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

• How Dogs Say Sorry

• Dogs Stay Up Worrying at Night Too

• Thread: Dry food hater

• Video: Dog goes viral for greeting her favourite garbage men every friday morning

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DOG BEHAVIOUR

How Dogs Say Sorry

Ever wondered if your furry friend feels bad after chewing up your favourite shoes? While dogs may not understand guilt in the same way humans do, they certainly have ways of showing they're sorry. Let's dive into the fascinating world of canine apologies!

Do Dogs Really Feel Guilt?

Before we explore how dogs apologize, it's important to understand whether they truly feel guilt:

• A 2009 study by Dr. Alexandra Horowitz found that dogs display "guilty" behaviour more frequently when scolded by owners, regardless of whether they actually misbehaved.

• Dogs may not fully grasp the concept of guilt, but they do respond to our reactions.

• Their apologetic behaviours are more about appeasing their owners and maintaining harmony in the household.

10 Signs of Dog Apology

Dogs have developed sophisticated ways to communicate their remorse and seek forgiveness. Here's an in-depth look at the top 10 signs your pooch might be saying sorry:

1. Lowering their head and making "airplane ears"

   • Shows submission and acknowledgment of wrongdoing

   • Attempts to alleviate tension and avoid confrontation

   • The lowered head is often accompanied by a slightly hunched posture

   • "Airplane ears" refer to ears pulled back and flattened against the head

2. Avoiding you

   • May hide in their crate, under furniture, or retreat to a corner

   • A way of de-escalating the situation and giving both parties time to calm down

   • Can last for a few minutes to several hours, depending on the dog's personality

   • Some dogs might peek at you from their hiding spot, gauging your reaction

3. Tucking their tail and making puppy eyes

   • Expresses submission and anxiety

   • The classic "puppy dog eyes" involve widening the eyes and raising the inner eyebrows

   • This look has evolved specifically to appeal to humans

   • The tucked tail is often held close to the body, sometimes even between the legs

4. Lying down and exposing their belly

   • Shows vulnerability and a desire to avoid confrontation

   • Can also indicate fear or a plea to avoid trouble

   • The dog may roll onto their back quickly when you approach

   • This position is the ultimate display of submission in dog body language

5. Licking

   • May lick themselves, their nose, or their owner

   • Releases calming endorphins and helps reinforce the bond with their human

   • Excessive licking of their own body parts can indicate stress or anxiety

   • Licking their owner is often an attempt to "groom" you, a bonding behaviour

6. Sticking close to you

   • Nuzzling or pressing their body against you

   • Seeks comfort and reassurance

   • The dog might follow you from room to room more closely than usual

   • Some dogs might try to sit on your lap or feet, even if they're too big

7. Placing a paw on you

   • An adorable gesture asking for forgiveness

   • Shows a desire for physical connection and reassurance

   • Often accompanied by direct eye contact

   • The paw might be placed gently on your arm, leg, or even your face

8. Whining

   • A submissive behaviour rooted in wolf pack dynamics

   • Expresses regret and a desire to avoid being "shunned"

   • The pitch and volume can vary, from soft whimpers to more insistent whines

   • Often combined with other apologetic behaviours like lowered head or tucked tail

9. Bringing their favourite toy

   • A peace offering and attempt to engage in play

   • Shows a desire to reconnect and strengthen the emotional bond

   • The toy chosen is often the dog's most prized possession

   • This behaviour might be accompanied by playful body language, like a play bow

10. Yawning

    • Can signify stress or an attempt to de-escalate tension

    • Often accompanied by other submissive behaviours

    • Not to be confused with regular tiredness yawns

    • Stress yawns are usually more frequent and intense than normal yawns

Additional Apologetic Behaviours

While the above are the most common, some dogs might display other apologetic behaviours:

• Excessive blinking or squinting

• Lip licking or smacking

• Shaking off as if they're wet (when they're dry)

