New Research Shows Dogs Can Be Generous

by Lori Ennis

Published: February 1st, 2017

As if you needed another reason to be an animal lover, new research shows that dogs can be generous, especially when it comes to sharing with someone they know.

Researchers Rachel Dale and Friederike Range from the Messerli Research Institute at Vetmeduni, Vienna, had found that canines are prone to food rewards with other dogs. In previous studies, they found dogs would deliver treats to a dog they were partnered with.

The researchers decided to expand on that work by testing whether or not dogs would still show generosity and share with other dogs. And it turns out that they did, particularly when the dog was familiar – this proves that much like humans, dogs are more likely to be generous with their ‘friends and family,’ than with those unknown to them.

In the newest study, dogs had to recognize objects (tokens) in order to deliver a treat to its ‘partner’ dog (the earlier study only required the dog to pull a rope in order to deliver treats to themselves or partner dogs). Researchers found the dogs delivered, choosing to not only reward themselves, but their partner dog. Taking it up to the next level, they made the task even more tricky to see if the difficulty level made a difference; as well, they added ‘stranger’ dogs to the mix to see whether a dog had a preference when choosing to complete a task and deliver a treat.

They also set up different testing scenarios–one where the test dog could see its canine treat recipient; one where the test dog could not see the other dog but the dogs were together in the same enclosure; and one where the dogs were separated completely, and the test dog was simply observed to see whether he’d ‘deliver’ a treat, regardless of another dog being seen as a recipient, or a partner in delivery.

What they found was that when the dogs could see each other, the test dog more often chose to deliver the treat to the other dog, though if the other dog was a stranger to them, they chose to do so less often. If they could not see the other dog, but had a dog present with them in the testing enclosure, they still chose to ‘reward’ the ‘other’ dog, leading researchers to believe they exhibited a behavior called social facilitation–being motivated to do something simply because one is in the presence of ‘social peers.’

When the dogs were completely alone, and the test dog could not see the receiving dog, nor had a partner with him, the number of behaviors required to ‘deliver the treat’ significantly went down. Researchers believe that the dogs did not see the purpose of doing the work if it was not benefitting a partner. (They had separate and easily accessible options for receiving treats themselves to ensure they maintained motivation through the study.)

The researchers believe this is important for future studies, as they need to consider social facilitation when it comes to research with dogs. This study shows that they will more likely perform tasks differently for another creature, especially a known dog or human, and especially when the other creature is visible, and also confirms the belief that dogs, like humans and some other higher-order animals prefer to share with their friends and family.

Lori Ennis

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New Research Shows Dogs Help Their Humans Live Longer

We know that dogs make our lives better in immeasurable ways, but new research from Sweden shows that they actually can help us live longer lives as well! While study after study shows that a dog’s presence in our life is a positive one full of emotional and physical benefits, now research from Sweden suggests that being a dog owner may make you live longer. Related: Research Shows Pet Ownership Saves $11.7 Billion In Health Care Costs Researchers looked at over 3.4 million adults in Sweden who have a history of heart disease. Over the course of 12 years, they looked at the participants, and concluded that dog owners had lower risks of cardiovascular disease and in the general population, ‘all-cause mortality.’ In single-person households, the effects of being a dog owner were most noticed, with the risk of death lowered by 33% and chances of a heart attack lowered by 11% in those who had a pet. Even more specifically, the researchers discovered that breeds originally known for hunting, such as retrievers and terriers, lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease the most. Tove Fall is a senior author of the study, and believes that dog owners typically are more active than those who are not, as they often feel it important to exercise their dogs. Often that includes exercise for the pet owners as well. More, the social benefits from having a pet can affect overall mood and disposition in their owners, and this can help lower heart disease risk as well. Related: Study: Dog Walking is Great Exercise for the Elderly The research was designed to collaborate with prior research, specifically a statement from the American Heart Association that was released in 2013. That statement concluded that pet ownership, and more specifically, dog ownership, most likely decreased cardiovascular disease. Once again, man’s best friend proving that life is better (and longer!) with them in it!

