Animals Evolved

Treo is a black Labrador.  Treo is also a British army sniffer dog.

Treo was awarded PDSA Dickin Medal, which is the most important and highest bravery award a military animal can receive.  Treo honourly received the bravery medal for savings lives of soldiers in Afghanistan by finding hidden bombs twice.  Troe has retired and become its handler Sergeant Dave Heyhoe’s family dog.

The award was introduced in 1943.  There are 26 other dogs, 32 World War II messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat received the award in history.

Source: CBBC

Take out your ruler and take this – Scooter is only 3 inches tall, incredibly tiny for a Maltese. Scooter has most likely beaten the record of the last tiny dog (Chihuahua) by an inch.

Scooter resides at New Zealand with its owner Cheryl McKnight. The size of her dog also had serious disadvantages such as being unable to find a suitable sized leash or dog jumper for Scooter. Regular pet  food dish and bedding may prove too huge for Scooter which eats from an egg cup and sleeps in a shoe box, comfortably. Scooter can easily sit in tea cups.

Source: Mail Online

Just like humans, dogs have their own unique personalities. Some are calm and placid while others are nervous and high strung. If you happen to be the owner of a high strung dog, you probably know how hard it can be to get your dog to relax. Your dog jumps at the least little sound and begins a chorus of nervous barks. Are there ways to help a nervous dog relax? Here are some suggestions:

How to relax a dog: Be calm yourself

Dogs tend to respond to the emotions of their owner. If they detect nervousness or anxiety in their owner’s voice or actions, they’re more likely to be uptight themselves. When you’re around your dog, speak in a soothing tone and avoid abrupt movements, sounds, or gestures.

How to relax a dog: Socialize your dog

High strung dogs tend to be most nervous when they’re in the company of dogs or humans they find threatening. Adequate socialization can sometimes modify your dog’s high strung tendencies. Take your dog to the dog park on a regular basis or let him socialize with other dogs and humans at a doggy day care facility once a week. This can help your dog be more well adjusted and secure.

How to relax a dog: Give your dog adequate exercise

If your dog has a tendency to be nervous or high strung, exercise is critical. Not only will this dispel some of his pent up energy, it can help to soothe his nerves biochemically by releasing natural stress relieving hormones known as endorphins. Make it a practice to take your dog on a thirty minute brisk walk at least once a day. If your dog enjoys ball or frisbee this can be an excellent way to dissipate nervous energy.

How to relax a dog: Give your dog a relaxing massage

A daily twenty minute massage may help to relax a nervous dog. Find a calm, quiet place to perform your dog’s soothing massage. If you don’t know how to do a calming dog massage, see this article for complete instructions. This can be a nice way to bond with your dog and promote good health at the same time.

How to relax a dog: Play soft music

Soft music can have a calming effect on high strung, nervous dogs. Of course you’ll want to make your music selection carefully. Select classical or new age music over hard rock. Keep the volume low as dogs have more sensitive ears than do humans.

If you try these techniques to calm your dog and he still seems high strung and anxious, have your dog seen by his veterinarian to rule out medical causes for his hyperactivity. Your veterinarian may also recommend some behavioral training techniques to help lessen your dog’s high strung behavior.

Taking your dog to the vet isn’t always the easiest of tasks. It’s almost as if the dog knows that he’s going somewhere he doesn’t want to go before you even start to put him in the car. While the veterinarian’s office can be a scary place for a dog, you can help to make the experience easier by doing a few simple things.

Bring a favorite toy or a blanket for them to cuddle up with. Having something familiar with them will help to ease their fear of visiting a strange place. They can curl up on the blanket in the car as well as when they are waiting to go into the exam room. The toy will be good for them to play with in the waiting room.

Exercise with your dog before you go to the vet. You can take him for a nice long walk or you can play catch and have him run back and forth. The more energy the dog burns before he goes into the office, the less likely he will be running and moving all over the place.

Have your dog go to the bathroom before going into the office. It is best to take him out to go to the bathroom before he even gets into the car so that you won’t end up having a mess to clean up. Also, some veterinarian’s offices have a place outside the building where you can take the dog as well. If your dog ends up going to the bathroom in the waiting room or exam room, it isn’t something that the staff isn’t used to, but it is still a nasty mess that’s going to have to get cleaned up, especially if your dog gets it on himself.

