Dr Jo's blog

but I still feel like a winner!

Just watching the stars prepare for the Oscars and thinking how lucky I am to be sitting at home with a cat on my lap and a dog at my feet.

…Unlike the stars who, not only have to excel at whatever art they choose (acting, presenting, singing, modelling) but have to think about their appearance every moment of the day. After all, in these ‘valued’ professions, it’s not only being able to perform at the job but it’s about showing that you are controlled (ie. no chocolate, false smiles) and always looking acceptable by today’s standards (AU size 8 and below!).

Well, guess what – my pets don’t care. They don’t care when I have a bad hair day. They don’t care that I put on a few kilos or lose some. And I have even more benefits living with pets – I am healthier (less chance of cardiovascular disease), I have kids who are more popular with their peers; I am less stressed.

So no I won’t be watching Oscar night except for a sneak peak at the red carpet (always hopeful that someone’s outfit will be covered in dog/cat hair!). I’ll be walking my dog. I’ll be answering my cats’ meows. And in their eyes I’m the winner – every year

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Ok it’s a generalised title. Most dogs don’t dislike men but a small but significant number do. Ask anyone that works with dogs, particularly shelter workers, which particular group of people dogs tend to dislike – the answer is invariably men. Behaviourists don’t know why but we suspect the size, the deep voices, the attitudes of men make dogs wary. Perhaps we are now beginning to understand…

Young man, young dog

An interesting post by Patricia McConnell tied together a recent study on human motion with our dogs’ likely perspectives on human gender. Research shows that people view male and female movements differently. When shown image points on the human torso in motion, people perceived males as walking towards us while females are perceived as walking away (It’s in his walk).

Biologically and historically this makes sense. Men are the hunters, ready to approach (to kill or to warn off) in a threatening manner. Females are the gatherers and nurturers and need their children to follow. It’s still debatable, however, whether dogs view human movement in the same way as we do.

Dogs may perceive the male approach as threatening thus become fearful and/or defensive. Scared dogs may try to flee but dogs who cannot take the flight option (because they are on a leash or in a vet clinic or in their own homes and have nowhere to escape to), often have to take the fight option. Research has shown that a more indirect approach to a dog (front to side-on, no eye contact) results in less incidences of canine aggression.

Extrapolation: To take this idea a step (pardon the pun) further … assuming this is the case and dogs perceive male movements as threatening… how then can we advise men to move? Certainly in a more indirect way when they are moving towards a dog. With a more swinging gait? (Is this more feminine?)

Then again, perhaps it’s not the movements at all. Perhaps the human voice has an impact too. Light, ‘happy talk’ seems to disarm dogs, again suggesting that the female voice is less of a threat. Or perhaps it’s our pheromones which dogs can detect and react to. Time and more research will tell.

Your experiences…

Do you have an experience with a dog who does not like a certain group of people?

Have you had an experience with a dog who acts fearfully or aggressively on your approach?

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Life’s a circus and I’m the juggler.

Ever wonder what you’d do if you didn’t have pets? And if you also have two legged little creatures, how would it be if they weren’t around? I’ve found myself wondering just that over these summer holidays as I juggle work and life (never a balance).

Who’s going where with who? – seems to be the never ending topic. Who needs picked up? Who’s got time to take the dog for a walk? Has anyone remembered to make that appointment to get the cats vaccinated? What do you mean our youngest child has to come to work with me?!

Then you have an evening when the cats are all asleep, eldest son has taken dog for a walk, younger sons staying with friends. The house is peaceful – and… it’s boring! Bring back the chaos. Bring back the noise.

So while I complain about trying to fit everything in and give everyone enough attention – and who’s giving me attention, I wouldn’t swap it. Just got to perfect that juggling

Check out my website.

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Which breed of dog is best for kids? A question I am often asked.

Choosing a breed of dog is not easy and most people opt for the breed they grew up with. The ‘Oodle’ varieties seem to be gaining in popularity but are they the best for families with young children? Traditionally the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Labrador and the Golden Retriever are suggested as good family pets. But what do you think?

Which dogs do you think are best for families? Any why? (Comment below)

More reading
Top ten pets for kids
Dr Jo’s website

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Wishing everyone a peaceful Xmas & New Year…

Pet Problems Solved website

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What did you consider before choosing a pet? My list of factors to consider is here. Here’s the quick list:

1. Time
2. Energy
3. Finances
4. Space
5. Experience
6. Other family members
7. Other pets
8. Stage of life
9. Expectations
10. Which pet?

What other factors did you think about before you acquired your pet?
What else would you like people to think about before they get a pet?

Please leave your comments below…

Read the expanded list
Read more top tens

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I wonder what they’d say? Perhaps along the lines of a diary…

Monday:

• Day – Walk. Yippee! Sniffed 5 dogs, 3 males, 2 females. Enemies = 1. New playmates = 2. Home. Left alone ALL day. Snack: pot plant, watering system.
• Night: Mum home – dinner. Yippee! Kids home – snacks – 2 choc chip bics (yes I know I’m not allowed). Crept onto bed when family asleep.

Tuesday:

• Day – Walk. Yippee! Sniffed 2 dogs, both female. All friends. (Note to self – need to get out more, meet new friends. Try escaping over backyard fence today.) Home – snacks – rawhide chew, treat ball. Prefer watering system but digging hole in lawn to bury treat ball = fun.
• Night – dad found chewed newspaper – not happy. Outside all night.

Or perhaps more of a social commentary:

• Three new dogs passed fence today, one wearing bling collar (Xmas wish list – I don’t think so).
• Family gardening, dug up my fav old bone. Need to redig their new plants to replace fav old bone in preferred hiding spot.
• Missed my walk today. Need to bark, bark, bark. Didn’t they hear me? Bark, bark, bark.

Cats of course would have their say / blog (cat-a-log) too:

• Sleep interrupted (!) but for very good reason – feeding time. Yum! Back to sleep.
• Dreaming of the great outdoors. Doors shut. Windows shut. The modern cat’s life  (sigh).
• Gazing at the food bowl, willing it to refill.
• Swatting dad’s newspaper as he reads it. Maybe he’ll feed me. Snooze on lap. Shed hair copiously.
• Find prime spot on bed prior to families entry. Refuse to budge. Bite. Sleep in prime spot on bed – ALL night.

If pets could blog, what do you think they’d say?

More reading:

Leo Blog (cat-a-log) – for one year Dr Jo’s Maine Coon kitten kept a blog.

Pet Problems Solved – Dr Jo’s website with lots of pet info.

Read “A Modern Dog’s Life” by Dr Paul McGreevy for a unique insight into how dogs view our and their world.

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