New Research Shows Dogs In American Shelters At An All-Time Low

New research indicates that the occupancy of dog shelters is at an all-time low, and we applaud the efforts of animal welfare groups. Is there is a ‘dog shortage’ in America? New research from Mississippi State University is claiming that the availability of dogs at animal shelters in America is at an all-time low, and that demand for dogs as family pets is increasing to new, higher levels. The research was shared at the North American Veterinary Community Conference in Orlando, Florida, and gives some statistics that say of the 5.5 million dogs who enter American shelters, fewer than a fifth of those dogs end up being euthanized, while over 4/5ths are returned to their owners, adopted or transferred. Related: Dog Escapes Shelter To Find Woman Who Gave Him Bacon Treats While 776,000 dogs a year being euthanized is a sad number, that number is a far cry from the nearly 20 million dogs a year that were euthanized in the 1970s, and that is a testament to the efficacy of efforts from shelters and responsible pet industry leaders to save lives, according to Pet Leadership Council Chairman Bob Vetere. Former ASPCA president and current Pet Leadership Council Consultant Ed Sayres says that the data from MSU will help shelters to do even more specifically to reduce the number of dogs who are euthanized, as well as to reduce the homeless dog population. More, this data is important to the ensuring that the demand for responsibly bred dogs is met in this country. Vetere says that there is an ever-growing desire for dogs in America, and that Americans own approximately 89 million dogs. To maintain current levels of ownership when factoring in the average lifespan of dogs (about 11 years), approximately 8.1 million dogs a year are needed. With only a quarter of that number being adopted out of shelters, and even fewer being transferred or euthanized, the dogs must come from other places, meaning there is great need for breeders to continue to produce pets, but with the assurance that the health and well-being of their animals being priority, as breeders will obviously want to meet the ever-growing demand. Related: No Strays In The Netherlands – How Do They Do It? The PLC claims that a voluntary national certification program, Canine Care Certified, which conducts audits on breeders using science-based standards will go a long way in giving breeders important guidelines that impact the physical and behavioral well-being of bred puppies and dogs when looking to meet demand for dogs. So while this is good news for dogs, be sure to still check with your local shelter when looking to add to your family. We’d love to see a day where there is not a need for shelters, and looks like we may be well on our way!

New Study Shows Dogs Can Tell the Difference Between Human Languages

A new study revealed that dogs have the ability to tell the difference between speech and non-speech – and that they can actually tell the difference between various spoken languages. After thousands of years spent as companions of humans, dogs have gotten pretty good at reading our body language, intonation, words, and emotions, so finding out that they can actually tell the difference between languages shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. A new study done by researchers at the Department of Ethology at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary revealed that canines have the ability to differ real language from scrambled nonsense, and what’s more – to make the distinction between human languages, or, in this case, Hungarian and Spanish. Of course, it’s only logical that a pet parent had the idea to do this kind of research: Laura V. Cuaya, the first listed author of the study, moved from Mexico to Hungary with her four-legged bestie, Kun-Kun. She was curious to know if her pet, after living in a country where he was exposed only to Spanish, could tell that people in his new country of residence spoke a different language. Drawing on the fact that humans, even in infancy, can notice that difference, Cuaya conducted a study that involved 18 dogs, including Kun-Kun – two of the dogs understood Spanish and the rest Hungarian. The dogs were trained to lie still in a brain scanner and were then played audio excerpts from the book “Little Prince”, in Spanish, in Hungarian, and in scrambled non-speech. This allowed researchers to determine if dogs distinguish speech and non-speech, as well as make sure that the dogs were hearing the same words in different languages for easier comparison. The results were impressive: the study enabled researchers to identify a hierarchy processing in the dog’s brain to process speech and locate distinct cerebral regions in canine brains. Or, in other words – dogs are perfectly able to make the difference between real language and nonsensical scramble, same as humans, and, what’s more: when they determine it is actually a language that’s being spoken, they can tell if it’s a different one to the language they recognize. Another interesting thing that researchers noticed is that the older the dogs were, the easier it was for them to make the distinction between the new language and the one they are already familiar with. The results of the studies led to hypotheses about the role of domestication and human-and-dog bond in the process of canine understanding of human languages and some of their intricacies. The idea is that the fact that dogs have been our best friends for thousands of years might have equipped them with an innate ability to understand us better – on so many levels. Many exciting studies about canines could stem from these findings and dog lovers are here for it.

