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Dogs are, perhaps, the most beloved animal in this world. Their key characteristics of loyalty and friendliness have long defined them as the perfect companion for humans and countless of funny videos, pictures, and art are there to back up that claim. However, there's definitely more to them than just the title of a 'man's best friend' and there are some things out there that you might not be aware of. That's why we dug around and compiled some interesting facts about this canine species for your interest (and entertainment). So scroll down below and see for yourself if any of the facts listed were previously unknown to you. Oh, and don't forget to comment and vote on the most interesting ones!
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#1
There Are Vending Machines For Dogs
There are vending machines in Istanbul that dispense food and water for stray dogs. The price? An empty recyclable bottle.
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago
Lucky enough to not have strays around here but if we did, i would be here constantly topping up for them, what a great thing.
Rutger Lokhorst 5 years ago
What amazes me about Turkey, is their stance toward helling stray animals. Maybe niet everywere, but the places i visited people care for Them. In Parks there are feeding places, OR someone feeding Them/station in the park....
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
These animals need to be spayed and neutered, the good people who care for the stray animals won't be able to keep up.
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Dean Wolterman 5 years ago
We need that in the United States. Such a cheap price to be decent to another deserving species.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
Exactly right, Dean; this is the reason for all that "misery" human species creates for themselves and, unfortunately, for all life on this planet. The link between animal cruelty and violence against humans is indisputable!!! People who are in possession of conscience do understand this. "Man.....is a tame civilized animal....but if he be insufficiently or ill educated, he is the most savage of earthly creatures." - Plato, Greek philosopher (427 ? - 347BC/BCE) ..... and so he is.
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Marlene Ricker 5 years ago
They are doing something to help the environment as well as help the stray dogs. This is a good way to keep recyclable bottles the of the trash.
RELATED:
#2
Shelter Dogs Served As ‘Ball Boys’ At Brazil Tennis Open To Bring Awareness To Brazil's Street Animals And Promote Their Adoption
Samantha Hurrell 5 years ago
Agreed, that is a great way to get long term shelter residence adopted.
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Jeff Diamond 5 years ago
As soon as the match starts: Players: I'm concentrating... Crowd: Quietly watches... Ball dog: BALL! BALL! BALL! BALL! BaLL!
#3
Cheetahs Are Nervous Animals, So Zoos Give Them Their Own Emotional Support Dogs
While cheetahs might be quite the big cats and the fastest animal on the Earth to add to that, actually, they are very sensitive beings. They get so anxious; they don’t know how to socialize with each other and get too stressed to procreate. Seeing that cheetahs need some assistance, for years now zookeepers have been assigning these animals their very own emotional support dogs. “When you pair cheetah cub with a guide dog, the cat looks to the dog for cues and learns to model their behavior. It’s about getting them to read that calm, happy-go-lucky vibe from the dog” explains Janet Rose-Hinostroza, animal training supervisor at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Andres Tejeda 5 years ago
This is cute, I have seen at the San Diego they usually like to walk the Cheetahs and dogs together.
Jasmine Walker 5 years ago
So glad I live in California. I can go see this beautiful pairing
Load More Replies... HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago
This is too much for my black heart to take, so amazing.
Jasmine Walker 5 years ago
I'm sorry I blurted out laughingstock when I saw your comment cause I know that you mean. :)
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Julia Daxenbichler 5 years ago
That is just sad. Cheetahs suffer so much in zoos that they need "guide dogs" to not go crazy...Boycott zoos.
Marlene Ricker 5 years ago
The animals are definitely building a bond. The picture is just so awwww.
#4
FBI Tracks Animal Abusers
The FBI believes that animal abuse is a serious enough crime to be tracked right along with homicide, arson, and assault. National UCR Program of 2015 stated the FBI's planned to collect data on animal cruelty: "Beginning January 1, 2016, the national UCR Program will add the offense of Animal Cruelty to the NIBRS as a Group A offense and as a Crime Against Society".
Thomas. C 5 years ago
I HATE ANIMAL ABUSERS I JUST WANT TO FIND THEM AND LOCK THEM UP FOREVER AND TAKE THE DOG OR ANY OTHER ANIMAL AND TAKE CARE OF IT AND DO ANYTHING FOR IT
Chris Jones 5 years ago
Animal abusers sometimes start on animals and move on to people, so if there are people who don't think animals are worth this work (though they absoutely are, they feel pain and fear too) there is also this reason for tracking them.
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Carol Emory 5 years ago
This makes sense since many serial killers started their career by abusing, torturing and killing animals. Keeping a database may help to identify people that have made the leap from killing animals to killing humans.
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago
Totally, it's one of the 3 known serial killer traits.
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Ronel du Plessis 5 years ago
In South africa there is a 17 year old boy on the run from the SPCA. He decided to test his strength on his dog's leg. He broke it in such a manner that the poor dog's leg was amputated. I wish I can find that little fucktard and test the speed my fist hits his face...
Mita Ghosh 5 years ago
Please come to my country and do this good work... My heart aches when based on religious beliefs people kill street dwelling dogs, even pups who can't even walk properly, kill them and hit them and beat them. Oh God !!! Save the poor ones.
Ian Carter 5 years ago
way to go USA , in Europe we hear a lot about your country and you may not know this but currently you are not seen as a great country but at least this is a good news.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
Ian, currently, many Americans do not see themselves as a great country.
