DOG COMMUNICATION

Dogs are one of the more intelligent animals kept as domestic pets. We have the ability to communicate with other dogs, other animals and even humans. We communicate using body language and vocal sounds. Our body language involves the use of our eyes, ears, mouth, posture, eyebrows, head position and tail. The vocals we use are yips, barks, howls, growls, whimpers, whines and “dog talk” which sounds like we are trying to imitate human speech. Some of our communications involve using the same gesture, but with a different meaning dictated by the circumstances in which it is used. For example, if we pant, it can mean that we are hot and we are trying to cool down, or it can mean that we are anxious or happy. If it is hot and we are panting heavily, it usually means that we are overheated and we are trying to cool down. If we are in the veterinarian's office and we are panting, it usually means we are anxious or scared. If we are playing with you and we pant and almost look like we are smiling, it means we are happy.

In the wild, dogs live in packs which have a certain hierarchy which is determined by personality, strength and personal confidence. Confident and higher ranked dogs hold their tail high. Lower ranked dogs, or submissive dogs, allow their tail to droop. If you notice that your pet dog carries his tail held high, it means that he is confident and proud. If he carries his tail low, it means that he is submissive and insecure. If you speak harshly to your dog when he has done something you don't like, you will notice that his tail will droop. If you have ever had occasion to observe a dog when it is about to become involved in a fight, you will notice that the fur on his tail is all fluffed out. As well all the hair on his body will also be standing out. This makes him appear larger to his opponent, which may cause the opponent to back down and submit to the larger appearing more dominant dog. (As an aside, if you are ever confronted by a black bear, stand on your tip toes, put your arms out and up as far as you can and yell as loud as you can...this makes you appear very large to the bear and most of the time he will run away. Growing up in the wilds of British Columbia, my dad had numerous confrontations with bears and by using this technique he was never attacked once...mind you he was very careful to never get between a female bear and her young either.)

When I am confused, I wag my tail slowly while I try to figure out what I should do. If I am excited about something, I wag my tail very quickly. If I am confronted by another dog and I recognize that he is higher ranked than I am, I will wag my tail and move my hips also. This means that I am ready to submit to the other dog.

When I become aggressive, I roll my lips back and show my fangs and growl. This indicates that I am ready to bite or attack. If I show my teeth in a smile, it means that I am showing that I am submissive. By observing the number of teeth I display, you can tell whether I am smiling or being aggressive. When I smile, you can only see my front teeth, and when I snarl and roll back my lips, you can see all of my teeth and gums.

My ears are another indicator of what I am trying to communicate. When my ears are erect, it indicates that I am concentrating on something. When I fear something I lay my ears back. When I am happy, I put my ears forward and pant lightly.

When I bark, I'm trying to scare a stranger away and also trying to let my mom and dad know that something is wrong. I also bark when I am playing. When I am excited or playing, my barks are sharp and short. If I am stressed or anxious, my bark is high pitched and repetitive. If I am lonely, I howl mournfully. If I want to communicate with another dog I bark repeatedly in the same mid range tone. When I growl, it is to warn people or other dogs to leave me alone or to threaten my “sisters” to mind their manners. If I am outside and I howl, particularly if it is an undulating howl, I am trying to communicate long distance with another dog I have heard. If I yawn, it usually means I am sleepy, or bored. However, if I yawn repeatedly it means that I am stressed about something, or in pain.

If I lift a forelimb and make a scratching movement in the air, it means I want to play. If I stamp my front feet it means I am excited. If I stamp my front feet and yip, it means that you are supposed to do something for me, usually give me a treat for something I have done that should be rewarded.

If I lift my paw and hold it out to you it means I want to exchange a handshake with you. If I want something, I will scratch it. If I look at something and tilt my head, it means I am concentrating on what I am looking at and trying to determine what it is. If my head is tilted but I am not looking at anything in particular, it means that I am trying to identify something that I have heard. If I go to the door and whine, it means I have to go out. If I go to the food bowl and it is empty, I will either bark while looking at it, whine while looking at it or pick it up and bring it to you. I also use these tactics if my water bowl is empty. If you are eating something and it smells real good, I will lick my lips and I may even bark, whine or yip to try and get you to share it with me.

If I stand facing you with my legs spread apart and my muscles bunched, then I am warning you to either back away or stay away from me.

If I am looking at you and I raise my eyebrows, it means either I am waiting for you to say something or if you have said something, I don't understand what you want me to do. If I draw my eyebrows down into a frown, I'm puzzled by something. If my eyes get big and round and my eyebrows go up, it means I'm surprised or startled by something.

If I want to play with you, I will bring a toy to you and stand there wagging my tail. Many of us can be trained to play catch, to fetch thrown objects, to catch frizzbies, to play fly-ball or to compete in agility competitions. “Mitzi” the first dog mom and dad had after they married, could play hide and go seek, ride a skateboard and a toboggan and stand on her hind legs and dance. Spend time with your dog and you will be amazed at what he or she can communicate to you.

Until next time,

Teia

CATS ARE SMART!

If the right definition for the term “Intelligence” is “the ability to acquire and remember information and the capability to use that information while solving different problems”, then the cat is definitely one of the most intelligent animals there is.

