82 results found

1. Answered- Teaching dogs how to learn rather than tricks

   I heard an interview with Dr. Brian Hare and he describes another dognition expert, Dr. Adam Miklosi taught dogs how to learn by mimicking people. I'd like to know in more detail how this is done. I think it could greatly increase the speed in which dog can then learn new trained behaviors.

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   6 comments  ·  Training  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →
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   AdminSara Cathey (n/a, Dognition.com Home) responded

   Video of a dog doing the Imitation Experiment:

   http://youtu.be/PHb9ZFkuv1s

   An Answer from Dr. Adam Miklosi:

   Are dogs able to imitate the action of others?

   In 2006 we published the first scientific study on imitation in dogs (Topál et al 2006). This was followed by some debate whether one can really speak about ‘imitation’ in this situation. We defined imitation as the ability to perform a functionally analogue behaviour after seeing in done by others (humans or dogs).

   We believe that dogs, as a social species, are able to imitate an action shown by others but it is very difficult to provide a clear evidence for this under controlled experimental conditions. Our procedure was the first to provide strong evidence, despite the fact that dog trainers or people working with dogs (e.g. shepherds) probably relied on this ability already many 100 years ago. Given the assumption that dogs have the ability to imitate, our procedure only makes this phenomenon more explicit. In addition to the possibility of studying this skill by scientific means, it has turned out that this so called ‘Do as I do’ procedure provides also a nice way to train the family dog. As a consequence Claudia Fugazza (a PhD student working with us) has developed a new way of dog training based on the imitative abilities of dogs.

   The basic idea is that the dog should be able to copy the action of a human (or dog) demonstrator. This can be achieved through a few simple steps in training. First, the dog should be able to perform a few actions (sit, turn around, lie down etc.) on a verbal/visual signal. Second, by small steps the trainer (owner) should replace these signals by the appropriate behavioural cues. For example instead of giving the ‘Turn around’ verbal signal, the human should actually turn around before the dog is allowed to execute the same action. Third, the dog should learn that (1) it should wait until the action is finished. Usually, it is a good idea to use a specific signal (Listen!) before starting the action (demonstration). (2) The dog should learn that it is allowed to perform an action only if it hears a new signal (Do it!). The ‘Do it!’ signal becomes a general command for the action to be carried out during this procedure.

   If the dog performs well with the already known 2-3 actions (he is ‘imitating’ the actions), then we can introduce step by step novel actions. At the beginning the dog learns probably only the link between the specific action demonstration and his action but slowly it may also grasp the idea that his actions should be similar to the demonstrated ones. We could try this out by showing the dog a new action (never used in the training so far), in order to see what he does as a response.

   After becoming familiar with this procedure, dogs can be trained relatively easily, independent from their previous training experience. Claudia Fugazza has also shown that using this ‘Do as I do’ method dogs can be trained to perform new actions that can be then associated with a verbal cue in subsequent training. This method seems to be as good as other methods, like clicker training.

   We have also shown that dogs are able to remember the demonstrated actions for more than 10 minutes at least, even if they are distracted by performing other activities (Fugazza and Miklósi 2013).

   We believe that that there are some advantages in using this method with dogs. First, learning by observation reflects probably a biological tendency in dogs, thus this method relies on a natural interaction between dog and owner. Second, learning by observation may rely on using differ faculties of the mind, so this may enrich the mental life of dogs. Third, the owner has to play an active role in this case (I DO something – now YOU DO the same) that may enhance dog-owner bond and improve cooperation.

   References

   Fugazza, C., Miklósi, Á. 2013. Deferred imitation and declarative memory in domestic dogs. Animal Cognition, in press.

   Topál, J., Byrne, R.W., Miklósi, Á., Csányi, V. 2006. Reproducing human actions and action sequences: “Do as I Do!” in a dog. Animal Cognition, 9: 355-367.

   Video of a dog doing the Imitation Experiment:

   http://youtu.be/PHb9ZFkuv1s

   An Answer from Dr. Adam Miklosi:

   Are dogs able to imitate the action of others?