Keep your dog controlled by leash or by carrier. Chances are there will be other animals in the waiting room so you want to make sure that your dog doesn’t get injured. The other dogs could be temperamental, especially if they don’t feel well.

Give your dog plenty of praise, love and hugs while they are in the office as well as after they leave. You want to make sure that your dog knows that good behavior, such as behaving well through a scary experience at the vet office, is very much appreciated.

Don’t yell at your dog. The dog will already be frightened, so yelling at him will only agitate him and upset him even more. Speak to him in a calm, but firm tone if he does something that you don’t like. The rest of the time it is best to use a soft voice to talk to him and relax him.

The trip to the vet can not only be a scary and nervous experience for the dog, but it can be nerve-wracking for yourself as well. A little planning can help to make the trip much easier.

Most dogs won’t take their medicine lying down. They can react worse than when you try to give a child medicine. Not only can many dogs hide in smaller hiding spots than a child could, but they can also run a lot faster. I’m convinced that when a dog comes into their owners home, they memorize the layout of the house so that they can make their escape from the medicine that much easier. So how do you give a dog medicine without it having to be an ordeal and a hassle every single time?

First off, right from the beginning when you start giving your dog medicine, make it so that it isn’t a frightening experience for him. Some owners just corner the dog, pry their mouth open and jam the pill in. To give him medicine via an eyedropper, some owners will shove the eyedropper in his mouth out of nowhere. Obviously neither of these methods are the correct way to give a dog medicine. Why? Would you want someone to jam medicine down your throat while prying your mouth open? I would be frightened too.

Never, ever take the medicine and go directly toward the dog. The dog sees the way that you are coming at him like you are on a mission and his first instinct is going to be to run. The best approach is not to be forceful and demanding. Dogs respond to that approach the same way that humans do; they become nervous, defensive and possibly aggressive. Make the experience as relaxed as possible for the dog while at the same time letting the dog know that you are his boss and he has to follow directions that you give him. Bring the dog into a room or area where he cannot escape, preferably a room where you can close the door, but not a room so small that he feels cornered.

Playing catch with the dog, basically doing any fun game that the dog likes to play, will make him at ease. Give him a lot of praise and scratch his belly and back. Make him feel relaxed so that every time he gets medicine it’s not associated with something negative and scary.

Be patient. Don’t get frustrated if giving him the medicine doesn’t work right away. It may take a few times for him to take it. The more frustrated you get, the more nervous he will get. Staying calm and relaxed and being patient is the key.

Giving a dog medicine isn’t difficult if you have the correct approach. The easier you make it for the dog to identify that this isn’t a scary process, the easier it will be for you to give the medicine to him.

Is your closest canine friend a bit malodorous? If your dog spends a lot of time outside he may pick up scents that make him socially unacceptable. If you don’t have time to bathe your dog to remove these odors, you may be tempted to pick up some cologne for dogs to freshen your best friend up a bit. While this can be a viable alternative, there are certain points to keep in mind when choosing and using a dog cologne:

Cologne for dogs: Choose a safe dog cologne

When selecting a dog cologne, look for one with all natural ingredients. Certain cologne additives can not only cause skin irritation but can also aggravate your dog’s smell receptors. It’s important to keep in mind that dogs have much more acute smell perception than humans which means you don’t want to use cologne with a heavy odor. Also pick a product that’s free of alcohol which can irritate and dry the skin.

Cologne for dogs: Consider a spritz

If your dog is sensitive to cologne or you feel the scent is too heavy, you may want to consider a spritz which is a more dilute version of a dog cologne. This may a nice alternative if your dog sneezes or appears irritated by the use of dog colognes. Again, look for an all natural product without ingredients that will cause irritation to the eyes, mucous membranes, or skin.

Cologne for dogs: Look for ingredients that condition fur and skin

Some colognes and spritz sprays have ingredients that condition your dog’s fur and help to relieve dry irritated skin. Look for ingredients such as jojoba oil, shea butter, aloe, almond oil, vitamin E, and vegetable glycerine. The addition of essential oils can also have positive benefits on the condition of your dog’s skin and fur. If you do choose a product with essential oils, resist the urge to use it on your cat. Certain essential oils can be toxic to cats.

