Dogs need to see their owner's face in order to recognize him without a problem. According to a new study led by the University of Padua in Italy, dogs have difficultly been recognizing their human "best friend" when he covers face. Dogs also prefer to gaze at their owner, rather than a stranger, the Italian scientists told the journal Animal Behavior.    

The researcher Dr Paolo Mongillo said that although many researchers have studied how dogs interact with humans no one had yet investigated how the animals focused on one person in preference to another - or just how much companion dogs "prefer" their owners.

Every dog that took part in the experiment was put separately in an empty room. The scientists instructed the owner and another person - someone unfamiliar to the dog - to walk across the room several times on opposite directions.

 The scientists measured how long the dog looked at one person versus the other one.

They then instructed the two people to leave the room via two different doors and allowed the dog to approach one of the doors.

Most of the dogs gazed at their owners for most of the time and then chose to wait by the owner's door.

Dr Mongillo described this as an "expected" result but something that no one has measured before.

"If you imagine a dog in a real setting in a city or anywhere in the middle of a crowd or a crowded space, you can see how the animal must have adapted to give preferential attention to its owner," said Dr Mongillo

In the second part of the study, the scientists asked the people to cover their faces; the human volunteers then walked across the room with bags over their heads.

When the people covered their faces the dogs paid less attention to their owners. This revealed that the animals relied considerably on human faces for recognition.

Wild dogs rely on body signals and on cues from other animals in their social groups, but studies, including this one suggest that domestic dogs are so attuned to human social groups that they are even able to recognize some of their owner's facial expressions.
 

BBC News, October 22 2010

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A Tibetan Mastiff.
 
What is the most outstanding sign of China turning from an impoverished nation into one of the richest in the world? It's hard to believe, but the right answer is: Dogs!  

The New York Times published an interesting article about this social phenomenon. Twenty years ago, it said, there were hardly any dogs in Beijing. The dogs that, nevertheless, dared living there stood a chance of landing on a dinner plate. It remains possible even today to find dog-meat dishes here.

However, all this has changed.  It is far easier nowadays to find in China's capital dog-treat stores, dog Web sites, dog social networks, dog swimming pools. Recently, even a bring-your-dog cinema or bar appears on Beijing’s downtown nightclub row. 

There are now 900,000 registered dogs in Beijing, and their number is growing 10 percent a year. Thousands of others are unlicensed. 

This development is the story of modern China, says New York Times. Centuries ago, China’s elite kept dogs as pets, but in the Communist era, dogs were more likely to be guards, herders or meals than companions. And after dogs began to appear in Beijing households, the government decreed in 1983 that they and seven other animals, including pigs and ducks, were banned from the city. 

China’s economic renaissance changed all that, at least in the prosperous cities.

Dogs have become a status symbol for new capitalists. The pinnacle appears to be the Tibetan mastiff, a huge and reportedly fierce breed from the Himalayan plateau that according to a legend, was organized by Genghis Khan into a 30,000-dog K-9 corps. 


Source: New York Times, October 24 2010.

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 Researchers used empty food bowls to test the expectations, and outlook, of dogs.

Not only human beings could be pessimistic. There are dogs, which expect the worst as well. According to a new research, pessimistic pups are also more likely to have behavior problems.

The study of 24 dogs was reported last week in the journal Current Biology.

The animals that took part in the research were trained to expect an empty food bowl at one position in a room, and one with food at another. When the full bowl was placed elsewhere, some dogs ran to it, and others ignored it, the researchers said. 

Their conclusion was the dogs had different expectations. The pessimists – those who didn't go quickly to the bowl – were also found to have behavior problems when left alone. These difficulties included tearing up furniture or relieving themselves indoors.

While about a third of dogs have separation anxiety, only the worst cases are treated, said one of the study authors, Emily Blackwell, an animal behaviorist at the University of Bristol in England.

In a previous research, no connection was found between breed and misbehavior. Instead, the dogs are misbehaving because they were not trained at any early age to know that being alone is not something to be concerned about. The process of training a dog to know how to behave, called socialization, is best done during puppyhood, Blackwell said.

Although later training can undo bad behavior, it requires a great deal of work and effort, she said.
 

October 15, 2010 Source: News media,

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Who's the real leader at the White House? According to Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan, it's Obama's pooch Bo, reports the Daily Mail.

Millan, who is one of America's leading authorities on dogs (you may buy the book abo , claims that from day one Obama was in trouble with Bo as the Portuguese water dog energetically dragged the President around the grounds of the White House.