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HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago
So they should, if someone can abuse a living, feeling, beautiful, defenceless animal then they can easily go on to humans. Not to mention that abuse of animals is no different to human abuse, imo.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
Thank you Hoff, for your comment. "We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. TRUE humanity does not allow us to impose such suffering on them. It is our duty to make the whole world RECOGNIZE it. Until we extend the circle of our compassion to ALL living things, humanity will NOT find peace." - Albert Schweitzer, German protestant clergyman, music scholar, philosopher, physician, (1875 - 1965) and the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace, October 30, 1953. The amazing human being.
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Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
The farm animals suffer immensely in factory farms and high-speed slaughter houses, and for what? For insatiable appetite for meat, dairy, and eggs, which is causing destruction of our planet...and human health, no matter how much chronic pain and diseases the consumption of animals causes, "people" don't get the connection. "Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil." - Plato
Load More Replies... Sonika Schroeder 5 years ago
When is the USA going to outlaw the more than 66000 dogs currently being tortured in laboratories across the country, not to speak of the countless other species of animals? It's 2020. There is absolutely no need to experiment on animals for ANY reason. Watch one of those horrifying videos and you will be up for weeks absolutely stunned by the cruelty of man.
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago
If i knew someone who had wrapped barbed wire around a dog like in the pic, i would do something they will regret.
#5
A Dog Once Accidentally Finished A Half-Marathon And Finished In 7th Place
A bloodhound went outside to pee, accidentally joined a half marathon, and ended up in the 7th place. Ludivine was let outside by his owners for a doggy break when he saw people running by, decided to sneak out the fence and join in on the fun. The event led the marathon organizers to change its name to "Elkmont's Hound Dog Half" and they put Ludivine on their logo.
Jon S. 5 years ago
I suspect any dog that knew they were in a race would kick our asses in a half marathon
sh 5 years ago
Be interesting to know just how many people he did beat. 7th seems pretty good.
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D. Pitbull 5 years ago
bwahahahah "Ooh running! Play? Play? Play? run run run!! So much fun!!"
#6
Chaser The Border Collie Had The Largest Tested Memory Of Any Non-Human Animal
According to Wikipedia, "Chaser could identify and retrieve 1,022 toys by name, which was the foundation for her vocabulary. She began to understand that objects have names at five months of age." The dog could also recognize common nouns such as house, tree and ball, as well as adverbs, verbs and prepositional objects.
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
Everybody knows border collies are smarter than humans. One of ours was clairvoyant, too.
Jasmina Pavlovic 5 years ago
Dogs are sooo clever. You need to repeat the word/thing ever and ever again. And in the end, they'll learn very fast. I loved it with my last dog. (R.i.P.) 🐾
Teresa Taylor 5 years ago
My dogs know 10 words. Max selectively responds to 8 of them. He doesn't respond to No or Drop it unless he's "in the mood." I know he knows what I'm saying because he suddenly gets the zoomies when he hears those two commands. Stinker looks me in the eyes first...
Brandy Grote 5 years ago
Once you give them the names of items, animals can begin to learn. Even colors! While they don't see the colors exactly the way we do, they can tell colors apart. My cat knew color names, bringing me her pink ball or blue ball when asked. I merely was specific with the names from the beginning!
#7
There Is An Island Where Dogs Guard A Colony Of Tiny Penguins
There's an island off the coast of Australia where a pair of Maremma Guardian dogs guard a colony of tiny penguins after they were almost wiped out by foxes. The 'Little Penguin' colony was nearly extinct until 2006, when trained dogs were put on the island to protect them. There's a movie based on the story called "Oddball". The synopsis of the film reads: "Oddball" is the heart-warming true story about an eccentric chicken farmer (Shane Jacobson) who, with the help of his granddaughter, trains his mischievous dog to protect a wild penguin sanctuary from fox attacks and in the process tries to reunite his family and save their seaside town."
Carol Taylor 5 years ago
well then you know which seaside town they are talking about..Warnambool...you can walk to the island at low tide and there is a wooden walking track you can go along so you do not disturb the ground where the penguins are nesting..
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#8
Sergeant Stubby Is The Most Decorated War Dog Of WWI, And The Only Dog To Be Nominated For Rank And Then Promoted To Sergeant Through Combat
He served for 18 months and participated in seventeen battles on the Western Front. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, found and comforted the wounded, and once caught a German soldier by the seat of his pants, holding him there until American soldiers found him. Sgt. Stubby is the subject of an animated film, Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.
Jim Ellington 5 years ago
If a dog that small can disable and hold you in place then you are nowhere near worthy of being a soldier.
Porto DaMartinica 5 years ago
Says the guy who never got bitten by one of these lmao
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Lady Phoenixx 5 years ago
The animated movie about stubby is brilliant 😍 also he was a Staffordshire bull terrier
Kim Lorton 5 years ago
Yay! Thank you, Sgt. Stubby, for your brave and courageous service and devotion to your men and unit. No braver soldier than mans best friend and pal!
Joan Zatorski 5 years ago
But did he receive the pension and health care that other brave veterans in human form did? No.....we humans really have treated our military service dogs in an ugly fashion, after using their unique skills for our own devices.....Shame on us!
Kim Lee 5 years ago
Martha, there is a difference between 'glorifying' and 'discussing'. This happened over 100 years ago, we are just discussing and honoring a brave doggy. We can't go back into the past and change what has already happened. If you see 'glorifying' where there is not, that speaks of some personal perceptions.
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#9
There's A Festival In Nepal And India Where Humans Thank Dogs For Their Loyalty And Friendship
Tihar also known as Deepawali and Yamapanchak, is a festival celebrated in Nepal and some parts of India. It last five days and each day has its name and festivities. Second day of the festival is called Kukur Tihar and celebrates dogs all over the country. People offer garlands, tika and delicious food to dogs and acknowledge the cherished relationship between humans and dogs.
