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Browsing articles in JoAnna Lou
Blog: JoAnna Lou
Study finds kenneled dogs show signs associated with mental illness
I think all of us would agree that dogs shouldn't live in a cage all day, but the reality is that many pups, working canines in particular, do spend the night in a kennel. Although these canines have an active life, a new study found that these dogs showed signs of distress often associated with mental illness.
Researchers at University of Bristol's Anthrozoology Institute looked at the behavior...
Blog: JoAnna Lou
Inseparable pups help their people find true love
There's no question that guide dogs are invaluable. These working pups help their people navigate the world and hold onto their independence. In 2012, two guide dogs in England went beyond the call of duty and helped their handlers find something incredible—true love.
Claire Johnson and Mark Gaffey met two years ago at a training class for guide dogs. Mark has been blind since birth and Claire...
Blog: JoAnna Lou
A color coded system alerts people on how to approach dogs
When Brigitte Blais' Bull Mastiff, Diesel, was recovering from surgery, he wasn't tolerating other dogs very well (understandably). But when they went on walks, other people would routinely let their pups run up to Diesel, leaving Brigitte to frantically pacify the situation. Brigitte wished there was a way to let others know that Diesel was not reliably dog friendly.
Brigitte then started D.E.W...
Blog: JoAnna Lou
Is it better not to know your rescue pup's history?
If you could learn more about your dog's past, would you? Even if it was bad? Recently a friend had the opportunity to find out more about her rescue pup's former life, but was unsure if she really wanted the information. The adoption had taken place years ago and she was afraid the truth wouldn't be pretty. Some friends said it would be useful to know any available information, while others...
Blog: JoAnna Lou
Dogs make quick decisions similar to humans and other primates
People always say, 'less is more,' and according to a new study, that mantra is sometimes true for canines.
A study at the University of Kentucky looked at a group of dogs that willingly ate both cheese and baby carrots, but showed a preference for the cheese (like most pups I know!). When given a choice between one slice of cheese or the cheese together with a piece of carrot, nine out of ten...
Blog: JoAnna Lou
Dogs' leashes get stuck in the closing doors
Living in the New York City area, I ride in an elevator several times a day. It's something I barely think about. When my dogs are with me, I usually send them ahead so that I can make sure their bodies clear the door, but thinking about their leashes getting stuck never crossed my mind. Until I watched a video (actually footage from an elevator security camera) posted by Tamara Seibert, I wasn't...
Blog: JoAnna Lou
Study looks at how to better train the canine nose
Back in December, I wrote about a lawsuit that questioned the abilities of drug and bomb sniffing dogs. With no concrete standards or training protocols, some studies were showing that the canine nose is not always reliable. Since then, I've been eager to see more research in this area. We know that the canine nose is extraordinary, but I think we just have to find the best way to train and...
Blog: JoAnna Lou
URIPALS expands the program to include canines
Last year I wrote about URIPALS, New York City's first initiative to allow victims of domestic violence to enter shelters with their pets. At the time the program was part of a pilot and only included cats and smaller animals. Thanks to the initiative's success, URIPALS is now welcoming dogs into their largest shelter. To mark the expansion, the Urban Resource Institute (URI) and Nestlé Purina...
Blog: JoAnna Lou
Wolves in popular culture increase the number of homeless pups
Over the years various television shows and movies have been blamed for the overpopulation problem connected with iconic breeds like Chihuahuas and Dalmatians. It's unfortunate that people see these dogs in popular culture and feel the need to get a pet without doing any research.
The success of the HBO show, Game of Thrones, and fantasy films like Twilight, has spelt bad news for wolf-like dog...
Blog: JoAnna Lou
Lab mix walks children to and from school, finds vet care and home
Seven years ago, a puppy showed up in Eagle Pass, Texas and started accompanying children as they walked to and from Benavidez Heights Elementary school. She even hung around at recess to play with the kids. At first the school tried to chase the dog away, but soon they gave up and named her Debbie. The faculty and students began leaving food and water for Debbie, and even got her basic...
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