   In 2006 we published the first scientific study on imitation in dogs (Topál et al 2006). This was followed by some debate whether one can really speak about ‘imitation’ in this situation. We defined imitation as the ability to perform a functionally analogue behaviour after seeing in done by others (humans or dogs).

   We believe that dogs, as a social species, are able to imitate an action shown by others but it is very difficult to provide a clear evidence for this under controlled experimental conditions. Our procedure was the first to provide strong evidence, despite the fact that dog trainers or people working with dogs (e.g. shepherds) probably relied on this ability already many 100 years ago. Given the assumption that dogs have the ability… more

2. Do dogs see Blue better than other colors? eg in Agility training I'm told to wear a royal blue shirt?

   Do dogs see color? How do we know? What color can they discriminate?

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3. Answered- What is the relationship between cognitive style and temperament?

   My two dogs, Mira and Clare came up with the Ace profile, but their personalities are very different. Mira is dominant and Clare is submissive. Mira is high energy, loves to play and retrieve, loves training and seems tireless in training sessions. Clare is more low key, enjoys learning tricks to a point, then wanders away to take a nap. Clare doesn't play much at all, but it's partly because Mira is always trying to take her toys away. Clare seems uninterested in a thrown ball. The two get along well for the most part, but Mira will try to boss Clare, run into her, shove her. I rescue her, but it doesn't seem to change the relationship at all. Clare has never been injured, just demoralized.

   My two dogs, Mira and Clare came up with the Ace profile, but their personalities are very different. Mira is dominant and Clare is submissive. Mira is high energy, loves to play and retrieve, loves training and seems tireless in training sessions. Clare is more low key, enjoys learning tricks to a point, then wanders away to take a nap. Clare doesn't play much at all, but it's partly because Mira is always trying to take her toys away. Clare seems uninterested in a thrown ball. The two get along well for the most part, but Mira will try to… more

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   AdminSara Cathey (n/a, Dognition.com Home) responded

   Dr. Brian Hare filmed a video response to this question. Find the answer here:
   http://youtu.be/jLrmF0yturs

4. Answered - Does living in a shelter or pound have impacts on a dog's long term behavior?

   My new adopted dachshund was in a no kill pound for 3 years. What kind of behavioral pitfalls should I be watching for? and how should I correct them? - one big thing I am dealing with now is that he HATES a bath, and for the first time growled at me afterwards.

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   AdminSara Cathey (n/a, Dognition.com Home) responded

   Answered by Betsy Saul- Founder of the Petfinder Foundation

   You’ve adopted a shelter dog and that makes you awesome in my book. You may have also made the eternal solemn promise to your shelter dog. “You will never be abandoned again.”
   I have a ritual on the car ride home that’s always pretty much the same.

   “I’m Betsy. We’re going to take some time to figure out what your name is. This may seem strange now, but we’re going to love each other. And I promise you, you’re never gonna be (lonely, hungry, etc) again and you are part of this family forever.”

   Most of the time, things go without a hitch, because dogs, like kids, are amazingly resilient and tough and forgiving. But every once in a while an adopter will find themselves with a pet that either ended up in the shelter because of some unattractive personality trait, or, scarier yet, developed one while at the shelter.
   And then all of a sudden the promise that “you’ll never be lonely again” starts to feel a little out of your control. Especially for dogs with separation anxiety, which seems like the most common behavioral issue facing once-homeless dogs, internal stressors seem to override our best efforts to provide a happy home.
   Our dream dog is smart, listens, is loyal, emotionally healthy, playful, brave, and robust. Lassie didn’t have projectile diarrhea at the kitchen door when her family was gone too long. Nor did she cower under the bed during thunderstorms.

