Picasso furniture and dog

This painting by Picasso is entitled “Henri II buffet with dog and chair”.  The Henri II style of furniture (1860-1900) is known as French Renaissance.  It  is notable for its size and solidity. Pieces tend to be huge and rectangular in composition, with heavy carving, dark wood and large bun feet. Armoires are notable for their often elaborate cornices with large finials and crests, and show a strong Italian influence in their carving and design. Mirrors and beds tend to be very ornate, with carved pillars and finials. Armoires have either solid wooden doors or glass mirror doors.
I gather you can buy Henri II furniture for a song in French auction houses.
As for Picassos…

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Cats And Their Owners Are More In Sync Than You Think

We all know that cats like to sleep a lot, but there are conflicting reports about the time of day when they are most active. Some scientists say they are most active at night, others in the day-time, and yet others say they are most active at twilight (i.e. crepuscular). Could it be that they are all right – depending on the cat and how it is kept?

Many studies of cats are actually on laboratory cats. So Giuseppe Piccione and colleagues at the University of Messina, in Italy, decided to study the behaviour of cats in homes, and see how they varied.

Ten pet cats took part in the study. They were divided into two groups. Group A lived in a relatively small house, with access to a small garden between 8 and 9am. Group B, in contrast, lived in a large house with a very large garden to which they had continual access, and were shut out of the house overnight.

The owners of all ten cats followed the same daily pattern: they left for work at 9.30am, came back at 1.30 in the afternoon, left again at 3.30 and returned at 8pm. The cats had free access to water. All of the cats were fed dry food at 8am, and at 9pm the Group B cats got dry food whereas the Group A cats got wet food. The study took place in summer, when the sun rises in Messina, Italy, at 5am and sets at 9pm.

All of the cats wore a special recording device on their collar for ten days, to measure their activity levels. The scientists calculated how active each cat was overall, and how active they were at night vs how active they were during the day.

The results showed that the cats in Group A were most active during daylight hours. On the other hand the cats in Group B, that were shut outside overnight, were most active during the night time. In Group B, there was a daily rhythm to their activity levels, which didn’t exist for Group A. However, in Group A, the cats were most active when the owners were at home and interacting with them. 

The scientists say these results show a “high influence of human presence and care on the amount of activity in cats.” We know that some other domestic animals (such as dogs) adapt their activity levels according to how they are kept, but this is the first time it has been shown for cats in the home. So the time of day when they are most active is not hard-wired genetically, but varies according to their lifestyle.
 

There were relatively few cats in this study. While this is typical of the field, it would be nice to see higher numbers of participants in this kind of research. Future studies could investigate a wider range of housing situations. It would be interesting to see if cats change their habits if their owner’s lifestyle changes, but of course this would be hard to study in a real-life situation.

We are used to thinking of cats as their own creatures, but this research shows they adapt their lifestyle according to that of their owner and the place where they live. 

What is your cat’s daily routine?

Reference

Piccione, G.,, Marafioti, S.,, Giannetto, C.,, Panzera, M.,, & Fazio, F. (2013). Daily rhythm of total activity pattern in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) maintained in two different housing conditions Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 8 (4), 189-194 DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2012.09.004

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She did it again!

As I was reflecting on days gone by, I happened to recall the Babe and her uncanny ability to climb trees. Earlier in this blog I wrote a hunt test tale entitled "She Climbs Trees" and as this is a second incident, I guess "She did it again" is an appropriate title. As I recall . . .

I was sitting on the steps that lead into the puppy yard, musing at my grass, (yes it came back) when Singer went under the azalea bush beside the steps. You might think of a small, compact flowering bush when the word "azalea" is mentioned, but this one was well over 12 feet tall and probably a good 8 feet wide, so it was more like a tree than a bush. It was lovely when it bloomed, all white.

She nosed her way to the trunk and started pushing on the limbs. I thought that she wanted to rub against the branches to "scratch" some hard to reach spots. But no, she was staring intently up into the branches.

Then she put her right, front paw on the branch followed by her left paw while moving her right paw further up to another branch. She then put a rear paw on the lowest branch as the other paws moved up. She was stretched like a gymnast reaching for the upper parallel bar, then drat, she fell.

Undaunted, she started over. Still looking strait up into the branches, she moved her first paw, second paw, third paw . . . and this time she got her fourth paw off the ground, then drat, she fell again.

