We posted earlier in the week about a study where dogs were found to have a high level of empathy towards humans. Who understands you the best at your house?
Continue reading Saturday Survey: Who Has the Most Empathy?
Category Archives: Behavior and Psychology
Does Your Dog Feel Your Pain?
From Discovery News: New research shows that dogs may be hard-wired to empathize with us more than any other animal, even better than humans themselves. (Ask any woman who understands her better – her husband or her dog.)
According to Deborah Custance co-author of the latest study from Department of Psychology at the University of London Goldsmiths College, “We have domesticated dogs over a long period of time. We have selectively bred them to act as our companions.” It stands to reason that we would breed for the traits that place them in tune with our emotional needs.
In the study, a human (sometimes the dog’s owner, sometimes not) made a number of different noises while in the room with a dog. When the person pretended to cry, the dog would nuzzle and lick in an effort to provide comfort.
Of course, those of us who love dogs have known this all along, but it’s good to have some empirical research to back it up.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Missy: Hero Rottweiler
Continue reading Missy: Hero Rottweiler
Dogs with Soul
When Ellie, a blind spaniel, was adopted by shelter manager Jean Spencer, she never expected that her other dog, Leo, would choose to become her very own seeing-eye dog. “I take them for walks in the park and Leo guides Ellie around,” says Spencer. “He is so protective and herds the more boisterous dogs away from her.”
Friday Funny: Marital Bliss
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Saturday Survey: Is Your Dog Part of the Family?
I posted a picture earlier in the week about a dog being an important part of the family. How does your dog rate?
Continue reading Saturday Survey: Is Your Dog Part of the Family?
Saturday Survey: Would You Euthanize a Sick Dog?
Several members of my family were debating this lately. My sister’s dog was very ill, to the point where her husband was having to carry Yogi up and down the steps, outside to do his business, and to the food dish at meal times. Without seeing the dog personally, it was hard to know whether or not he was in significant pain, or had any quality of life. Several of my family felt it was time to put him down, several others thought maybe not. Continue reading Saturday Survey: Would You Euthanize a Sick Dog?
Saturday Survey: Indoors or Out?
It seems like there are two types of dog lovers – those who consider their dogs their children, and those who believe dogs are there to do a job – guard, hunt, or whatever. A lot of times, this is reflected in where the dog lives – inside with the family, or outside in a kennel or dog house. Where does your dog live?
Continue reading Saturday Survey: Indoors or Out?
Finding a Needle in a Haystack
Check out Willow as she searches for her ball in a HUGE pile of leaves.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
January is Train Your Dog Month
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has designated January as Train Your Dog Month. 
To celebrate, they are offering webinars and Facebook chats to help you get your dog behaving like a champ.
Check out the APDT web site, where they have a searchable database of dog trainers, as well as lots of helpful resources.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!