Yes, it is that time again.
Time for another “pup quiz.”
I hope you’ve all done your homework since the last “pup quiz.”
This time around National Geographic tests our knowledge (or the lack of) on how well we know man’s best friend.
Never fear however, all the questions are multiple choice so if you don’t know the answer–guess!
When you’re finished, drop me a line and let me know how you did.
Remember…eyes on your own computer screen (that goes for you dogs too!)
Wendy
We all do it.
Every dog, despite our shape and size, turns around several times before lying down.
So, why do dogs walk in circles before lying down?
The following are some theories.
Please note: all these theories were proposed by humans. Additionally, my research shows they didn’t consult any dogs in an attempt to test these theories.
Theory #1: Snakes in the grass
Doggy folklore says we do it to ‘stomp out any snakes’ that may be lurking in the grass. This may have some ounce of truth to it, since our ancestors slept outside. Considering most of us are now housebound dogs and we are still ‘stomping,’ makes this situation unlikely.
Theory #2: Seeking comfort
They have said that our descendants, the wolves, would circle in ‘order to flatten the vegetation’ in order to make it ‘more comfortable.’ I will admit. This one does seem much more plausible than the first. However, again, most of us are domesticated dogs with a doggy and/or our human’s bed, or couch to sleep on. Again, while a better reason, I am still not convinced.
Theory #3: Due North
This theory applies only when we turn in circles after awakening from sleep. Humans report we do so to ‘get the blood moving’ again on the side we have been lying on. We also do it to ‘realign’ ourselves and make sure our heads are again, facing north. Studies have shown that our circulation improves, our heartbeat slows, and our metabolism (whatever that is) improves when we align our bodies with the ‘earth’s magnetic field.’ While I don’t understand most of this, I do think this theory makes the most sense.
The real question of interest is this: do dogs living in the northern and southern hemisphere turn in circles in different directions?
If any of my doggy readers live in the southern hemisphere please drop me a line and let me know which way you turn before lying down.
To my human readers–ever wonder why my dog does that (you fill in the that)? Please send me your questions below and I will answer them in a future blog.
Until then the next time…keep wagging your tail, it makes humans wonder what you’ve been up to.
Ask almost any dog-loving owner and most will agree–if not brag--that their dog can read their mind.
Did you know…the dog owners may be right?
Sort of.
“Dogs are in a special way tuned in to humans.” Jozsef Topal explains the results of his study for Discovery News. Topal is a scientist at the Institute for Psychological Research at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Dogs are “interested in finding out how we think, and they are able to do it by reading our subtle communicative behaviors.”
The experiment, the first of its kind, used eye-tracking techniques to study canine social skills. The study concluded dogs were more likely to follow along when the person first expressed an intention to communicate.
Topal also believes dogs are sometimes better than adults when it comes to reading human intent. Topal goes on to say, a “dog can acquire an ability to anticipate the owner’s behavior, and this may give a false impression of mind-reading.”
Whether or not Fido can read our mind, this much is clear.
“These skills” Topal believes, “help to make the human-dog bond stronger.”
What do you think? Can Fido read your mind? Drop me a line and let me know what you think.
Until the next time,
Wendy
Just like baby names, the names we pick for our pets changes with the times. What’s trendy this year, is passe the next year.
In: Don’t forget a baby name book, along with the leash and collar. Baby name books are quickly becoming an essential item for first time dog owners. Selecting a “human” name shows that we are finally recognizing pets has being a major part of our family.
Out: At one time they were the staples of pet names. Names describing your pet’s most identifiable feature are out.
Spike and Fluffy are out, but aren’t they at least better than these choices?
The most unusual recorded dog names include the names: Rush Limbark, Peanut Wigglebutt, Admiral Toot and let’s not forget Mr. Half A Gyro.
If you are a regular reader of Lablog, you already know how I came up the name Shadow for my black Lab. Ginger was almost named Sierra or Snickerdoodle.
After analyzing the most popular pet names over the past decade, the good folks at Vetstreet have complied their Top 10 Most and Least Trendy Dog
and Cat Names.
Until the next time, go check out the lists and see if your pet’s name made either list. When you’re done, come back here and share with us how you came up with your pet’s name.
Wendy
While you sit reading this blog is your precious pooch:
Happy (and wagging her tail?)
Angry (and wagging his tail?)
About to attack (and wagging his tail?)
Or are they just wagging their tail?
Don’t know? Not a problem.
According to The London Evening Standard, the speed, direction, and arc of the wag, must all be taken into account to determine how the dog is feeling.
Need some help with all those measurements?
What you need is the “wagometer.”
Invented by British animal behaviorist and dog expert Dr. Roger Mugford, the wagometer (which attaches to your dog’s back with sensors attached to its tail) “interprets a dog’s exact mood by measuring the wag of its tail.”