Still undaunted she started over. On her third try she solidly got that fourth paw onto a branch, then continued her upward movement, one paw at a time. This was a circular climb as the bush had a trunk about 3" thick with close set branches. She continued to stretch for ?something? above, just out of reach of her nose.

All the while, as I marveled at her tenacity, I wondered what could possible be in the bush that she wanted so badly. I could not come up with anything positive, but plenty of negative thoughts plagued me so I decided it might be wise to intervene.

"SINGER! GET OUT OF THAT TREE !!!"

Gingerly, she reversed her paw action and down she came. I searched the bush for birds . . . nests . . . frightened or injured animals . . . snakes, but I found nothing. Nothing but a few dead leaves in the crook of a branch that appeared to be composting. Ah yes, the delicious smell of compost, that must have been it.

This incident took place around 1999 when Singer was two and a half years old. She was a hearty girl, full of spirit and the type that would never give up. Maybe that was why she was so special to me.

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The Surprising History of Veterinary Medicine for Dogs and Cats

And the ‘dangerous’ woman who played a vital role.

Photo: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH

We are used to the idea that veterinarians treat dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals, but it wasn’t always so. Before the automobile, the main role for vets was in the treatment of horses. As the number of horses declined, two British government reports (in 1938 and 1944) suggested vets should specialize in the treatment of farm animals. 

The change to small animals is often explained as due to increasing standards of living and people’s desire for companion animals after the Second World War. A new report by Andrew Gardiner of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (University of Edinburgh) shows the real reason is the rise of animal charities, and the role of one woman in particular: Maria Dickin.

It’s a tale of politics and intrigue. Gardiner says that in the period between the two wars, “a new territory of animal care was opening up. By the time the veterinary profession realized that things were moving beyond its control, it was almost too late.”

Maria Dickin founded the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor in a basement in 1917. Dickin was in her 40s and had no previous experience of looking after animals, but she saw the need for them to receive care. “Bring your sick animals! Do not let them suffer! All animals treated. All treatment free” said the sign.  

The organization grew enormously. Ten years later, they treated 410,000 animals in a year and had even opened clinics in other countries. Although the people who took their animals to the PDSA would not have been able to afford to go to a vet, the veterinary profession still looked down on the organization. 

The people who worked at PDSA clinics had no veterinary training. This was not illegal, because the law at the time only prevented people from calling themselves veterinary surgeons without training, not from caring for animals. The large number of animals passing through the clinics meant that staff quickly became experienced, and apparently many vets at the time – more used to horses – were not good at handling small animals. 

In 1926, when a woman called Sarah Martha Grove Hardy left the PDSA £50,000, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons tried to claim some of the funds. G.H. Livesey, a prominent vet, called people involved in animal welfare ‘cranks’ and said, “All of us who have had experience in dog practice, know that there are ladies (generally childless) who have to turn their attention to something, and nearly always they turn to dogs.”

The funds from Grove Hardy were used to set up a Sanatorium in Essex. Gardiner describes it as “a comprehensive treatment, training and headquarters complex with numerous wards, stables and kennels, X ray and UV light treatment facilities and a spacious operating theatre. Educational facilities included lecture rooms and a library.” The Sanatorium had just one actual veterinary surgeon. As well as treating animals, it was a training facility for PDSA staff.

The vets of the time were not keen on other animal charities either. Writing in 1931, the then-secretary of the RCVS Warwick Fowle said "The lady [Maria Dickin] is dangerous and energetic; the RSPCA is timid and apathetic."

Since the law could not be used to close down the animal clinics, the veterinary associations turned to a moral argument about animals having a right to ‘proper’ diagnosis and treatment. Gardiner writes that they were also beginning to realize that treating dogs (and cats) could be enough to support a business. Changes in the law were being considered that would have meant the PDSA had to hire vets – not that many would have wanted to work there.

Against this backdrop, Dickin (now retired from some of her PDSA roles) and the President of the RCVS, G.H. Livesey (he of the ‘cranks’ jibe above), came to an agreement. Large PDSA clinics would hire a veterinarian, while smaller ones would refer to a local vet when appropriate (and local vets did not have to take the work if they did not want to). 

Although some vets supported the change, many did not. One wrote “I would like to point out … that the ‘dear little doggy’ stuff is quite a futile line to take with our profession. Some of us, thank goodness, have a real job of work to do. He mentions little doggies and pussies having a vote in the matter. Believe me, if this were the case, the cats would be too occupied in passing anti-castration laws to worry about the PDSA.”

