Extraordinary dogs assist people, provide therapy and help to save lives. Follow amazing tales of man’s best friend. Contribute your ideas and personal stories.
Animals that have served, and continue to serve, Australia in war and in peace have been honoured at the Caloundra RSL.
The RSL branch was approached by the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation to install a plaque in its memorial garden. The dedication ceremony took place yesterday after months of work by the Caloundra RSL and the AWAMO.
Attending the dedication and representing war animals were Pilot the Clydesdale horse; light horses from 5th Light Horse Regiment in Maleny; Stan the Ram, the mascot from 8/9th RAR Battalion; RAAF working dogs; Queensland Police Service dogs and some pigeons that were released at the conclusion of the dedication.
Include in the memorial is a plaque dedicated to RAAF dog handlers and another plaque dedicated to the Light Horse Regiment.
In order to get the most out of
the dog-person relationship, people must have a basic grasp of how dogs think & communicate and a solid grasp of basic canine
psychology.
Dog Psychology
All dog owners know that there are times when
their four-legged friend seems to understand just what they are thinking. Over
the years, the field of canine psychology has demonstrated that there is a
large degree of truth in this assumption.
Dogs are able to learn words -
specifically nouns and verbs - so that they know what their owners are referring
to when they issue commands.
Dogs can follow the gaze of their
owners, and they demonstrate other behaviors that are also evident in human
psychology.
Dogs can even become susceptible to disorders such as depression
and compulsive behavior.
Here is some useful information on canine psychology:
Dominance and Dog Training: This article explores the phenomenon of
whether or not there is such a thing as an alpha dog.
Do Dogs Need "Tough Love"?Learn how the idea that one must give a
dog "tough love" is a myth via this link.
Is a Dog a "Person"?Dogs often act like people, and this piece
looks at whether dogs are truly "persons."
Life with the Six Pack: Explains howcanine
psychology can keep many dogs getting along well with one another.
Normal Canine Behavior: What is normal canine behavior and when should
one worry that the dog is maladjusted? Article provides some answers.
Smart Socializing: Though this page focuses on the socializing of
pit bulls, what is learned by taking the socialization quiz can be applied to
all canine interaction.
While dogs do not use words to tell people or
other animals what they are thinking, that does not mean that there is not a
type of "dog language." This language consists of barks, growls,
yowls, whimpers, postures, and so forth. In fact, it is possible to
differentiate between different kinds of barks and to see in a dog potential
signs of aggression.
Dog owners can tell a lot about the attitude
of their animal based on the mouth and tail. Relaxed dogs will have a relaxed,
open mouth. Aggressive dogs will bare their teeth and growl. If the growl is
accompanied by a stiff, upright tail, then the person should be wary that the
dog is willing to bite. A sweeping wag of the tail, however, often indicates
playfulness.
Dog Socialization
Making sure that a dog socializes well with
other people and animals is key to the animal's long-term well-being. A
properly socialized dog knows that not every stranger or unknown animal is a
threat, and that will reduce its proclivity to get into fights or to go after
those who mean no harm. Regularly socializing a dog from the puppy stage onward
is key to making sure that the animal is well-adjusted around people and
animals.
A great way to socialize a dog with other dogs is to take it to a dog
park and allow it to get to know other dogs with your supervision. Dog owners
should also make sure that their animal is introduced to a wide variety of
people as well, and having these people give their dog a treat will help the
animal recognize friends and be wary of foes.
The Importance of Training and Obedience for Dogs
Every year, scores of people and dogs are
injured because dogs have not been properly trained. An obedient dog is a safe
dog. Such a dog will heed the master's call if the master calls it back from a
potentially dangerous situation.
An obedient dog will also listen to its
master's call to heel and not go after other people or animals. Proper training
of canines is not difficult, and it pays off for years to come.
For most dog owners, going to the dog park is a fun way to let
your dog get exercise while socializing with other dogs. In order to keep the
dog park fun for all visitors, we all need to be mindful of proper dog park
etiquette when we visit.