   But every dog is an individual with a very different past. A collection of shelter dogs, especially, will yield not only varied genetic differences but a potpourri of histories – some were unwanted, some were living a life on the streets, some were beloved. Some are at the shelter because of bad luck, like divorce or the death of an owner, and others are there because their family couldn’t afford to care for them anymore.
   Our shelter dogs often come with an unknown past. Even if it is known, some research has shown that people lie about why they are relinquishing a dog.
   Even if we assume that “true” behavior issues are a top reason dogs end up at the shelter, many behaviorists will tell you it was the people’s behavior, not the dog’s, that was the problem. I’ve heard of extreme cases of shelter dogs who were perfectly house-trained when they went to their new (not) forever home and when returned to the shelter for whatever reason, they were completely un-housetrained – a neurotic mess. (I must reiterate that is not the norm. Most shelter dogs are pretty well socialized and pretty amazing, resilient creatures, in spite of our often sloppy parenting.)
   And one thing seems obvious, the majority of shelter dogs are moving on to a better life, with someone like us who will take the time to understand them.

   I once adopted an old community dog – an adult dog that had always been free-roaming. He’d made his living begging at the entrance of restaurants and homes. It took me a year to figure out why sometimes he got stuck on our threshold when we’d come home for a walk. He’d stare longingly inside the house, not budging or daring to cross over, as if stuck there. He wasn’t being stubborn. I was asking him to override years of a successful survival strategy. Habits can be really sticky, and without insight into our dog’s past, super confusing to us.
   Lack of experience can also produce wild results. A dog that responds aggressively to men in ties was probably not abused by a man in a tie, which is our first assumption. Rather, she’s probably freaked out because she’s never seen a man wearing a leash. Or a tie, for that matter.
   So what about what happens at the shelter, or on the streets? Change is stressful. Too much noise is stressful. A scary dog in the next kennel is stressful. Loneliness is stressful. We can’t know the effects of these on each individual dog, but we can safely make the assumption that some amount of healing is warranted after such a transition.

   We know that research (and reason) tells us that extreme stress can cause a rewiring of our brains, and dogs are no different. In constant stress, we start habitually responding to stress and lose our ability to assess threats appropriately and to assume the correct coping mechanisms. In over-stressed shelter dogs you may see nervous behaviors like repeated jumping, pacing, licking, separation anxiety, or shock. The good news is that this concept of neuroplasticity, that our brain’s wiring is impacted by our environment, works in reverse, too. Repeated good experiences can rebuild trust, and meditation, in people, can cause positive structural changes in the brain and improve our ability to cope with stress. So there is hope. I wonder if thoughtful quiet moments with your dog can provide the benefits of meditation? Perhaps that is why the Tellington Touch has been so effective for so many dogs.
   Be sensitive to the confusing and sometimes scary experience of rehoming. It may take your pet a few weeks, or longer, to find her confidence and her place.

   I once had a street dog that I took home. He seemed super-confident and knew his place in my heart and family. Then, about six months later, we moved. The transformation in this dog’s personality was remarkable. What emerged after the first week in our new place was a joyful dog that celebrated life on a whole new level. Now, I can’t know for a fact what was going through his mind, but it seemed obvious to everyone in the family that the act of moving together solidified our relationship and that trust let the “real” Max emerge. No one was more surprised than me to learn that he’d been holding back or lacked confidence before.

   If you believe that you’ve adopted a pet that has serious anxiety or post-traumatic stress, whether from a bad experience or their own innate wiring, consult with a behaviorist as early as possible. We’ve got a lot of options these days, from behavior modification and confidence training to medications from your veterinarian.
   And of course, one of the cool things about dogs is that they are so forgiving and innately happy. My goodness, many of us take half of a dog’s lifetime to rebound from divorce or get comfortable in a new community. Meanwhile, many, if not most dogs, show few scars from tough times.

   I have two dogs now. One is a nervous-Nelly who spent just a few days at the shelter as a puppy before he entered a foster home. The other is brave and self-actualized – a go with the flow kind of guy — and he spent months at a noisy city shelter. For some dogs, like some people, life inside their mind is just easier.