Nonetheless, the changes went ahead and over time vets developed a better appreciation of dogs and cats. In 1957 the British Small Animal Veterinary Association was formed. PDSA still exists today and provides free veterinary treatment to 2.3million animals a year in the UK. 

Gardiner says, “The role of Maria Dickin and the PDSA has been marginalized within the history of British veterinary medicine.” His account shows that, in developing a network of animal clinics that the veterinary profession had not imagined possible or desirable, they started a new discipline of small animal practice.

Reference

Gardiner, A. (2014). The Dangerous Women of Animal Welfare: How British Veterinary Medicine Went to the Dogs Social History of Medicine, 27 (3), 466-487 DOI: 10.1093/shm/hkt101

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Why Dogs Chew and How to Stop It

Predominantly an issue with younger dogs, chewing can become quite the unwanted action, considering the scope of property damage that may occur as a result. To consider the potential risks involved with chewing, let’s take a closer look at the habit.

Curiosity: Puppies tend to chew more than older dogs for many reasons, including environment discovery and easing teething pains. Just like human infants, puppies will test objects with their mouths to learn about surrounding environments and objects. This can be incredibly destructive if shoes or other items small enough to fit inside mouths are left out unsupervised.

Between 3 to 6 weeks of age, puppies grow what are known as deciduous teeth. Later, between months 4 and 6, permanent teeth begin protruding. Because growing new teeth can be rather unpleasant, puppies will chew frequently to reduce the discomfort.

The best way to go about curbing chewing issues in puppies is to provide them with appropriate toys on which they may chew. Try giving them a number of options, as they will likely choose a favorite toy.

Boredom/Anxiety: This is a tough one for pet owners who work long days outside of the home, as dogs are incredibly social creatures and being left alone can cause them to feel boredom and anxiety. As an outlet, dogs will sometimes chew any and all surrounding items in attempt to relieve stress and energy levels. Even if left in empty rooms, they can destroy moldings, walls and doors. Owners with herding or sporting breeds should be especially careful because their pets require much more exercise.

If you can’t afford to take your dog to a pet-friendly daycare or to hire a trusted dog-walker, try spending extra time exercising with them before leaving them alone for extended periods of time. Consider waking up early to take them for a walk, play fetch or to socialize at a local dog park.

Although loneliness is more difficult to treat than boredom, there are a number of ways to help dogs that are suffering from separation anxiety. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance recommends leaving for short periods of time and then gradually increasing the amount of time you spend away. This method will slowly reduce your pup’s separation anxiety. However, it’s important to make the event of departure or arrival as uneventful as possible. This ensures that either event is a simple, non-rewarding activity.

If inappropriate chewing goes uncorrected, wide-scale and continued property destruction may ensue. There are few things that will ruin a day faster than returning home to a demolished living room. If the problem persists, contact your veterinarian to see if they have any advice. If you have a pet insurance plan, costs for those treatments might even be covered.

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Do Dogs with Baby Expressions get Adopted Sooner and What Does it Say about Domestication

Cute eyebrow movements by dogs influence people’s choice of canine companion.

Photo: MrGarry / Shutterstock

Theories about the domestication of dogs from wolves suggest that baby-like faces are a by-product of humans selecting for other features. But is it possible they were deliberately selected? A new study in PLoS One by Bridget Waller et al (University of Portsmouth) investigates.

Selecting animals for behavioural traits can end up having unexpected effects on physical characteristics, as shown in the silver fox study by Dimitri K. Belyaev in Siberia. Young foxes were tested to see how they responded to a person, and the least fearful ones were chosen for breeding. Eventually, after forty generations of breeding, the foxes became tame and domesticated. Even though they were selected for behaviour, they had physical changes such as floppy ears, curly tails, blue eyes, different coat colours, less of a ‘foxy’ smell, and a longer socialization period. (You can read more in this blog by Jason Goldman on Scientific American).  

 

This is why the physical appearance of dogs could simply be a by-product of selection for friendly behaviour. Dogs have a wide variety of physical features, many of which are puppy-like – closer to a wolf puppy than an adult wolf. However the scientists wondered if people may have selected for appearance as well as behaviour during domestication.