New Research Shows Stress Can Turn Your Dog’s Fur Gray

You know how you always tell the kids that they’re making you go gray prematurely? Research has found that stress can also affect the color of your dog’s coat. Most of us can easily recognize the tell-tale signs of a pooch who is stressing out; they pace, whine, hide and can nip at uninvited fingers. But did you know that research conducted by the Northern Illinois University suggests our four-legged kids may also experience a little premature “salt and pepper” as a result of worrisome situations. Published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, the study of 400 dogs found that those who exhibited higher than typical signs of anxiety were prone to a little more greying around the muzzle than their chilled out peers. Researchers gathered data on the pooch’s behaviors from the pet parents and had independent graders then rate the extent of muzzle grayness based on pix of the pooches taken while on-site. Related: Research Finds Fear and Anxiety Negatively Affects Dog Health and Lifespan The canine subjects were all between one and four years old (so age wasn’t a factor) and results showed that those whose owners reported higher signs of anxiety displayed premature muzzle graying. This was the same research team who published an article in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior that examined the effectiveness of swaddling and pressure wraps such as Thundershirts, on heart rate levels and symptoms of anxiety in pooches. Their findings concluded that use of such applications does in fact have a notable decrease in heart rate in anxious dogs as well as other measures of stress. So before you reach for the Grecian Formula, why not try de-stressors recognized by veterinarians and dog trainers including the above-mentioned Thundershirt, physical activities or providing your pooch with his very own “safe space”, toys or blankets until the situation has defused.

New UK Television Show Believes Dogs Can Fly… a Plane

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, wait, really, it is a plane and it’s being flown by… a dog?! Sky 1 Channel and Oxford Scientific films have teamed up to create a show called “Dogs Might Fly”… and it’s exactly what it sounds like. The old saying: “That’ll happen… when pigs fly” implies that you’d be willing to do something if the impossible were to happen. But if you’ve ever dared to replace the pig with a dog, you may be in trouble. A new British television show called “Dogs Might Fly” will attempt to do just that: teach dogs how to fly a plane. I know what you’re thinking: this is crazy. Dogs don’t even have thumbs, never mind the mental capacity to ever fly an aircraft. Canine psychology professor Stanley Coren of the University of British Columbia shares your fears. He told The Independent that we wouldn’t expect that a three-year-old would be able to fly a plane so he certainly doesn’t expect a dog to either. Sky 1 and Oxford Scientific Films are still going to try to make this six-part series. They select 12 abandoned dogs from rescue shelters across the United Kingdom and they will undergo 10 weeks of training before the challenge. These tests include taking the dogs to a tall London landmark to see how they respond to heights and strapping them into a high-speed boat ride on the Thames River. I don’t know about you, but both of these tests sound absolutely terrifying – I can’t imagine how these dogs will feel. Experts who will be examining the dogs include a police dog trainer, a clinical animal behaviorist, the author of “Dog Behaviour, Evolution and Cognition” as well as the woman who supplied dogs for the “Harry Potter” and “102 Dalmatians” films. Oxford Scientific Films creative director Carole Hawkins told The Independent that at the end of the 10 week training, the dogs will be sent to flight school to learn how to fly a single engine plane in a “safe and controlled way.” For all intents and purposes, I really hope the “single engine plane” is one of those small simulators. Oh, who am I kidding… those things are still pretty freaky too, especially if you don’t manage to land properly. My biggest concern is how freaked out these dogs are going to be, especially during the whole “strap them into a high-speed boat” part. Granted, my dog enjoys car rides…but this is vastly different. The only real silver lining in all of this is at the end of the show, all these dogs will be adopted into loving families. The show airs in the UK on Sky 1 on February 28. Source: [ Syracuse.com]

What is the Best Dog Harness for Senior Dogs?

