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Your dog responds to your tone
Don’t forget that dogs don’t experience the full breadth of emotions humans do, so if you’re trying to train or admonish your dog, taking an angry tone and a very loud voice might just make him skittish. According to Hartstein, “your prosodic of speech, tone, rhythm, [and the] pitch of your voice are far more important” than what you’re actually saying. That’s also a big part of the reason dogs respond positively to that high-pitched cute-pet speak. You should also ignore these common dog training myths.
A dog’s yawn is not quite the same as a human’s yawn
When your dog lets out a big yawn, you probably just assume it means what it does when we yawn—that he’s sleepy. And it certainly can be a sign of tiredness, but dogs yawn for other reasons as well. Dogs yawn to calm themselves down, so repeated yawns could be a sign that your pup is feeling anxious or stressed out. It’s similar to the way a cat’s purr can mean lots of different things, so assessing the context of the situation can usually help you figure out what’s going on.
Dogs don’t actually have it out for cats
Media portrayals of these furry frenemies would have you believe that chasing cats is hardwired in dogs’ DNA. But it’s not specific to cats; dogs’ evolutionary hunting instincts are the reason they chase after anything small and speedy, whether it’s their favorite ball or little Tiger. And dogs and cats can actually get along great, even in the same household, depending on the animals themselves and whether you introduce them the right way.
Dogs heat up more quickly than humans
Dogs’ normal body temperature is slightly higher than that of humans (it hovers at around 101.5 degrees F), which means that hotter temperatures can affect them more. This is why you need to take care while walking your dog on a hot day.
Also, don’t forget about the pavement if you’re taking your dog for a walk—the ground heats up fast in the sun and can be painful on dogs’ unprotected feet. Not to mention, dogs have that thick layer of fur, so a day that may not seem overwhelmingly hot to you can be a scorcher for your dog. That’s why you need to be especially careful of these warning signs of heatstroke in dogs.
Sticking out your hand isn’t the best way to introduce yourself to a new dog
This is another of the fun facts about dogs that aren’t quite true. You probably grew up believing that the old “hold out your hand to an unfamiliar dog and let it smell you” advice was gospel. And it can work, but you have to be careful how you do it.
Just shoving your hand toward a strange dog’s face can scare or alienate her. You’re better off letting the dog approach you first and then offering your hand to the dog to smell, rather than assuming she wants to and waving your hand under her nose. And approach the dog from the side, rather than from straight on, if you must approach it yourself.
“Dog years” vary a lot, based on breed
Nope, every dog year does not automatically equal seven human years, as one of the most well-known fun facts about dogs would have you believe. The saying—which does have some factual merit—came from observations that “average,” medium-sized dogs tended to live around one-seventh as long as their owners.
However, dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and what’s “average” for a Great Dane is very different from what’s “average” for a Chihuahua. Paying attention to the “life stages” of dogs, and how they correspond to each breed, will give you a much better picture of how “old” your dog actually is than equating one human year to seven dog years.
Trying to be “dominant” over your dog is not the best approach
Despite enjoying considerable popularity for many years, the “dominance” theory of dog training is finally seeing the truth come out. “You should never try to dominate your dog,” Hartstein insists. The idea that you need to show your dog “who’s alpha,” with methods such as eating before your dog, making sure you’re always in a higher position than them, or punitive behavior, is outdated and ineffective.
Of course, you need to set a routine and make sure your dog understands rules and boundaries, but avoid traditional advice about displays of dominance.
Those dog “kisses” don’t mean what you think
You might think a lick to the face is your dog’s way of giving you a kiss—and sometimes it is. Dogs lick as a way to bond in the way that a mother dog may lick her newborn pups. But when a dog is born, its instinct is to lick its mother’s face as a signal for the mom to regurgitate food for the puppy to eat, so that may play a role too.
Dogs sniff butts to learn about each other
If the dog facts about dog kisses haven’t convinced you that dogs and humans use different forms of communication, the fact that butt-sniffing is a common dog greeting surely will. A dog’s unique smell is secreted in its glands, and yes, those scent glands are located in their backsides.
A dog’s rear end is home to glands that produce pheromones, which contain information about everything from the sex of the dog to its health and diet. Thanks to dogs’ incredible sense of smell, they can learn all sorts of information about one another just from the nuances of the odor. So the butt-sniff is basically a dog’s way of getting a first impression.
Petting dogs can lower your blood pressure
You can find all sorts of research and fun facts about dogs and the health benefits of having one. And this factoid is true: Petting a puppy can cause your blood pressure to drop around 10 percent. And according to the American Kennel Club, the blood pressure of the dog being petted drops as well.
Dogs have three eyelids
Ready for more weird anatomy-related fun facts about dogs? Dogs have three eyelids in each eye! In addition to a top and bottom lid, they have a “nictitating membrane” in the corner of their eye, primarily for removing dust and mucus from the cornea. And cats actually have it too. You might see it when your pet wakes up suddenly, as the membrane is shut when your pet sleeps.
A Bloodhound’s sense of smell can be used in court
A Bloodhound has such a distinct and accurate sense of smell that it actually can be used as evidence in court. Their scent membranes permit the dog to differentiate smells at least 1,000 times better than humans. Bloodhounds are commonly used in tracing missing persons and searching for criminals, as they can follow tracks that are more than 300 hours old and can remain on a trail for 130 miles.