The study focussed on dogs eyes, since large eyes are seen as a baby-like feature. Using sophisticated facial recognition software, the scientists were able to track a movement known as AU101, in which the inside of the eyebrow is raised, making the eye appear bigger. This is shown in the photograph below of a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Source: PLoS One

A preference for neoteny can even be found in young children, as Borgi and Cirulli (2013) showed in their study using photos of dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, and teddy bears with or without infantile features.  Studies of people’s preference for baby-face features typically ask people to make a choice between two photographs. However, Waller et al felt that choosing dogs from re-homing centres is more similar to the domestication process, since it involves selecting a dog that will live in your home. 

They enlisted the help of four re-homing centres in the UK, run by Portsmouth City, Wood Green, the Dogs Trust and the RSPCA. Because differences between breeds can be large, they selected 29 dogs from the bull breed group (Staffordshire Bull Terriers, mastiffs, and mixed bull breeds). Each dog was filmed for two minutes while the experimenter stood by the kennel and held out a hand towards the dog. The video was analyzed for facial expression, tail wagging, and time spent near the front of the kennel. 

Two dogs were excluded from the results because they had to wait an unusually long time to be adopted (82 and 87 days). The final sample of 27 dogs had an average age of two (ranging from 7 to 96 months).
 

Surprisingly, the amount of time spent wagging the tail or at the front of the kennel did not make much difference to the length of time that elapsed before dogs were adopted.  The eyebrow movement, however, did. If dogs made this eyebrow movement 5 times within the 2 minute period, they were adopted in 50 days (on average), compared to 35 days if they did it ten times, and 28 days for 15 times.

The number of times the eyebrow movement was made when the experimenter was there was considered to be typical of what they would do when potential adopters were first looking at the dog. Testing how many times it was actually made when dogs were adopted would increase the accuracy of the model. And there are also many other factors that could affect adopters’ decisions, including the other dogs present at the centre at the time. 

The researchers say the human version of the facial gesture studied here indicates sadness. Even though tail wagging did not have much effect, there was a tendency for dogs that wagged their tails a lot to be at the shelter for longer. So it is possible that sadness, rather than cuteness, influenced people’s choices, although it could also be that sadness is a component of baby-like features. This warrants further research.

This is the first time baby-like features have been shown to affect people’s choice of a dog, something that requires time and investment from the new owner. The researchers say, “Our real world data show that domestic dogs who exhibit paedomorphic characteristics are preferentially and actively selected by humans as pets from rehoming shelters. This therefore supports the hypothesis that paedomorphic characteristics in domestic dogs arose as a result of indirect selection by humans rather than only being a by-product of selection against aggression.” In other words, people may have shown a preference for dogs with infantile features during domestication.

What characteristics first attracted you to your dog?

References

Borgi, M., & Cirulli, F. (2013). Childrens preferences for infantile features in dogs and cats Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin, 1 (2), 1-15.   
Waller BM, Peirce K, Caeiro CC, Scheider L, Burrows AM, McCune S, & Kaminski J (2013). Paedomorphic facial expressions give dogs a selective advantage. PloS one, 8 (12) PMID: 24386109

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On Puppies Pet Stores and Behaviour Problems

If you buy a puppy from a pet store, could you be getting more than you bargained for? It has long been thought that puppies from pet shops might have behavioural problems. A new study by Franklin D. McMillan et al investigates this by comparing puppies from pet stores to those from non-commercial breeders.

?

The puppies that are for sale in pet shops originate from commercial breeding establishments, also known as puppy mills or puppy farms. These are large establishments that breed puppies for profit. The ASPCA saysthey “usually house dogs in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, without adequate veterinary care, food, water and socialization. Puppy mill dogs do not get to experience treats, toys, exercise or basic grooming. To minimize waste cleanup, dogs are often kept in cages with wire flooring that injures their paws and legs—and it is not unusual for cages to be stacked up in columns.”

 

A large number of dogs took part in this study: 413 dogs that were bought as puppies from pet stores, and 5,657 that were obtained from breeders. Although predominantly in the US, some were in other countries. Dogs from breeders were likely to have been obtained at around the same age as dogs from pet stores, and also to be purebred dogs, so they are a good comparison group to the pet store dogs.

Participants answered an online questionnaire that included the C-BARQ (Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire). This is a standardized questionnaire that assesses 14 behavioural factors as well as a number of miscellaneous items. 

The pet store dogs were significantly worse than breeder-obtained dogs on twelve of the fourteen scales (on the other two scales, they were about the same). The biggest differences were in terms of aggression. Looking only at entire/intact dogs, those obtained from pet stores were three times more likely to display aggression directed at their owner, and almost twice as likely to show aggression to other dogs they did not know, compared to dogs obtained from a breeder. This is terrible, because aggression can have serious consequences for both dog and owner. 