Millan says that his major rule of dog training is not to let the dog lead you when taking it for a walk but instead walk in front of the animal.

The First Dog was a gift from Senator and Mrs. Kennedy to Sasha and Malia, who had been promised a dog by their father when he was on the presidential campaign trail.

Known as a Dr. Phil for dogs, Millan has become known for teaching owners how to keep their furry friends in line and the canine shrink has some advice for Obama.

He says, 'Americans, who allow their dogs to walk them is one of my pets peeves. If your dog doesn't learn how to follow, you'll never have a disciplined pet'.

However, Obama isn't the only President, who hasn't trained their furry friend well. George W. Bush apparently didn't fare any better.

Millan said: 'He walked the dog in front. Barney? Sometimes he didn't want to go inside the helicopter!'


Source: Daily Mail, October 6, 2010

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Attention! This is NOT a senile Beagly. It's used, as an illustration, only.  

Who said a jellyfish is a nuisance? Yes, I know, some Japanese regard it as very tasty. However, most people have found it repulsive. Well, say it no more! A new research done by a Wisconsin biotechnology company shows jellyfish protein improves the cognitive function in aged dogs.

The Quincy Bioscience company, based in Madison, says the study was conducted by CanCog Technologies, Inc., one of the world’s leading research organizations specializing in age-dependent human and canine cognitive decline.

In the study, dogs received a chewable tablet containing either a protein called apoaequorin or a neutral substance. The dogs in the apoaequorin group significantly outperformed the control group in three separate tasks which measure cognitive abilities.

The data is not only positive for canines but also important for humans. Like people, aged dogs can develop a cognitive dysfunction syndrome, a form of dementia, which can be seen in an aged dog’s inability to learn new tasks and show deficits in its ability to remember the location of objects. Additionally, brain aging in dogs has been shown to be accompanied by loss of brain cells in the cortical and frontal lobe region, which also occurs in human aging.

Twenty-four beagles at least nine years old took part in the study. They were tested using standardized canine cognitive testing methods, including: object discrimination, visual search task, and a visuospatial working memory task. 

. The study team, lead by Bill Milgram, Ph.D. concluded, “Overall, these results suggest that daily administration of apoaequorin has beneficial effects seen in improved learning and in attention.

Apoaequorin was originally isolated from a species of jellyfish found in the Puget Sound. 

October 7, 2010, Source: Press release

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Photo below: AKC Companion Animal Recovery reunites stolen dog Jake with owner after nearly seven Years. PRNewsFoto/AKC Companion Animal Recovery

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 For the past two years, the American Kennel Club has been tracking the rising trend of pet thefts across America. According to the AKC's National Pet Theft Database, based on customer and media reports, approximately 177 pets have been reported stolen so far in 2010 compared to 162 in 2009 and 71 in 2008. Despite these sobering statistics, however, those pets with permanent identification can be tracked down and returned to their rightful owners. The recent news report about the dog that was recovered seven years after being stolen, makes the point clear.
In response to this continuing trend, AKC has offered  the following advice to prevent your "best friend" from being the target of a crime. 
PREVENTION 
In the Neighborhood
•Don't let your dog off-leash – Keeping your dog close to you reduces the likelihood it will wander off and catch the attention of thieves.
•Don't leave your dog unattended in your yard – Dogs left outdoors for long periods of time are targets, especially if your fenced-in yard is visible to the street.
•Be cautious with information. If strangers approach you to admire your dog during walks, don't answer questions such as how much did the dog cost. And do not give details about where you live. 
On the Road
•Never leave your dog in an unattended car, even if it's locked. Besides the obvious health risks to the dog, it's also an invitation for thieves, even if you are gone for a moment. Leaving expensive items in the car such as a GPS unit or laptop will only encourage a break-in and possibly allow the dog to escape, even if the thieves didn't decide to steal it as well.
•Don't  tie your dog outside a store – This popular practice among city-dwelling dog owners can be a recipe for disaster. If you need to go shopping, patronize only dog-friendly retailers or leave the dog at home. 
RECOVERY  
•Protect your dog with microchip identification – Collars and tags can be removed so make sure you have permanent ID with a microchip. Thieves will not know the dog has a microchip until a veterinarian or shelter worker scans it. Keep contact information current with your microchip recovery service provider. For more information, enroll your pet in a 24-hour recovery service and sign-up at www.akccar.org
•If you suspect your dog has been stolen – Immediately call the police or the animal control officer in the area your pet was last seen and file a police report. If your dog has a microchip, ask to have that unique serial number, along with the dog's description, posted in the "stolen article" category on the National Crime Information Center.
•Canvass the neighborhood – Talk to people in the immediate vicinity where your pet went missing for possible sightings of the actual theft.
•Have fliers with a recent photo ready to go if your dog goes missing – Keep several current photos of your dog in your wallet or on an easily accessible web account so that you can distribute immediately if your pet goes missing.
•Call the local TV station, radio station and newspaper and ask to have a web post put out about your missing pet. 
DON'T BUY STOLEN PETS 
•Don't buy dogs from the internet, flea markets, or roadside vans –There is simply no way to verify where an animal purchased from any of these outlets came from. Web sites and online classifieds are easily falsified, and with roadside or flea market purchases not only do you not know the pet's origins, but you will never be able to find or identify the seller in case of a problem.
•Even newspaper ads may be suspect – Adult dogs offered for sale at reduced prices, for a "relocation" fee, or accompanied by requests for last minute shipping fees are red flags. Dog owners who truly love their animals and are unable to keep them will opt to find a loving home without compensation for re-homing the animal. 
Seek out reputable breeders or rescue groups – Visit the home of the breeder, meet the puppy's mother, and see the litter of puppies. Developing a good relationship with the breeder will bring you peace of mind when purchasing. Contacting breed rescue groups can also be a safe alternative if you are looking for an adult dog.
•Demand proper papers on your purebred puppy – Ask for the AKC Litter Registration Number and contact AKC customer service at 919-233-9767 to verify registration authenticity.     