Final Thoughts – The Best Harness for Senior Dogs Many veterinarians and experts on the health and care of senior dogs will recommend using a harness. However, not all harnesses are created to meet the needs of every life stage. When selecting a harness for an older dog, there are unique factors to consider. This includes the weight and bulkiness of the harness, how easy it is to put it on/take it off, and the padding inside the harness for their comfort. Pay careful attention to ensure the design or fit doesn’t limit or impact movement. There are many great harness options on the market, including those made for regular wear and specialized lift support harnesses with convenient shoulder straps. If possible, visit your local pet store with your senior dog to check out your options firsthand. This will help you better assess the size needed and whether the design suits your dog’s unique needs. Most importantly, remember that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. You may find that you are using two different harnesses with two senior dogs in your home. That’s okay! The goal is to find the option that supports all your dog’s needs and helps you give them the best possible quality of life. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Auf Wiedersehen Wiener Dog - Will Germany Ban Dachshunds?

Germany’s beloved dog breed, the dachshund, could soon be banned under a new law that prohibits the breeding of dogs with “skeletal anomalies”.The draft of the bill, published in February, is currently being reviewed by the authorities and was introduced as a part of the Animal Protection Act. The new bill aims to strengthen existing laws on “torture breeding” and to regulate the online animal trade. The draft of the protection law said it could ban the reproduction of breeds prone to particular health problems, such as spinal problems linked with short legs and long back which are characteristic of the dachshund breed.According to the German Kennel Club (VDH), the bill could be interpreted as a ban on breeding dogs with any major size deviation from the original wolf type. In addition to dachshunds, other dog breeds like the German shepherd, miniature schnauzer, beagle, and Jack Russell terrier could be affected by the bill. The breeding restrictions could also be applied to flat-faced breeds like the English bulldog, pug, and French bulldog.“Some of the disease characteristics listed in the draft law are too vague and undefined,” said Leif Kopernik, the chief executive of the VDH. “Whether too small or too large, if the Animal Welfare Act were to be implemented in its current form, many popular and healthy breeds could be banned from breeding,” he said, according to the New York Times. The VDH has launched a petition to save “our favorite dogs” saying the proposed bill would leave too much room for interpretation in deciding what can be considered a genetic defect. The German Kennel Club agrees that many of the proposed changes, such as stricter regulations for online animal trade and taking action against illegal puppy trade are good measures that make sense. “However, the animal protection law contains requirements that could mean the end of many healthy dog breeds in Germany,” said VDH on its website.Although the proposed changes could affect several dog breeds, the dachshund is at the center of the discussion. Often called dackel by Germans, the dachshund has been the country’s national symbol for many years. The breed has been around for several centuries and was bred specifically for digging and clawing into underground dens to hunt for badgers. These sausage-shaped dogs have strong claws and sharp teeth which proved extremely useful when hunting. According to Sandra Karthauser, a breeder of rough-haired dachshunds from Munster, there is no evidence that dachshunds are sick due to their appearance. However, she admits that certain breed lines might be predisposed to herniated discs and other health issues.“But to ban the whole breed because of this, that doesn’t make sense to me. Then you can also ban Labradors because some suffer from hip dysplasia along with other breeds that might suffer from debilitating diseases and ailments,”  she added.Germany’s agricultural ministry refuted that the new bill would ban particular dog breeds, including the dachshund. “We aren’t seeking to ban the dachshund. What we are aiming at with this reform is a ban on torture breeding.”The goal of this new regulation is to forbid breeding practices that cause long-term suffering to the dogs. “We want to consistently protect animals from pain, suffering, and damage,” said the ministry adding that the new bill is still being reviewed. Germany’s dachshund lovers and breeders hope the breeding ban won’t happen now or in the future. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

This Special Camera Reveals How Our Pets See the World Around Them

Have you ever wondered how your pet  sees the world around them? We all know that the eyes of dogs, cats, and all other animals are not the same as ours, and they often see the world in a very different way. While all we could do is imagine and theorize up until now, thanks to a new breakthrough in technology we will be able to take a peek through the eyes of animals!Scientists have  invented a special camera that uses a unique combination of state-of-the-art hardware and software, in order to create videos and images that show us exactly how certain animals see. For example, with this latest tech, you will be able to see the vivid world of colors that are seen through the eyes of birds and bees. One of the recent demonstrations revealed how a UV-sensitive vision of a bird renders an orange sulfur butterfly - the result is more than striking, as it doesn’t look like anything related to human vision.