Other problems that were found significantly more often in dogs from pet stores are aggression to strangers, aggression to other dogs in the household, fear of dogs, separation problems, and touch sensitivity.  They were also more likely to have miscellaneous problems such as soiling in the house and mounting. They were more excitable, energetic, attention-seeking and, if they were not working dogs, they were also rated as less trainable.

The authors suggest several reasons for these findings. They say “the formative stages of the puppy’s life in the CBE [commercial breeding establishment] are periods where stress may exert an impact on brain development.” The puppies are likely stressed by their environment both prenatally and during the first eight weeks of their life. They may experience stress during transit when they are shipped to the pet stores. They also miss out on important early socialization experiences because they are not able to get used to a normal household environment during this time.

It is possible that other factors play a role, since people who get puppies from pet shops may be different from those who go to breeders; for example, they might be less knowledgeable about puppies and the importance of early socialization, or tend to use different training techniques. These were not assessed in the current study. 

This is not the first research to find problems with dogs from puppy farms. An earlier study of dogs that were used as breeding stock at CBEs and then re-homed found they had significantly more health and behavioural problems than a sample of non-puppy mill dogs that were matched for age, breed and gender.  And a study by Carri Westgarth last year showed that it’s best to see both parents before purchasing a puppy; if neither parent was seen, puppies were 3.8 times more likely to have a behavioural problem than if both parents were seen. 

 

Some places have banned the sale of puppies in stores. You can help by not purchasing anything from pet stores that sell puppies.  It’s also important to know that puppies from puppy farms are not just sold in pet stores; they are widely available via free ads and the internet, sometimes with semi-convincing cover stories about new pups that suddenly need to be re-homed. Warning signs include wanting to meet at a neutral location (instead of where the pup was raised); the same puppy photo appearing in different adverts; and the same phone number appearing in adverts for many different puppies.

If you want to know more about puppy mills, you can read the ASPCA’s FAQ, information from the BC SPCA, or join the Dogs Trust battery farmed dogs campaign. And please share the results of this research, so that people understand buying puppies from pet shops has risks of behavioural as well as health problems.

Are puppies for sale in pet stores near you?

Reference

McMillan, F., Serpell, J., Duffy, D., Masaoud, E., & Dohoo, I. (2013). Differences in behavioral characteristics between dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores and those obtained from noncommercial breeders Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 242 (10), 1359-1363 DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.10.1359 
McMillan, F., Duffy, D., & Serpell, J. (2011). Mental health of dogs formerly used as ‘breeding stock’ in commercial breeding establishments Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 135 (1-2), 86-94 DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.09.006 
Westgarth, C., Reevell, K., & Barclay, R. (2012). Association between prospective owner viewing of the parents of a puppy and later referral for behavioural problems Veterinary Record, 170 (20), 517-517 DOI: 10.1136/vr.100138

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Million Dollar Babe

In the very, wee hours of the morning (4:30 a.m.), Singer, aka the Babe, my 11 y/o Curly-Coated Retriever, barked and woke me up. Thinking she had to go outside to make a nature call I (very grudgingly) rolled out of bed to let her out. It always irks me when she says one thing then does something else, but once I got up she obviously didnt want to go outside - still, since I was up, and the other girls were creating a ruckus now too, I let them all outside. As I walked back through the house, the doorbell rang, at a time when doorbells should not ring! I hate the adrenaline rush you get when doorbells ring at the wrong time.

I did an immediate about turn and let the girls back in, then went to a window that had a view of the door and there, bent over and peeping in the front door pane, was a shirtless man, that shouldnt have been there. I really hate the adrenaline rush you get when you see shirtless men that shouldnt be there.

My brain left my body at the sight of the man, but somehow I managed to think "shotgun" and I took great comfort in holding it while I dialed 911. The man was gone by the time the police came.

Well never know what plans the prowler had, if any, but thanks to the Babe, were safe. Now the other girls were probably helping too, but since Singer barked first and woke me up, she gets the credit. Deacon was in another part of the house so he didnt get to help. He is my second line of defense if anyone gets past the girls.

The Babe - a million dollars. . . sleeping through the night under her watchful eye/ear, priceless.

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Diabetes Alert Dogs

Photo: Mila Atkovska / Shutterstock

Can dogs be trained to alert diabetics when their blood sugar levels fall too low or too high? A new study by Nicola Rooney (University of Bristol) et al investigates the success of just such a program.