Put an adult cat in a room in which she has never been before and watch how she inspects every corner of that room. This detailed search gives her valuable information about the environment, information that can save her life, in some cases. Actually, the curiosity specific to cats never harmed them; on the contrary, it gave them the reputation of having nine lives!

We all know that the ability cats have to inspect surroundings is legendary, but at the same time, it has been proven that this ability is superior to that of any other domestic animal.

The intellectual capacity of the cat is demonstrated by her ability to use information she already has to pass safely through certain situations. Cats are capable of forming “learning methods,” a characteristic that was supposed to belong only to primates.

Cats learn through observation, imitation, trying things to find a solution and of course, mistakes, just like people. The stories about cats being able to open draws or cupboards are many, but there are also cats that can turn on the lights or use the toilet and this is possible only by carefully observing the ones that know how to do these things, their owners. On the other hand, it can be taught by loving reinforced training too.

Considering the fact that the cat is the most intelligent domestic animal, it is very important that the owner knows very clearly the limits of her cognitive processes, because conferring the pet with human motives can cause damage and behavioural problems.

According to animal behavioural experts, a cat cannot reflect upon the past or think in perspective, so punishing her for something she has done only minutes earlier is useless, because the cat is not capable of connecting the punishment with her past actions. In the same way, cats can’t claim revenge for a past punishment. However, they do have memories and they will remember those who were mean to them and avoid them and those who were good to them and respond positively to these people. If they find a way to open a window in the house in which they live, when they want to go out, they will go to that window and open it again. Similarly, if they spend time in a cage or carrier and they learn how to open it, they will do so again shortly after they are placed in this restrictive place.

In conclusion, don’t underestimate the intelligence of your cat! Try to know your pet better and act in such a way that living together can be a beneficial experience for both of you.

Until next time,

Teia

PS. Grandma came home from the hospital yesterday, so dad was tied up getting her settled back in her apartment.

Unusual Pets - The Capuchin Monkey

Capuchin monkeys got their name from the Franciscan Capuchin whose cowl is similar to the colouration of the monkeys. The Capuchin monkey belongs to the Cebinae family and Cebus genus. Wild versions of these monkeys are found in Central and South America. Also known as Sapajou, they are considered to be the most intelligent of all species of monkeys.

The face, neck and chest of Capuchins are white in colour and the rest of the body is either brown or black. A full grown Capuchin can range from twelve to twenty-two inches in height. These monkeys have hairy tails which are usually the same length as their body. Their average weight is two pounds, although the males usually weigh more than the females. When they live in captivity, they can live up to forty-five years, but in the wild they only live for fifteen to twenty-five years. They stay awake during the day, except for a midday nap, and sleep at night. During the day, they spend most of their time searching for food. At night they sleep on the branches of trees.

Capuchins are social animals and live in groups ranging from eight to forty animals. These groups consist of a mixture of males, females and youngsters. The areas where groups live are marked with urine and smell terrible. Intruders are not welcomed. A strong male controls the whole group and mates with all the females in the group to produce offspring. Male and female Capuchins smell each other to know whether the other is sexually mature or not. A female Capuchin monkey is capable of reproducing every two years. A female's pregnancy lasts from five to six months.

When they are small, the offspring cling to the chest of the mother and when they grow bigger, they switch to the mother’s back. Baby Capuchins rely on their mothers to look after them until they are three months old. Male Capuchins are not involved in raising their young.

The whole group enjoys grooming, both themselves and each other. They also use grooming as a means of expressing their feelings. Capuchins tear millipedes to pieces and then rub the pieces on their body to repel mosquitoes and other insects.

Capuchins are very intelligent animals which on occasion use tools to assist them in their daily life. They drink the juice of palm nuts from the tip and then let them dry. After the palm nuts dry, they will gather them and break them open with a rock and then eat the contents. They have the ability to walk upright on their hind feet and carry food and tools in their front feet. In this endeavour, they look like little people walking on their feet and carrying things in their hands. As well as finding fruit and nuts in trees, they are also clever enough to find food on the ground. Unlike other monkeys, Capuchin monkeys are omnivorous. As well as eating food like flowers, seeds, nuts and fruits, they also eat bird's eggs, small birds, insects, reptiles, bats and even small mammals. Capuchins who live near water also feed on crabs and other shellfish, which they crack open using stones.

Capuchins aren’t fussy about their surroundings, so it is easy to have them as pets. As well as making Capuchins into pets, they are also used as organ grinders and service animals. They have also been trained by many service organizations to help quadriplegics around the house. After they are trained, they can open bottles, microwave food and even wash the face of the patient. They are also safe around children as they are very gentle animals. They can also be taught tricks and some have even starred in movies.

As Capuchins reach sexual maturity they can become troublesome. If you decide to get one as a pet, keep this in mind and also consider neutering the animal before it reaches maturity. Because Capuchins are wild animals, many jurisdictions have regulations about keeping them. Before considering them for a pet, check with local authorities to ascertain what rules apply to your area. You may also find that taking them on holidays with you could be a problem because some of the jurisdictions you pass through or stop in may have restrictions against possessing these animals.

Until next time,

Teia