Staff Sergeant Reunites With His Former K-9 Colleague

A retired military dog named Blek, got reunited with his former colleague Staff Sergeant Thomas Watkins, who used to be his handler at a duty station. Blek, who was named after the old English term for “black” or “inky” had quite a reputation among the handlers. Trainers who worked with the canine described him as challenging and tough to manage. But everything changed when Blek met Watkins. In an interview, Watkins told Good Morning America about his experience meeting Blek for the first time.“That was the issue that they were having,” said Watkins. “And so my kettle master pulled me in his office and was like, ‘Hey, man, I know you’re a new handler. But I feel like you’re up to this challenge.’”As the master predicted, Watkins and Blek bonded immediately.“We just connected right off the bat,” Watkins told the Good Morning America. “We truly understood each other… Another handler was out there with me, and he was like man like, ‘I just never seen this dog be so affectionate towards someone.’”Since the day they met, their relationship has grown stronger, making them suitable to carry out missions as a team at the station. “It’s such a beautiful experience, especially when you get a dog that has issues…And then you connect with that dog, and you get that dog to where they need to be. It’s such an awesome and rewarding experience,” explained Watkins. “The rest of the two and a half years that I worked [with] him from deployment to secret service missions all over the world, we had no issues whatsoever,” he added. Unfortunately, the time Blek spent with his handle ended when Watkins got transferred to another station. Blek was left behind to work with other handlers who found the task challenging. According to Carlton Isaacson, a former military dog trainer, things weren’t looking good for Blek.That’s when Project K-9 Hero got interested in Blek’s case. According to their site, this non-profit organization wants to honor military working dogs and police K-9s in retirement. The organization’s purpose is to provide assistance with medical costs, adoption, rehabilitation, food, and end of duty services to provide the best quality of life and to give these four-legged heroes the retirement they deserve. Speaking highly of the non-profit, Isaacson said the project “was a game changer” adding, “They were able to provide him everything that he needed to be safe.”Thanks to Project K-9 Hero, Watkins was able to adopt his old four-legged friend.“I’m so thankful for those guys out there that they were able to take him and hold him until I got to a place where I can truly take care of him and allow him to just be a dog on his retirement,” said Watkins.In addition to allowing him to adopt Blek, Project K-9 Hero had another surprise for Watkins - the organization will cover all of Blek’s food and veterinary care costs for the entirety of the dog’s life. Talking about his feelings about this special reunion, Watkins said: “I am overwhelmed with happiness. That dog is dear to my heart and he made me the handler and trainer that I am today…It looks like [Blek] hasn’t skipped a beat. He’s happy. He looks healthy and I am just glad to be here right now.”“I’m so thankful for that dog, and that’s why I’m excited to actually bring him home with me to live out his life.”It’s heartwarming to see these two heroes reunited and ready to face new adventures together, as a team. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Are You A Hugger? Some Dogs Prefer You Back Off!

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Human-Cat Amputee Duo Teams Up To Help Others Through Animal Therapy

