Just For Fun

A Dogs True Age

Does a Dog's Age Equal Seven Human Year's?

No.There is no exact formula for judging a dogs age. Determining a dogs age has many factors, the greatest being the dogs size. According to Fred L. Metzger, DVM, Dipl, ABVP, State College, PA, this is an example of judging a dogs age:

         Tricks & Common Myths About Dogs

Playing Dead/Bang Dead

Place the dog in a sit. Gently take the dog and slowly push the dog over on to his side as you repeat the command. Once the dog is on its side with its head down, give the dog a treat. If you have problems getting the dog on its side, you can also do one stage of sit and one of down and then turn the dog on its side.
If teaching the “bang,” only give the command once as the dog begins to go on its side.

Back-Up

Stand in front of the dog. Step in to the dog, placing your hands in front of the dog in a “pushing” motion. As soon as the dog moves back even a step, verbally reward the dog “good, good, back.” this can easily be done in a hallway with the help of a wall to keep the dog backing straight.
If the dog is interested in a ball, you can also use the ball to focus the dog. Move into the dog
with the ball above and in front of the dogs head, moving the ball in again in a “pushing” motion as you repeat the command “back.” if food reward is used, it must be thrown to the dog. Eventually, use a hand signal only to back the dog, staying in a stationary position.

Bow

Using the command “stand stay,” with food treat in hand, place yourself in front of the dog. Move both of your hands toward the dogs paws, using the command “bow.” as the dog extends head down to bow position,
reward and praise. Continue exercise with a verbal command until you can successfully achieve the command at a distance.

Turn Out a Light

First, you must ensure the dog can reach the switch. For smaller dogs, construct a box with a step. Now place a treat on the switch and as the dog reaches for the treat give the
command such as “lights off.” As soon as the dog hits the switch, praise “good - lights off.”
Continue until you can distance yourself away from the dog, sending the dog to the switch,
 toss a treat and continue to praise.

Hide Your Eyes

Begin with the dog in a down. With treat in hand, take the dogs paw and place over the eyes, giving the command “cover your eyes.” immediately treat. Continue until the dog
understands the action that is required for the treat.

Saying Prayers

Sit the dog directly in front of a low table. Place the dogs front paws on the table, repeating the command “say your prayers.” once the dog is in position, guide the dogs head between his legs, holding the treat under his front legs. As he takes the treat, give the command “Amen,”
releasing the dog from the command and praise.

       Common Myths About Dogs

Dogs Only See in Black and White

It is not true that dogs only see shades of grey. While dogs do not have the same color vision as humans, they can see colors. One thing that I have found all studies agree on is that dogs see variations of blue and violet and various shades of grey. Where studies differ is what other colors dogs see. Some studies suggest that when your are throwing a yellow tennis ball for fetch, the color makes it easier for owners to find the ball, not the dog. Dogs would find a blue tennis ball much easier.

The reason for this limited range, in both the color blind human and the dog, is that there are only two kinds of color receptors in the retinas of their eyes. While most humans have three kinds of color cells, dogs only have two. No one really knows which variations dogs see, however. Canine eyes also lack another human trait: the fovea, an area especially dense with detail-sensing cells. As a result, their detail vision is not as good as ours, but they make up for this by having much better night vision and greater sensitivity to movement.

Dogs Eat Grass Because Their Stomachs are Upset

The theory is that if dogs eat grass, they will vomit so when they have upset stomachs they
assist themselves by eating grass until they purge. The fact is, however, that some dogs eat grass with no ill effects.Some theories suggest that dogs eat grass because they are seeking some lacking nutritional need; some say dogs just like the taste. The truth is, no one really knows.

Dogs Do Not Understand Human Speech

According to the Journal of Science, dogs have the capacity to comprehend human speech. We can now compare dogs to the intelligence level of a two to three year old child. Because of recent studies, dogs join chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, African grey parrots and dolphins on the list of animals eroding the belief that only humans have the capacity for language.

A Dogs Mouth is Cleaner Than a Human's

It was once believed that a dogs saliva was an antiseptic and even possibly had healing powers. All you have to do is watch where a dog licks and what they put in their mouths for this belief to go out the window.Though it can kill some bacteria, a dogs saliva contains a wide range of bacteria that can cause infections, especially in people with low immune systems. 



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