The Secret to a Happy Dog is to Let Them Get Their Sniff On

by Lori Ennis

October 24th, 2017 12:00 AM

the secret to a happy dog is to let them get their sniff on

Dogs have about 800 receptor genes for smell alone, and Dog Cognition researcher Dr. Alexandra Horowitz says that we might just want to let them do their smelling thing after all, if we want the happiest dogs!

Dr. Alexandra Horowitz is a psychologist with Barnard College, and she specializes in dog cognition, particularly relating to their sense of smell. Last fall, she published the illuminating book, Being A Dog: Following A Dog Into The World Of Smell, which detailed how poor humans are compared to dogs when it comes to our sense of smell. Where we humans have maybe six million olfactory receptor cells in our noses, our canine counterparts have anywhere between 200 million and one billion, depending on the dog’s breed.

Where we depend mostly on sight (and by the way, we only have three receptor genes that allow us to see all the colors in the world), dogs have about 800 receptor genes for smell alone. They are literally creatures built with super noses, and we had the chance to talk to Dr. Horowitz about what this means for our pups, and for how even we can interact better in our world with them and others around us.

Q. When researching for your book, what was the most surprising thing that came to you?

Dr. Horowitz: Well, I’m a dog behaviorist. I want to know what dogs think about, how they know things and what things are like from their point of view. Dogs use their olfactory senses to explore the world much like we humans use our sight to navigate in a visual world. What I find so surprising is that dogs’ ability to smell and use their sense of smell to find and determine things is just amazing, particularly when we look at it compared to our ability, and I think we haven’t even gotten close to discovering the potential there. In my work, I learned of a rescue dog named Tucker who tracks Orca whales from the smell of their scat in the Peugeot Sound! I think that ability is phenomenal!

Q: Wow! Me too!! How in the world does that even happen? What breed dog was that? Is there a difference in breeds?

Dr. Horowitz: Honestly, a lot of these phenomenal dogs are rescue-dogs/non-special breeds that have high drives. Dogs, simply because of genetics, have the ability to smell as they do, and these high-drive dogs are trained to sniff specific odors out and care about them. Then they can be used in amazing ways that humans haven’t even gotten close to understanding fully.

Q: That’s an interesting concept. Anything particular you are talking about that?

Dr. Horowitz: I think it is incredible that dogs are being used more and more to sniff out things that we humans wouldn’t even particularly think had ‘odors.’ For instance, dogs are used to detect oncoming earthquakes and seizures in people and even cancers, and I just find it remarkable that these creatures can do that. I think there’s so much potential there!

Q: What kind of potential?

Dr. Horowitz: There’s potential for the dogs to do amazing things for humans, or course, but I also feel like there is tremendous potential for us humans as well. In my research, I wanted to try to get in the mind of a dog and really and purposely train myself to look for and smell different odors. We often find it odd or embarrassing to use our sense of smell in social interactions, but humans could take notes from dogs. The subtleties in smells around us can really lead us to even more enjoyable moments in our lives and with our dogs. In purposely trying to take note of smell and the associations with them, I feel like I’ve opened up a latent superpower!

Q: So, if dogs are such olfactory-driven creatures, since we love them so much, what can we do to best accommodate their needs and who they genetically are?

Dr. Horowitz: We need to let them smell and sniff! I know it seems socially rude when our dogs are sniffing our friends or guests, but that’s who they are and what they do. It’s their world and how they experience it. Also, I am an advocate of walks just for the experience of sniffing and smelling different things in the world. Let them go just for the purpose of discovering with their noses and I believe this enriches their life tremendously. Some even take their pets to Nosework classes and I believe those are really pleasurable for dogs because it allows them to utilize their incredible sense of smell in a way that also stimulates and challenges them, while also increasing the relationship and bond between their humans! A win for both!

Dr. Horowitz’s book is really fascinating and sheds light on how to make the most of your dog’s sense of smell, and the relationship you have with Fido. Check it out!

Lori Ennis

More by Lori Ennis

Popular Pet Guide

What Is Better for Dog Arthritis, Heat or Cold?

