Tag: working dogs

Black Cats: Gods, Charms and Superstitions

Posted on October 29, 2020 - 3:00 pm by
Taste of the Wild

Black cats are plagued with superstitions. But where did they get such reputations, both good and bad? The answers span great lengths of time and place.

Rightly or wrongly, black cats are plagued with superstitions.

Harbingers of bad luck

In the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church declared that cats were friends of the devil. As such, many believed a black cat could be a witch in disguise, a witch’s pet sent to keep tabs on humans or a witch’s “familiar,” a channel enabling witches to speak to the spiritual world. Black cats became forever entwined with witchcraft and were even killed with perceived witches during the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts.

Cats were also associated with death. Italians used to believe that if a black cat sat on your sickbed, it was a sign of imminent death. In North America, if a black cat crosses your path, it’s believed you’re in for bad luck (although the opposite is true in England, Ireland and Asia).

Bearers of good luck

Ancient Egyptians worshipped all cats, but perhaps black cats most of all because they resembled the deity Bastet, the goddess of the home, fertility and childbirth who often protected the home from disease and evil spirits.

Years later, British sailors believed having a black cat on board a ship would bring good luck and ensure safe passage (not to mention keeping the mice population to a minimum). Blackie, a mostly black cat aboard the HMS Prince of Wales, a Royal Navy battleship during World War II, gained fame when Prime Minister Winston Churchill leaned down to give the cat a rub. The cat was later renamed Churchill.

In some cultures, owning a black cat can bring you luck or love. Good luck is thought to come your way if you dream about a black cat, see one walking toward you or find a white hair on its black coat. A black cat who curls up on your porch is thought to bring you prosperity.

Many Asian countries, such as China and Japan, post maneki nekos — cat figurines with waving paws — outside restaurants and shops to bring good fortune. If the left paw is raised, the cat beckons people to enter. A raised right paw invites money, and both paws raised attracts customers and good fortune. If the mankei neko is black, even better — it’s thought to ward away evil, as well.

Overcoming superstitions

Although some people think black cats might have trouble being adopted because people cling to superstitions, it’s just not so, according to a study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). After reviewing 14 regions of the U.S, with about 300,000 adoptable dogs and cats, black cats had the highest adoption numbers, coming in at 31 percent of all feline adoptions, compared with 20 percent for gray cats and 18 percent for brown cats.

At the same time, shelters often take in more black cats than any other color, according to Emily Weiss, PhD, at the ASPCA. One reason is that the gene for black coat color is dominant, so there tend to be more black cats in the world. Another reason is that 22 different breeds of cats can have solid black coats, according to the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).

As it turns out, black cats may have another thing going for them. It’s possible that the mutation that causes black coat coloring may be associated with the gene that gives humans resistance to viral infections like HIV. While it’s yet to be proven, that may mean black cats may be more resistant to certain diseases. What could be luckier than that?

The One Candidate Everyone Can Agree On: A Dog

Posted on September 17, 2020 - 3:00 pm by
A gray dog looking up and wearing a patriotic bow around its neck.

With the presidential race now running full throttle, it’s understandable that you may pine for a kinder, gentler political campaign. One in which there’s no mudslinging, no partisan squabbling and no overblown claims requiring fact-checking. That’s why we’re happy to share this special edition of Dogs at Work featuring pet politicians who have held political offices.

Tai, President of Whangamomona, New Zealand — This standard poodle became the world’s first canine president in 2003, as a way for the residents to thumb their noses at a redistricting effort. Disgruntled by the new boundaries that put their town in a different region, residents renamed it the Republic of Whangamomona, where they could elect their own president each year. Preceded by Billy Gumboot the Goat and Murtle the Turtle, Tai held the office for months but resigned early, after a scandalous tussle with another dog over a bone.

Other animals have mounted unsuccessful campaigns for president in the United States, including a boar hog named “Pigasus the Immortal” in 1968 and a dachshund called Molly in 2008. During the 2016 election, a Kentucky resident by the name of Limberbutt McCubbins, a candidate of the feline persuasion, joined the presidential race as well.

