Fossilized Poop Shows How Ancient Dogs Adapted to People
From Scientific American
Microbe DNA trapped in 3,500-year-old fossils shows canine adaptation to agricultural diets
Avoid These Common Collar Dangers
FROM THE WHOLE DOG JOURNAL
Even the best collars have the potential to cause harm to your dog if not used wisely. Here are some tips and cautions for proper, safe collar use:
Don’t Leave Collars on Unattended Dogs. Any collar left on an unattended dog has the potential to catch on something and hang the dog. In fact, some agility and barn hunt venues don’t allow dogs to wear collars while they are running the course, for fear that the collar could get caught on something. It is also possible for a dog to get her lower jaw caught in the collar.
While hanging potential is greatest with a choke collar (yes, this sadly happened to a St. Bernard of mine when I was young and too dumb to know better), it can also happen with regular flat collars. I do leave flat collars on my dogs – the tradeoff is that if you remove collars, your dog has no visible identification and may be harder to capture if she does somehow escape. You have to decide what hazard is a more likely threat to your dog’s safety.
Don’t Leave Collars on Playing Dogs. Dogs who are playing together can get tangled in each other’s collars, especially if they engage in mouthy play. This, also, happened to one of my dogs: while Darby and Keli were playing, Keli got her jaw caught under Darby’s collar and then spun around, twisting the collar so that Darby was being choked. Fortunately, I was able to pick up Keli and un-spin her, releasing the tension on the collar and allowing the dogs to separate. Neither dog was harmed – but it could have been significantly worse. Dogs have broken their jaws, and others have choked to death in this way.
If you feel you must leave a collar on your dog when he’s playing with other dogs – say, at a dog park – make sure it has a quick-release buckle, or better yet is a safety or breakaway collar, which will release under pressure.
Watch Out for Tags on Collars. Dangling tags can catch on crate wires and heater vents. You can tape tags to the collar so they don’t dangle, or look for a dog tag “pocket” that holds the tags flat against the collar. Slide-on ID tags are available from a variety of sources. Alternatively, you can use a collar with your number stitched on it, or use a light-weight ring for the tags that will bend and release under pressure.
If you need help deciding what’s best for you and your dog, our newly updated ebook Guide to Collars, Leashes, And Harnesses can guide you in making collar decisions that are compatible with your training goals and philosophy.
The Endearing Canine Head Tilt May Indicate Focus
Dogs that tilt their head to one side as they look at a human are charming, but the gesture may actually be a sign that they are concentrating. As researchers studied a group of “gifted” border collies that can memorize multiple toy names, they noted the skill correlated with a tendency to tilt their head, and the dogs also had a preferred side, just as most humans prefer to use the left or right hand.
Dogs that tilt their head to one side as they look at a human are charming, but the gesture may actually be a sign that they are concentrating. As researchers studied a group of “gifted” border collies that can memorize multiple toy names, they noted the skill correlated with a tendency to tilt their head, and the dogs also had a preferred side, just as most humans prefer to use the left or right hand.
5 Reasons for Your Dog’s Destructive Behavior
From: Whole Dog Journal
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Deadly Plants for Pets
from Dr. Karen Becker and Health Pets
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- The tragic loss of two dogs in South Carolina is a grim reminder that now that warmer weather is here, it’s important to guard against the potential pet-related hazards posed by both outdoor and indoor plants
- Common outdoor plants that cause poisoning in dogs and cats include the sago palm, lilies, plants containing cardiac glycosides, and blue-green algae
- Indoors, common toxic plants include plants from the Araceae family, plants containing either soluble or insoluble calcium oxalates, kalanchoe, the corn plant/dragon tree, and spring flower bulbs
- If you suspect or know your pet has sampled a potentially poisonous plant, err on the side of caution by calling your vet, the local emergency animal hospital or a 24/7 pet poison hotline
Certain dogs more prone to ADHD-, OCD-like behavior
A Toy Safety Guide
While parents of human children can rest secure that their kid’s toys have to pass strict federal standards, pet parents have no such assurances. Sure, the FDA regulates pet foods, but when it comes to other products, including toys, there’s no agency or set of laws in place to protect your furbaby!
Pet Insurance and Pre Existing Conditions
So, a friend told you about the great experience he/she had with their Pet Insurance company. This is just the type of recommendations you’ve been looking for. You dive in, but quickly realize that the pre-existing condition that your special furbaby has is not covered. Drat.
READ MORE for more information that may help as you pursue getting Pet Insurance!
AVMA backs bill to require warning label on products containing xylitol
The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) is supporting the proposed Paws Off Act, a bipartisan House bill that would require xylitol-containing products to be labeled with a warning that the sweetener is toxic to dogs. Xylitol is used in a broad array of sugar-free foods and dental products, and xylitol poisoning calls to the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center rose from slightly more than 200 in 2005 to 6,760 in 2018