Brenda Couvee 5 years ago
That is, but they need to stop another "festival" also celebrated in Nepal where thousands of animals are sacrificed.
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Praveen Sangwan 5 years ago
Wrong info , there is no such thing in India . Only Nepal does this . Deepawali is a totally different festival .
Nea 5 years ago
In fact there is. In north eastern parts of sikkim, assam and darjeeling where large number of nepalis have been living for generations, kukur tihar is celebrated. Its very much an indian festival as well unless you dont wanna consider northeastern states from india.
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Fred and George Weasley 5 years ago
whereas a festival in china where people eat dogs. so uncivilised and cruel that it exists
#10
In 2017, A Black Lab Got His Photo In A School Yearbook For Helping His Owner Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
A black Labrador named Alpha was put next to his owner A.J. in a yearbook for helping his human out. A.J. has Type 1 diabetes and Alpha helps to monitor his blood sugar levels.
D. Pitbull 5 years ago
Awww... his slight side-eye! "Hello...? Why am I sitting here? What is shiny black thing you point at me?"
#11
In Welsh Folklore, Corgis Were The Preferred Method Of Transportation For Fairies
According to a Welsh legend, woodland fairies gifted this breed to the humankind and that the breed's markings were left on its coat by fairy harnesses and saddles.
Signe Manat Hansen 5 years ago
Fae aren't cute, they're little buggers :p
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Jim Ellington 5 years ago
In Welsh reality, places like Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch exist.
Dilly Millandry 5 years ago
Poor Queen has certainly shrunk enough! Though she only has Dorgis now.
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Not what you think. 5 years ago
Anyone else picturing a fairy charging on a corgi to slay all non-cute things? If I get your attention now imagine corgis little feet going.
#12
When Police Dogs Retire In Some Countries They May Have The Chance To Receive A Pension Plan For Their Contribution
English police forces even set up a retirement plan for dogs. According to Wikipedia, "police dogs in Nottinghamshire, England, now have the opportunity to retire with a form of security since their government forces now offer $805 over the span of three years to cover any additional medical costs". Not only do they now receive a pension plan but they also get to retire and reside with their original handler.
Jeff Requier 5 years ago
HuffPost reported in 2013 that they get 1500 pounds over 3 years
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Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
....and in some countries, like in the best country in the world, they (some police districts) want to euthanize them, even when their human partners want to adopt them.
Girl Rebuilt 5 years ago
Confused by the dollar amount as opposed to pounds, but very happy to hear that these working dogs are receiving the respect that they have earned and deserve.
Bob Connely 5 years ago
Lovely gesture and all, but NO well-trained Working Dog needs to work while wearing a muzzle.
Teresa Taylor 5 years ago
From what I understand from a former police dog trainer, many police agencies muzzle their dogs in public unless they've released them to actively work. The muzzles are quick release.
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#13
Dogs Love The High-Pitched "Baby Talk" Some People Do When Interacting With Them
A research revealed that dogs like the silly, high-pitched "baby talk" human do when interacting with them. The study conducted at the University of York showed that dogs favored speakers with a high-pitched manner than those who talked in a normal adult voice.
Carol Emory 5 years ago
I knew this from watching "Amanda to the Rescue." Every time she speaks this way to the dogs, they seem to melt in her hands and get all excited. Even frightened dogs seem to calm at the sound of her voice.
Jessica Cifelli 5 years ago
I noticed this too. Also on Pitbulls and Parolees.
Load More Replies... HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago
I baby talk my dogs all day long, it's just something you do. I tell them they are good boys and girls in a baby voice at least 30 times a day.
Kathy Baylis 5 years ago
Could be that baby-talking humans sound like puppies to them. Or they know it’s a play/cuddle voice and not a command voice, so of course they respond more favorably to it. Who wouldn’t, in either case?
ebonyruffles 5 years ago
I was in Petsmart & there was a Mastiff ahead of me at the checkout. He made eye contact so I said, in baby voice, “Well helloooooooo honey!” Damn near yanked the owner off her feet trying to get to me, lol.
Viktoriq Stoyanova 5 years ago
Lol, I subdued a pack of 10 dogs barking an running towards me with just that baby happy sounds. They escorted me home after that xD
#14
When Playing With Female Puppies, Male Puppies Will Often Let Them Win
Puppies exhibit behavior that's been previously recorded in some other species too, like red-necked wallabies, squirrel monkeys, hamadryas baboons and even humans. Researcher Camille Ward and her team collected data showing that male puppies tend to let female puppies win and speculated that they do so in order to not discourage female puppies to play with them in the future as female puppies tend to choose other females as playmates.
Bobby's Girl 5 years ago
My little girl terrier rules the boys absolutely. There is no letting her win. She takes no chit from any dog, no matter how much bigger it may be. My kind of girl!
Beth Arriaga 5 years ago
Yep. My 11 week old pug puppy who weighs barely 5 pounds absolutely dominates my two 85 & 95 pound German shepherds, one male and one female. They literally run away from her!
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Mona Hammock 5 years ago
Female puppies tend to choose other females as playmates probably to avoid the cold wet noses pressed against their nether yayehs by the males.
#15
There Is A Terrioty In Costa Rica Called Territorio De Zaguates That Is A Huge No-Kill Dog Shelter
Territorio De Zaguates (Land of the Strays) is home to over 1.300 wagging tails. Their belief is that every dog deserves a chance at life and their mission is to either find home for the pooches or provide them a safe sanctuary. The shelter used to let visitors wander the fields with dogs for free, but has since closed for renovations and plan to open for public in the upcoming year.
