🧠How & what dogs really remember.

🐶Hi pristine pawrent, Let’s go with your weekly bite-sized dog decoding digest, to better understand & protect the wellbeing of your precious pup.

Enjoy!

THIS WEEK’S WOOF WISDOM

• 🐶How & what dogs really remember.

• How to stop a pooch barking at visitors

• 🧸What are the right toys by dog age?

• 🥰Serotonin boost with an adorable yoga pup!

• Into the Dogaverse - Rare Sharkdog

🧐FACT or FLUFF??

‘Dogs age out of separation anxiety’

Dig down the page to find out…

😏OK..NOW WHAT? (your Q & A)
How & what does my dog really remember?

So you’re wondering how your pup remembers things? (I think I remember wondering that🙄)

It turns out their memory can work quite differently from ours!

Dogs have short-term, long-term, & associative memories ( & arguably episodic memories..read on for more)

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Short-term Memory: This type lasts about two minutes, just long enough to remember commands like "stay," but not long enough to hold onto excitement after you leave for a quick errand.

• Long-term Memory: Dogs store memories in a different way than humans do, & there is debate over whether they have what is called episodic memory (see below).

  While they can’t reminisce about past experiences, they do retain long-term memories that can last for years based on associations rather than detailed recollections.

• Episodic Memory: This is consciously remembering things they’ve done or witnessed in the past, like when they play out in your head.

  It was thought that dogs do not have this type of memory which is remembering events much like we do.

  However this supported research where 33 out of 35 dogs succeeded in trials suggests pooches have a memory that is similar (see the photo above).

• Associative Memory: This is where Pooches shine! They form strong connections between actions & emotions.

  For example, if they see your sneakers & associate them with going for a walk, they’ll get excited. Conversely, if they relate the car to a trip to the vet, they might feel anxious.

  Also power of canine smell plays an important role in this with smells having powerful connections to memories.

So, whichever way you look at it, our pups memories are not just based on repetition & reward.

It is important for us to understand that although their memories may not function like ours, these different types of memory help dogs navigate their world, enrich their lives & form bonds with us.

🐾MORE HERE

💎FETCHING TREATS.
Together with Dr. Marty Pet’s

3 Ways Your Dog Asks For Help

Are you harming your dog by feeding them the wrong food?

We all love our dogs and many consider them our best friends. Many of us even treat them better than our own family members.

There are 3 dangerous ingredients that no dog should ever eat, and if you are giving them to your dog then you might be slowly harming it.

Learn More Here

🧠🌿WOOF WELLBEING
How to stop a pooch barking at visitors.

🙉 Are you tired of your pooch barking up a storm whenever guests arrive?

You're not alone! Many dogs feel the need to alert their owners when unfamiliar faces enter their space.

So what triggers this instinctual behavior?

1. Protectiveness: Your pooch may view visitors as a potential threat.

2. Attention Seeking: If your pup is used to being the center of attention, they might bark to get noticed.

3. Boredom: Sometimes, barking is just a way for dogs to entertain themselves when they’re not stimulated.

4. Lack of Training: If they haven’t been socialized properly, new people can be overwhelming, causing them to react with barking.

So what can you do about ‘visitor barking’?

Follow these steps to train your pooch to stop barking at visitors:

1. Set Your Pup Up for Success: Ensure your pup has enough exercise & is in a calm environment before guests arrive.

2. Keep Visits Down: Limit the number of visitors initially to help your dog learn to behave around them.

3. Brief Your Guests About Training: Inform friends & family about your training goals so they can help by ignoring your pooch upon arrival.

4. Teach Your Dog the “Quiet” Command (see below): Use treats & praise to reward your dog when they stop barking after hearing the command.

5. Don’t Punish Your Dog for Mistakes: Focus on ignoring bad behavior & rewarding good behavior instead.

6. Practice Regularly: Keep training sessions short & frequent to reinforce learning.

7. Keep Increasing Difficulty Level: Gradually introduce different types of visitors & situations to challenge your pup.

The Quiet Command:

Do this with the help of a friend or family member who is willing to play along.

Have them knock on the door or ring the doorbell, then instruct your dog to bark until you give him or her the “quiet” command. Once your pooch stops barking, reward him or her with a treat & plenty of praise.

Repeat this process until it becomes second nature for your pooch to stop barking when they hear someone at the door.

With patience & consistent effort, you’ll see progress! Before long, your pup will greet guests with a wagging tail instead of a barking spree.

If you still have issues with the ‘visitor bark’ or it is causing you stress, you may consider consulting a dog behaviorist.

Keep at it, and enjoy the peaceful visits ahead❤

🐾MORE HERE

🧸What are the right toys by dog age?

Choosing the Right Toys for Your Dog at Every Age!

When it comes to keeping your pup happy & engaged, selecting the right toys is key. Different stages of a dog’s life call for different toys, ensuring they stay active & stimulated.

Let’s break down the best toy options for puppies, adult dogs, & seniors so you can make the best choice for your precious pooch.

• Puppies (7-12 Weeks): At this playful age, puppies are curious & eager to explore. Consider introducing them to soft plush toys for comfort & squeaky toys to engage their attention & help with teething.

  Puzzle toys can stimulate their minds & help in developing essential skills. Just remember to rotate toys frequently to keep things fresh & exciting.

• Adult Dogs (9 Months - 1 Year): Your adult dog is bursting with energy & requires interactive toys to stay entertained.

  Strong chew toys are a must for their fully formed teeth, while frisbees & balls are perfect for playtime. Chewing toys also promote dental health, so don’t hesitate to stock up on some durable options.

• Senior Dogs (7 Years & Up): Senior dogs deserve fun & stimulation. Look for softer rubber toys that won’t harm their aging teeth & gums.

  Keep their minds sharp with fetch games & toys that hide treats to encourage problem-solving skills.

  Staying active is crucial for their health & happiness during these golden years.

Choosing the right toys to suit your dog's age can greatly enhance their quality of life.

By providing the right playthings, you ensure they remain active, engaged, & enriched. Happy playing😀

🤔PAWSE TO REMEMBER

Clear them’ ears. Clean your pup’s ears regularly to prevent wax build up & infections.

👃🏻QUICK SNIFFS
& more to chew on.

• 🤔Something smells odd? RSPCA warns against new Dolce & Gabbana dog perfume (& it’s not cheap!).

• 📚Super Story Dogs! How they’re reducing reading anxiety for school students.

• 😲Surfs Pup! The champion surfing dogs, mastering waves & raising money for dog rescues❤

🐕TAP a TAIL TRIVIA

🧐FACT or FLUFF??...Answer.  FLUFF

Separation anxiety can affect dogs of all ages. It can increase with some dogs as they age due to mental (cognitive) decline.

😮OH MY DOG
Serotonin boost!..Adorable puppy shows Mum’s yoga class how to relax the right way.

There’s so much we can learn from our pooches…

Today’s lesson is yoga breathwork & comes in heart warming puppy form.

Watch to the end for the cutest moment🥰

 📅DOGGO DATES

• The Month Of DOGust

• August 4-10 International Assistance Dog Week

• August 4-10 Give A Dog A Bone Week

• August 10 Spoil Your Dog Day

Continuing the mighty month of DOGust with an extra splash of pup spoiling (& there is no limit to that🥰).

🎨INTO THE DOGAVERSE
Rare sighting - The Sharkdog

We are here to please🐶…

Thanks for being part of the pack 😀

Keep yourself and your pups, happy & safe & see you next time!

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