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[domesticbeast]

Can having a dog help you live longer?

Good question! The answer: Yes.

Research has shown that pet owners overall tend to be healthier than the average population.

Numerous studies over the past two decades have concluded that owning a dog may help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and may also lower the risk of heart disease. This may be due in part to the fact that dog owners are more likely to take walks.

However, it’s not all about physical activity. Additional research shows that pets give us emotional support and help us deal with stress, which is one of the leading risk factors that can lead to illness. A 2001 study asked 48 people with high blood pressure and high-stress jobs to adopt a dog or a cat. Half did, and six months later those who had adopted a pet had significantly lower blood pressure.

Dog owners are also more likely to have social contact with other dog owners, which impacts emotional health and well-being.

One more interesting statistic: A 1995 study followed 369 people with cardiovascular disease. A year later, those who owned a dog were four times more likely to be alive than those who didn’t have a dog. Cats, however, did not improve their owners’ odds of survival.

Source:

How Stuff Works

Harvard Medical School

BBC News

[domesticbeast]

Why do dogs lick?

Good question! The answer: Communication.

Licking is one of the first forms of communication dogs get in their life. When new puppies are born, the mother dog licks them to clean them off, comfort them and encourage them to breathe. Later, those puppies will lick the mother’s mouth as a sign of submission.

Similarly, dogs may lick their human owner as a sign of submission. And yes, the licking can also be a sign of affection. However – all romance aside – dogs often lick their human because they just like the taste of salty skin. (You’re welcome.)

Licking can also be caused by anxiety or boredom. If your dog repeatedly “licks its chops,” that can be a sign that he’s anxious, submissive and trying to console himself. If your dog is a chronic, obsessive self-licker, check with your vet to rule out allergies or injury.

Source:

Animal Planet

Dog’s Best Life

[domesticbeast]

Do dogs need their tails for balance?

  Good question! The answer: Sometimes.

While most dogs don’t need help balancing during normal activity, they may need their tail to balance on uneven or tilted surfaces.

Here are some other situations where a tail comes in handy:

Dogs who participate in agility training use their tails to balance on narrow ramps and obstacles.

Racing dogs, such as greyhounds, use their tails to navigate around tight turns at top speed.

Herding dogs also make sharp turns and often work on uneven ground; their tails help them keep all four feet on the ground.

Retrievers and other water dogs use their tails like rudders in order to stay balanced and steady in the water.

Source:

The Nest

[domesticbeast]

What are the top 10 things dogs are afraid of?

Good question! The answer: Dogs can have many different types of phobias, often caused by being socialized too early (a pup should stay with its mom and littermates until it is at least 12 weeks old), a negative experience, or simply genetics. 

Here are the top ten most common dog phobias:

Fear of thunder

Fear of fireworks

Fear of being left alone/separation anxiety

Fear of the vet

Fear of riding in the car

Fear of going up and down steps

Fear of men

Fear of strangers

Fear of children

Fear of objects (such as a vacuum cleaner)

How can you help your dog get over his phobia? Some dogs can conquer their fears with desensitization training, where they are slowly introduced to their fear situation in a positive, happy manner, supplemented with lots of treats. Some dogs may require anti-anxiety medications or sedatives. Remember, you should never force your dog into a situation in which he is afraid – this could result in aggression or injury. If your dog has a phobia and you’re not sure what to do, check with your vet.

Sources:

Humane Society

About Home

[domesticbeast]

Where in the world should you raise a dog?

Good question! The answer: Parlez-vous français?

Here are the top ten dog-friendliest countries: 

10. United Kingdom: Dogs can be off-leash in parks, and they’re allowed in pubs and on public transit. Yeah, baby.

9. Switzerland: There are laws on how to live with your dog and it’s common to have a pet lawyer. All dog owners must pass written and practical testing in order to own a dog.

8. Australia: Dogs can be off-leash at many beaches and parks, and many restaurants allow dogs to sit outside. Dogs can be taken on public transit if they’re muzzled or in a crate. There is a law that says dogs must have access to water at all times.

7. Canada: Look for dog hotels, bakeries, boutiques and specialty grooming shops. Most convenience stores and cafes also offer dog treats and a water bowl by their entrance.