Juanita Mengel from Amanda, Ohio, and her five-year-old dilute tortoiseshell cat Lola-Pearl, make a unique therapy team. The 67-year-old Mengel is missing a leg, and her fluffy feline is missing a left hind leg. This special duo is one of an estimated 200 therapy cat teams registered in the US through Pet Partners. This nonprofit organization puts together owners and their pets as volunteer teams. They aim to provide animal-assisted therapy in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. “A therapy animal is an animal who’s been assessed based on their ability to meet new people and not just tolerate the interaction but actively enjoy it,” said Taylor Chastain Griffin, the national director of animal-assisted interventions advancement at Pet Partners. This organization registered nine different species of animals as therapy animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, birds, horses, mini pigs, alpacas, and lamas. Therapy cats are less common than therapy dogs, and people are often surprised to see cats in this role. However, Griffin studies the impact of therapy cats and emphasizes the importance of cats in therapy teams. There’s a lot of research on other therapy animals, especially dogs, so there is often a ‘shock factor’ associated with therapy cats because many people don’t know these felines exist. “They go into a setting and people are like ‘Whoa, there’s a cat on a leash. What’s happening?’” said Griffin. According to her, cats inspire people to connect to them in a way that’s not seen with other kinds of therapy animals. Juanita Mengel knew that her cat Lola-Pear would be an excellent therapy animal a month after she adopted her. The feline’s therapeutic potential became clear after Mengel took her to an amputee conference. “She was so good with people I just knew she would be a good therapy cat,” said Mengel. “People really were attracted to her, too.”During a recent limb loss support group, Mengel pushed Lola-Pearl around in a cat stroller labeled “Therapy Cat’, so participants could pet the cat as she woke from a nap. When she wasn’t sitting in a stroller, Lola-Pearl could be found brushing against participants’ legs or cuddling in their laps, bringing a smile to the face of every person she decided was worthy of her company. “She’s very intuitive of people,” said Mengel.Although Lola-Pearl is very special, she isn’t the only cat Mengel owns. Mengel, who lost her leg after years of surgeries following a near-fatal car accident, is a mom to seven cats, most of whom have disabilities. “They find you, you don’t find them,” she added.Lola-Pearl was only a few weeks old when she was found with her back legs completely twisted together. The kitten was unable to walk and was brought to Mengel’s friend at a shelter in Missouri. Unfortunately, the vets there couldn’t help the feline. The shelter located a specialist in Iowa who was able to splint Lola-Pearl’s legs in order to save them. However, it was clear that the left hind leg was beyond saving and the vets decided to amputate. Mengel adopted Lola-Pearl after she recovered from the surgery and they formed the unique therapy team. After everything Mengel has been through, she is extremely grateful for Lola-Pearl and appreciates all the good work they do together. “It’s a really rewarding experience,” she said. “I get just as much out of it as the people that I visit.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Can I Teach A Cat Tricks?

Cats are often stereotyped as being aloof and independent. But beneath that mysterious exterior lies an intelligent and curious being capable of great things – you just have to learn how to tap into it! Whether you’re interested in trick training your cat as a form of mental enrichment or strengthening your bond and creating lasting memories, we have you covered. In this blog post, we will explore the world of cat trick training. This includes debunking common myths, breaking down the process of training a cat, and sharing a list of fun tricks to help you get started. Is it Possible to Train a Cat? Yes! Your cat is just as capable of learning how to perform tricks as your dog. However, there are some differences in how you approach this process. Dogs are often motivated by their bond with their handler and the praise they will receive for performing as expected. This is far less likely to work for your cat. Instead, you will need to find the right inspiration. For many, this comes in the form of high-value treats like diced chicken, sardines, or low-sodium tuna. The smellier the treat, the better. With the right motivator and a lot of patience, your cat can learn a wide variety of fun tricks and useful skills. How Long Does It Take to Teach a Cat a Trick? The time required for a cat to learn a trick will depend on many factors, including the difficulty of the trick, the cat’s eagerness to learn, and the way you approach the training session. We have two cats in our house, and they fall at very different ends of the spectrum. Pippen is highly trainable and quickly picks up tricks, while Jinx is much more stubborn and takes longer to come around. Several of these factors can be influenced by you directly. Have you found the right motivator for your cat? Are you experimenting with different training approaches to find the one that works best? Are you trying to move through the training process too quickly? However, some factors are beyond your control. If your cat is uninterested in training, even your best efforts to motivate them may fall short. Is it Too Late to Teach My Cat Tricks? There is an old myth that states: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This has been proven to be false by many trainers, with dogs even in their senior years. But what about cats? Is there an expiry date on when your cat can be taught to perform tricks? The best time to start training a cat is when they are young, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only time! Your older cat may be slower to learn or a little more reluctant to get started, but with a little patience and the right motivation, you can train cats of all ages.