• Sudden sneezing or snorting

• Approaching you in a curved path rather than straight on

How to Respond to Your Dog's Apology

Understanding and responding appropriately to your dog's apologetic behaviours is crucial for maintaining a strong bond:

• Acknowledge their actions with a calm, soothing tone

• Use gentle physical touch like petting to reassure them

• Avoid punishment or yelling, which can increase fear and anxiety

• Remember that each dog is unique and may apologize differently

The Importance of Understanding Canine Body Language

Learning to read your dog's body language, including these apologetic behaviours, can greatly improve your communication and relationship:

• It helps you understand your dog's emotional state

• You can respond more appropriately to your dog's needs

• It strengthens the bond between you and your pet

• It can help prevent misunderstandings and potentialissues

Conclusion

While dogs may not experience guilt as humans do, they've developed an impressive array of behaviours to communicate remorse and seek forgiveness. By understanding these signs, we can better respond to our furry friends and strengthen our relationships with them.

Remember, the next time your pooch gives you those irresistible puppy dog eyes after a mishap, they're doing their best to say, "I'm sorry, human. Can we be friends again?" By responding with patience and understanding, you're reinforcing the deep bond you share with your canine companion.

Source: TheDogingtonPost

Playful Picks

1. Dog Goes Viral For Greeting Her Favourite Garbage Men Every Friday Morning

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DOG STUDIES

Dogs Stay Up Worrying at Night Too, Study Says

Recent research has revealed that our canine companions, much like their human counterparts, can experience stress-related sleep issues.

A 2017 study conducted by Hungarian researchers at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology has shed light on how dogs' emotional states impact their sleep patterns.

The study involved 16 dogs of various breeds, exposing them to either positive or negative experiences before sleep.

Positive experiences included games of fetch or tug and lots of petting, while negative experiences involved being left alone, ignored, or subjected to threatening body language from a stranger.

The dogs' brain activity was then monitored during sleep using non-invasive electrodes.

The findings were both fascinating and concerning.

Dogs who had negative experiences spent about 20 minutes less in deep, restful sleep compared to those who had positive experiences. Interestingly, dogs who had just endured a negative experience fell asleep faster and slept about 10% longer, but their sleep was of lower quality.

This suggests that dogs might use sleep as a protective strategy against stress, similar to how some humans might nap to avoid dealing with problems.

Experts in veterinary science and animal behaviour have weighed in on these findings. Dr. Iram Gladan, a PhD researcher at Utrecht University, notes that dog owners often report their pets seeming restless after stressful events like vet visits.

She also points out that fireworks are a major sleep disruptor for many dogs.

Susan Nilson, a trainer and founder of The Cat and Dog House, explains that emotions like fear, anxiety, stress, or frustration can activate a fight-or-flight response in dogs.

This response increases heart rate, blood flow to muscles, and releases adrenaline, all of which can interfere with quality sleep.

For dog owners concerned about their pet's sleep quality, there are several signs of stress to watch out for.

These include changes in posture and expression, sweaty paws, yawning when not tired, panting when not hot, excessive shedding, pacing, avoiding eye contact, and showing the whites of their eyes.

Destructive behaviours and increased vocalization can also indicate stress.

The importance of quality sleep for dogs cannot be overstated. Dogs need 12-14 hours of sleep daily, with puppies and older dogs requiring even more.

During sleep, a dog's body repairs tissues, supports immune function, and processes daily experiences, which is vital for learning and memory.

To improve your dog's sleep quality, experts recommend providing plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Creating a safe space where your dog can retreat and relax is also crucial. Spending quality time with your dog can help them feel loved and secure, potentially reducing anxiety and promoting better sleep.

It's important to address sleep issues in dogs, as chronic poor sleep can lead to increased anxiety, irritability, new behavioural problems, a weakened immune system, and potentially even a shortened lifespan.

Understanding and addressing our furry friends' sleep needs is crucial for their overall well-being. By ensuring our dogs get the quality rest they need, we can help them lead happier, healthier lives. After all, as Dr. Gladan puts it, "a dog that sleeps well wags well."

Source: KinShip

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