Source: AKC Companion Animal Recovery, September 11, 2010

 

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Cancer treatment often lacks a human or personal touch. Some patients become discouraged and do not complete a full course of treatment. However, this hurdle can be overcome by simply having a four-legged visitor.

A new study at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York will look at the association between dog-assisted visits and clinical outcomes of treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery.

The study is conducted by a New York-based organization called the Good Dog Foundation, under a Pfizer Global Health Partnerships grant. It is based on the outcomes of the "dog-assisted visits" project, in which 239 hospitals in four US states, including New York, are now taking part. 

The "dog-assisted visits" are meant to help provide support, comfort and healing to cancer patients. Some doctors say that the project has had positive health benefits such as lower blood pressure, decreased loneliness and increased socialization.

The scientific study is expected to provide further guidance for animal-assisted therapy in cancer treatment programs globally.

One hospital patient put it this way: "When the dogs started visiting me during my cancer treatment, it was the turning point. My attitude improved, and my health started improving. It never dawned on me that therapy dogs would be such an important part of my well-being."

The founder and Executive Director of the Good Dog Foundation Rachel McPherson has recently written a book called "Every Dog Has a Gift". The book includes 22 real life stories of dogs and their humans that illustrate the healing power of a dog's unconditional love.

 Along with the voices of men, women and children whose stories will touch your heart, you'll find additional resources throughout the book,  web sites and books about animal assisted therapy, dog behavior, rescue and much more.
 

Source: Pfizer News Release, August 26, 2010.

 
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An increasing number of Britons is humanizing dogs by giving them children’s names, it was revealed in a survey undertaken by an UK insurance firm, Protect Your Bubble.

According to the study, the most popular names for dogs over the past year were Alfie, Poppy and Molly. Meanwhile, all three names are regularly given to British children by new parents. Contrastingly, dog owners of three decades ago were more likely to name their pets with more traditional monikers such as Lassie, Lady and Rex.

The data referred to 80,000 names given to UK pets in the last year alone, shows a distinct difference between the names given to dogs in the 1970s and 1980s compared to today. Other names preferred years ago – and more associated with dogs than people - include Buster, Prince, Shep and Scamp. However, in modern day Britain dog owners can regularly be heard shouting names such as Charlie, Ruby and Roxy.

A spokesman for www.protectyourbubble.com said: “Naming a dog Millie, Daisy or Oscar does seem to surprise, particularly as these sorts of names appear in the top 100 baby names for children in the UK. It is getting to the point where naming a child will become harder,  as parents struggle not to give their little ones the same name as the family dog!”.

The research also shows nearly half of today’s dog owners try to choose more current and contemporary names for their pup than traditional ones. The main inspiration for four in 10 dog owners naming their pets is the appearance of the dog, while 40 per cent draw ideas from television shows or the characters in them.

 A further 27% name their pooch after their favorite pop star, 16% look to children’s movies for ideas and 25% of dogs have been named after TV pets. 

