs frequently made the same "mistake" as the toddlers: relying too heavily on nonverbal cues to figure out where an object is hidden. This suggests that dogs reading human "body language" similar to the way human children do.

Fences for Fido: Un-chaining Angels

Cindy Bruckart | Mon, 09/07/2009 - 21:24

I am so proud that the people at Fences for Fido are doing their great works right here in my area. It’s not just about the fences they build, the dogs they unchain and the people they educate. It’s also about their choice to meet the problem where it’s at and provide a real solution.

You’ll see this organization isn’t about judging, complaining, blaming or shaming. Instead of telling people that they’re wrong, they are providing an actual fix for the immediate problem and in the process providing education and awareness.

Why Does This Dog Agress?

Steve Dale | Sun, 09/06/2009 - 06:39

What do you think happened here in this video clip? I think, the leash tightening set off the dog.

Play your own hand, GB!

Eric Goebelbecker | Wed, 09/02/2009 - 08:20

In the Army, you spend a lot of time sitting around waiting for something to happen. Today, at least based on what I have seen and read, this time can be spent on the Internet or playing video games. Back in the pre-YouTube, pre-xBox and pre-Iraq/Afghanistan days, we played cards.

I'll always be a mediocre card player, but after three months temporarily stationed in Crete, where there wasn't a lot to do and I spent half of the time on crutches, (long story, tangentially involving turkeys) I became a serviceable "spades" player.

Regarding Rover

Cindy Bruckart | Mon, 08/31/2009 - 12:16

As I launch my new podcast radio show, I have to tell you that I agonized over a name. I wanted something that would both inform potential listeners of the subject matter, while making a statement about my philosophy. Of course, one has to accomplish that while paying attention to uniqueness and availability. It’s a tough job.

My podcast is about dog training for the average pet dog owner and will be infused with my deep respect for the animals I share my life with. I wanted to veer away from the “pack leader” mentality and leave behind the current trend of setting dogs up as a force to be triumphed over.

After spending a lot of time thinking about words, I remembered how often I’d been told to treat fellow trainers (of like or un-like minds) with “positive regard”. Hmmm. Regard…Rover.