Dogology is a term used in dog training to describe a more holistic approach to animal behavior. It goes beyond standard obedience and trick training protocols to include a focus on the underlying motivations that drive canine behaviors.
About two hundred million dogs live with humans who feed them, play with them, and offer shelter and squeaky toys. But millions more roam the world as wild, scavenging canines.
Why do dogs poo?
When your dog’s poo is slime-covered, it’s usually due to inflammation in their lower intestinal tract. This means their digestive system isn’t functioning well and they need to visit the vet for treatment.
Their poo should be soft, compact and about the consistency of children’s play dough. If it’s hard or dry, this could indicate they’re dehydrated or constipated. On the other hand, watery poo is a sign that they’re eating too many table scraps and it’s time to cut them back.
Generally, dogs should poop on average twice a day. However, the frequency can vary depending on their diet and medication. Blood in a dog’s poop can indicate stomach or intestinal ulcers, bowel infections or even anal gland problems. Consult your vet immediately if you see any blood in your pet’s poop.
Do dogs dream?
Dogs often twitch while sleeping, but they are unlikely to be having seizures. A dog’s twitching during sleep is usually gentle and lasts for only a short time, whereas the convulsions of a seizure can be longer, harder and happen in limbs that have become stiff or rigid.
Just like humans, dogs go through different stages of the sleep cycle, and a period known as REM or rapid eye movement sleep is when dreams occur. It’s also when the brain performs important functions, like converting short term memories to long term ones.
Because most dogs are very close to their pet parents and spend a lot of their time with them, research suggests that you may feature heavily in your dog’s dreams. You can expect to see your face, smell and even your behaviour in their dreams. They also dream about dog things, such as chasing squirrels or running around with their buddies. They can also have nightmares, such as being home alone during a storm or fighting another animal.
Do dogs smell?
The nose of a dog is more than just a cute appendage—it’s also a highly-tuned scent processing machine. As air enters the nostrils, it passes over a layer of cells that warm the air and remove larger particles before continuing to the olfactory epithelium where it’s analyzed by specialized neurons.
These olfactory cells are 10 times more accurate than humans’ and can detect smells at concentrations of one part per trillion – the equivalent of a single drop of liquid in 20 Olympic-size swimming pools! Additionally, dogs have an extra olfactory tool called Jacobsen’s organ that works with the nose to create a delicate sensing system. Want to know more? Then head over to Bulldogology.
Scent-trained dogs are able to lock onto faint odors that humans don’t normally consider significant (such as subterranean termites or the lingering odor of feces). They can even track down people up to 48 hours after seeing them if they have a good connection with that person’s scent. These abilities make it easier for a dog to know who’s around, find sustenance and avoid danger.
Do dogs hear?
There’s a popular belief that dogs can hear things four times farther away than humans can. But this isn’t based on any scientific evidence. It’s actually a bit of an exaggeration.
Dogs’ ears are very sensitive to high-pitched sounds, a feature that evolved when they were wild animals hunting rodents for a living. They can also hear sounds at lower frequencies, and their ability to localize sound is incredible.
The shape of a dog’s ear helps to improve its hearing by “funnelling” sounds into the inner ear. Plus, a dog can move its ears to focus on sounds coming from different directions. Some can even differentiate timbre, which is an important part of understanding human speech. One study found that dogs could quickly grasp the meaning of new words, just like a 6- to 12-month-old human infant can. This is known as “fast mapping.” But this only applies to certain words and tones of voice.