Medical Detection Dogs is a charity in the UK that trains dogs to detect disease. For example, they are investigating whether it is possible to train dogs to help with the early diagnosis of cancer, such as detecting prostate cancer from urine samples. They have bedbug detection dogs, who raise money to support the charity, which is reliant on public donations. And they also have medical alert dogs, trained to alert diabetics when their blood sugar becomes dangerously low.

Type 1 diabetes is a serious medical condition in which the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin. Consequently, there is not enough insulin to get sugar into the cells. The symptoms include increased thirst, hunger, fatigue and blurred vision, as well as many complications that can be life-threatening. People with type 1 diabetes have to monitor their blood sugar levels frequently to ensure they don’t suffer from blood sugar that is too low or too high.

The charity has trained a number of dogs to alert when their owner is at risk of becoming hypoglycaemic (low blood sugar). Many of them are also able to detect hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar), though this is not trained until after the hypoglycaemia detection training is complete.

The dogs wear a high-visibility red jacket that identifies them as medical alert dogs. While the most common breed is Labrador Retriever, other breeds include Golden Retriever, Poodle, Labradoodle, Cocker Spaniel, and a Yorkshire Terrier. Dogs that are trained by the charity typically go their owner at about eighteen months of age.

Seventeen owners of hypoglycaemia alert dogs took part in the research. Nine of the dogs had completed their training, while the remainder were at an advanced stage. Nine of the dogs (a different subset) were trained by the charity and placed with their owners, while the other dogs already lived with their owners and were subsequently trained. The alert behaviour might involve jumping up, licking, nudging, barking and/or staring.

The study asked clients to record occasions when the dog alerted them and whether or not this was accurate. They answered a questionnaire about their experiences, provided data from blood samples, and allowed the researchers to access their medical records so that pre- and post-dog results could be compared. The full dataset was available for ten clients.

All of the people said since they got the dog there was a reduction in at least one of low blood sugar, becoming unconscious, or having to call a paramedic. The majority agreed that “The dog has enhanced my quality of life” and “I am totally satisfied with my dog.” This shows the dogs have made a big difference to their owners lives.

Comparing blood tests to alert episodes showed that almost all of the dogs successfully identified when blood sugar was out of the normal range. In almost all cases, there was a significant change in glucose levels after they acquired the dog.

The people who have these dogs all have what is known as “brittle” diabetes, in other words it is unstable. The researchers say “their present Quality of Life and Wellbeing are comparable to other populations of non-dog users living with Type I diabetes. This suggests that the benefits of alert-dog ownership reported here have improved the clients’ life quality to levels comparable to the general Type I diabetes population.” This is a huge achievement, and it is beneficial to the individual as well as to society since it will result in lower emergency medical costs.

Most of the owners showed high levels of trust in their dog (remember that some dogs had not quite completed their training yet). Some liked the attention their dogs brought, while others were less keen on it.

The data showed there were differences in the dogs’ detection abilities, and future research is needed to investigate the reasons for this, such as whether some dogs are naturally better at it than others, and whether record-keeping is also a factor.

The researchers also suggest that differences in training may play a role. Future research could investigate any differences between dogs raised by the charity and those that were raised by their owners. There may also be differences in owners’ abilities when it comes to on-going training and rewarding successful alerts, so future research could usefully focus on the relationship between client and dog.

This study shows the dogs have made a big difference to the lives of their owners. Medical Detection Dogs now also trains dogs for other medical alerts, including narcolepsy and nut allergy.

Have you seen a medical assistance dog at work?

Reference

Rooney NJ, Morant S, & Guest C (2013). Investigation into the value of trained glycaemia alert dogs to clients with type I diabetes. PloS one, 8 (8) PMID: 23950905

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Car Travel Safety for Dogs Dos and Donts

Front Seat, Back Seat - What’s Best?

The back seat of a vehicle is safer place for your dog than the front seat.  The most serious hazards posed by the front seat are safety-bag deployment, front wind shield if you are forced to break suddenly, and if your dog is not calm in the vehicle - interference with your concentration while driving.

If you are going to allow your dog to ride up front with you, consider putting a properly fitted harness on your dog - in the case of a sudden stop your grip on that harness may save your dog from injury.

• Never tether your dog by his/her collar
• Never restrain your dog in the car with a leash attached to your dog’s collar - your dog can end-up with a crushed larynx or other serious / fatal neck injuries.