View Article

Pest Control Companies Using Dogs to Sniff Out Bedbugs

The thought of bedbugs gives us the heebie jeebies, which is why we love the idea of exterminators using trained bed bug detection dogs. The thought of bedbugs give me the willies. I am not a huge fan of hotels (though I find them a necessary evil because I love traveling) and I always, in the back of my mind, wonder what little creatures I may encounter. Related: CIA Bomb-Sniffing Dropout Puppy Prefers To Smell The Roses I know they’re not just limited to hotels…they can be anywhere from the movie theater to the airport and your local furniture store. Pest control companies can get rid of them, but it’s not easy, and they recommend having good prevention as a key ingredient to protecting your home from an infestation. So how much do I love that there is a company that uses dogs to sniff them out? Louis Robinson owns Robinson Dog Training, and he trains dogs to sniff out bedbugs for pest control companies in the Phoenix, AZ area. He said that dogs are much more reliable than humans are when it comes to seeing and/or detecting the bugs, and that studies show that 99% of the time a dog will detect bed bugs where a human can only do so about 30% of the time. Additionally, dogs, with their super sniffers, can find bugs in less than a minute, if trained properly, while it could take several hours for trained human inspectors to come up with anything. Robinson is a former bomb detection dog handler for the US Air Force and has trained dogs to look for everything from bombs to rattlesnakes to toads. He added that a large business that might take inspectors 2-3 hours to search through, could be done in less than a minute by a trained bed bug dog. Robinson started out as a bomb dog handler for the US Air Force before launching his dog training business. He has trained police dogs, therapy dogs, service dogs, protection dogs, and dogs who are able to detect everything from Sonoran toads to rattlesnakes. His bed bug company, Bug Dog Pro, specifically looks for bed bugs, and with a sweet rescue dog named Lucy at the helm. Lucy was covered in mud, Robinson said, when they found her, and she now understands English and German commands with training. Related: The Secret to a Happy Dog is to Let Them Get Their Sniff On He taught Lucy how to sniff the bugs out after Robinson scraped dead bugs into a container for her to learn the scent, and now she’s a pro. Robinson says that Lucy has been all over, at various public buildings, and she’s able to detect bed bugs before infestations occur, as that’s a pivotal time. He also says that bed bugs don’t care about how clean or dirty some place is–they’re just looking for your blood. Lucy, and other dogs like her, can prevent that before there is ever an infestation. Sounds like reason number 1,294,827,821 why dogs are simply amazing!

England’s First Water-Sniffing Dog Helps Find Leaky Pipes

How’s this for spectacular sniffing ability–a Cocker Spaniel is claiming the title of Britain’s first sniffer dog that can detect water leaks in pipes. You sort of think with their amazing olfactory abilities, dogs are able to sniff just about anything out. And you’re probably right, so much so that a utilities company in the UK is putting those abilities of a 16-month-old cocker spaniel named Snipe to use–smelling seemingly smell-less water. Well, the chlorine in the water, that is. Related: Super Dog Sniffs Out Superbugs at Vancouver Hospital Snipe has been through extensive training by former military personnel in order to detect minute amounts of chlorine in tap water. United Utilities supplies three about million homes in the North West of England with water, and being able to preempt leaks is an amazing thing. That’s where Snipe uses his superior sniffing skills–to pinpoint possible water leaks, and what he can do is pretty phenomenal! Typical tap water has one part chlorine per million parts water. That’s quite a dilution, but a dog’s nose can detect one particle in a billion, so it’s no sweat to Snipe. Snipe’s owner Ross Stephenson is with a pest extermination company and has been training Snipe since last year to detect the chlorine. He said he started off by putting bigger amounts of chlorine in water to get him used to the smell he’d be rewarded for finding and then used smaller bowls and finally outside areas to train Snipe to find chlorine in small amounts. Stephenson served with the Royal Veterinary Corps as a corporal and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He left the military two years ago, and has been working with pest control since. Training Snipe has been a fun and rewarding adventure, and in the end results in what they hope will be Snipe sitting /standing and staring at the ground where the source of a smell is for at least 30 seconds to indicate passively the presence of chlorine.