Cologne for dogs: Apply cologne appropriately

Use common sense when applying dog cologne or cologne spritz to your dog’s fur. Avoid spraying his face or eyes since this can cause irritation to the delicate mucous membranes. Apply scent as lightly as possible to avoid overwhelming your dog with smells that may not be pleasant to him. Since most dogs aren’t enthusiastic about being sprayed with scent (they rather like their natural odor), give your dog lots of pats and positive reinforcement once the job is done.

By using a dog cologne, you can reduce the number of baths your dog has to endure while still keeping your canine friend socially acceptable. This means lots more hugs and cuddles!

Our canine friends are just like us in many respects. They enjoy having a few snacks in addition to their regular meals. As long as dog snacks aren’t overdone, which can be a risk factor for doggy obesity, they can be a satisfying and healthy addition to your dog’s diet. Snacks for dogs are also quite helpful when it comes to dog training. Dogs can be quite eager to learn a new trick when the reward is a tasty snack. If you want to choose the best dog snack for your dog’s health and happiness, which treat should you choose?

How to choose snacks for dogs: Consider your dog’s weight.

If your dog is carrying around a few extra pounds, be judicious in your selection of snacks. Avoid high calorie, high fat dog cookies. Instead consider offering your dog some natural treats such as raw vegetables or bites of fruit. Be careful when you make your selection since certain human foods can be toxic to dogs including raisins, garlic, and chocolate. Ask your veterinarian for a list of foods that are toxic to dogs. One healthy option sold by Foster and Smith are Sweet Potatoes, dehydrated sweet potato treats for dogs. You can also make your own dog cookies and treats which are low in calories and fat right in your own kitchen. Do an internet search for “healthy dog cookie recipes” and you’ll find lots of recipe options.

How to choose snacks for dogs: Consider your dog’s dentition

Carefully chosen dog snacks can be healthy for your dog’s teeth and gums. The gentle massaging action of a firm treat removes plaque and tartar which can lead to gum disease. A good choice for this purpose is Health Chews, a thick rawhide bone filled with granola or spinach which helps to remove plaque from the gum line. Watch out for soft dog snacks or ones high in sugar since these can contribute to gum disease and poor dentition.

How to choose snacks for dogs: Consider your dog’s size

If you have a large dog with strong jaws and you want your dog to have a long lasting treat, go for large, premium rawhide bones that are extra thick for big jaws. They’ll keep your dog entertained for hours and will be beneficial to his gums. For an even more popular treat, get a premium rawhide bone flavored with meat such as chicken or beef. If you give your dog a rawhide treat, make sure he’s well supervised to avoid a potential choking injury.

How to choose snacks for dogs: Consider your dog’s age

If you’re the owner of an older dog, you may want to select a softer snack designed for dogs with less than perfect dentition. There are a variety of dog cookies designed specifically for senior dogs which are fortified with glucosamine for joint health as well as other healthy ingredients. Be sure to read the label carefully to make sure the ingredients are low in fat and calories to maintain the health of your senior dog.

Your dog’s day will be made a little happier by the inclusion of a few carefully selected dog snacks and he’ll reward you with an animated expression and a wagging tail that will be hard to resist.

A mother cat gave birth to two kittens on Valentines Day.  Three puppies came to this world on the same day as well, but unfortunately their puppies’ mother was hit by a car after three days the puppies were born.  The mother cat maternal feline then adopted the three puppies.

Source: 3 News

But dogs can’t read.

Source: Here

An Israeli Army Dog Attacks Yusra in 2007

Salem Bani Odeh, a 99-year-old Palestinian man, claimed he was bitten by Israeli army dog before dawn Friday in the West Bank village of Tamoun.  He was sleeping at home, and suddenly soldiers stormed into his house and the accompanying dog bit him in the left ear and shoulder repeatedly.  He was then taken to an area hospital.  He had received large stitches for a large gash in ear according to the medical report.  It was said that the soldiers were looking for his neighbour, who was suspected to be a member of Islamic Jihad group.  The Israeli military was investigating the report.

Source: The Associated Press