Once you and your dog get to the dog park, it may be tempting to
just stand back and watch all the activity while your dog runs around.
Everybody will have a much more rewarding time if you observe some basic
etiquette for visiting a dog park.
Many of the suggestions below are more
common sense than anything, but they should be heeded. These may not be officialdog park rules, but following this etiquette will
make the dog park / dog run a better place for all who visit.
Never, ever, leave your dog unattended and always keep your attention
on your dog.
Keep use of mobile phones to a minimum so that your focus can always remain on your dog.
Always clean up after your dog. Most parks have poopbags, so use them, or bring your own! This is a primary reason that dog parks get complaints,
so pay attention and pick up the poop.
If you see trash, debris, or anything else that’s out of place,
pick it up or put it back so none of the dogs get injured.
Make sure your dog is up-to-date on all vaccinations and has a valid dog license.
Don’t bring puppies under 4 months to a dog park. They won’t
have had all the necessary inoculations that allow them to play safely with
other animals.
Don’t bring a female dog in season into the park.
Spayed/neutered animals are recommended.
Before coming to the dog park, as your veterinarian if your dog
is healthy enough to play.
Don’t bring more than two or maybe three dogs. It subjects parks
to overuse, and if they’re not your dogs, you may not have full control over
them. It’s hard enough for many people to watch one dog.
Keep your dog on-leash until you get to the 'off-leash' area. This
is not just respectful to other park users, it’s much safer for your dog.
Close all doors to the dog park or dog run after entering or
exiting.
If your dog becomes unruly or plays rough, leash him and leave
immediately.
If you must bring children to a dog park, supervise them
closely.
Don’t smoke or eat while at the dog park. Cigarette butts and
food wrappers are tempting treats to dogs, but bad for them.
Don’t scold or touch someone else’s dog. You wouldn’t want them
to do that to your dog.
Don't give treats to other dogs - certainly without first asking owners permission - dogs may be allergic to certain foods.
If it seems like a group of dogs are bullying another dog, make
sure your dog isn’t participating and encourage other owners to do the same.
Be friendly with other dog owners. It’s more enjoyable if
everyone is nice to each other.
Always observe all of the rules posted at your local dog park.
Each town has its own set of regulations: please follow them.
Dog
parks provide a fantastic opportunity for off-leash play when owners are alert
and conscientious. Few things can happily tire out your dog like a fellow
canine playmate. With a few precautions, your dog can play, play, play at the
dog park with the only telltale signs being a sleepy, dirty, happy doggie.
Want to find a safe & friendly place to exercise your dog? There are a number of Dog Park Finders depending on which country you live in. Here are a few suggestions to help you look in your area. Dog Park(USA) DogPark.com was created to help dog owners find local dog parks
in their city or neighborhood. Whether you just moved to a new city, are on
vacation with your dog, or just wish to find another great place to
take your dog to exercise and socialize, DogPark.com can help you find a
local dog park. Dog Park Finder is an app you can download if you live in the USA.It’s a
comprehensive list off-leash areas and on-leash dog walks. The information comes from DogGoes.com, a site that reviews pet-friendly and
pet-unfriendly places.
Doggolists Dog Friendly Beaches & Dog Parks across Australia. Users can also post their own suggestions for new places and comment on existing ones.
Walkeesfor everything dog friendly in the UK. For
every walk that a member adds to Walkiees, they will donate £2 to a dog charity.
The more walks that get added, the more money they donate. Add your walk today,
and you will have helped dogs less fortunate than or own.
Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) focus is on Science
in the Service of Animal Welfare. The UFAW website aims to help reduce the severity and
incidence of breed-related welfare problems in companion animals by providing
information for prospective pet owners, breeders and others.