   Answered by Betsy Saul- Founder of the Petfinder Foundation

   You’ve adopted a shelter dog and that makes you awesome in my book. You may have also made the eternal solemn promise to your shelter dog. “You will never be abandoned again.”
   I have a ritual on the car ride home that’s always pretty much the same.

   “I’m Betsy. We’re going to take some time to figure out what your name is. This may seem strange now, but we’re going to love each other. And I promise you, you’re never gonna be (lonely, hungry, etc) again and you are part of this family forever.”

   Most of the time, things go without a hitch, because dogs, like kids, are amazingly resilient and tough and forgiving. But every once in a while an adopter will find themselves with a pet that either ended up in the shelter because of some unattractive personality trait,… more

5. What behaviors are known to be instinctive for dogs other than stalk/pounce predatory sequence?

   What behaviors are known to be instinctive in dogs other than the stalk/eye/pounce predatory sequence?

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6. How can I prevent my dog from barking to household electrical devices such as vacuum cleaner or hair-drier?
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7. Callie's swimming routine

   Callie has a swimming routine. She retrieves her "floating" frisbee, swims to shore, climbs up some stone steps, runs across a "party pad", gangway, and boat dock, drops the frisbee for me to throw, and then jumps in the water to retrieve it again. Yesterday, she got all the way to the end of the dock without her frisbee. With only a little encouragement, she ran back to where she had left it on the steps, ran back to the end of the dock, and put the frisbee down for me to throw. What kind of "thinking" or "Intelligence" is this? Is it common in dogs?

   Callie has a swimming routine. She retrieves her "floating" frisbee, swims to shore, climbs up some stone steps, runs across a "party pad", gangway, and boat dock, drops the frisbee for me to throw, and then jumps in the water to retrieve it again. Yesterday, she got all the way to the end of the dock without her frisbee. With only a little encouragement, she ran back to where she had left it on the steps, ran back to the end of the dock, and put the frisbee down for me to throw. What kind of "thinking" or "Intelligence" is… more

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8. Answered- How do dogs express their creativity?

   I heard part of a discussion on NPR of animals and creativity. Well, WHETHER they have it. They seemed to be considering a very human definition of creativity --- making art or music, things like that. My dog makes up games with me and with other dogs. I am wondering whether you have ever investigated how dogs express creativity and how we can help them develop their creativity.

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   AdminSara Cathey (n/a, Dognition.com Home) responded

   Dr. Hare answers this question from the beach where he takes his dogs to play and run off some steam!

   http://youtu.be/A-VeIq8YDJ4

9. Tina

   Tina plays tug,wrestle, chase, happily for ages with her 1 doggy friend.
   When we introduced a boomer ball, and jolly egg, the friend became possesive, and Tina didnt want to play with her.
   Why? was it because they can't pick them up? Should we persevere, or discontinue?

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10. Why doesn't my dog like to get into a car and go for a ride?
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11. Answered- Is my dog practicing hypnotic suggestion?

    My dog is very good at communicating what she wants. Most of the time her desires are completely reasonable but her method makes me feel as though she has trained me better than I have trained her. She stares very intensely into my eyes. I usually guess what she wants but It feels like she is trying to push her thoughts into my head. What is up with this?

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    AdminSara Cathey (n/a, Dognition.com Home) responded

    Vanessa Woods, Author of the Genius of Dogs answered this month’s question-

    Your dog’s stare can be so hypnotic, it might seem as though she is trying “jedi mind tricks”. But probably more likely is that she is getting a fix of oxytocin.

    Oxytocin is a peculiar little molecule. It is known as the ‘hug hormone’ because it is what makes you feel good when you are touched by a loved one, get a massage, or enjoy a good meal. Oxytocin has pain relieving properties and can also decrease stress and blood pressure.

    We humans experience oxytocin in many of our social relationships, including bonding with our children or partners. What is surprising is that we would also experience a change in this hormone when bonding with a completely different species.