Bug-Sniffing Dog Protects Pepper Crops in Canada

Dogs are not only our best friends, but they’re sources of help in situations where pesticides won’t work. In response to a pepper weevil infestation last year, a Canadian farm has taken a dog on as a pest control staff member. NatureFresh Farms in Leamington, Ontario had a big bug problem last year. More particularly, a little bug known as the pepper weevil caused big trouble, and destroyed bell pepper crops. Related: Pest Control Companies Using Dogs to Sniff Out Bedbugs Pest control experts and farmers alike had a horrible time getting things under control, and so this year, NatureFresh Farms looked to man’s best friend to help a farmer out. Yep, they got a dog, trained and registered to find the pepper weevil. Chili is the newest member of their team, says Cam Lyons, who is an integrated pest management scout at NatureFresh Farms. He says that to the best of their knoweldge, Chili is the only dog in the world looking for this little pest in a greenhouse. Chili is just two-years-old, with all the rambunctiousness that a puppy can muster, and is a Belgian Shepherd bred in Mexico. Her only mission, and what she was trained for before NatureFresh brought her on, is to find the pepper weevil before it finds and destroys all the bell pepper crops again. Lyons said that the pepper weevil is difficult to control with traditional methods. The females lay eggs on top of the pepper, and then when the eggs hatch, the new insects feed on the pepper and kill the plant. Related: The Secret to a Happy Dog is to Let Them Get Their Sniff On But now, with Chili essentially playing daily games of hide-and-seek, her handler, Tina Heide, says that she sniffs out walls, floors and crates to ensure the little buggers aren’t around. Since they’ve not found any pepper weevils this year, Heide keeps some vials of the pests to keep Chili’s nose up to sniff when it comes to looking for them on the regular, as there is no way of knowing when or where they’ll come and hit the crops. Heide says it’s important that Chili keeps the scent in her mind and nose. And Chili loves it…thinks playing games all day with her buddies is the best thing ever, and clearly enjoys her work. Lyons says that he believes a scent-detection dog would be of value on every farm and they are thrilled to have Chili on theirs!

The Nose Knows: Puppy Protects Priceless Artwork in Boston

He’s a masterpiece! A 12-year-old Weimaraner in Boston is showing the world that protecting priceless artwork really is a dog’s work. In Boston, a 12-week-old puppy has a very important job. In fact, Riley’s job is one some might call priceless. That’s because he is trained specifically to sniff out moths or other pests that might damage pieces of artwork in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. High-value and irreplaceable pieces of artwork, that is. Related: Bug-Sniffing Dog Protects Pepper Crops in Canada Katie Getchell is the deputy director of the museum and she says that bringing Riley, and his nose, specifically, into the museum is part of a trial project to see if he’s even going to be good at it, and how feasible a protection plan it really could be. Riley is the family pet of museum employee Nicki Luongo. Luongo trains police dogs on her own time, and some began to question whether or not she could train Riley to sniff out the horrible insects that love to eat through priceless pieces of artwork–specifically the canvas, textiles and wood. Dogs’ noses have long been trained to sniff out bedbugs, ants, cancer, explosives, bodies and other things…so why not moths and other art-eating pests? The museum has a pest-control protocol, but if successful, Riley could be an extra layer of protection against the one million people (and the insects that might ride on their clothes) that visit the museum each year. Pepe Peruyero owns a dog-training company called Pepedogs, and he says that they’ve been able to train dogs to work accurately and consistently with specific insects, so the museum’s plan is a sound one. And while dogs are known for detecting scents, and with accuracy, it’s the telling to the human that Riley will need to perfect. The current plan is to teach him to learn the scent of specific bugs that are harmful, and then to sit in front of the artwork he smells them in when he does. Then humans can follow and thoroughly investigate. Related: The Secret to a Happy Dog is to Let Them Get Their Sniff On Getchell says that Riley’s success could be helpful for other museums who are looking to protect their art as well, but she also said that Riley’s work will be completely out of the public’s eye and only after hours. The museum doesn’t want their focus to be having a moth-sniffing dog, but they do understand that Riley has a public already and are looking into ways to meet the needs of Riley’s ‘fans.’ Getchell says the staff understands the excitement, and will certainly not deprive the public of Riley’s adorableness. After he’s finished working, of course!

