Survival of the fittest...or is it?

I'd like to continue my conversation from my previous post.  How were dogs domesticated?  How did this wonderful, glorious relationship between human and canine begin?

Let's start at the very beginning.  Wolves.  Wolves throughout history typically do not fare well with humans.  They have been reviled, hunted and even today are made the bad guys in Disney movies.  We do not have a very good relationship with the wolf.  It would seem very unlikely that humans one day decided to gather up wolf puppies and breed them.  We had no use for them, we were not friends.

   

Twelve to fifteen thousand years ago humans started to settle in one place.  And along with those first settlements, came a great deal of garbage.  We threw away our garbage and wolves started to use the food remains made available.  Much easier than going out and hunting for food.  

So this brings us to what type of temperament of wolves would hang around people.  It would have to be a friendlier type personality.  If aggressive wolves starting hanging around human settlements, it's unlikely that humans would allow it, right?  Remember our relationship with the wolf...we were not friends.  It would make sense that the wolves who hung around cleaning up after us; 1 - showed little to no fear and 2 - were friendlier in nature and temperament.  Humans allowed the friendly wolf to hang around and thus they lived and reproduced a friendlier wolf...dog.

Having access to the 45 year study in Russia of the Dimetrie Belyaev foxes.  We have concrete scientific evidence.  The scientists selected kits who showed the least amount of fear and aggression toward humans.  The outcomes of these matings showed a change in the fox's morphology.  The friendly foxes exhibited floppy ears, curly tails and spotted coats to name a few of the visible changes. They became increasingly more friendly toward humans, enjoyed and even desired our touch and company.

Thus we can conclude that domestication is selection against aggression and a selection for interest in people and a willingness and desire to want to be with people!

Let's review:  

~It's unlikely the first dogs evolved from wolves due to humans intentionally breeding them.

~ The friendliest wolves would have advantage scavenging from humans as we became more sendentary 12 - 15,000 years ago.

~More likely that frienldy wolves were allowed to live and thus reproduce.

~This selection for friendliness would change the behavior of these dog-like wolves but also their morphology and cognition would change like the Belyaev foxes.

In short, how were dogs domesticated?  It was by "self domestication" that this most beautuful of relationships bloomed between human and canine. It is very evident that the first dogs CHOSE US! How exciting is that?!

And further study reveals, humans also started to realize the benefit of having a friendly wolf dog protect us, help us hunt and partner with us in our every day lives!

Survival of the fittest? No. Survival of the friendliest is a truer statement!  Once again, I think we can learn a thing or two from our furry friends!

As always Happy Trails!

Dog Emotion and Cognition

I enjoy this picture of Alli collie. It shows her recognition of something we were all looking at while hiking recently. I was so impressed with her ability to be so engaged with us and what we were looking at, I snapped a quick picture.  And I was right to notice, to observe this - because as I'm learning my suspicions were correct.  Dogs get us, they understand us and what we are doing and saying more than we know.  

Speaking of recognition of intentions and social gestures, let me fill you in on what I've been learning.  I'm taking a course through Duke University on Dog Emotion and Cognitive Ability.  I've been as happy as a dog with a bucket full of tennis balls or a field full of sheep learning about dog cognition.  Let me bring you up to speed. 

The ability to read social gestures and understand intentions has only been attributed to human beings up until about 1999. This is a rather new study. Scientists tested chimpanzees and bonobos, as their genetic makeup is closest to that of humans, on their ability to understand social gestures and intentions.  They conducted the same tests on primates as they did on 14 month old children. For instance, they placed a couple cups closely and would hide a treat under one cup and either gaze or point to the cup with the treat. Of course, human children understood these tests perfectly. But primates, to the shock of the scientists, failed miserably.   

Scientists thought for sure primates would do well with these tests.  But after doing trial after trial, many repetitions, the primates were not getting it.  They even tried to train them to respond correctly without success. The great apes were having none of it.  With this new data, scientists concluded that only humans have the ability to read social gestures and understand a person's intentions. 

Until Dr. Hare (an Evolutionary Anthropologist and professor of this class) just happen to mention to his colleagues that he felt his dog understood his gestures. He further explained to his fellow scientists that when he would throw several balls to "Oreo" and point to the ball he wanted him to fetch, Oreo would, without fail, follow his visual cue or gesture and find the ball he pointed to.  Dr. Mike (fellow scientist) was intrigued and so began the study on Dog Cognition. 