Newfoundlands make the perfect lifeguards
This breed has a water-resistant coat and webbed feet that make them ideal for swimming. They were initially bred to help fishermen and rescue people from drowning, and a few Newfoundland owners have even recounted their pups trying to “save” them while they’re swimming.
One Beatles song has a frequency only dogs can hear
We all know from earlier in this article that dogs can hear many sounds that humans can’t, and The Beatles used that to their advantage in their hit song “A Day in the Life.” In an interview, Paul McCartney claimed that at the end of the song, a frequency was added that only dogs can hear.
Play the song and watch your pup toward the end, then remember that music is just as beneficial to dogs as it is to humans and can even help with a dog’s anxiety.
Dogs have a sense of time
Dogs can tell the difference between one hour and six hours. With enough conditioning and training, your dog will be able to forecast their daily activities such as walks and meals, as long as they occur around the same time each day.
This Golden Retriever became mayor
In 2012, Max the Golden Retriever became the very first mayor of a town in California called Idyllwild. Unfortunately, Mayor Max passed away in 2013, but he was replaced by Mayor Max the II, who has been in charge of the town ever since. As a non-incorporated town, Idyllwild doesn’t have a human mayor, so Idyllwild Animal Rescue Friends (ARF) funded the town’s first-ever mayoral election.
Any resident was able to nominate their pet, leading to 14 dogs and two cats on the ballot. All votes cost one dollar, and the proceeds went to support ARF. These aren’t the only animals who have appeared on a ballot.
Obesity is dogs’ number one health problem
Just like obesity is a health concern in humans, it’s also a major concern for dogs. More than half of the dogs in the United States are overweight, a number that has been continually on the rise for years because of too many calories, too little exercise, and consuming the food scraps of humans.
Obesity can have a domino effect on other health problems for your dog as well, and may consequently shorten their lifespan. See how much exercise your dog really needs in order to stay as healthy as possible.
Three dogs survived the Titanic
In 1912, three dogs survived the historic sinking of the Titanic. All three—two Pomeranians and a Pekingese—were traveling in first-class, and according to historian J. Joseph Edgette, they most likely survived due to their size and not at the expense of any human passengers.
The oldest dog lived to be 29
Recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest dog ever was an Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey. He lived to be 29 years and 5 months old, from the years 1910 to 1939. Bluey lived in Victoria, Australia, with his owner Les Hall and worked among Hall’s sheep and cattle.
Chocolate can be fatal for dogs
It’s pretty common knowledge that dogs can’t eat chocolate, but have you ever wondered why? Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine, which dogs are unable to digest. Consumption of chocolate could create a brutally toxic buildup in their system that could ultimately be deadly. So keep your pup out of the pantry! See what other foods you should never feed your pet.
Dogs sleep curled up because of instinct
Dogs don’t curl up in a ball when they sleep just for cuteness points. They essentially curl up due to a biological instinct to protect their vital organs and keep themselves warm.
Basenjis are the only “barkless” dog in the world
It’s true! Basenjis don’t bark, but they definitely don’t remain totally silent either. Some describe the sound a Basenji makes as a howl, but others say it’s more like a yodel. Shrieks and screams have actually led to police knocking on the door of Basenji owners preparing to rescue someone in danger.
Dogs can learn more than 1,000 words
Dogs have an amazing sense of vocabulary, with the ability to learn more than 1,000 words! For example, a Border Collie named Chaser knows both nouns and verbs and can understand them enough to shape an action. Research on the subject is in full swing, with programs dedicated to dog psychology at universities including Duke University, Yale University, and Barnard College.
The world’s oldest dog breed is a Saluki
The Saluki served as the hunting hound of kings for thousands of years. They are a slim breed, but incredibly strong with impeccable balance. This breed is very independent but will always remain loyal to their family.
Thomas Jefferson created a dog tax
Dogs initially left a bad taste in Thomas Jefferson’s mouth because they usually helped themselves to people’s sheep and livestock. Jefferson began to tax dog owners due to the high price of wool. The more dogs someone owned, the higher the tax. But after serving as minister to France and reading writings from those he admired with dogs, he began his search for his own pup, ending up with a Briard named Buzzy.
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More than half of United States presidents have owned dogs
Speaking of presidents, they truly love their pups. More than half of U.S. presidents have owned at least one dog, if not multiple—and Calvin Coolidge owned at least 12!
The best time to bring a puppy home is between 7–8 weeks
Many veterinarians and breeders agree that between 7–8 weeks is the most ideal time to bring a puppy home for the first time. The largest factor in this decision is the puppy’s socialization period, which usually occurs during weeks 6–12. This period of time is when the puppy is learning the norms of everyday life. It’s best for dogs to enter their new home during this time so they can adapt to their new environment.
Lassie was the first animal in the Animal Hall of Fame
In 1969, Lassie was the first animal inducted into the Animal Hall of Fame. Lassie is a fictional dog created by Eric Knight, and she began as the star of a short story that was later expanded into a full-length novel, Lassie Come Home. The book was then adapted into a feature film, and Lassie appeared in several more films through 1951, followed by a long-running TV show called Lassie.
Dogs can learn the subway
Stray dogs have mastered the art of the complex Metro in Moscow, Russia, where they have been seen getting on and off at regular stops in search of food. The commuters have become so used to seeing the dogs riding the train with them that they barely notice anymore. As many as 35,000 stray dogs live in Moscow, so this is truly a case of survival of the fittest. Speaking of dog facts, read up on these pit bull “facts” that are totally false.