While there’s only been one successful canine president, many cities have elected dog mayors:

Bosco, Mayor of Sunol, California — How can you lose with a campaign slogan like “a bone in every dish, a cat in every tree and a fire hydrant on every corner”? Running on the “Re-pup-lican” ticket, a Rottweiler-Labrador retriever mix beat out two human opponents in 1981 to become honorary mayor of the rural town of under 1,000 constituents. Bosco made international news when a Chinese newspaper denounced the election as an example of the failure of democracy. After a 13-year tenure, Bosco passed away. Today, a bronze statue, complete with a bandana around his neck, commemorates his years of service.

Lucy Lou, the First Female Canine Mayor of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky — Following male canine mayors Junior and Goofy, this border collie bested 15 other candidates including a cat, an opossum and a human to win the seat in 2008. She served until 2016 when she stepped down to make an unsuccessful attempt at the U.S. presidency. She was succeeded by a pit bull named Brynneth Pawltro, who beat a donkey and a cat to win the mayoral seat.

Duke, Mayor of Cormorant, Minnesota — First elected in 2014, the Great Pyrenees has been so popular, he was reelected three times. Citizens pay one dollar to cast a vote, and the proceeds go to various projects around the village. As part of his duties, Duke appears in parades and hangs out at the local pub, for which he receives a year’s worth of dog food from a local pet food store as his salary.

Pa Kettle, Mayor of Divide, Colorado — It was a tight 2014 race, but in the end, the bloodhound triumphed over his opponents: a hedgehog, cat, donkey, wolf and several other dogs. Pa Kettle served until 2016 when a wolf named Shunka took over the post. Today, a Swiss mountain dog named Piper holds the esteemed office.

Stubbs, Mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska — Apparently the citizens of this city didn’t mind a leader who slept on the job because Stubbs the cat held this honorary office for 20 years. Dubbed Stubbs because he was born without a tail, the cat held office hours at Nagley’s General Store, where he was known to lap water infused with catnip from a wine glass.

Bed-Bug Sniffing Dogs & Other Pest-Detecting Canines

Posted on May 23, 2019 - 3:00 pm by
A side profile view of a white and tan beagle with a contemplative expression on its face.

When your dog peers under the kitchen stove growling for hours, you can be pretty sure there’s some kind of varmint hiding under there. If you’re lucky, your pet comes with these pest-hunting skills naturally and will chase the unwelcome critter off.

Some dogs, however, are specially trained to hone their hunting skills on vermin of the six-legged sort. If scent-detection dogs can be trained to sniff out bombs, drugs and even cancer, why not termites and bed bugs?

Can Dogs Smell Termites?

Hungry termites can cause devastating damage to homes. Because termites are usually tucked behind drywall and plaster, they can’t always be detected until they’ve caused a tremendous amount of damage.

Termite dogs to the rescue! These pups can be trained to sense the methane emitted by termites as they digest wood in a particular area. So they’re often able to locate infestations well before human inspectors can. In studies, trained dogs were able to detect termite groups of 40 or more with about 95 percent accuracy. If that’s not impressive enough, the research showed that they could even discriminate between live termites and wood that had been previously damaged by termites, as well as cockroaches and ants.

When matched against electronic detection devices, canine inspections win by a long shot with an average of 98 percent accuracy.

Can Dogs Sniff Out Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are the bane of hotels, apartments, dorms, cruise ships and other places that offer temporary housing. While they don’t transmit disease, they do feed on the blood of people and humans while they sleep, which can cause itching, inflammation and general revulsion. In rare cases, people can have an allergic reaction when bed bugs bite.

Unfortunately, bed bugs are not only tiny and nocturnal, but they can be experts at hiding inside mattress seams, in bed frames and box springs, behind baseboard cracks and crevices and even under light-switch covers. Thankfully, dogs can be trained to sniff out these tiny invaders, too.