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago
I nearly went here for 6 months a few years back, i regret not doing it now, they had 700 at the time.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
How many do they have now? If they won't spay or neuter their fosterlings, they'll run out of space.
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#16
Some Australian Shepherds Try To Herd Small Children Out Of Instinct
Untrained Aussies may nip at the feet and heels of small children, like they would with sheep, but this is usually out of boredom or lack of boundaries set by their owners.
Joe Reaves 5 years ago
Are you saying you wouldn't go anywhere that little furball wanted you to?
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DamnBecky 5 years ago
Ours 100% would heard us around the yard. My mom once left us in the back yard during my brother's 6 birthday and came back a few mins later to all of us playing in a corner (of a 1 acer lot) bc the dog had put us there as we were easier to watch/contain.
Jennifer Chavis 5 years ago
I had a Aussie blue heeled mix that herded children, chickens, ducks, horses, cows, and occasionally even stuffed animals.
Chris DiFonso 5 years ago (edited)
We got our sweetheart dog when she was about 6 months old from a shelter. She is supposedly a mix of Aussie shepherd and Aussie cattle dog. She nipped at our heels (both adults and teenager) for two weeks after we got her, but we gently put an end to that. BTW, we kept her downstairs in a kennel at night because we had a cat and we wanted both animals to be safe. Our dog cried every night, so I (being a softie and a sucker) slept on the downstairs couch for a week until she got over it.
Lauren Baker 5 years ago
Mine did ♥️ RIP Tessy 😶 She was a mutt but had a lot of Aussie in her. When we went on hikes she would try and herd us to keep us close together.
CelSlade 5 years ago
Ah, this just made me sad - I had an Australian Shepherd puppy called Robert. One day Robert got out the front door and ran straight into the road. Unfortunately a car happened to drive past just at the moment. Robert turned straight into the car's path and tried to 'herd' it. Didn't go well for the poor pup :(
K. LNU 5 years ago
Just one of the reasons that this breed is in the AKC's "working class" group. They need a job. We had a boxer (also a working class) that would constantly tear up shoes that were mistakenly left out, sometimes pillows, his bed... you get the picture, when my parents went to work. One day, on her way out to work, my mom told him that he needed to watch the house. That was his job - to guard the house and keep it safe. She said she came home to nothing destroyed in the house. Our boxer trained my parents to "remind" him that it was his job to guard the house when ever they left. If they didn't, he wouldn't and would go "play" with shoes, pillows, counter surf, etc.
Jason M 5 years ago
This is why it's important to keep these aggressive, wild animals under control. Be sure to leash your kid.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
These are not wild animals, they are domesticated, aren't they?
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LaDonna Hulcy 5 years ago
My Aussie dog Attila the Mutt used to do that to me, so it's not just untrained puppies OR Children! lol! best dog ever!
#17
Dogs Have The Biggest Heart Relative To Their Body
Even though the largest heart in the animal kingdom belongs to Blue Whale (one weighed in 2014 was 440 pounds (199.5 kilograms)), the biggest heart-to-body-weigh ratio was recorded with no other than the good boys (and gals)!
#18
Ancient Greeks And Romans Mourned And Buried Their Dogs
According to "Mourning Animals– Rituals and Practices Surrounding Animal Death" book, people of the Ancient world sometimes buried their dogs with gravestones that survived the upcoming centuries. One of the surviving epitaphs reads:"I am in tears, while carrying you to your last resting place as much as I rejoiced when bringing you home in my own hands fifteen years ago."
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago (edited)
So they should, the darkest times of my life has been losing my dogs, my wife gets just as sad but she carries on, i just go into a depressed stink for about a week or two, never get over the loss just get used to it as time goes on. And the epitaph is heartbreaking.
Hallie 5 years ago
I think it took me about 2 months to start to get over the loss of my last dog. I cried for her every day, had songs that we used to sing (howl) together, I couldn't listen to them for months. I still cry for her now on the odd occasion, that was 2 years ago. They are family, I only wish they lived a little longer, but I'm sure whatever they lived to would never be long enough.
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Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
Why not, the best friend there is. "A dog has a soul of a philosopher." - Plato
#19
There's A Prison Program That Allows Inmates To Train Service Dogs
There is a program that makes prison inmates responsible for training and raising seeing-eye dogs. Many of the inmates reported that they felt like they were making amends for their past actions by working with the puppies. NEADS has a "Prison PUP Program" and its information page says: "90-95% of NEADS puppies are trained in 7 correctional facilities throughout New England. Our statistics show that, under the guidance of NEADS staff, inmates are able to provide consistent training at a high level simply because of the amount of time they are able to devote to the dogs. This enables us to place dogs faster with people in need."
Carol Emory 5 years ago
I have talked about wanting to expand this program to other prisons. The dogs actually live with the inmates 24/7. The program not only helps the prisoners make amends, it gives them a purpose and skill to use beyond their incarceration, it cuts down on prison violence and it boosts the moral of both prisoners and prison staff. It gives them something to be proud of. Our family is talking about expanding the program to have physically and mentally disabled adults also train animals.
Jon S. 5 years ago
This is by far the most wholesome, encouraging thing I have read today.
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misteriosa 5 years ago
For a split second there I actually wanted to go to prison so I could do it too. o.O
Michelle Line 5 years ago
There are many programs all through the country. I helped set one up at the Women's Prison in New Mexico. It was successful the entire time - saved many dogs, and women. Sadly, the state cut the funding and it had to close down. I, myself, own 4 dogs from that program (one has passed on tho).