Study: Dogs Are Red-Green Colorblind

Researchers have discovered that dogs have difficulty discerning between red and green, much like humans who are colorblind. Researchers in the department of veterinary medicine at the University of Bari in Italy have found that dogs have a hard time differentiating between red and green, and this could be something trainers want to keep in mind when working on grass or wearing red clothing or shoes. Related: The Secret to a Happy Dog is to Let Them Get Their Sniff On Dr. Marcello Siniscalchi said that dogs in the wild are most active at dusk or dawn, and they don’t necessarily need color vision. Because we’ve domesticated dogs, and they tend to be more awake in the daytime than ever before, their eyes may not have evolved to differentiate. The researchers have developed a test which gave them this information, and Dr. Siniscalchi says that dogs being red-green color-blind is important not just for people who are training dogs but for owners who may want to make sure that they have their dog’s full attention. If playing fetch at the park, for instance, Siniscalchi says that using a blue frisbee or ball instead of red would be advantageous to the dog if it was falling on green grass, and that can generally help the relationship between dogs and their owners. The researchers used a modified version of a color test for humans. It’s called Ishihara’s test, and it has numbers hidden in colors. People who cannot see the numbers are red-green color-blind. For the dogs, they used an image of a cat instead of numbers. Related: Study: Your Dog Really Is Giving You Puppy Dog Eyes Dr. Siniscalchi said that dogs acted like humans who can’t see the numbers when they were shown the images, which made them believe they couldn’t see the image. They hypothesized further that dogs had a hard time telling the difference between brown and orange, though they didn’t use those colors in their modified testing. They hope the research will be used in other animals in the animal kingdom.

Adoptable Dog of the Week- Ace

I think we have picked a winner here! Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Ace, a 1-year old Doberman Pinscher and Greyhound Mix from Palmyra, Nebraska. This young pooch is neutered, housetrained, current with all of his vaccinations, and heartworm negative. Ace’s Tale Affectionate and full of energy, Ace is a lovely lad who’s looking for a furrever family. His parents are believed to be a Doberman and a Greyhound, and he definitely inherited their tall and lean looks, as well as the active nature of these breeds. He has a lovely brown and black coat with a white chest spot, and soft, short hair that’s easy to maintain. Although Ace is only 1-year-old, he is already very well-behaved and fully housetrained. But, as he is still very young and lively, this pretty pooch will need a way to spend all that energy- you can take Ace on long walks or make him your four-legged running partner! He loves to play and explore, so it would be great if his new home comes with a nice fenced backyard, where he could stretch his legs in the afternoons or safely roam about. Ace is very friendly and loves everybody he meets- he gets along great with other dogs, and he is good with kids. Basically, this pooch is 49 pounds of pure doggie love, and who could resist that? If you would love to find out more about Ace or get information on how you can adopt him, visit Good Dog of Nebraska’s website.

After 10 Years of Bella, This Pet Name is Now The Most Popular

A pet’s name can say a lot about them, as well as their parent’s personality. For a decade, the name Bella was the most popular choice for pets in the US, but it seems that things are about to change. Everybody wants to find the perfect name for their cat or a dog. Some pet parents find inspiration in books and mythology, some pick names that reflect the furball’s personality, while others decide on “human” names for their four-legged companions. Petplan pet insurance combed through their databases to find out which names seemed to be the most frequent amongst their furry insured. For ten years, the name that pet parents chose the most was Bella, but the decade-long reign ended when the name Luna climbed up to the number 1 position. Although it is still unclear whether cat and dog owners across the country are fans of Harry Potter or are just over the moon for their pets, one thing is for sure: the name Luna is their new favorite choice. Even though dethroning of the most popular name for both dog and cats is a significant change, it was not the only one on the list. Here is the list of names were the most common ones up until 2017: BellaCharlieLunaCooperDaisyMaxLucyMollyOliverPenny And here is the list of top 10 pet names for this year: LunaBellaCharlieLucyMaxCooperDaisyBaileyMollyOliver But, not all pets have classic or trendy names. Petplan analysts noticed that there are some names in their databases that are truly unique, and are pawesome examples of their pet parents’ creativity. You can love them or hate them, but you can’t deny these hilarious pet names are one of a kind! These honorable mentions include: Professor Grover FluffypantsUma FurmanCharlie Brown McBearfaceThe Barks: Bark Twain, Bark Ruffalo and Bark WahlbergBrown Puppy Whether you’re a fan of timeless names that never go out of style, or prefer quirky, fun names, you can be certain that your cat or dog will love your choice- at least when you’re calling them to dinner!