    In a study with 55 dogs from Azabu University in Japan, people whose dogs gazed at them for longer showed a higher increase in oxytocin than people whose dogs gazed at them for a short amount of time. A ‘long gaze’ was defined by the 23% of dogs who stared at their owner for around two minutes or longer. Not only that, but people with dogs with a ‘long gaze’ reported being happier with their dogs than those whose dogs gaze was only around a minute long.

    Recent research also suggests that this peak in oxytocin levels may be happening on both ends of the stare. When oxytocin levels were monitored dogs they too experienced a rise in the “hug hormone”. So while your dog may not be using hypnotic suggestion, she may be suggesting that if she could, she would hug you.

    Vanessa Woods, Author of the Genius of Dogs answered this month’s question-

    Your dog’s stare can be so hypnotic, it might seem as though she is trying “jedi mind tricks”. But probably more likely is that she is getting a fix of oxytocin.

    Oxytocin is a peculiar little molecule. It is known as the ‘hug hormone’ because it is what makes you feel good when you are touched by a loved one, get a massage, or enjoy a good meal. Oxytocin has pain relieving properties and can also decrease stress and blood pressure.

    We humans experience oxytocin in many of our social relationships, including bonding with our children or partners. What is surprising is that we would also experience a change in this hormone when bonding with a completely different species.

    In a study with 55 dogs from Azabu University in Japan, people whose dogs gazed at them for longer… more

12. Answered- Often my dog will sit and refuse to move in the middle of our walks. Why does she do that? I dont think she is tired.
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    AdminSara Cathey (n/a, Dognition.com Home) responded

    Answer from Dr. Richard Hawkins:

    This is a very common behavior which many dog owners will experience at some point. There are many potential causes as mental, physical, and training based issues can all contribute to this sort of behavior. Unfortunately, there is not much research on the cognitive reasons behind this behavior as it can be very challenging to recreate in a laboratory setting.

    In my experience, your dog may be sitting down and holding fast for a number of reasons: She may be distracted by something else in the environment, uninterested or even afraid of proceeding in the direction you were walking, or there even may be a health issue causing her some discomfort.

    There are several health issues that come to mind when I hear of this in my patients. Just like humans, dogs can get gastrointestinal discomfort, or a stomach ache, from many causes such as a change in diet, stress, excess gas, or even medication, just to name a few. When we humans have stomach aches we’re just as unlikely to want to go on with our normal day.

    Osteoarthritis, can also affect a significant number of the joints involved in walking, and in many cases make walking a painful experience. As dogs age, this pain can grow and lead to a planted rear end during a walk.

    If it happens again, keep an eye on your dog’s breathing, any sounds she makes, and her mental alertness. If anything seems out of the ordinary, it might be a good reason to visit your friendly veterinarian.

    In most cases, however, you probably have a completely healthy dog! Even though it may not look like it, she may very well just be tired out and ready to go home. You could give her a break for a few minutes and try again, encouraging her with a tasty morsel to continue. But, if she’s had enough, I’d would encourage you to respect her wishes in this instance, and head home.

    Answer from Dr. Richard Hawkins:

    This is a very common behavior which many dog owners will experience at some point. There are many potential causes as mental, physical, and training based issues can all contribute to this sort of behavior. Unfortunately, there is not much research on the cognitive reasons behind this behavior as it can be very challenging to recreate in a laboratory setting.

    In my experience, your dog may be sitting down and holding fast for a number of reasons: She may be distracted by something else in the environment, uninterested or even afraid of proceeding in the direction you were walking, or there even may be a health issue causing her some discomfort.

    There are several health issues that come to mind when I hear of this in my patients. Just like humans, dogs can get gastrointestinal discomfort, or a stomach ache, from many causes such as… more

13. What is known about dogs' ability to learn more than one word for a given object or concept? Tristan Sivak
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14. My dog points when he sees something of interest. It's clearly innate behavior. How did it evolve?
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15. My big (90 pound) dog, at age ten, has suddenly become a fence climber. What's your favorite preventative for that?
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16. Licking

    My dog likes to lick the carpet, dog bed & anything else she happens to lay on. Is this a self calming behavior?

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17. Answered - Keenu doesnt like other dogs. What should I do?