Baby Clanger 5 years ago
Nice to know prisoners are given something to do that is useful to the community
Lady Phoenixx 5 years ago
Pittbulls and parolees does this. They jus set up a new prison pegramm not to long ago
Lauren Baker 5 years ago (edited)
Edit: I just realized they were specifically talking about service dogs in this. Ours were not trained as service dogs, just as dogs 🙂 Original: We have had two dogs from this system!! One we put down 3 years ago when she was 14 years old. The one we have now is 3 years old. Both mutts, and lovely, incredible doggos ♥️ Although I must admit we haven't kept on the training with the one we have now 🙃
katboxjanitor 5 years ago
There are many of these programs pairing dogs with offenders at numerous facilities around the US. Some are placing dogs as pets, some help socialize and train young dogs as service dog candidates.
Danielle Renee 5 years ago
i've read about many programs for shelter dogs, and cats, to help socialize them to get them more adoptable. it's always a positive program for the inmates, giving them purpose and love, also knowing they'll be removed from the program if they get in trouble. i wish all prisons/jails could do this. it's a positive for the animals, the inmates and the public.
#20
Bomb-Sniffing Dogs Never Scratch, Paw Or Bark At The Luggage When They Detect Explosive Materials
All bomb-sniffing dogs are trained to calmly stop and sit down when they detect the scent of explosive materials.
Tami Bridges 5 years ago
I've had the privilege to watch some training of explosives-sniffing dogs, and it is something to see. They are 100% into their job, not distracted by anything around them. Once they find what they're supposed to and sit quietly to signal, they get a particular toy and go from soldier to puppy instantly.
Bob Connely 5 years ago
Interestingly enough, the best nitrate-detectors are the Hunting Breeds - I trained and English Springer Spaniel once, and he was an excellent Detector as well as Spokesdog for the Working Dog Class.
Jim Ellington 5 years ago
Now if they only behaved so well when they get a whiff of my a*s and genitalia.
karina andersen 5 years ago
I traveled to one state in my country & I was reading waiting for a pick up in the terminal when this gorgeous beagle came up to me & sat down, then I noticed black shoes three sets, looked up & three gentlemen escorted me to a cubicle & checked my luggage, I had a few biscuits that I had made fresh in my carry on bag, & the beagle must have liked the smell
Teresa Taylor 5 years ago
I could never figure out why they use GSDs, retrievers and even jack russells for these types of jobs. I've always thought a bloodhound, who is known for its tracking abilities, would be better at sniffing out drugs, bombs and illegal plants and produce being brought into the country.
Dilly Millandry 5 years ago
Maybe it has something to do with their much shorter life span than most dogs. 6-8 years with GSDs averaging 9-13 and Jack Russells 13-16 years. It probably isn't cost effective and these other breeds are still exceptionally good. I've seen springer spaniels in use as well.
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#21
Dog Brains Link The Smell Of Their Owners With Pleasure
According to Gregory Berns, a neuroeconomist at Emory University in Atlanta who led a study on brain-imaging, dogs respond to their owner's scent in a similar way humans do to their loved one's perfume. The research team ran MRI scans on 12 dogs while exposing them to five scents on gauze pads: a familiar human, an unfamiliar human, a dog that lived in their household, an unfamiliar dog, and their own scent. The research found out that dogs’ caudate nucleus, an area of the brain associated with positive expectations, was most activated by the scent of the familiar person.
Night Owl 5 years ago (edited)
Probably works the other way around too but the smells would need to be a bit stronger because human sense of smell isn't that good
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago (edited)
One of my dogs smells slightly of hay, i love it.
Load More Replies... Kathy Baylis 5 years ago (edited)
I know this from experience. When we bought our Scruffy his first dog bed he refused to sleep in it. I got the idea of rubbing an old, but clean, towel on my head, getting my husband to do the same, and putting it in the dog bed. Scruffy immediately caught the scent, crawled into the bed, did his nesting twirls, laid down, and went right into a contented sleep. He’s slept in his bed—-as long as it has the comforting smell of Mom and Dad—-ever since (we do launder the towel and rub it on our heads before putting it back in the dog bed).
Teresa Taylor 5 years ago
I love the smell of my dogs, even when they are in desperate need of a bath. I can also tell my dogs apart from their smell. I used to have four, but my two oldest have died. I have clips of their fur. Their scent has long faded from it, though. I miss them and would give anything to be able to bury my face in their warm little bodies and breathe deeply just one more time.
OffKeySinger 5 years ago
My dog loves to slowly walk through my clothes hung up on lower bars in my closet. It's cute but I always have dog hair on my clothes. He still a good boy!
Stille20 5 years ago
Same in people, especially women, feel more relaxed when they smell their partner
Danielle Rux 5 years ago
i- thats true when im around my bf i instantly feel comfortable
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The Dogs React To Humans Crying The Same Way They Do To A Dog Whining
Annika Huber of the University of Vienna's Clever Dog Lab and her colleagues conducted an experiment that observed a number of dogs reacting to various sounds. Dogs showed to be responding more to emotional sounds (dogs whining, people laughing or crying) than neutral sounds (birds chirping, water running). They also appeared to react more to negative emotions than positive and the reactions were identical when exposed to humans crying and dogs whining. The researchers explained that it's likely an evolutionary reaction. "If an animal is displaying negative emotions because it's in a dangerous situation, it would be wise for nearby animals to pick up on those feelings."