New Study Reveals Dogs Can Sniff Out Neurodegenerative Diseases

We all know that doggos have incredible noses and a superb sense of smell. It is tens of thousands of times stronger than our own. This makes us wonder – what secrets can such a sense of smell unveil? Many scientists consider the canine sense of smell a great potential to enhance human lives thanks to its accuracy. And that is exactly what was unveiled in a recent study published in “bioRxiv”, by researchers Samuel V. Johnston and Lisa Holt from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Thanks to their efforts, and the incredible abilities of doggos, it was revealed that our four-legged friends have the potential to detect neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s disease is a terrible condition, affecting primarily seniors. What is even worse is that this disease has many difficulties in diagnosis, which prevents doctors from accurately identifying the disease in the early stages. But the breakthrough study could change all that! Thanks to doggos and their powerful noses, we could be on the brink of completely changing the way Parkinson’s is diagnosed. “Dogs have an extraordinary olfactory capability, which far exceeds that of humans. Dogs’ sense of smell seems to be the main sense, allowing them to not only gather both current and historical information about their surrounding environment, but also to find the source of the smell, which is crucial for locating food, danger, or partners for reproduction.”  writes Agata Kusiak, from the Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University. “Dogs can be trained by humans to use their olfactory abilities in a variety of fields, with a detection limit often much lower than that of sophisticated laboratory instruments.”Utilizing this remarkable sense of smell, scientists trained 23 dogs of different breeds and backgrounds, to successfully differentiate between samples of both Parkinson’s-positive individuals and Parkinson’s-negative individuals. The results were more than successful, with the dogs showcasing 86% sensitivity and 89% specificity in distinguishing the samples. In many ways, this is a revolutionary study and opens new doors and new possibilities in medical diagnostics. What is even better, it offers new hope for the timely detection of Parkinson’s disease. However, it is important to note that the study is still in relative infancy, and is still awaiting peer review. But the potential here is incredible. If validated, the study could help improve patient outcomes, and help with early diagnosis of this troubling disease.

Dog Helps Find Missing Child

Dogs can be heroes, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to the story of a very special police K9 in Auburn, Massachusetts. When a 12-year-old went missing from their home and couldn’t be found for roughly two hours, Auburn police knew that they had to work quickly, and Biza the dog played an integral role in the child’s rescue.Child Found with the Help of a Police K9 Named BizaAccording to a Facebook post by Auburn MA Police Department, information about a missing child was received around 10:30 p.m. on January 31, 2024. The child had been missing since around 8:30 p.m., when they had left their home. No one knew where the child could be, and the frigid temperatures made everyone worry even more about their safety.Because the child had last been seen in the Pakachoag Hill area, Auburn police officers, Massachusetts State Police troopers, and detectives got to work looking for them. But it would be Biza, the K9 partner of Officer Ljunggren, who would really come through and help the search end successfully that night.Following the Scent to a Missing ChildBiza picked up the child’s scent and tracked it for more than two miles. The police were able to find signs that the missing child had been in the area, so they kept up the search until they were able to find them and bring them home to their family just a short while later.This is one example of many times that Biza has helped police in Auburn succeed since she joined them in 2022 from Germany. In addition to helping find missing people, she has also helped police track down suspects.  Thanks to Biza and her ability to track the right scent that night, a child was saved from the cold and made it home safe.Here’s a quick video about this story, showcasing a few photos of beautiful Biza:

Are Collagen Chews Good for Dogs?