In studies, trained bed bug dogs were able to sniff out live bed bugs and live bed bug eggs with 100% accuracy. They can even distinguish between dead bed bugs and live ones! However, several pest control businesses have been reported for using canine bed bug inspection methods to find a bed bug infestation that wasn’t, in fact, there when another business checked the premises. People requesting bed bug inspections with trained bug-sniffing dogs should always ask the handler for the dog’s credentials. Honest, professional companies will be happy to show their proof of training.

That way, you don’t get bitten twice.

How Do You Know if You Should Worry About Bed Bugs?

The signs that you might have a bed bug problem are subtle. The bugs are active at night and are small — about the size of an apple seed — flat and red to rust-colored, depending on how recently they have fed. You might see shed exoskeletons, the black dots of bed bug feces, or blood spots on your bed. Bed bugs feed on their hosts only for about 5 minutes before dropping off and hiding again, so you’re more likely to be aware of the bites than the bugs. The bites look like one or a line of red welts that could be mistaken for mosquito bites.

Do Bed Bugs Bite Dogs?

So wait — do you need to worry about bed bugs biting your furry friend?

If the household dogs and cats are itching, and you’re not, flea bites are the more likely culprit. Bed bugs feed on the blood of any warm-blooded creature, but fortunately for our pets, their fur makes them less attractive targets for bites. If you think you’ve got an infestation, though, be sure a pest control company treats any areas of the house where your pets spend time. Itchy bites are a drag, but at least bed bugs don’t transmit diseases the way other insect pests like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes can.

Can Bed Bugs Live on Dogs?

Unlike some bugs, these pests don’t live on their hosts. Our pets’ furry coats aren’t considered reliable hiding places by bed bugs. They could lay eggs or hide in your dog’s bed (or more likely your bed), however. So the solution is a hot water laundry run instead of specialized combs or shampoos.

Help! We Have Bed Bugs — Now What Do We Do?

Eradicating bed bugs from your property is a challenge because they’re good at hiding. Effective bed bug treatment needs to address all of their hiding places: all the furniture in the affected room (not just the bed) and even luggage (especially if you’ve been on a trip recently). You may need to call pest control experts for bed bug control. They might bring canines trained to recognize the specific scents and pheromones for their bed bug inspection, or they might rely on physical signs to identify the targets for treatment. They’ll have the pesticides necessary to control the bugs and the eggs — the chemicals in over-the-counter flea extermination bombs frequently don’t kill bed bugs. Don’t forget to treat the places your animals sleep, but let those items air out before nighttime.

Once you catch on that these aren’t your usual bug bites, that’s the first step in making sure that your bed is a comfy haven again. And it’s nice to know that our furry companions are among those who help us keep it that way.

Good Hunting Dogs Are Vital Partners in the Field

Posted on January 24, 2019 - 4:00 pm by
Dog in field hunting

Hunting dogs, it seems, like nothing better than tracking down game such as a pheasant, retrieving it with a soft mouth and obediently laying it at the feet of their owners. But hunting and fetching are two different activities!

Other dogs love to fetch — almost as much as they adore the ensuing game of keep-away as they orbit around their owners, refusing to give up the tennis ball.

Are there certain breeds that are better than others at hunting? And how does a great hunting dog become one?

Types of Hunting Dogs

Hunting dogs generally fall into three categories: gun dogs, hounds and terriers.

If you want a dog to track, point, flush and retrieve birds or small game, consider a gun dog. Labrador retrievers are probably the most popular type of gun dog and often have the ability to remember where birds land so they can easily retrieve them later. Other types of gun dogs include golden or Chesapeake Bay retrievers; Brittany, springer or Boykin spaniels; German shorthair pointers; English setters and Portuguese water dogs.

Hounds channel their noses or eyes to track large game such as deer or bear. Scenthounds include breeds such as coonhounds, foxhounds and beagles, and are more commonly used to hunt than sighthounds such as greyhounds.

Finally, high-energy terriers like to chase after small game such as squirrels and even dig into tunnels in pursuit of their targets. Examples of this hunting category include Jack Russell terriers and wire fox terriers.