Carol Emory 5 years ago (edited)
Animals, including cats, also pick up on pain. My neighbors cat could always sense when my neighbors hip was hurting her. The neighbor would be laying on the couch with her bad hip up and the cat would climb up and lay on her hip, acting like a little heating pad. She said the cat would start purring too. After about 30 minutes, her hip would be feeling better. Go figure.
Chris Jones 5 years ago
I had physio that used a sort of vibrating treatment so the purring could work in a similar manner. It stimulated healing. Plus, of course, animals are very beneficial to our well being.
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#23
Dogs Who Have Negative Experiences Tend To Lie Awake At Night Worrying
A study published by The Royal Society scientific journal found that dogs, quite like humans, have trouble sleeping when they've had negative experiences beforehand. The research studied dogs' sleeping patterns after they were subjected to different positive (being called a good boy, getting head scratches) and negative (being approached by a stranger) treatments. The study showed that dogs had difficulty sleeping and were prone to tossing and turning while asleep after having experienced negative treatment.
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago
Can confirm, as a rescue volunteer i have seen many dogs unable to sleep, if they can they only sleep for more than 5 minutes at a time before they violently shake themselves awake again, so sad to watch, what they need is a routine, a safe setting, time and patience. Breaks my heart everytime, and it's always the result of humans.
Carol Emory 5 years ago
Anyone who's ever owned a dog knows they dream. Our mini Schnauzer used to dream about chasing cats..sometimes barking in his sleep while his little legs were moving as if he was running.
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago
Haha, yeah all of mine do, one in particular really does the dream running like you said, lots of little whines and yelps too.
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Kathy Baylis 5 years ago (edited)
But is it rumination (what did I do wrong?), fear (have to stay on guard in case they try to hurt me again), or PTSD (nightmares/night terrors in which they relive trauma)? Would make for fascinating research if it hasn’t been studied already.
#24
Dogs That Are Elderly, Small Or Short-Haired Actually Need Sweater For Cold Temperatures
PetMD suggests that dogs that were not genetically "designed" for colder temperatures, as well as older dogs and dogs with weaker immune systems do need a sweater, especially dogs that have to go outside.
D. Pitbull 5 years ago
See people!!!! And SO MANY people laughed at me for knitting a sweater for my nearly nekkid Pitbull-cross. She was damn near hairless... yet... still loved the snow... where I'd lose her... 'cuz she was white... sigh. I miss her.
Darth Kittius 5 years ago
My dad's chihuahua has a little gray sweater and I melt every time i see it
Claire Smith 5 years ago
Yh my wee auld woman needs her coat. She's 15yrs 8m old and we're Scottish - got to keep her cosy.
Lauren Baker 5 years ago
Yeah, one of our doggos uses a coat when it is really cold. Our golden doesn't need one though 😂 She has plenty of insulation.
#25
Dogs Can And Will Use Deception To Get A Tasty Treat
Since it's quite well known that dogs are capable of recognizing emotions, one has to ask if they're also capable of manipulating them. Well, one research shows that dogs can definitely be sneaky and are capable of using deceptive tactics to get their favorite treats. Led by Marianne Heberlein of the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Experimental Studies at the University of Zürich, the study paired 27 dogs with two different partners. Some would hand dogs treats while others would show a tasty snack, but it in the pocket. Naturally, dogs preferred the generous partners and would start to approach them spontaneously. Researches crafted a more elaborate system to see if dogs would try to get a tasty snack and a higher reward by playing the system. And it turns out that, yeah, they would!
Carol Emory 5 years ago
I've actually seen three dogs working like a trained Navy Seal team..two of them created a diversion (yowling and barking at non-existent intruders) while the other snuck in and stole the sandwiches left on plates by humans that went to investigate the ruckus...sneaky buggers.
Teresa Taylor 5 years ago
YES!! But the true question is did the thief actually share with the diversion team?
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JillVille 5 years ago
My fully-house trained Great Dane pup @ about 7 month old, peed on the floor on the opposite side of the room to distract me so he could swipe the chicken breast sandwich I was preparing for my husband. Literally watched me making it, looked around and peed in the farthest side of the room so I would abandon the sandwich. He stole a very large chunk of chicken and left the tomato and lettuce on the floor. Very manipulative indeed.
Teresa Taylor 5 years ago
I love that dog. He is a genius. Dogs are far smarter than people give them credit for!!
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Olivia Masterson 5 years ago
I can say that dogs WILL try to trick you for a treat. My Phugley that died in 2014 had newspaper on the floor in the bathroom, and he would potty on them. Then he would get a treat. I noticed he was going more frequently, and finally checked it out. He would go to the bathroom, scruff the paper a bit and come to me for a treat. If a dog could have a grin on it's face, he had one!
Aileen 5 years ago
When my dog was about a year old he used to go to the couch and steal important papers, then when you abandoned your food to go get them, he would play keep-away for a bit, just to get you away from the food, then he would drop the papers and sprint toward your food to steal it.
Nicole Holt 5 years ago
That is so true! My one dog will bark and motion towards the door when there is a treat she wants and doesn't want to share. My other dog will totally fall for it and run to the door barking like a maniac, while #1 calmly turns around and steals the treat.
Jeff Diamond 5 years ago
One of mine snuck a pickle from me. I was struck by a smooth criminal.
Valley Girl 5 years ago
Did he eat it, or was he just in it for the thrill?
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BUMMERS 5 years ago
Wife started giving Sadie a treat every time she went potty. She started going out & fake squatting before running back in for her reward (Sadie, not my wife).