Service Dog Gets Caught Up in “Cats” and Joins Cast On Stage

An enthusiastic service dog decided to take on the Broadway’s spectacular hit, “Cats,” in a New York theater, prompting many to wonder if it’s time to let pooches on the stage. Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Broadway phenomenon, “Cats” is running at the Neil Simon Theater in New York until it makes its final Broadway curtain call on December 30 of this year. Related: It’s Kitten Love For This London Labrador Retriever [Video] Fans (including me! It’s my favorite!) have found ‘Cats’ to really be the cat’s meow for years, but at a recent performance, one fan decided to take it to the next level by going after featured JellyCat Bombalurina, played by actress Mackenzie Warren. This wasn’t any old fan, though. This was a fan of the canine variety, a service dog who got away from its owner and decided to give the kitties a word or two. The performance was stopped, while a fast-thinking [s]dog-catcher[/s] usher ran after the dog, and rallied him off the stage and back to his owner. Spokespeople for the musical said that the owner was clearly embarrassed, but that no animals or humans were harmed in the whole shebang. Additionally, a spokesperson said this was the first time in the very lengthy history of Cats that a cat really was involved with a dog, though all ended well. Related: Science Proves There’s Such A Thing As Dog People And Cat People I’d have to say that kudos should go out to the makeup crew of Cats, as that pup certainly found Bombalurina a kitteh to watch out for. Borrowing from singer Alanis Morisette, it’s a little bit ironic, don’t you think? Yeah. I really do think! (But hilarious, nonetheless!)

Scottish Fold

Scottish Fold Breed History In 1961 shepherd William Ross discovered the first Scottish Fold in the Tayside Region of Scotland near Coupar Angus northwest of Dundee. Ross asked the owner of the farm for one of the kittens, whom he named Susie. She was a white barn cat who became the founder of the Scottish Fold breed. Her ears folded forward and down, giving her an expression that has, by turns, been described as looking like an owl, a Teddy bear, or a “pixie.” Regardless of the descriptive chosen, it’s almost impossible not to be charmed by a Scottish Fold. The breed caught on rapidly in the United States, and gained championship status with The Cat Fancier’s Association in 1978. Initially the long-haired variant was known as the Highland Fold, but that designation was dropped in 1992 and now short and long-haired Scottish folds compete as one breed in different divisions. The Scottish Fold is a hardy cat, doing justice to the breed’s working class origins. Breed Traits

Case of Canine Mistaken Identity Leads To a Huge Discovery

Big things start as small packages. Such was the case for a woman who talked her husband into a small family dog, but her little fib into a big surprise. Sue Markham is a dog lover, and she wanted to bring a puppy into her family. She visited her local shelter and fell in love with the most adorable little thing. Related: Little Girl Walks Her Big Dog, Internet Loses Its S@ Problem was, he wasn’t going to stay little for long, and she needed him to be little so she could talk her husband into keeping him. She gave him a little bit of a makeover on his breed, and brought home a ‘Jack Russell” puppy–sure to not be a big dog at all. Yogi ‘Bear’, as he was named, was actually a case of mistaken identity, as it turns out he is a Boston Great Dane. And, lucky for Robert Markham, who didn’t want his wife to bring a big dog home, one of the biggest dog breeds there is!