The idea is that if you are thinking of buying a dog or any
other companion animal of a particular strain or breed, you will be able to
find information on what inherited welfare problems may occur, and what checks
you may need to make with breeders or suppliers in order to avoid buying
affected or carrier animals and, in so doing, unintentionally perpetuating the
problem.
What is the problem?
The problem of health
issues related to unsuitable breeding was listed as the top welfare concern of
vets & vet nurses in PDSA'sAnimal Wellbeing Report 2011 www.pdsa.org.uk/pawreport.
Many genetic diseases
occur in companion animals (eg see Lindblad-Toh et al 2005).
Some of these diseases arose due to random mutations that became established in
some breeds, but in other cases, adverse welfare impacts have arisen as direct
consequences of the features being selected for. So, respiratory difficulties
occur in some breeds because of selection for shortened noses, and others are
predisposed to bacterial skin infections as a result of breeding for excess,
deeply folded skin.
Although efforts by
responsible breeders, veterinarians and geneticists to try to tackle some of
these diseases are gathering momentum, it is surprising that there has been
rather little concern about these matters until very recently in view of their
very significant welfare impact. The idea for this website
was stimulated by the CAWC Report on 'Breeding and Welfare in Companion Animals' (CAWC, 2006).
Why genetic welfare
problems?
Tackling genetic welfare
problems requires the concerted efforts of breeders, geneticists, vets, pet
owners and others. A team approach is needed and the particular role of this
website is to provide information on the welfare aspects of
genetic diseases and conditions - to explain what they are and why they cause
pain or discomfort.
Shar-Pei
gets facelift to save eyesight because his skinfolds had overdeveloped and
were covering his eyes & ears so badly he was becoming both blind & deaf.
UFAW believes this is a key component of efforts to tackle these
problems but there are other crucial aspects also and others are currently
working on these. Some of the main initiatives in the UK are listed below:
Independent Advisory
Council on the Welfare Issues of Dog Breeding (http://dogadvisorycouncil.org.uk/)
is working to develop coordinated strategies to tackle priority diseases.
Inherited Diseases in
Dogs website (www.vet.cam.ac.uk/idid/)
contains a guide to diseases/conditions of pure-bred dogs which are likely to
be transmitted wholly or partly through a genetic mechanism.
Scientists, for example,
at the Animal Health Trust, are working to identify the genes involved and to
develop tests so that carrier animals can be detected (http://www.aht.org.uk/cms-display/genetics.html).
British Veterinary
Association Animal Welfare Foundation (BVA AWF) and the RSPCA have developed a
'puppy contract' scheme so that prospective puppy buyers are given information
relevant to genetic health before making a purchase (http://puppycontract.rspca.org.uk/home).
British Veterinary
Association works with the Kennel Club to develop screening tests for genetic
diseases/conditions based on clinical findings (eg aimed at tackling hip
dysplasia in various breeds and syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
(www.bva.co.uk/atoz/1392.aspx; www.bva.co.uk/news/2742.aspx)
Kennel Club funds and
promotes research into tackling genetic diseases in dogs and works to develop
strategies to tackle them (www.doggenetichealth.org/). Under its umbrella, many of
the specific breed clubs have genetic health schemes.
Dog Breed Health
website is a user-friendly source of information, providing advice for
prospective puppy buyers on what diseases can occur and how to avoid them (www.dogbreedhealth.com/).
Prospective pet owners
have a very important role to play in helping to eradicate genetic diseases and
poor welfare traits. If people only bought animals from problem free breeds or
lines, the disease-prone lines would be replaced by their healthier cousins.