Teresa Taylor 5 years ago
Thanks for the clarification. We were all picturing your wife squatting in the yard.
Load More Replies... #26
There Have Been Numerous Cases Of Dogs Shooting Their Owners In America
Although dogs, obviously, have no knowledge on how to operate a firearm and don't intentionally use them, they occasionally do end up pulling a trigger on a loaded weapon. Between 2004 and 2015 there had been more than 10 cases of dogs shooting a person reported in the USA. They were most often hunting accidents, however with the country where firearms are so widely owned it's no surprise such accidents occur outside of the hunting grounds. The dog-on-owner shootings rarely end up with fatalities, however it's not the case with one Texas hunter who, in 2008, took a shotgun blast to the thigh after his dog jumped on the gun in the bed of his truck. The man later died of blood loss, unfortunately.
El Dee 5 years ago
Your country has more cases of dogs shooting people than mine has of people shooting people
Kathy Baylis 5 years ago
Wonder if we’ll ever find out how many of the dogs did this intentionally...
Tifferooski 5 years ago
Maybe that's why gun owners should take basic gun safety courses in order to own them. Just my opinion.
Magpie 5 years ago
Yup those guns were loaded, ready to go and available for " accidents".
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Analyn Lahr 5 years ago
Pretty sure you're not supposed to have the gun loaded while it's in the car. Well, I don't know about Texas.
#27
According To Facebook Data, Dog People Have More Friends While Cat People Get Invited To More Events
According to data collected by Facebook, "on average, dog people have 26 more Facebook friends than cat people". However, cat people, while having less friends, are more likely to be invited to various events, meaning that they're putting those friendships to good use. Unsurprisingly, cat people tend to be friends with other cat people and dog people with other dog people.
katboxjanitor 5 years ago
Generalizations, nonsense....why do they never have studies on we who are bi-petual????
Kathleen Gordon 5 years ago
Hahahahaha That's so weird that no one noticed or commented about the spaghetti!
Katherine Boag 5 years ago
Probably more cat people use facebook events, whereas dog people will txt, call, invite in person?
Rinpai 5 years ago
As a 20-something year old cat person, I don't even have a facebook. I pretty exclusively text, and occasionally call/plan in person.
Load More Replies... #28
Before Laika Was Launched To Space, One Of The Scientists Took Her Home To Play With His Children
Laika was the first animal to orbit the Earth and while her achievement might be extraordinary, her story was tragic. Soviets, preparing to launch Sputnik 2 knew very well that Laika's trip was going to be one-way. Despite many accepting her sacrifice for science as worthy, some had their reservations. In a book chronicling the story of Soviet space medicine, Dr. Vladimir Yazdovsky wrote, "Laika was quiet and charming ... I wanted to do something nice for her: She had so little time left to live." He took the dog home before the launch so she could play with his children. Also, one of the technicians who was preparing Laika's capsule for final liftoff stated that "after placing Laika in the container and before closing the hatch, we kissed her nose and wished her bon voyage, knowing that she would not survive the flight."
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 5 years ago (edited)
She really did, i read something like 7 hours of excruciating pain, disgraceful, should've send up a convicted rapist or paedophile instead. Poor beautiful girl.
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Janine B. 5 years ago
Always makes me sick to read about poor Laika. She must have been so afraid. :(((
Whiterain25 furry 5 years ago
yeah involving animals in this kind of practice is abuse
Load More Replies... Carol Emory 5 years ago
Strelka and Belka were the first of many dogs in the Russian Space program to survive their trip to space. Strelka latter gave birth to puppies, one of which was given to JFK.
Karen Vidrio-Aguirre 5 years ago
This kind of s**t should be illegal. You want to experiment? Send your own damn self for the sake of science.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
"The highest realms of thought are impossible to reach without first attaining an understanding of compassion. " - Socrates, Greek philosopher, known as one of the founders of Western philosophy (469 - 399Bc/BCE) .....look, more that two millennia passed, and humanity still did not attained and don't understand compassion.
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Florencia Renedo 5 years ago
Another case of humans thinking themselves superior and sacrificing the innocent :(
#29
In 2014, An Estimated 2.8 Million Dogs In America Were On An Antidepressant Drug Like Prozac
According to the National Pet Owners Survey of the American Pet Products Association, an estimated 2.8 million dog owners give their dogs calming and anxiety medicines like Prozac each year. The medicine could be given for a number of reasons, starting from separation anxiety and ending with increased aggressiveness to mellow them out.
Chris Jones 5 years ago
I have a very anxious dog, a rescue, and we manage it by minimising the situations that cause him anxiety. It is quite a lot of work at times but he is absolutely worth it.
Maria Rohlen 5 years ago
Drugs instead of treating the as dogs, cages instead of walks and exercises.
Teresa Taylor 5 years ago
I take my dog to a daycare down the street from my house. He doesn't get crated all day. He doesn't stay home and destroy my house and furniture. And his "other family" take good care of him. After my oldest dog died, I started taking my "middle child" there, too, so she didn't have to be alone all day.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
You do more for your doggie, Teresa, than some people do for their children.
Load More Replies... Mona Hammock 5 years ago
Interested to know the percentage of the dogs being "medicated" t hat have owners that are also being "medicated'
Valley Girl 5 years ago
My cat had anxiety issues--particularly after an earthquake or when we had the roof redone. Worst was when we'd go on a trip, even though he had a house sitter. His related issues would go on for days, always prompting a trip to the vet. Interestingly, when I went on Zoloft for MY anxiety, his anxiety issues disappeared.
