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This Week's Dog-Centric News and Tips are in: 

• Are Female Dogs Really Judging Us? Science Says Yes!

• Most Dogs Don't Like Wearing Costumes

• Thread: Separation anxiety

• Video: Now that’s a great costume for a chocolate lab

Bark Bulletin of the Week

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DOG BEHAVIOUR

Are Female Dogs Really Judging Us? Science Says Yes!

A fascinating study from 2022 reveals something many dog owners might have suspected: female dogs are actually judging how well we do things. Male dogs? Not so much. Let's dive into what scientists discovered about our four-legged critics.

The Study

Scientists set up a simple test with 60 dogs watching people try to open containers. One person could easily open containers, while the other kept failing.

Some containers had food inside, while others were empty. This let researchers see if dogs cared about human competence.

The results were eye-opening:

• 83% of female dogs preferred the person who could open containers successfully

• Male dogs showed no preference at all

• This only happened when food was involved - empty containers didn't matter to any of the dogs

Why Female Dogs Pay More Attention

Female dogs don't just judge - they're also better observers overall.

They spend more time watching people's faces, looking at their owners when stuck on a problem, and paying attention to what's happening around them.

Scientists think this behavior developed over thousands of years of living with humans.

Dogs have learned to understand us pretty well over time.

They can tell who's friendly and who isn't, who shares treats and who keeps them all, and now we know female dogs can spot who's good at getting things done.

This skill probably helps them find better human helpers when they need something.

What This Means For Dog Owners

If you have a female dog, she's probably keeping track of what you're good at - especially if it involves food! Don't worry if you're not the best at opening jars though.

The study only looked at this one specific task, and scientists still need to learn if dogs judge other skills too.

And if you have a male dog? Well, he's probably just happy you're there, whether you're super capable or completely clumsy. Sometimes being nonjudgmental has its own charm!

Scientists still want to find out why female dogs are such careful observers and if male dogs ever care about human competence in other situations.

But for now, maybe think twice next time you struggle with a task - your female dog might be taking notes!

Source: KinShip

Playful Picks

2. Now that’s a great costume for a chocolate lab

3. A dog climbed the pyramid of Giza

DOG FACTS

Most Dogs Don't Like Wearing Costumes

Here's some news that might disappoint Halloween-loving pet parents: most dogs really don't enjoy wearing costumes. Let's look at why, and what we can do instead.

Why Dogs Hate Playing Dress-Up

Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, who studies how dogs think, explains that tight costumes around a dog's middle and back might make them feel like they're being dominated by a stronger dog. Instead of feeling festive, they actually feel stressed.

You can tell your dog isn't happy in their costume if they:

• Look tense with a closed mouth

• Have a stiff body

• Seem frozen or uncomfortable

Making Halloween Work for Your Dog

If you still want your pup to join the Halloween fun, here are better ways to do it:

Think small and simple. Instead of a full pirate outfit, maybe just use a bandana. Dogs are used to wearing collars, so anything that just goes around their neck is usually fine.

Some clever alternatives:

• For black dogs, use baby powder to make skunk or skeleton stripes

• Play pretend: Tell trick-or-treaters your "cat" is dressed as a dog

• Use simple accessories instead of full costumes

Remember these key points when choosing any costume:

• Keep it simple and soft

• Don't cover their face

• Make sure they can move freely

• If they seem unhappy, take it off

The bottom line? While we might love seeing our dogs in cute costumes, most of them would rather skip the dress-up part of Halloween. Sometimes the best costume is no costume at all!

Source: KinShip

Quiz Answers

Bichon Frise

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