But not all dog owners (this one included) think the wagometer is worth the investment and would not be needed by those close to their dogs.
“I can tell by Buster’s body language whether he is happy, sad, bored or angry..I can tell the difference between one type of tail wag and another”
Would you buy the wagometer? Or do you know your dog and think it is a waste of good money?
Drop me a line and let me know.
Until next time…
Wendy
Excuse me….got a minute?
I’d like to talk to you straight from the heart.
Thank goodness you love Labs. While not all of the cases presented to
Labrador Life Line for funding assistance are urgent or life threatening, they
are all heartbreaking. Despite their best intentions, owners can’t always afford
the treatment their best friend needs to get well. These Labs (and their owners)
need some help.
Fortunately these Labs have friends like you. With your help, Labrador Life
Line assists purebred Labrador Retrievers in need of emergency care or medical
treatment whose owners or rescues have a financial need. Our help sometimes
means the difference between life and death.
If there was just one thing you could do to help these Labs in distress, you would,
wouldn’t you?
The truth is, you can.
Register now and participate in Labrador Life Line’s Heart Dog Auction.
All money raised helps Labrador Retrievers in need of medical care and treatment.
With your support, Labrador Life Line helped 70 Labs in 2012.
The auction begins February 1st and runs through February 15/16th.
To register go to:
http://www.labradorlifeline.org/auction1/auctionrules.html
From all the board members and the Labs we have yet to meet, a heartfelt thanks
for your continued support and participation.
Humans have asked and pondered for centuries ‘why do dogs they chase their tail?’ 
Is because we are bored? No.
Is it because we are excited? No. Guess again.
Is it because we like to get dizzy? No.
Is it because we like to entertain you, the kids, or the baby?
Nope. That’s not it either.
Dogs chase their tails because they are there.
Yep. It is that simple.
Ever wonder why my dog does that (you fill in the that)? Then send me your questions below and I will answer them.
Until then the next time…keep wagging your tail, it makes humans wonder what you’ve been up to.
Howdy Everyone!
Okay, call me a skeptic.
Did you know…. dogs could drive?
The New Zealand chapter of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) says yes.
According to the New Zealand Herald, after eight weeks of instruction, and equipped with a special set of paw controls, the accompanying video suggests the SPCA has succeeded in teaching dogs how to drive. At least the basics anyway.
Monty, Ginny, and Porter were taught how to stop, go, steer and change gears.
Set to take their test drives on live television, the New Zealand SPCA hopes that the driving dogs show viewers how intelligent rescue animals are.
Okay, I’m convinced. Maybe dogs can drive.
However, can they drive 55??
Let me know what you think.
Until the next time….buckle up and drive safe.
Wendy
Happy (belated) New Year to all my loyal readers.
Like you humans, I too, believe we dogs should also make resolutions for the New Year.
Adopt the 5 Second Rule I heard this rule discussed many times…especially when the kiddies (for some reason this rule is never used when only adults are around) are over for a visit. Whenever one of them drops some food on the floor and I can’t get it, they will scoop it up off the floor. Despite protests and groans from the adult(s) in the room not to, they will eat it. Their “defense” (if you can call it that) is it hasn’t been on the floor for more than “5 seconds.” Which I guess translates to: it is still okay to eat. So, how does that rule relate to me and become one of my resolutions? In order to beat the kiddies to the food, I usually have to act, fast and employ the old “pounce and slurp” technique if I have any hopes of getting it before they do. While the technique usually has a success rate of 99.9%, the drawback is I don’t get to enjoy my reward. Since we dogs are so skilled with this method, we even employ it when only adults are around. My first resolution for the New Year is to adopt the 5 second rule. When any food hits the floor, instead of quickly slurping it up I will take the time to chew it and savor the taste. I will make sure each “tasting” lasts for at least five seconds before swallowing.
Force myself to adopt the Goldilocks rule According to the fable, this young girl did things right. She never settled for second best. When hungry, she tasted each bowl before finding one to her liking. The same with finding a chair to sit on and a bed to nap in. I sometimes think that we dogs forget that we too have options and don’t need to settle. We usually find one spot (be it the bed or couch etc) and fail to try out others spots. We are, like our humans say, creatures of habit. This year I am vowing to try out other pieces of furniture to sleep in. That doesn’t mean I still won’t sleep on the bed with Wendy at bedtime, however, I will seek other places of comfort in case she ever gets a new bed.
Lastly, this year through Lablog, I hope to help Wendy increase the awareness of Labrador Life Line and make this the best blog yet!
But to make the resolution work we need your help.
Readers, please drop us a line and tell us what you like (and what you don’t is okay too) to read about and Wendy and I will add that that to our resolutions for the blog. Together we and make this the best blog yet!
Love and sloppy kisses,
Ginger
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