    When ever I take Keenu to the park, he attacks other dogs that come near him. Why does he do this? How do I stop it?

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    AdminSara Cathey (n/a, Dognition.com Home) responded

    Answer from Victoria Stilwell:

    Dogs attack other dogs for a number of reasons but the root of most reactive and aggressive behavior is insecurity and fear. Keenu might be reacting negatively because he feels threatened by social interaction or has had a traumatic experience around other dogs. He could also be protecting you or the space around him which is important for his safety. Whatever the cause, dog to dog aggression is a serious problem.

    In a perfect world our dogs would be social and comfortable around all dogs they meet, but this is an unrealistic expectation. Although the behavior is frustrating, try not to punish Keenu if he reacts badly and quickly remove him from the situation by walking him in the opposite direction until he calms down. Punishment will only make him more insecure and shut him down, making learning impossible.

    Keenu needs to feel more in control. When nervous dogs are given choices they tend to cope better in different situations. A leash is a canine life preserver and important for safety but a leash also stops a dog’s ability to act naturally. Most dogs would rather put distance between themselves and a perceived threat, but the leash stops them from doing so, causing a defensive reaction. Some dogs that react towards other dogs on leash are much more comfortable when they are in an off leash environment.

    From now on all good things should happen to Keenu when he sees another dog approaching. Before introducing another dog, teach Keenu a variety of alternative behaviors and/or games he can play. When he is proficient at these behaviors or games it is time to introduce a calm leashed dog at a distance where he feels comfortable. As the dog walks past, interact with Keenu and allow him to choose the game or behavior he likes. If he reacts negatively at any time, walk him away from the dog to a distance where he feels comfortable and start the process again. The secret to this training is to keep him comfortable and under his stress threshold level. After a time Keenu will become more confident as the approaching dog now signals a game or something fun rather than a threat.

    Once Keenu feels more comfortable walking past other dogs, gentle introductions can be made. This is best done with a very calm dog that is good at giving pacification signals that demonstrate low threat. Face-to-face greetings aren’t recommended immediately, but simply experiencing positive things in the other dog’s presence, including walking or activities at a comfortable distance can help build a positive association. Parallel walking, following the calm dog and sniffing the behind before a facial greeting can be beneficial, but this is better done under the supervision of a qualified positive trainer to guide initial interactions. You can find a humane force-free trainer at: www.positively.com

    Dog parks are not recommended for dog aggressive dogs or dogs that play too roughly, as they tend to be overwhelming and cause a bad reaction. Dogs, like people, can be overwhelmed being in a crowd and solitary walks or walking with a small group contributes to a much happier dog and safer interactions.

    Keep an eye on Keenu’s body language and allow him to choose the dogs he wants to socialize with and the ones he wants to avoid. Some dogs are happier with their own company or the company of just one or two other dogs. Avoid times of high traffic and off leash areas until he is more confident.

    Answer from Victoria Stilwell:

    Dogs attack other dogs for a number of reasons but the root of most reactive and aggressive behavior is insecurity and fear. Keenu might be reacting negatively because he feels threatened by social interaction or has had a traumatic experience around other dogs. He could also be protecting you or the space around him which is important for his safety. Whatever the cause, dog to dog aggression is a serious problem.

    In a perfect world our dogs would be social and comfortable around all dogs they meet, but this is an unrealistic expectation. Although the behavior is frustrating, try not to punish Keenu if he reacts badly and quickly remove him from the situation by walking him in the opposite direction until he calms down. Punishment will only make him more insecure and shut him down, making learning impossible.

    Keenu needs to feel more in control.… more

18. Answered- Is it ok to leave my dog with friends when I travel?

    When ever I travel, I take Benni to doggy daycare so somebody can take care of him. It's a lot cheaper to just leave him with friends but then he doesn't interact with other dogs. Which is better?

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    AdminSara Cathey (n/a, Dognition.com Home) responded

    Vanessa Woods, Author of The Genius of Dogs, answered this months question. Enjoy!