Elf on the Shelf Finally Taken Down By Family Dog

The crime scene wasn’t pretty in this police officer’s home, after the Elf on the Shelf was found ripped apart. The main suspect happens to be the family dog. We have the Elf on the Shelf in our house. It’s a love-hate relationship, as my son loves it and I hate it. I hate having to remember to move it and I feel grossly inadequate when people ingeniously create all kinds of fun scenarios for their elves and I’m lucky if I can even find mine every Christmas season. Related: Hilarious Police Account Of Cat Stuck In Tree Goes Viral But I have to give it to San Juan County, California sheriff candidate Shane Ferrari. He’s gone above and beyond in the Elf shenanigans and shared with his constituents on his Facebook page. The post shared that their beloved Elf Holly Christmas had been murdered, and the evidence around the crime scene led the officer to believe that the family “Mutt” Josie Ferrari may have been the criminal responsible for what Ferrari described as horrific. *Breaking News* Elf found slain in Sheriff candidate’s home. Suspect in custody. On December 3, 2017 at approx. 0800… Posted by Shane Ferrari For Sheriff on Sunday, December 3, 2017 Seeing as the victim was found slain near the doggie door, which conveniently happens to be a regular hang out of the suspect’s, Ferrari decided to investigate “The Mutt’s” involvement a bit more. Josie ran, afraid he’d been found out, and after a foot chase was over, Josie was caught and is being charged with a trio of crimes: murder, tampering with the evidence, and fleeing the scene of the crime. Related: French President’s Dog Accused Of Palace Leaks (And It’s Hilarious!) [Video] Ferrari said that he’s happy the suspect was apprehended so quickly, and then shared pictures, though it’s important to note that viewer discretion was advised due to the graphic details of the ‘crime.’ He may not be guaranteed a win for the Sheriff’s seat, but we can say that Ferrari sure is winning at this whole Elf mess! We fully anticipate a campaign!

Belgian Shepadoodle

Belgian Shepadoodle Basics The Belgian Shepadoodle brings the intelligence and loyalty of the Standard Poodle together with the super-energized and protective nature of the Belgian Sheepdog for a dog who makes an ideal watchdog and great family pet when properly socialized. Belgian Shepadoodles bring the intelligence of a Poodle together with the protective nature of the Belgian Shepherd. Origin The Belgian Shepadoodle is considered a designer dog which means he likely dates back to the 1980s when the practice of mating purebreds to produce dogs that delivered the desired traits of the parent breeds – typically a healthier, smaller, hypo-allergenic or gentler form of a popular breed. With the Belgian Shepherd, he is the product of breeding a Standard Poodle and a Belgian Sheepdog (Belgian Groenendael) which is a variation of the Belgian Shepherd. Pedigree

Reverse Zoonosis: Can You Make Your Dog Sick?

You share almost everything with your dog – but can you get each other sick? This is called reverse zoonosis, and there’s a small risk you can pass something along to an animal. You may have heard the saying that nothing is cleaner than a dog’s mouth. While this may not be strictly true, there is a low risk for your dog transmitting some kind of disease to you. The question that researchers have recently begun to ask, however, is whether humans can pass disease to animals – this is called reverse zoonosis. Keep reading to learn more. What is Reverse Zoonosis? The word zoonosis comes from the Greek word for animal, zoon, and it refers to infectious diseases of animals that can be transmitted naturally to humans. Some examples of diseases that can be passed from animal to humans include salmonella and Ebola. Related: Leptospirosis in Dogs: What Every Dog Owner Needs to Know During the early 20th century, HIV was also a zoonotic disease, though it has since evolved into a disease that only affects humans. There are several different methods of transmission for zoonoses, though the main two are direct zoonosis and reverse zoonosis. Direct zoonosis occurs when a disease is transmitted directly from an animal to a human, usually through the air or the saliva. Reverse zoonosis is when a human infects an animal – this is also known as anthroponosis. Which Diseases Can Be Passed from Humans to Animals? Reverse zoonosis has become something of a global issue recently, particularly involving animals bred for food. These animals are transported all over the world and they have the potential to interact with wild species that they might not otherwise have encountered. Related: Deadly Dog Disease ‘Alabama Rot’ Afflicting Pets in the UK An example of this in real life is the H1H2 influenza pandemic of 2009. Pigs bred for food were transported long distances, thousands of miles, over a 24-hour period which allowed the disease to spread across the world in a matter of a few months. Many countries have restrictions in place regarding the movement of animals, but there are still diseases which are being transmitted from humans to animals. Here are a few examples: A 2006 study published in the journal Veterinary Microbiology explored the spread of MRSA from people to pets with several cases of the infection being spread from a human to a dog and then back to the human again after treatment resolved the initial infection.In 2004, there was a case of a Yorkshire Terrier becoming infected with tuberculosis – once the dog was diagnosed it was revealed that the owner had been in treatment for TB for 6 months.In 2009, the first recorded case of human-to-cat transmission of the H1N1 virus occurred in Oregon, claiming the life of the cat.In 2010, a study was published regarding Giardia duodenalis infections in African wild dogs – the particular strain of the parasite is one typically associated with humans rather than pets. Though there is the potential for humans to transmit certain diseases to animals, it is not something you need to be overly concerned about. Your dog has a strong immune system that protect him from pathogens and your risk for carrying a disease that can be transmitted to animals is low. Even so, it is a good idea to follow basic hygiene practices to keep both you and your dog safe.