Dogs with motion sickness generally do better in the back passenger seating area as opposed to the front seat.

Safety Restraints

Even if your dog is a calm traveler, if you are forced to make an emergency stop your dog may incur a minor or major injury - or worse end-up ejected from the car, particularly if the car windows are open.  There are many simple ways that you can reduce the risk of injury to your dog…

Harness and Seat-Belt Tether

Purchase a comfortable harness and seat belt tether. Adjust the tether-length to allow your dog to sit, stand, turn around - but don’t make the length too long or you defeat the purpose of  the restraint. If you are traveling with more than two dogs it is not advisable to harness and tether the dogs in close proximity to each other as tethers can become entangled around the dogs’ neck and legs.

Crates / Kennels

Crates are not necessary for all dogs but for some dogs with travel anxiety and separation anxiety a crate can be a supportive mini-environment within your vehicle to support an anxious dog to transition and change his/her association of travel from fear and uncertainty to calm, comfort - normal.

If using a crate please make sure you select a crate that provides good air flow - don’t use a closed plastic/resin crate as air flow may be restricted leading to heat exhaustion or freezing.

If your dog is not crate-trained make sure you introduce and acclimatize your dog to the crate prior to your trip.

For tips and a comprehensive guidance on how to crate train your puppy or dog, Go here >>.

Car Barriers

When traveling with one or multiple dogs - a well-secured back seat, or car barrier is a very good option to ensure safety.  If your dog is in the back cargo area make sure you support good air flow to avoid heat exhaustion, freezing and general discomfort.

Dog Booster Seats

For small-breed dogs and puppies the pet-industry offers many types of dog booster seats.  Simply secure the booster seat to your vehicle seat making sure to follow the booster seat manufacturer’s instructions. Look for a booster seat that includes a tether to strap or secure your dog into the booster seat. Never secure the tether to your dog’s collar - always secure to a properly fitted harness.

Car Window Screens

If you are worried about your dog putting his/her head too far out of the window, or jumping out of the window leaving the windows rolled-up in the heat is not a solution. Your dog can quickly and mortally succumb to heat exhaustion. Consider installing made-for-dogs car window screens that can be purchased from a reputable retailer.

Other Important Life Preserving Tips…

First Aid Kit - The All Natural Holistic Way
For instructions on how to make your own amazing all-natural first aid kit Go Here >>

Donts

•   Don’t allow your dog to sit in the lap of the person that is driving
• Allowing your dog to sit in your lap while you are driving endangers you - the other occupants of your vehicle, including your dog, and other drivers. 
• Don’t allow your dog to put his/her head or other body parts out the window - a rock or insect can do serious damage at high speed impact
• Dust and other detritus can cause an eye infection or ear infection, or more serious damage
• Your dog can learn to enjoy having his/her nose at the open window rather than having his/her entire head out the window. If you have trouble training your dog get professional help of use one of the safety restraint options that I discuss further below.
• Don’t ever leave your dog in the car on very hot summer days
• Even with the windows open your dog can get heat stroke and die
• On more moderate summer days don’t leave your dog in the car with the windows rolled-up or windows just slightly open. Even on moderately warm days the heat in a car can build-up quickly.

For more tips on traveling safely with pets Go Here >>

Additional Assistance - Holistic Health and Wellness Service

If you require additional support, and guidance - contact me to discuss your requirements. I will determine the appropriate course of action for your situation and I will let you know the applicable fees. I offer consultative services to clients around the world...
Diet, Nutrition Wellness Services

• Unbiased Diet, Nutrition, Product Advice - information and payment here >>. 
• Holistic Diet, Nutrition Wellness Plans - information and payment here >>.

Dog Obedience Training and Behavior Modification Services

• In-Person sessions - information and payment here >>.
• On-Line consultation and sessions - information and payment here >>.

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Unhealthy Oils in Processed Dog and Cat Food

 

Pet food and treat manufacturers rely on various types of plant-based oils to meet the quota of omega-6 fatty acid requirements in pet food. Some of these oils are good for your pet and some are health threatening. Do you know how to tell the difference? Understanding what to look for can help you ensure your dog and cat live a healthier and longer life...Continue Reading Here >>

 Additional Assistance

If you require additional support and guidance I would be pleased to assist you via my In-Person or On-Line Services…

Dog Obedience Training and Behavior Modification Services:

• In-Person sessions are available via this service
• On-Line consultation and sessions are available via this service

Diet, Nutrition Wellness Services:

• Unbiased Diet, Nutrition, Product Advice is available via this service
• Holistic Diet, Nutrition Wellness Plans are available via this service

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Do Puppy Tests Predict Adult Dog Behaviour

A new study follows dogs from neonates to adults to find out if puppy tests predict adult behaviour.