    That’s a fantastic question, and lucky for us, there is research that may be able to shed some light on it! In a study by Dr. David Tuber at Ohio State University, researchers looked at the expression of stress hormones when dogs were placed in a strange new context, in this case an unfamiliar room.

    What they found was that when dogs were alone, their stress level went up significantly. The scientists were able to detect this due to a spike in stress hormones. Furthermore, the researchers found that even when dogs were with a familiar dog in the unfamiliar room, their stress hormones still spiked up. However, when placed in the unfamiliar room with a familiar human the dog had little to no increase in stress hormones. Throughout the time in the room, the dog stayed close to the human and sought out interaction frequently. The researchers believe that it was this interaction between the dog and human (not seen between the two dogs) that kept the dog calm and relaxed.

    This research shows just how special our relationship with dogs is; when they’re somewhere strange and new, dogs prefer the company of humans to other dogs! So don’t feel guilty about leaving Benni with friends for the vacation, as long as these friends will take care of him, with lots of hugs and daily walks, Benni will probably be just as happy with humans as he would be at doggy daycare.

    Vanessa Woods, Author of The Genius of Dogs, answered this months question. Enjoy!

    That’s a fantastic question, and lucky for us, there is research that may be able to shed some light on it! In a study by Dr. David Tuber at Ohio State University, researchers looked at the expression of stress hormones when dogs were placed in a strange new context, in this case an unfamiliar room.

    What they found was that when dogs were alone, their stress level went up significantly. The scientists were able to detect this due to a spike in stress hormones. Furthermore, the researchers found that even when dogs were with a familiar dog in the unfamiliar room, their stress hormones still spiked up. However, when placed in the unfamiliar room with a familiar human the dog had little to no increase in stress hormones. Throughout the time in the room, the dog stayed… more

19. Answered- Do dogs get bored?

    I have to go to work on the weekdays and often leave Sophie at home for 7 or 8 hours. Will she get bored and lonely? Should I get another dog to keep her company?

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    AdminSara Cathey (n/a, Dognition.com Home) responded

    Victoria Stilwell has answered this question:

    There is an epidemic sweeping across the nation and it’s having a devastating effect on our dogs’ wellbeing. It’s a disease called boredom and many of our domestic dogs are at risk.
    Boredom and inactivity contributes to destructive behaviors such as chewing, house soiling, excessive barking and other anxiety-based behaviors. Dogs that are left alone for long hours on a regular basis cannot be blamed for taking out their boredom and loneliness on the couch. Chewing relieves stress and having nothing to do all day can be very stressful particularly for those breeds that were originally bred to work. Because the domestic dogs’ role has changed to that of family member and companion, trainers like me see too many bored dogs with behavioral issues that are easily solved with a daily schedule of walks and other activities.
    Think of it like this. Your dog is a car with a full tank of gas in the morning and it’s your responsibility to make sure that by the end of the day the gas tank is empty. Each dog’s needs are unique but all dogs need daily physical and mental stimulation with plenty of walks, great toys and fun games to play.
    A walk not only exercises your dog physically but provides a different environment that challenges and stimulates his senses. Unlike their wild cousins, the domestic dog lives in a sensory deprived environment and walking is the best way to provide the exercise and stimulation he needs by allowing him to experience the world around him while breaking up the monotony of the day. I’m still astounded however, by the number of people I meet who seldom walk their dogs, if at all. Leaving a dog in the back yard all day is not exercise and can become just as boring as an indoor room.
    If you stimulate your dog’s senses by allowing her to experience different environments each day and introducing her to new smells, sights, sounds around the neighborhood or at your local park, you’ll be repaid many times with a happy, healthy dog. Walking also relieves human stress and is great way to exercise and socialize with other like-minded people.

    If the weather is too hot or cold to be outside you can still play games inside your home such as hide and seek, fetch or tug-of-war. Hide treats around the house and send your dog on a treasure hunt. Vary your dog’s toys by rotating them each day so they remain unique and exciting and get toys that challenge your dog such as treat balls and puzzles.