Christina Uhlir 5 years ago
Can anybody love you more than a furry friend?
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Kathleen Barlow 5 years ago
America's answer to everything....pump 'em full of drugs instead of dealing with the problem.
#30
In Bronze Age, Boys Killed Pets To Become Warriors In Early Russia
Archaeologists Dorcas Brown and David Anthony were excavating the Bronze Age site of Krasnosamarkskoe in Russia's Volga region when they unearthed the bones of at least 51 dogs and 7 wolves. At first puzzled, they soon investigated and found out that "all the animals had died during the winter months, judging from the telltale banding pattern on their teeth, and all were subsequently skinned, dismembered, burned, and chopped with an ax". Following the clues, as well as combining knowledge about culture and mythology they soon pieced together a possible explanation. The dogs were killed by their own boy owners, as part of a ritual to become warriors. Grim, isn't it?
Yugan Talovich 5 years ago
You may not want to read this. Each new member of the Nazi SS officer training program was given a puppy. They fed the puppies, played with them, and slept with them. At graduation, each candidate reported with his dog to an officer. The officer ordered the candidate to strangle the dog with his bare hands. If he showed the least sign of hesitation, he failed. To their credit, a lot broke down in tears and refused. They did not become officers. It tells you what went into the making of an SS officer.
NCC~1701 5 years ago
Horrible story but thank you for sharing. Even though this is the most sickening thing I have ever read it’s so so so important that people learn about these awful events. “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.
Load More Replies... Kathy Baylis 5 years ago
That didn’t teach them one damn thing about being warriors. It just taught them how to betray the trust of those who love them unconditionally. F*****g psychopaths.
Jessica 5 years ago
I've always hated this. It's just like that scene in kingsman that made no sense to me. You don't prove your ability to fight or be loyal by killing something that loves you unconditionally. In fact you prove the opposite you prove that your loyalty is shifty and that you will betray anyone and anything just to get a leg up. It shows cowardice and treachery.
N S 5 years ago
For a little boy from the Bronze Age probably a very brave act. On another note, that whole story of boys killing their animals is quite farfetched and as outlined in the footnote above, pure speculation. It is far more likely that these animals were subject to some sort of ritualistic sacrifice, quite a common practice all over the world back in the Bronze Age (and far beyond).
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What do you think ?
Andres Tejeda 5 years ago
Dogs, possible the best pet anyone can have. They are lovable, the can be doofuses, they can provide hours of amusing antics.
Chris Jones 5 years ago
They are wonderful - I hope you can one day soon.
Load More Replies... Victoria Saxon 5 years ago
The FBI tracking animal abuse is fantastic, but, I think they may also have another motive for this. Most serial killers commit animal abuse (and arson) when they are young, so this type of behaviour is often a marker of what's going to come next. Frankly, I simply cannot imagine how twisted and nasty you would have to be, to harm lovely animals at all.
Alex Bailey 5 years ago
Yeah, several people did point that out in the comments and it is a known trait.
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Nea 5 years ago
I lost mine couple months ago and i cannot get through reading these. Dogs are extraordinary givers. Wish each one of them never experiences any pain or sadness.
Dilly Millandry 5 years ago
I know how much this hurts - I am so sorry for your loss.
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Kathy Smith 5 years ago
They could have left out the last two, and the article would’ve had a happy ending.
John Louis 5 years ago
Domestic breeding of dogs began more than 18,000 years ago. They are breed from wolves, which are pack animals which accounts for their sociability. They are the only domestically bred animal that shows this type of social bonding. In other words, there is nothing quite like a dog!
Dippin Dot 5 years ago
Dogs can also tell time by scent. If you have a regular schedule, your dog will know your scent is strongest when you first leave and it gets weaker as the day progresses. Dogs know at what strength scent you're supposed to come home at. And that explains why when I'm home early my dog responds with way more excitement than when it's my normal arrival time; because he didn't expect it and is surprised and happy!!
Andres Tejeda 5 years ago
Dogs, possible the best pet anyone can have. They are lovable, the can be doofuses, they can provide hours of amusing antics.
Chris Jones 5 years ago
They are wonderful - I hope you can one day soon.
Load More Replies... Victoria Saxon 5 years ago
The FBI tracking animal abuse is fantastic, but, I think they may also have another motive for this. Most serial killers commit animal abuse (and arson) when they are young, so this type of behaviour is often a marker of what's going to come next. Frankly, I simply cannot imagine how twisted and nasty you would have to be, to harm lovely animals at all.
Alex Bailey 5 years ago
Yeah, several people did point that out in the comments and it is a known trait.
Load More Replies... Nea 5 years ago
I lost mine couple months ago and i cannot get through reading these. Dogs are extraordinary givers. Wish each one of them never experiences any pain or sadness.
Dilly Millandry 5 years ago
I know how much this hurts - I am so sorry for your loss.
Load More Replies... Kathy Smith 5 years ago
They could have left out the last two, and the article would’ve had a happy ending.
John Louis 5 years ago
Domestic breeding of dogs began more than 18,000 years ago. They are breed from wolves, which are pack animals which accounts for their sociability. They are the only domestically bred animal that shows this type of social bonding. In other words, there is nothing quite like a dog!
Dippin Dot 5 years ago
Dogs can also tell time by scent. If you have a regular schedule, your dog will know your scent is strongest when you first leave and it gets weaker as the day progresses. Dogs know at what strength scent you're supposed to come home at. And that explains why when I'm home early my dog responds with way more excitement than when it's my normal arrival time; because he didn't expect it and is surprised and happy!!
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