Photo: Mikkel Bigandt / Shutterstock

Lots of people want to know if a puppy’s behaviour will tell you what it will be like as an adult dog. From people choosing a pet dog from a breeder’s litter, to organizations training service, police or military dogs, making the right choice of puppy could really help later on. But there have long been concerns that puppy personality tests don’t necessarily predict adult behaviour. So Stefanie Riemer et al of the Clever Dog Lab tested border collies as brand new puppies, older puppies, and adult dogs, to investigate.

Most previous studies have looked at dogs bred to be working dogs. This study is especially interesting for pet owners because it looked at pet dogs. 

99 neonate Border Collie puppies were tested between 2 and 10 days old. 93 of them, and a further 41 dogs, were tested at 40 – 50 days old. Finally, once all the dogs had found homes, 50 of them were tested again when they were between 1.5 and 2 years old.

The first two testing sessions took place at the breeders homes, and the final session was conducted at the lab with the owner present. 

The neonate tests included how hard the puppy would suck on the experimenter’s finger, how active the puppy was and how much noise it made when it was isolated from the mother. The puppy tests had 11 subscales that included a greeting test, a brief simulated veterinary exam, and how much the puppy would explore in a new room. The adult tests were part of a wider study, and included greeting and exploration tests, as well as response to a threatening approach.

The results showed very little correlation between tests at the different ages. In fact, the only significant correlation was on the exploration test for puppies and adults. 

The scientists say, “there was a lack of correspondence between the behaviour of neonates and the same dogs during the puppy and adult test, implying a lack of validity of this tool for making predictions regarding future behaviour. The results furthermore indicate low predictive validity of the puppy test conducted at 6–7 weeks of age, as activity during room exploration was the only behaviour that was significantly related between the puppy test and the adult test.”

A useful note for future research is that the strength of sucking in neonates was related to weight, and so this needs to be taken into account if this test is used. One problem the scientists note is that the tests were structured to the age of the puppy, and so were not the same at each age. Identical tests would be more likely to correlate.

The finding that puppy behaviour does not predict the behaviour of an adult dog will disappoint many. But the flipside is there is much that owners can do to influence the behaviour of their dog, which surely is a good thing.

The scientists say this is not really surprising, given how much puppies change in the time from newborns to becoming an adult dog. Many people are aware of the idea of a sensitive period when it is important to socialize puppies, and it should be noted that the puppy tests took place during this period. 

In addition, Riemer et al say, “environmental differences can be expected to have a greater effect on behavioural variability in our sample of pet dogs compared to the working dogs of previous studies, which tend to be kept under more uniform conditions and follow standardised training regimes. Given that dogs are highly responsive to their social environment, the role of the owner should not be forgotten.”

The pups in this study came from breeders and spent their early days with their mum. The results might be different for puppies from other sources. For example, Franklin D. McMillan et al (2013)found that behavioural problems were more likely in adult dogs if they had been obtained from a pet store instead of a breeder. Similarly, Carri Westgarth et al (2012) found that if neither parent was seen when obtaining a pup, it was 3.8 times more likely to be referred for behavioural problems. So the source of a puppy is important for adult behaviour, even if personality tests aren’t. 

This study makes a valuable contribution to the literature on behaviour and personality tests in puppies and dogs, and also shows the need for more research on development in puppies.

What do you look for when choosing a puppy?

Reference

McMillan, F., Serpell, J., Duffy, D., Masaoud, E., & Dohoo, I (2013). Differences in behavioral characteristics between dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores and those obtained from noncommercial breeders Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 242 (10), 1359-1363 
Riemer, S., Müller, C., Virányi, Z., Huber, L., & Range, F. (2014). The Predictive Value of Early Behavioural Assessments in Pet Dogs – A Longitudinal Study from Neonates to Adults PLoS ONE, 9 (7) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101237 
Westgarth, C., Reevell K., & Barclay R. (2012). Association between prospective owner viewing of the parents of a puppy and later referral for behavioural problems The Veterinary Record , 170 (20)

You might also like: Do Dogs Have Stable Personality Traits?

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