    Find a training or agility class in your area and get together with other people and their dogs. Cater to your dog’s energy requirements and allow her breed or mix of breeds to dictate what she needs. Is she more predisposed to tracking, hunting, luring or herding? There are many organizations all over the country that allow you and your dog to practice different canine sports and activities in controlled circumstances which encourage team work and bonding.

    Dogs are social animals and isolation from humans or animals for long periods can have devastating behavioral consequences such as severe distress on separation or aggression. Play dates and socializing with other dogs in off-leash areas will help your dog develop important canine social skills and become more confident with positive experiences. Training classes are a good way to help you communicate with your dog and force free training is the most effective training philosophy to encourage your dog to learn and be successful. To find a Victoria Stilwell licensed trainer in your area go to: www.positively.co/trainers.

    If you have a busy work schedule and your dog spends long hours at home by himself during the day, consider hiring a dog walker or take him to a reputable doggy day care. This will help ensure your dog is getting the outlet he needs but make sure he is the kind of dog that enjoys a day care environment first. If he is not confident around other dogs, hiring a daily dog walker is a must.

    Dogs do get bored but enriching their lives doesn’t need to take a lot of time. It just means a different approach and an awareness of your dog’s needs. Sharing the responsibility with the whole family ensures your dog never becomes bored and receives the attention and time she deserves.

    Victoria Stilwell has answered this question:

    There is an epidemic sweeping across the nation and it’s having a devastating effect on our dogs’ wellbeing. It’s a disease called boredom and many of our domestic dogs are at risk.
    Boredom and inactivity contributes to destructive behaviors such as chewing, house soiling, excessive barking and other anxiety-based behaviors. Dogs that are left alone for long hours on a regular basis cannot be blamed for taking out their boredom and loneliness on the couch. Chewing relieves stress and having nothing to do all day can be very stressful particularly for those breeds that were originally bred to work. Because the domestic dogs’ role has changed to that of family member and companion, trainers like me see too many bored dogs with behavioral issues that are easily solved with a daily schedule of walks and other activities.
    Think of it like this. Your dog… more

20. Answered- I've read that I shouldn't let my dog go through doors before me. Is that true? Why?
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    AdminSara Cathey (n/a, Dognition.com Home) responded

    Your question has been answered by Dr. Brian Hare:

    You shouldn’t worry about your dog going first through a doorway or any other signs of ‘dominant behavior’. The idea that you should be the alpha dog is based outdated wolf research, which studies now show does not apply to dogs.

    For a long time many people thought that because dogs evolved from wolves, wolves were a good model to understand dog behavior. Although they do share much of the same DNA, we have since learned that their pack structures and social behavior are actually very different.

    If you look at packs of feral dogs, or dogs who live without human interference, research shows that they look to the dog with the most friends. There is no single dominant pair that uses violence and dominant behavior, instead when deciding where to go feral dogs follow the dog with the largest social network. Being friendly, rather than fierce, seems to count more with our best friends.

    For more on this see chapter 8 in my book, the Genius of Dogs.

    Dr. Brian Hare

    Chief Science Officer, Canines, Inc.
    Chair, Scientific Advisory Board, Canines Inc.
    Associate Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University

    Research Studies***
    http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/applan/article/S0168-1591(08)00371-7/abstract

    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347210000783

    Your question has been answered by Dr. Brian Hare:

    You shouldn’t worry about your dog going first through a doorway or any other signs of ‘dominant behavior’. The idea that you should be the alpha dog is based outdated wolf research, which studies now show does not apply to dogs.

    For a long time many people thought that because dogs evolved from wolves, wolves were a good model to understand dog behavior. Although they do share much of the same DNA, we have since learned that their pack structures and social behavior are actually very different.

    If you look at packs of feral dogs, or dogs who live without human interference, research shows that they look to the dog with the most friends. There is no single dominant pair that uses violence and dominant behavior, instead when deciding where to go feral dogs follow the dog with the largest… more