Qualities of a Good Hunter

Most of all, you’ll need a dog that’s physically capable of keeping up with fast-moving game and has the stamina to track for hours at a time. That means bulldogs are probably not your best bet. Some breeds are just born with physical attributes that help them be good hunters. Labrador retrievers, for example, have webbed paws and a thick tail that acts as a rudder when retrieving fowl in the water.

If you’re a serious hunter and plan to spend a lot of time in the field, it’s worth it to find a reputable breeder who is devoted to raising hunting dogs. These people will typically breed for pups without orthopedic problems such as hip dysplasia that could shorten their hunting lives.

You’ll want a dog with a good temperament that can work at your side in the fields but be a good family dog as well. Of course, obedience goes without saying. Positive-reinforcement training should start at eight weeks so your pup learns basic commands such as sit, stay, come, fetch, heel and drop it before he or she advances to scent tracking and soft mouth skills.

Some dogs have a fear of loud noises such as fireworks, thunder and, unfortunately, gunfire. Part of training your dog might include trips to a target-shooting facility to make sure the sound won’t upset your pup.

Gearing Up Your Dog

The best way to prepare your dog for a day in the fields is to keep exercising and training all year long. That way, he or she will be in peak condition when you hit the ground.

Before heading into the field, your dog may benefit from a grooming session to remove longer fur (including on the tail) that can collect burrs or get tangled in the underbrush. Trim nails so they don’t snag on roots or rocks. A comfortable hunting vest that protects the chest and belly can help prevent branches and thorns from scratching your dog’s skin raw. If it’s waterproof, all the better for diving into lakes and streams in search of game.

Don’t forget to bring fresh drinking water and extra dog food to help sustain your dog’s energy during the day.

Even if you don’t bag the limit, just being in the outdoors with your best friend makes for a great day.

Step Right Up: It’s Circus Dogs

Posted on December 13, 2018 - 4:29 pm by
Bringing the Fun Back to the Big Top

In its time, few things offered more entertainment in one place than the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Within three different rings, you could marvel at sword swallowers, trapeze artists, contortionists and strongmen. In addition to human entertainers, the circus showed off animal acts, enlisting animals with special talents.

In fact, the circus employed a menagerie that included trained cats, goats and sheep to monkeys, bears, lions, tigers, wolves, horses, elephants — even xylophone-playing pigs. By comparison, dogs jumping through hoops or riding horses bareback probably didn’t seem all that unusual.

Eventually, though, people began to question the ethics of animal acts (not to mention the so-called “freak shows”) and the company folded up its tents permanently in 2017.

A Better Kind of Circus

But Jeff Jenkins and Julie Jenkins felt they could put a positive spin on the circus concept, without exploiting people or animals, and founded Midnight Circus in the Parks in Chicago in 2007.

The group of artists and performers work to advance good in three ways:

  • Animal advocacy — Two rescued pit bulls, who have become Jeff and Julie’s beloved family pets, perform to help dispel negative stereotypes about pit bulls.
  • Support for Chicago parks — 100 percent of the proceeds go to the city parks, with almost $1 million raised to date.
  • Community involvement — Events are affordable, accessible and involve community leaders.

Junebug and Rosie Rae: Canine Stars

Some people have misconceptions about pit bulls, which is why the breed tends to fill Chicago shelters in greater number than other breeds. In fact, Jeff found Rosie Rae at just such a shelter. An exuberant pit bull with no socialization or training, Rosie also had irresistibly sweet eyes. Jeff didn’t hesitate to make her a part of the family.

While teaching at an anti-dogfighting event, Jeff first encountered Junebug, a pit bull that showed all the signs of mistreatment. He convinced her owner to relinquish the dog to him, then made her part of the family, too.

With patience and kindness, Jeff socialized and trained the dogs so they learned to trust people and know the love of a family. Now, the dogs are crowd favorites under the big top, zigzagging through obstacle courses and playing keep-away with Jeff’s hat. In some instances, the dogs serve as a springboard for talking about how to take better care of rescue dogs.

Clowns in Training

Another place you can find dogs jumping through hoops — all in the name of fun and positive-reward training — is at the Canine Circus School in Oakland, California.