Puppies Behind Bars: How Raising Service Dogs Changes Inmates

Dogs have the pawesome powers to bring change when we least expect it. This time, that happened in Tennessee, where little balls of fur are transforming the lives of inmates. It’s no secret that canine companionship has therapeutic effects. Service dogs are trained to make the lives of their owners more comfortable and safer, but, in this case, they started improving lives even before their graduation. At the Hardeman County Correctional Facility in Tennessee, inmates are in charge of teaching basic obedience and more than 30 commands to help adults, children and veterans with disabilities. All of the inmates volunteered to help bring up the puppies, but the selection was rigorous- the inmates were judged on factors such as longevity of the sentence, conduct, and character. Now, the Tennessee branch of puppy raising program in collaboration with Canine Companions for Independence counts six inmates and their puppies. The dogs go through their training sessions each day, but after that, they are free to play and enjoy their puppyhood. During the night, the puppies are placed in large kennels right next to their handlers. Although the tiny canines are advancing well in their studies and enjoy the attention and care they get, it is the positive effect this program had on inmates that seems to be the most rewarding. “ The Canine Companions prison puppy raising program is the best of both worlds,” says Dr. Brenda Kennedy, Canine Companions Director of Canine Health and Research. “As an inmate, raising a puppy has a positive impact on everyone involved on these incredible dogs’ journeys.” The handlers are appreciative of the chance they got to spend time with dogs, and their four-legged friends seem to make quite an impression on them. In prisons which participate in this program, the rates of recidivism are dropping, and the ability to do something good for the community gives inmates a more positive perspective. “Something about raising her touched me so deeply that it changed the way I behave now,” says inmate Joseph of his puppy Shawna. “Shawna taught me how to love.” It seems that there isn’t a person on the planet that couldn’t benefit from some puppy love! And the best part is: all of the pooches that have brighten the lives of inmates will go on to make someone else happy, thanks to their handler’s efforts. How’s that for a gift that keeps on giving?

Why Dog Pee Kills Grass (and What You Can Do About It)

Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side – especially when the other side doesn’t have a dog! Here’s what you can do to get rid of those unsightly dog pee stains on your lawn. You can always tell which families in your neighborhood own dogs because of the telltale yellow spots in their yard. Even if you don’t particularly care about having a perfectly manicured lawn, you probably don’t like the idea of it being covered in yellow patches. But why exactly does dog urine damage grass and what can you do about it? Keep reading to learn more. Related: TaoTronics UV Blacklight Solves the Case of the Invisible Dog Pee Puddle Why Does Dog Urine Damage Grass? Your grass doesn’t immediately turn yellow as soon as your dog pees on it – the change in color takes time to develop. But what exactly is it that causes the grass to wither and die after your dog does his business? It all comes down to chemistry. The first thing to consider when it comes to urine-burned grass is the pH of your dog’s urine. Carnivorous animals (like your dog) have naturally acidic urine, usually between 6.0 and 6.5 on the pH scale, while vegetarian animals have more alkaline pH (upwards of 7.0. If your dog’s diet contains too much grain, it could increase his urine pH which is bad news for your lawn. Related: Why Do Some Dogs Pee While Doing Handstands? Another reason your dog’s urine might burn your grass is related to the nitrogen content. Nitrogen is actually a beneficial substance for plants – it acts as a fertilizer – but you can have too much of a good thing. If your dog’s urine is too concentrated with nitrogen, it may damage your lawn. The protein content of your dog’s diet is closely related to the nitrogen concentration in his urine. Your dog needs a protein-rich diet but excess protein is may be broken down by the body in a process that creates extra nitrogen that might end up in your lawn. How to Prevent Urine Burn in Your Lawn Now that you have a better understanding of what causes your dog’s urine to turn your grass brown, you may be wondering how to prevent it. Here are some simple tips to try: After your dog pees, saturate the area with water – this is most beneficial if you have a female dog since they tend to void their entire bladder in one area.Take a closer look at your dog’s food to make sure that the protein in it comes from high-quality, easily digestible sources to ensure less nitrogen waste in your dog’s urine.Make sure your dog has access to fresh water at all times – if he drinks more water it will dilute the nitrogen in his urine and reduce urine burn.Set aside a specific area of your yard where you train your dog to do his business – this will keep your lawn from becoming covered in brown patches. Before you take steps to prevent your dog from peeing on the lawn, take a moment to ensure that it really is your dog who is to blame. There are several lawn diseases that can cause brown patches and other changes to the grass, so keep an eye on where your dog urinates for a few days then take a closer look at the grass to be sure it’s him!