For 10,000 years the selective breeding of dogs has been focused on aspects
of performance, behaviour or appearance. This approach characterises the
breeding of many other species of companion animals as well. Unfortunately,
this has resulted in many genetic diseases. It is now time for priority to be
given to breeding for the animals' welfare. To drive this change, prospective
pet owners, and breeders need information on the welfare consequences of these
diseases. This website includes information not just about the physical effects
of genetic diseases but also assessments of their effects on the animal’s
quality of life, for example through causing pain or discomfort, to inform
prospective pet owners' choice of their new pet. To learn more visit UFAW's webpage on Genetic
Welfare Problems of Companion Animals - http://www.ufaw.org.uk/genetics. UFAW’s Aim
The aim of this project is to describe genetic conditions
affecting companion animals and to explain their welfare consequences - their
impacts on the animals’ quality of life - as clearly as possible. It is an information resource for prospective pet owners. For example:
Dogs make fantastic pets. Around the world
there are millions of households which have pet dogs, with over 43 million households
in the US alone. But dogs don’t just make good pets. They’re also capable of
performing a multitude of tasks, from guarding to guiding, which makes them
excellent working companions.
The Benefit of
having a Working Dog
There
are many people who would be lost without their working dogs. From farmers to
those with sight difficulties, these people rely on their dogs to help them
perform vital tasks.
Having
a working dog can not only save a person time and money - such as in the
case of sheep herding, which would otherwise have to be performed on foot, or
using a vehicle.
And they can also save lives. Working dogs have prevented
their unsighted owners from sustaining injury whilst out and about. They have
pulled children from fires and found those who are lost. They have helped their
owners hunt for food. And some working dogs have even helped catch criminals,
discover bodies or detect mines.
These
dogs are highly trained with lots of time, care and money poured into them.
Owning a working dog
There
are two reasons why people choose to own working dogs; either as pets, or as working companions.
Those that choose to own a working-type dog as
a pet may find that this decision comes with certain challenges. This is
because dogs which have been bred to work all possess certain characteristics
which make owning them more challenging than owning other dogs.
How to look after a
working dog
If
you’ve decided to adopt a working-type dog, you will probably need to make
allowances for its very specific temperament. This will probably involve making
time to take your dog on long walks, every day, and filling your home and
garden with a wide selection of interesting toys for your dog to entertain
itself with.
You may
also wish to spend some time thinking about where your dog will sleep.
Working-type dogs often require a lot of training (though they are quick to
learn), and you might need to invest in particular sleeping arrangements which
will keep your dog happy and safe at night. Outside housing is perfect for
active dogs.
The downside of
adopting a working dog
Not
everyone fully understands or appreciates the amount of time and effort that goes
into having and maintaining a dog, especially a working dog. In particular, if
a breed of dog has been bred for outdoor work - such as Border Collies -
they will often be more energetic and demanding than other breeds. This means
that, as pets, they are often unsuitable for small homes, or homes in which the
owners will be out a lot. They will need a lot of exercise, attention and
distraction (e.g. agility work).
Many Australian farms have at least one working
dog, be it a kelpie, a cattle dog or some other breed and while they are valued
for their work, many are abandoned or put down each year.
Australian Working Dog Rescue
International (AWDRI) save working dogs from council pounds and
shelters around the country. They save them from the threat of euthanasia,
retrain them when necessary, and re-home them appropriately.
Dognition is a new technology that promises to read dogs' minds.
Can it make them smarter?
If you've ever wondered just how smart your pup is, now you
can find out, thanks to the work of Dr. Brian Hare and his new technology,
called 'Dognition'.
Find out how your dog learns
Dr. Hare created Dognition, an online tool that anybody can use to find out
about the different types of intelligence their dog is using to be the genius
that it is. Some dogs are amazing communicators, some dogs are incredibly
bonded and empathic with their owners, some are even capable of complicated
reasoning skills and others have an amazing memory. Finding out the process by
which your dog learns is the first step in discovering how intelligent he or
she is.
Play games with your dog
"If you want to
just pronounce that your dog is smart, that's fine, but there's actually a way
to measure it, which is to compare your dog to other dogs," Dr. Hare
said.