This obedience school combines rigorous training with the fun of choreographed routines so dogs — and their owners — can bring out the performers inside of them.

Even with the negative baggage that circuses carry, today’s pet-oriented circuses are fun, creative environments that turn family entertainment into, well, one of the greatest shows on earth.

Therapy Dog Visits Brighten the Day at Nursing Homes

Posted on November 29, 2018 - 11:20 pm by
Taste of the Wild

It’s hard to say who likes the nursing home visits more: the therapy dogs or the residents. From the hands eagerly petting the soft coats to the tails banging against the floor, it’s safe to say everyone’s for it. As part of National Senior Pet Month, we’re switching it up to focus on the dogs that help our country’s senior citizens.

How Dogs Benefit Nursing Home Residents

Even if the grandkids come to visit, it’s never quite enough for those seniors living in nursing homes. Visiting therapy dogs can help ease feelings of loneliness and lift the spirits. Since most dogs are equal-opportunity lovers, they’ll park their muzzles on the nearest knee, nuzzle into palms and provide unconditional love to anyone with a soft lap and open arms.

Many seniors may have lost their spouses, or they simply miss having a dog snuggled next to them in bed. For them, visiting dogs help fulfill the simple need to touch and be touched. Dogs can also help reduce anxiety, provide comfort and even promote social interaction among other seniors.

Therapy Dogs vs. Service Dogs

Although therapy dogs provide a service to nursing homes, they’re not the same as service dogs.

Service dogs are specifically trained to make it easier for people with disabilities to perform activities of daily living. A service dog might help a person who is visually impaired to navigate the streets. Another might retrieve objects for someone who has mobility problems.

As service dogs, they are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which entitles them to accompany their handlers anywhere in public. Although they may be around people, most handlers have a “no petting” policy so the pups aren’t distracted from the job at hand.

With therapeutic visitation dogs, on the other paw, petting is generally welcomed. Most of these dogs are family pets with calm and gentle people-loving personalities. They can be purebred dogs or mutts. Their job is generally to provide comfort and psychological therapy to people other than their handlers, such as residents in nursing homes, hospitals and more.

Therapy dogs usually go through some training, but it’s not as extensive as service-dog training. And they are not protected under the ADA, so there may be limits to where they can go.

Certification and Other Requirements

Think your pup has what it takes to visit nursing homes? While therapy dogs can be trained by almost anyone, most programs usually require that dogs have at least passed the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen Test.

In addition, volunteer dogs may be required to be certified and registered for a program. Therapy Dogs International, for example, is an organization that has registered around 25,000 dog/handler teams across all 50 state of the US. The dog must pass a temperament evaluation and have a current health record.

Because nursing home residents can have compromised immune systems, it’s also important that volunteer dogs are healthy and current on vaccines and parasite control. Owners may also be required to carry liability insurance. For many volunteers and their pets, it’s a fulfilling activity to do with their dogs.

And occasionally, humans return the favor. At dog nursing homes across the country, people are caring for senior pets who need a home where they can live out the rest of their lives. It seems we all get by with a little help as we age.

Herding Dogs: From Home on the Range to Home

Posted on October 12, 2017 - 6:41 am by
Taste of the Wild

It’s a scene branded on your mind by movies (cue the harmonica) for generations: The mounted cowhands crack their whips, the lowing cows kick up dust as the trusted herding dogs nip at their heels in the sunset. Long an essential part of cattle drives and farm work, today herding dogs are more likely to be found as family pets, dashing around backyards and dog parks.

Part of Cowboy History

When America was mostly a wide-open range, herders of cattle and sheep seeking work migrated from countries such as Scotland, France, Spain and Australia, bringing their trusted dogs with them. These high-energy dogs usually had a knack for driving livestock over long distances, through all kinds of weather and terrain. Often doing the work of several cowhands, herding dogs could round up lost animals, keep predators (and cattle rustlers) at bay and confidently show animals many times their size who was boss.

A Class of Their Own

Today, the breeds traditionally used to drive animals are classified in the American Kennel Club’s Herding Group. As expected, the group includes breeds such as Australian cattle dogs, Belgian sheepdogs, border collies, collies and Shetland sheepdogs. Perhaps more surprising is the inclusion of breeds like Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh corgis.