Top 20 dog names:

30 years ago       Today


1.Lassie               Alfie

2.Lady                Poppy

3.Rex                  Molly

4.Sandy              Charlie

5.Blackie            Ruby

6.Bonnie             Max 

7.Max                 Roxy

8.Patch              Daisy

9.Ben                 Millie

10.Lucky           Oscar

11.Buster           Bailey

12.Cindy            Bella

13.Prince           Buster

14.Shandy          Tilly

15.Shep              Toby

16.Candy           Jack

17.Judy              Rosie

18.Scamp           Marley

19.Sally              Archie

20.Sam              Holly
 

Source: News Release, Aug 20, 2010

 

 
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Are the great dog powers going to clash? According to a report published in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, a dispute has broken out among Britain’s dog trainers over whether we should be dominating our pooches or treating them as equals.

One group supports a progressive American approach. The other group advocates a mainly British conservative method. 


To be more specific: the dominant attitude of American celebrity pet trainer Cesar Millan is at odds with the more gentle approach favored by British trainer Victoria Stilwell.


The traditionalists favor techniques espoused by Mexican-American animal behaviorist Cesar Millan, who has made a fortune from The Dog Whisperer - a TV series in which he retrains problematic dogs.  

Mr. Millan, whose clients include actress Scarlett Johansson and chat show host Oprah Winfrey, says dogs should be treated as animals, not substitute children. He advocates the owner ensuring it is clear they are the ‘pack leader’.  

In contrast, English dog trainer Victoria Stilwell’s TV show It’s Me Or The Dog encourages owners to think of their dogs as equals.  

‘Any person can make an animal behave through force and fear,’ the 41-year-old former actress from London told The Sunday Times.  

It is supporters of Ms Stilwell’s doctrine who had created the Animal Behavior and Training Council, with the support of animal welfare groups, including the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust.  

The council, to be launched next month, will regulate trainers in the UK, and those practicing the ‘alpha roll’ are ‘unlikely’ to make the grade.  

However, Colin Tennant, who has trained 10,000 dogs and chairs the Canine and Feline Behavior Association, said: ‘It is political correctness. If you treat a dog like a human it will treat you like a dog'.


Source: Daily Mail, August 9, 2010
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Seven dogs died after flying in a cargo hold of an American Airlines plane from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Chicago's O'Hare airport, reported CNN. American said the incident is under investigation, and it has drawn no conclusions on what happened. However, experts assume that the hot weather in Tulsa may have been a factor in this incident.

CNN said that from May 2005 to May 2010, there were 144 reported deaths of pets during air travel,  

Kimberly May, a veterinarian with the American Veterinary Medical Association said in an interview to CNN that dog owners should reconsider flying with them. Anyway she urged them to plan ahead.

The vet suggested taking several precautions. First, get a safe pet carrier, she said.

In May's opinion the quality of the pet carrier plays a bigger role in its safety than the climate conditions. She explained that one of the first things a dog will try to do when he is under stress is an escape. If the carrier is not secure and pet escapes while being transferred from the airport to the plane, his owner might never see it again.

The AVMA has a brochure on pet travel, which contains guidelines to choosing a good carrier.

An airport is a very overwhelming place for a pet with sights and smells it has never experienced before.

To reduce the dog's anxiety due to his new experience, May suggested allowing him to get comfortable with the crate before trying to fly. This will reduce his scare and worries on the day of travel.

Other than the transit through the airport and onto the plane, the riskiest  time for a dog is when the plane is stuck on the ground. The plane's climate controls are not fully functioning when it's on the ground. So that hot, muggy feeling that creeps into the passenger cabin when the plane is parked at the gate for too long is likely to be even more unpleasant for a confined animal wearing a fur coat in the cargo area.

Another suggestion in the interview was to make sure the dog is healthy enough for travel. Animals crossing state lines must have up-to-date vaccines, May said. Owners should obtain a certificate of veterinary inspection. Many airlines require one that is issued within 10 days prior to departure.

It is also recommended to get an acclimation certificate from a veterinarian, which is basically a statement saying the animal is healthy enough to travel and can withstand the temperatures it might face doing so.

Although not all airlines require this, May predicts recent events might put pressure on them to change their current policy.  

Unless a veterinarian says it is absolutely necessarily, May strongly recommends against sedating the dog before flight. She said sedatives can cause both cardiac and respiratory depression.  

The Department of transport found that short-faced dogs such as pugs and English bulldogs are more prone to death in flight. Their anatomy makes it harder for these dogs to breathe effectively. Dogs cool off by panting, so short-nosed dogs struggle to keep cool. 

Source: CNN, August 6, 2010
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