Having lived and worked with dogs my entire life, I have observed the ability of dogs to read our social gestures and understand our intentions over and over again. My Uncle's collie heading out to the field to drive the cows in for milking every day without fail, winter spring summer and fall and without any prompting!  My sweet poodle greeting me, a nervous uncertain little girl, every day at the door of my empty house after school and sitting right by my side until my Mother arrived home without fail...day after day after day.  My sweet Emma collie understanding her girl (my daughter) was upset one day when dropping her off at school and Emma taking her leave of our yard to go check on her girl at school.  Dogs read us well and are always watching.  They know our coming and our going.  What we do, when we do it.  My dogs knew I was packing to go away recently and watched me closely looking for the tell tale sign that their blue bag is taken out, packed and place by my suitcase signifying that they would be accompanying me. They know when we're happy and seem to rejoice with us and when we might just need a friend and sit by our side. 

These cognitive tests they conducted on human babies, who passed beautifully and primates, who failed miserably, dogs passed with flying colors! The scientists were so excited that they had to be certain.  It was important to be certain they were not projecting these thoughts and emotions on to dogs.  So they tested puppies as young as 9 weeks old and guess what, they passed. They tested dogs they had no relationship with and they passed beautifully!  But how...why?  Why do dogs, a species so far removed from our own genetic makeup, understand our social gestures and intentions?  Where did this ability come from? Instinct?  Is it innate in wolves? Did dogs gain this ability from their wolf ancestry? Intriguing...right?!  Well let's investigate further. 

These were the questions that needed answers.  It was decided they would have to find a pack of wolves to test.  After a bit of a search, Dr. Hare found a pack of wolves who had been raised by a young woman. She agreed to perform the tests with her wolf pack.  And guess what? The wolves failed miserably. What?  No.  Dr. Hare could hardly believe it.  Again, they performed many repetitions of the games they did with humans, primates and dogs.  The wolf pack were absolutely disinterested.  Just like with the primates, they were unable to train the wolves to make the correct decisions.

So the question remains.  Where and how did dogs obtain the ability to understand us? How do they get us so fully?  For centuries dogs have helped us.  They've worked along side of us.  Did they gain this ability through domestication?  That's the $100 question and one I will be exploring further in my study on Dog Emotion and Cognition.

In the meantime, I'll share the fun Ezra and I have been having.  The lab for this study is called dognition (which equals dog cognition) that I can explore and test with one of my own dogs.  So far the two modules we have completed, Ezra has scored very high in Empathy and Communication.  It's been fascinating to perform these same tests (that they performed with children, primates and wolves) on my own dog and gain more understanding on how dog's think.  I have had a ball and Ezra seems to be enjoying working with me as well.  By doing these tests with Ezra our results are being calculated with the information gained from dogs and their owners all over the world. 

Dogs have fascinated me from as far back as I can remember.  I am fortunate to come from a family who welcomed dogs into our homes.  I have had experience with a myriad of different breeds and mix breeds alike.  I have studied them and their interactions with me and my family for well over 40 years.  I have worked with dogs and observed them in my, over 20, years of training dogs.  I feel it a wonderful privilege to be on this journey of further investigation in understanding their interaction with us.  Although, I am not certain about carbon dating and the number of years dogs have been our companions or that great apes are our ancestors, I do know that there is something special about our relationship with our canine companions that has spanned, at the very least, over 10,000 years.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you.  And as always...happy trails!

C.P.R. for Dogs

I put together this little mnemonic to help my students in their dog training journey.  What is a mnemonic, you ask?  Webster describes a mnemonic as a device such as a pattern of letters, ideas or associations that assists in remembering something.   So here is what CPR means in helping you train your dog.

Consistent - being consistent with your cues and training techniques will help your dog understand what you are asking of him.  One of the most difficult things to master when you are first training your dog is deciding on what cues (both verbal and visual) to give and learning how to give them. By practicing your cues over and over again, your responses become second nature and then you are able to concentrate on your dog and what he is doing instead of what you are doing.  The second part of being consistent would be Committing (let me throw in another C word) to set a time aside every day to work on your new behaviors. Having a consistent routine of exercise, play and work will help to drain your dogs energy, give him a job to do and solitify his understanding of the new training principles and behaviors.