In general, these breeds tend to have a natural “urge to herd” and may even gently round up children scattered in your backyard. Dogs in the herding group typically respond well to training. Since they usually require regular exercise, enrolling them in canine sports such as fly ball, agility and even herding trials is a good way to help them work off extra energy.

Working Dogs Today

Herding dogs are still used on ranches, farms and the occasional dude ranch, where they may herd, gather, sort, fetch and hold livestock. Although some dogs may exhibit these skills by instinct, most need to be trained to work with the handler and put those behaviors to proper use.

Successful herding dogs also need to learn to approach livestock with confidence so cattle won’t challenge them. And while the dog must be in control of the livestock, the cowhand must be in control of the dog.

Herding Competitions

Even when a herding dog’s only job is to be the family pet, herding trials can help them develop and maintain the skills for which their ancestors were originally bred. Depending on the breed, training usually starts at 10 to 12 months of age or when the dog is physically mature and knows basic obedience commands. During a competition, dogs may herd anything from cattle and sheep to goats, geese and ducks.

Rounding Up the Fun

While they’re often no longer “put to work,” these dogs can be fun and loyal companions for children. As long as they get the exercise they need, they’re perfect family pets.

Related Post: Which Sport Is Right for My Dog?

Related Post: Channel Your Dog’s Pent-Up Energy with Agility Training

What to Know Before Adopting a Former Police or Military Working Dog

Posted on January 14, 2016 - 2:49 pm by
Taste of the Wild

Over the years, adopting former police and military dogs has increased in popularity. However, many people are unaware of what the official adoption process is like. If you or someone you know are considering adopting a military working dog (MWD), read these tips to learn more about what adoption and ownership really entails.

What Is a Military Working Dog (MWD)?

MWD is the official name for retired police and military dogs. MWDs have been retired from duty — usually due to the inability to perform required tasks, and sometimes due to health or age. Many have worked as field or training dogs, and have a unique set of skills honed for a specific purpose. In some cases, this can make potential owners nervous, but worry not — all adoptable dogs have to pass behavioral tests to ensure they’re outgoing companions and a good fit for civilian adoption.

Dogs with specialized skill sets or who don’t pass the civilian adoptability criteria are made available to their former trainers and nonprofit organizations for special needs MWDs.

Is an MWD Right for Me?

Some MWDs are young pups that were not cut out for military or police lifestyles, and others are older dogs in declining health. Many were never trained for combat missions, and civilian-available dogs are not considered any more dangerous than the average dog. Considering a former MWD for your family is much like considering any other adoptable dog. A few questions worth asking yourself might be:

  • Do I have a fenced-in yard?
  • Do I have enough room in my home for an active dog?
  • How much care and attention can I provide a dog?
  • What is my ideal dog like?
  • Who else lives in my home that might not be compatible with a new dog?

Once adopted, the MWDs lose any military benefits, meaning the family that adopts him or her must cover any health issues financially, just like any other pet.

Next Steps in MWD Adoption

All retired MWDs available for adoption are located at the Military Working Dog School, which operates out of Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. There is no fee to adopt a retired MWD, but you must pay for all transportation costs.

If you are selected as a candidate for adoption, you will need to provide proof that you meet all expectations for potential families (these are the standard expectations for any rescue animal: you have the appropriate space for a pet, permission from your landlord, and the ability to care for his or her health needs). Any family that is chosen for adoption will be required to meet with military personnel for an official interview.

Once you are chosen to move forward in the adoption process, you will wait for a scheduled appointment to visit the base and meet with the dogs that match your lifestyle and interests. Your selected dog will complete a veterinary exam before being released to your family.

Remember – Patience Is Required

Since MWD adoptions are both limited and popular, you will need to remain patient throughout the entire adoption process. The Lackland Air Force Base works hard to ensure that all MWDs go home with families that are able to give these special dogs a healthy, happy home.

Adopting a former MWD? Check out this post on nutrition for working dogs!