Dognition measures intelligence through games. One game uses
just a few large plastic cups and your dog's favorite treat to play. All you
have to do is hide the treat under one of the cups and you'll immediately learn
more about your dog's type of intelligence. According to Dr. Hare, a dog that's
super-communicative might think he saw the treat in one place but won't believe
his eyes because he listens to his owner. A dog with excellent working memory
will remember where the treat is, no matter what you say or do. Who knew such a simple game could be so educational?
Dogs are more like humans than you think
Dr. Hare says that when it
comes to intelligence, dogs are a lot like us. "They are
actually more similar cognitively to human infants in some ways, in some types
of intelligences, than chimpanzees and bonobos," he said. Dr. Hare has the research to back it up. He published a
paper on the subject in Science magazine back in 2002, which surprised
many people in the science community. Not that Dr. Hare wants to prove dogs are exactly like
humans.
"They're not little humans,
and that's not the goal of our research," he said. "The goal of our research is to understand dogs for who they
are. But it doesn't mean they're just like us and, in fact, they're better than
us and more interesting."
Who can argue with that? All dog parents know that their
pups are way more interesting than humans.
Use what you learn to help train your pup
How can understanding the way your dog learns help you if
you've got an actual training problem? A lot, says Dr. Hare. For instance, if
your dog has trouble obeying the command "sit
and stay," Dognition can help.
"If you go to a
trainer, he's going to tell you to work hard or try this activity,"
Dr. Hare said. "Dognition doesn't
disagree with that, but it can give you more information to help you
individualize your approach."
By knowing if your dog is using working memory or is more
attentive to body language, you and your trainer can individualize a training
program to work with the way your dog learns. So, you can say bye-bye to all
those bad habits.
Another exciting aspect of Dr. Hare's work is its
application with dogs in shelters. Every year, many dogs are sadly euthanized
due to behavioral issues. What if the shelter workers were better able to
understand the personality of each dog and the trainers could use that
information to tailor a training program for him or her? The results could send
some dogs into loving homes that might otherwise not have gotten the chance.
Ebony
the black Pit Bull is available for adoption from the Town of North
Hampstead/ Shelter Connection in NY. They are currently utilizing the Dognition
pilot program.
"Dognition can
help shelters tell the story of the dog," Dr. Hare said, adding that
instead of seeing a dog as scary because it is barking a lot or trying to jump
the fence, shelter workers could identify the dog's personality qualities and
find someone looking for that exact type of dog.
"A person could
go into a shelter and say they want a dog that's strongly bonded and a great
communicator, and the shelter could know which dog will have those
qualities," Dr. Hare said.
Territorio de Zaguates, an animal rescue
organization in Costa Rica, was having trouble finding forever homes for their
mixed breed dogs - 94% of their dogs in their organization.
So they had an innovative idea: if people are more likely
to adopt when they know the breed of the dog, why don’t we create unique one of
a kind breeds? With the tagline, “when
you adopt a mutt, you adopt a unique breed,” Costa Rica now has
one-of-a-kind breeds, like Fire-tailed Border Cocker, Shaggy Shepherd
Dachspaniel, and Marbled English Filamaraner.
With the help of National TV, social media, and billboard
advertising, adoptions for these mutts skyrocketed! In 45 days of their
campaign, Territorio de Zaguatesadoption rate grew by 1400%, their
mutts obtained $457,000 of PR value, and their Facebook page received 510,484
interactions. As well, 100% of the shelters expenses are now covered by sponsors.
Dognition are thrilled with Territorio de Zaguates
success in finding so many homeless dogs permanent, loving families. They also
believe that all dogs have a unique genius, which is why they have paired up with
Petfinder to create the Dognition/Petfinder Adoption Program.
They are now working
with adoption organizations to assist in placing more dogs in their 'forever
homes' by helping to shine a light on what makes each dog special. In
particular, they hope to help place the dogs that are commonly overlooked in the
adoption process. They plan on rolling out their Adoption Program to more shelters
in the near future.
Know of an adoption organization that could benefit from
Dognition? Write to shelter@dognition.com with your interest.