6. United States: We have the largest dog population in the world, with one dog for every four Americans. Most dogs are not allowed on public transportation, with the exception of service dogs. Speaking of which, the US is considered a leader in dog services, such as therapy dogs.

5. Germany: Most dog breeds here are allowed on public transit and it’s very common to see dogs in restaurants and pubs. Dogs are also allowed off leash in many areas. Shelters here are all no-kill; in fact, Germans pay a dog tax in order to help take care of stray dogs. It’s also considered bad to leave your dog home alone for long periods of time.

4. Hungary: Dogs are allowed in restaurants, cafes and other public places off leash. Dog owners are legally required to exercise their dogs and give them regular medical checkups. Similar to Germany, leaving a dog alone at home for long periods of time is frowned upon.

3. Sweden: Dogs are allowed off leash, but not allowed in restaurants and shops. However, dogs do get their own section in buses and on trains. In doggie daycare, all pups must be able to see out a “sunny window.” Outdoor dog walks are required by law.

2. Netherlands: Dogs are allowed in most restaurants, cafes, shops and hotels. Dogs can go off leash most of the time. However, if you want to take your dog on public transit, you have to pay for a dog ticket. You cannot own a dog if you have ever been convicted of a crime.

1. France: It’s one of the most dog friendly countries in the world – in fact, nearly half of all households in France own a domesticated animal of some kind. French dogs are allowed in supermarkets, shopping centers, and almost all restaurants. What’s more, it’s common at many eating establishments for dogs to be served a bowl of water and a treat before their humans even get the menu.

Source:

Puppy Set

How Stuff Works

[domesticbeast]

Can you teach an old dog new tricks?

Good question! The answer: Yes.

While older dogs may be slower to learn or have more physical limitations, they are certainly able to learn new things.

New tricks can help provide mental stimulation, which is important as a dog grows older to help keep the mind sharp and increase quality of life. Plus, your dog loves to spend time with you – and what better way to do so than working together to learn something new? Bonus: Spending time together helps strengthen the bond you have with your pup, which may help promote better behavior overall.

What you choose to teach doesn’t have to be complicated; you can stick to simple tricks that don’t require lots of repetitive movement, like heel or stay. This is particularly important if your dog suffers from arthritis or joint issues.

All in all, the answer to this Good Question is something we humans should remember, too: You’re never too old to learn something new.

Sources:

PetSafe

[domesticbeast]

Why are dogs’ noses wet?

Good question! The answer: Several reasons…

First, the obvious one: Their noses are wet from licking. Think about how many places that nose goes! Dogs are constantly licking to keep their sniffers clean. Side note: Some dogs such as bulldogs, Boston terriers and pugs can’t reach their nose with their tongue, so they often have dry, cracked noses.

Another reason for a wet nose: Smelling. Dogs’ noses have a layer of mucus that helps capture scents in the air. When a dog licks its nose, it’s actually trying to transfer those smells to olfactory sense organs in the mouth.

Third reason: Keeping cool. Dogs’ nostrils have special glands that produce a clear, watery fluid that evaporates off the nose and, like panting, helps to cool the dog down.

A cool, wet nose does not necessarily mean your dog is healthy, and a dry, warm nose doesn’t necessarily mean he’s sick. Keep an eye out for any odd discharge from your dog’s nose – that’s a sure sign that something’s up. If you notice any other changes in your dog’s nose that seem unusual, contact your vet.

  Sources:

Dog Health

The Straight Dope

American Kennel Club

Berkeley Campus Veterinary Clinic

[domesticbeast]

Why do dogs sniff each other’s butts?

Good question! The answer: Chemical communication.

We all know that dogs have an amazing sense of smell – 10,000 to 100,000 more powerful than humans. In fact, one-third of a dog’s brain is built to process smells. And a dog’s anal glands produce a strong, unique odor; by sniffing each other’s butts, dogs can learn all sorts of things about each other: Gender, emotions, diet and more. In fact, a dog entering a vet exam room can tell just by the smell if the previous dog was scared. 

How do they get all this information without being overpowered by the smell of poop? Dogs have a patch of cells within their nose called the Jacobson’s organ, which is built to smell body chemicals instead of airborne odors. This organ has its own set of nerves that are directly connected to the brain, so it gets no interference from other smells.

  Sources:

Huffington Post

The Daily Puppy

Encyclopaedia Britannica