There are some amazing facts about dogs that clear up some long held myths. Studies from various parts of the world have brought new light to little known revelations about your pooch.
DOES A DOG FEEL GUILT
Pet parents often believe that their dog “feels” guilty because of a certain look in their eyes. When you see those “puppy-dog” eyes and you think that your dog feels guilty or ashamed of something he/she did, you’d be wrong. Research tells us that it is a sign of fear and that dogs cannot feel guilt. According to studies, dogs don’t experience guilt, even when they got in trouble and were scolded.
A DOG IS HOT
Most dogs are sensitive to heat and some breeds are extra sensitive. Dogs are heat sensitive for a couple of reasons. First, they have a body temperature about one degree higher than humans. Plus, dogs always have a fur coat on, even when they shed in the warmer months. Additionally, dogs don’t sweat like people do to cool down. Humans have sweat glands throughout their body, but dogs only have sweat glands on their paws.
CAN A DOG SEE COLOR
Most people believe the myth that dogs can only see in black and white. People have three cones in their eyes to see color. But dogs have only two cones in their eyes which means they can see some colors. Dogs can see in a blue and yellow scale but they cannot see the red and green scale. They have better night vision than humans and their eyes process information 25% faster than people.
WHEN A DOG WAGS IT’S TAIL
Dogs wag their tale to the right when they are happy. But wag their tale to the left when they are frightened. They wag their tale low when they are insecure and when accompanied with rapid movement and dilated pupils it means aggression. Tale wagging comes with a whole language of it’s own that up until now was a secret code. These are only a few examples of tale wag signs.
A COMMON EMOTION DOGS DO FEEL
Dogs actually experience “jealousy” and their reaction is very similar to a human’s. Some emerging research conducted by scientists in California studied the reaction of 14 breeds when their owners showered attention and displayed affection for a stuffed dog. The dogs had a significant behavior change to snarling and snapping in protest.
CREATIVITY FOR SURVIVAL
In Russia the subways have a new type of passenger! Stray dogs have taken survival to the next level by learning how to use the subway system. These dogs learned that the subway can take them to other parts of a city or town with market places and restaurants. In doing so, the strays have learned to find more food sources.
MARKING THEIR TERRITORY
Dogs mark their territory by urinating on certain surfaces and objects. Some common surfaces dogs mark with their urine are: trees, fence posts, lamp posts, and fire hydrants. A dog’s urine contains acids that actually corrode metal! Places like England and Croatia have spent millions to replace or repair metal lamp posts after being marked repeatedly by dogs.
DOG SMART
According to the American Psychological Association, dogs have the intelligence of a two year old child. Additionally, dogs can learn up to 250 words and gestures! Some dogs even learned how to do simple mathematical problems! Of the breeds studied, the top five are Border Collies, Poodles, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Dobermans.
These fun facts give us all a deeper appreciation of our canine friends!