Persistence - be persistent in pursuing (oh, this is fun there's another P word) your goals so you and your dog will succeed. For instance, when teaching your dog to go to her place so you can answer the front door.  If she pops up from her place as you go to reach for the door knob, direct her back to her place and try again.  If she pops up when you have the door open, let's say, a foot - guess what? Shut the door and direct her back to her place and start again.  Persist! Your eventual goal is to have someone ring the front door bell, have your dog go to her place and stay, while you go answer the door. Once your guest is invited in, you will release your dog to greet them.  If you need to remind her a 1,000 times to go and stay on her place...so be it!!  With persistence she will finally understand when she hears the front door bell she heads to her place and stays until you release her to greet your guest without jumping on them.  Wha la...you did it and it feels so good to have this wonderfully trained dog who doesn't greet people at the door by jumping all over them.  The second part that goes along with being persistent is having Patience.  Dog training takes as long as it takes and each dog is an individual.  Are you patient enough for your dog to process the information you are giving her before you intervene?  I encourage my students to wait up to 30 seconds to allow their dog to think through the cue until they're able to complete it.  Remember to give your cue for sit or down only once...then wait.  If you say these verbal cues over and over again, guess what...your very smart dog will start to wait until he hears sit three times before he sits.  Ask for it...wait for it and Praise for a job well done!

Repetition -  for both you and your dog, many repetitions are needed to perfect a skill.  They say up to 1,000 repetitions are needed to learn one new behavior.  Be kind to yourself and don't be in a rush...practice does make perfect.  Most canines and humans learn by practicing over and over again.

Remember to make sure your signals are clear to your dog.  Dogs learn in black and white, not shades of gray.  In other words, sometimes equals always to a dog.  If your dog is sometimes allowed on the couch or to run out the door when it's open or not go to his place when he hears the door bell...it translates to "I can always just do what I want".

Another important point and something my Mother in Law says quite often.  "If you don't use it, you'll lose it"!  Such truth to these words.  It's much like a language we might have learned in school years ago.   If we don't use that language we will forget it quickly.  Case in point, I lived in Los Angeles right off Sunset Boulevard for a couple years.  I lived in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood.  If I wanted to buy something, at many of the businesses on Sunset, I had to communicate in Spanish.  I also spoke to my neighbors in Spanish.  Now with practice, I was starting to really understand not only what others were saying to me, but I could respond back to them.  I certainly wasn't as good as my friend, Suzy, who was raised a Missionary kid, but I was really picking it up.  After moving away from LA and back to Ohio, I didn't have as much need for my use of speaking Spanish and I have forgotten much of what I had learned.

This is the same for our dogs.  If we continue to be consistent in our asking, clear with our cues and persistent in our follow through...our dogs will learn and retain these new behaviors and skills.  If fact, their understanding of what is expected of them will grow and become second nature.  There is nothing more exciting to me than to be able to communicate with my dogs.  It's a good thing and our living together becomes easy, comfortable and enjoyable.

CPR...Consistent, Persistent, Repetition will allow you to have the canine companion you always dreamed of!

Until next time, Happy Trails!

Massage Table

I am so excited to have just purchased this massage table.  I was thrilled to find one at such an excellent price.

I generally use my grooming table for smaller dogs but have been massaging larger dogs on the floor. I know I would feel more comfortable after a few massages to be able to stand and have my client waist high.  This will work perfectly for all sizes of dogs.

I thoroughly enjoy my work!  I find I enjoy the massage almost as much as my client does.  The energy that flows back and forth is amazingly refreshing!

I am happy to offer canine massage.  I am seeing great results and happy clients!  Please contact me at pawsitivejourney@gmail.com to book your massage today.  Help me break in my new table and mention this blog post and receive $5.00 off your first massage.

Whether pampering your pet with a relaxing massage or helping them recover from injury or illness, massage is an effective therapy to aid in helping your pet reach their optimal health.

**Barbara is a Certified Canine Massage Therapist and does not diagnose or treat animals.  Massage is not a substitute for regular Veterinary care.   Contact your Veterinarian if your dog has a serious health issue.**

The Dog Who Could Fly

Another good book review!  If you like to hear people's real life stories and it's a big plus if that story so happens to involve a dog too...then you are really going to enjoy this book.

This is the true story of a World War II Airman and the dog who stayed right by his side.  From the start this book will steal your heart.  Their initial meeting was amazing and their relationship bloomed from that point on.  Many twists and turns...will keep you on the edge of your seat.  I loved it!

I was overwhelmed once again how this dog made a difference in the lives of not only Robert (his person) but all the soldiers who lived on the edge during this most difficult of wars.  Antis, the canine hero, gave them joy, peace and comfort during a time of incredible sadness and hardship.

I am interested that Robert and his crew came back from all their missions.  Flying missions each night over the enemy in Germany...Hamburg, Bremen...they were right in the thick of it.  Antis flew many of those missions with 'his' crew.  I might add many of their bother Airmen did not return from their missions...