Are you searching for a tasty treat to keep your pup occupied? Have you heard the warnings made by experts about the potential dangers of rawhide chews and are struggling to find a healthy alternative for your dog? A newer type of dog chew is gaining popularity in the pet world, beloved both by pets and their parents alike. Let’s discuss the benefits of collagen chews and why this would be a great option for your dog. What Are Collagen Chews? Before we get into the benefits, we’ll start with the basics. What exactly is a collagen chew? Like rawhide, a collagen chew is a dried animal product. However, it is made from the inner layer of a cow's skin instead of the hide. This may seem like a minor difference, but it makes the product much easier to digest, making it safer for pet parents concerned about the risk of obstructions associated with rawhide. Collagen chew products are available in various forms, including flat chews, sticks, traditional bone shapes, and rings. Each variation of the chew ranges in size, thickness, and, therefore, chew difficulty level. Do Vets Recommend Collagen Sticks? Yes! Many veterinarians recommend collagen chews as a healthy alternative to rawhide. This healthy and natural chew option offers many health benefits, including joint issues and dry skin. Most collagen chews are made from all-natural ingredients and are free from fillers, artificial colors, and artificial flavors, making them a healthy replacement for your dog’s favorite rawhide bones.Is Collagen Better Than Rawhide? While both collagen chews and rawhides are long-lasting chew options, collagen chews address many of the health concerns related to rawhide. If your dog loves rawhide chews, this is a great alternative. Like rawhides, collagen chews are long-lasting. However, if your dog swallows a portion of the chew, its digestibility makes it less likely that you will find yourself at an emergency vet paying for surgery to remove an obstruction.

AI Could Match You with a New Furry Friend Based on Personality

In a cutting-edge study, scientists specializing in canine behavior have used artificial intelligence to predict dog personality types. A multi-disciplinary research team has developed an AI algorithm that simplifies the painstaking process of evaluating canine personalities.Understanding a dog’s temperament is key not only for pet owners but also for training agencies and professionals working with working dogs. The study, which introduces a brand-new method of predicting and categorizing dog personalities, is published in the eminent journal Scientific Reports. The team that developed the algorithm hopes that it will more quickly and accurately evaluate which dogs are better suited for long-term careers, such as assisting people with disabilities and helping law enforcement. This new approach to predicting dog personalities could also be used to match owners with a new furry best friend. The new AI algorithm can help shelters place dogs in the right homes, thus reducing the number of dogs returned for not being the right fit for their adoptive families.Before this algorithm, canine behavioral experts used questionnaires and statistical analysis to determine a dog’s personality.  The AI algorithm uses data from almost 8,000 responses to the commonly used Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ). The C-BARQ questionnaire has been the top resource for evaluating working dogs in the past two decades. “C-BARQ is highly effective, but many of its questions are also subjective,” said James Serpell, a professor of ethics and animal welfare emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. “By clustering data from thousands of surveys, we can adjust for outlying responses inherent to subjective survey questions in categories such as dog rivalry and stranger-related fear.”The team’s new AI algorithm gathers the responses to C-BARQ questions into five main categories that essentially form the digital personality of a dog. The results showed five distinctive personality types among domestic dogs, including excitable/attached, anxious/fearful, reactive/assertive, aloof/predatory, and calm/agreeable.The study was conducted over two years by a multi-disciplinary research team consisting of Dr Mohammad Amirhosseini of the University of East London and Professor James Serpell of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. The research was sponsored by Dogvatar, a Miami, Florida-based canine technology startup.“This innovative AI-based methodology holds promise for revolutionizing the selection and training of dogs for specific roles, both for working and non-working,” said Dr Amirhosseini. Almost 50 percent of people who surrender their dogs to animal shelters in the USA say that behavioral problems are a contributing factor, and nearly a quarter say that those problems are the main reason for giving up their dog. More research is needed to understand the nuances of canine personalities. However, researchers hope to promote strong bonds between people and their dogs by designing effective training programs and customized dog-owner interactions. According to researchers, these findings could serve as a foundation to explore personality matching between dogs and their owners and how that might improve the quality of their relationship.Dogvatar and the research team plan to conduct further research into potential uses for their dog personality testing algorithm.“This has been a really exciting breakthrough for us,” said Dogvatar CEO Piya Pettigrew. “This algorithm could greatly improve efficiency in working dog training and placement process and could help reduce the number of companion dogs brought back to shelters for not being compatible. It’s a win for both dogs and the people they serve.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Holiday Gifts for Dogs to Include Them in the Fun

It’s the gift giving season, and you’re thinking about all of the people you’ll buy presents for, but why not also add your canine companion to the list? With so many great products on the market, you can find the ideal gift for your dog so they can participate in the opening of presents with everyone they love. Here are some tips to help you find something that your pooch will get excited over.

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