Coming Soon: Beetl, The Poop-Picking Robot

We love our dogs. SO much so that we’re willing to follow behind them and pick up their crap. Literally. So how excited are we that Beetl Robotics has a robot that will pick up your dog’s poop in your yard in the works? (Spoiler: VERY excited!) The worst part of dog ownership is the crappiest. Yes, it’s picking up after their poop. Or at least it should be–if you’re being a good human and picking up your dog’s poop that is. Still, it’s a job no one really relishes. (And we’re sort of worried if they do.) That’s why we are super excited about a new Roomba-esque robot created by and named Beetl that will roam your yard looking for the dropped deuces and scoop them up for you. Like magic. Or, at the very least, like a modern-day (it is electronic, after all) Dog Poop Hunter. That’s right! The Beetl will go roving about your yard, looking for perilous piles of poop and then scooping it up as if it’s its job. Well, it IS its job, actually, and the super claw picks poop up so you don’t have to. It uses high-tech computer vision and a camera to roam your dog’s territory and seek out and destroy poop!

Best Outdoor Dog Fence

An outdoor dog fence keeps your pet safe and your flower beds safe from them – whether they are portable or not, these outdoor fences provide some much-needed boundaries. This is our selection of the best outdoor dog fence designs on the market.

Olde English Bulldogge

Olde English Bulldogge BasicsSome people want a new a shiny designer dog. A pup that looks lit and possibly even a little extra to suit their 21st century lifestyle. Other people aren’t so concerned with new and flashy canine aesthetics. They are seeking something a littler more classic. Something old enough that “old” will have to be spelled with an extra “e.” For this special breed of dog owner, there’s only one option. The Olde English Bulldogge is such a classic and old timey designer dog that even the word “dog” comes with an extra “e.” This is the perfect pup to suit anyone with a willfully analogue lifestyle. It goes well with a vinyl, VHS, scotch, and classic paperback collection.The Olde English Bulldogge is a strong and attractive canine that makes a wonderful family pet. If you are on the lookout for a companion that will love you fiercely and protect you from anyone who looks suspicious, this breed could be the perfect fit. Will this special and compact pup make a perfect match with you and your family? There’s only one way to find out. Keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll away. Everything that you could possibly want to know about the Olde English Bulldogge will be revealed. By the end of this article, you’ll either be racing out to your nearest designer dog breeder or searching for another doggy option.The Olde English Bulldogge is a cross between a purebred English Bulldog, American Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier, and Bullmastiff.Origin The Olde English Bulldogge is a designer dog breed from the United States. The origin and the creation of the breed are somewhat unique because the ultimate goal was not to create a new dog breed from scratch, but rather re-create a centuries-old breed. The Olde English Bulldogge was developed by David Leavitt in 1971, who crossed an English Bulldog with an American Bulldog, Pitbull, and Bullmastiff. His goal was to develop a canine that had the looks of the 18th century Bulldog and the personality of the modern English Bulldog. He also wanted to ensure the breed wouldn’t have breathing problems. That’s a complex goal for any dog breeder. Did David Leavitt succeed in his lofty plans? Let’s find out…Pedigree

The Secret to a Happy Dog is to Let Them Get Their Sniff On

Popular Pet Guide

What Is Better for Dog Arthritis, Heat or Cold?

Popular Article

Study Reveals Dog Breeds Easiest to Train – Is Your Pet On the List?

The Secret to a Happy Dog is to Let Them Get Their Sniff On

Popular Pet Guide

Popular Article

Related articles