Each Airman had a lucky charm that they took with them every flight...they might wear a certain garment, or take a small token in their pocket.  I was interested in hearing that when they had Antis on board they didn't need those items, they felt he was their lucky charm.  Antis gave them a sense of courage, of peace that they would return home alive.  And let me tell you, it was just by a miracle that they returned home several times.

Was it Antis that made the difference?  Did he give them the courage to keep fighting against incredible odds?  Read the book and you decide...  I know what I believe!!

I am always so touched by the strong relationship that can bloom and grow between a dog and a human.  It's nothing short of amazing, a miracle how a dog can change a life... They comfort us and bring us such joy in the midst of some of our most trying hardships...they bring out the best in us... I've seen it over and over again.

I am glad for that bond that was created over 10,000 years ago.  I have been blessed by the canine heroes in my life...  I highly recommend this book...enjoy!

I encourage you to get out there and live your story and tell it to the world!   And as always...Happy Trails!

Body Language

No I'm not talking about the song Body Language by Queen...  I'm talking about dog body language.  Dog's speak volumes through their body.  They speak to their fellow pack members, as well as, to us...if we'll listen.

Body language is a fascinating study.  I've spent a life-time of working with dogs and horses and my understanding of body language has opened a whole new wonderful world to me and has, at times, kept me safe.

As humans our main form of communication is verbal.  We are very vocal.  As a young child I was extremely shy – often described as “backwards”.  I found it very easy to communicate with animals – no words needed – what a relief for me. But I also learned, from a young age, that people speak volumes through their expressions and body language as well.  Often times what we say and what our body says - does not match (insert folded arms, rolling of the eyes...you get the 'picture')...

A dog’s main form of communication is by using body language.  Dogs do vocalize by barking, whining and growling but most often use their body when speaking to each other and to humans.  The most wonderful thing about dogs is they learn our language but often we don’t take the time to learn theirs. (And this is why so many GOOD dogs are surrendered to the pound – miscommunication!)

My approach to dog training is to honor the way dogs communicate and that is through visual cues and body language.

The smallest dog of our pack, Libby (pictured above) – all 11 lbs of her – was the leader.  I was always amazed at how she could give the other dogs a look, a stare, a stance and they obeyed her. She helped me to realize this truth in my training program.  If little Libby could ask for and get results from dogs who were 3 and 4 times her size...then why do we humans insist on snatching and jerking our dogs to get what we want.  If we spoke to dogs in the correct way, we wouldn't need to man handle and over power them! 

A recent study suggests that even people who are trying to hide their feelings speak volumes through their body language.  Truth is our body's just can’t lie. 

 Barely perceivable micro expressions are often caught by our dogs.  Dog's know when we are preparing to leave for work.  They know when you are preparing to take them on a walk, feed them or going on vacation.  They get it when you are frustrated, happy... They are master's of body language and they watch us all the time, they know our routines well.

Dog's tell us when they are frightened, excited, overwhelmed, stressed and even when they are about to bite.  We often just miss the cues.  Easy to understand what the doberman is saying in this picture below.

Get Back!

But do you know what the chocolate Labrador is saying in this picture?

A look, a stare, yawning, heavy panting, looking away and licking the lips are speaking volumes...can you hear it?  One of the things I am most passionate about is sharing this information with  humans.  So many misunderstandings could be solved by proper communication!

If you find you are having a difficult time communicating with your canine companion and you'd like to be on the same page...call me.  I'd be happy to help... and in the meantime...

Happy Trails!

   

Pawsitive Journey Canine Massage

After a 10 month thorough study and practice on both my dogs and my friend's dogs, I am happy to announce I am now a certified canine massage therapist!  What a wonderful journey this has been.  I find when massaging dogs it is quite therapeutic for me as well.  The whole process takes about an hour and is relaxing and rejuvenating for both canine and human!

Look for my News Release in the Mount Vernon News this week!  I will reprint it here just in case you miss it!  And please don't hesitate to contact me for an appointment today.  I am available both days and evenings!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CANINE MASSAGE THERAPY offered in Knox County

Barbara Kurtz, CCMT (Certified Canine Massage Therapist)

Opened for business and booking appointments!

www.pawsitivejourney.com

Canine massage therapy promotes good health and emotional well being.  Whether pampering your pet with a relaxing massage or helping them recover from injury or illness, massage is an effective therapy to aid in helping your pet reach their optimal health.

Benefits of Massage:

Increase and improvement of circulation

Promotes relaxation and stress reduction

Increased flexibility

Improvement of athletic performance

Release of endorphins (natural pain relievers)

Enhancement of muscle tone and range of motion

Advancement of healing through increase of nutrients to injured muscles