Greetings, dog lovers! 🌞

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

• Why Does Your Dog Stare at the Wall?

• Does Your Pet Actually Like When You Sing to Them? 🎵

• Thread: Crufts

• Video: Mistakes were made

Bark Bulletin of the Week

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DOG BEHAVIOUR

Why Does Your Dog Stare at the Wall? It Might Not Be What You Think 👀

Has your pup been giving your living room wall the same intense focus they usually reserve for squirrels?

Before you call the Ghostbusters, dog behavior expert Shelby Semel explains what might really be happening when your dog seems fascinated by absolutely nothing.

More Than Just a Weird Quirk

While it's easy to laugh off your dog's wall-staring as just another adorable oddity (like their fear of brooms or love of dirty socks), this behavior sometimes deserves a closer look.

"Dogs may stare at walls for several reasons," explains Semel.

"It could be a sign of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), particularly in senior dogs, as they may feel disoriented or confused.

Alternatively, they might hear or smell something inside the wall—dogs' senses are far more acute than ours."

The Simpler Explanations

Before worrying about health concerns, consider these common reasons:

The Super-Senses Theory

Your dog's hearing is dramatically better than yours - they can detect frequencies nearly twice what humans can hear.

That "empty" wall might actually be housing:

• Mice or insects moving inside

• Plumbing or electrical buzzing

• Neighboring apartment noises

Try putting your ear against the wall yourself - you might be surprised at what you're missing!

The Boredom Factor

A dog with nothing to do might find wall-staring as good a pastime as any.

Signs your dog might be bored include:

• Destructive behaviors like chewing furniture

• Excessive barking or whining

• Restlessness and attention-seeking

"To combat boredom, consider mental enrichment activities like puzzle toys, scavenger hunts, or training sessions," suggests Semel.

When to Be Concerned

Sometimes wall-staring can signal more serious issues:

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome

Similar to Alzheimer's in humans, CDS affects senior dogs and can cause disorientation.

If your older dog has started staring at walls along with showing other signs of confusion, a vet visit is in order.

Seizure Activity

Not all seizures involve dramatic convulsions.

Partial or focal seizures can manifest as staring episodes. If your dog seems "zoned out" while wall-gazing, especially if they're unresponsive to their name, consult your vet.

Compulsive Behaviors

Just like humans, dogs can develop compulsive disorders that have them repeating behaviors without purpose.

These can worsen over time without intervention.

When to Call the Experts

"While an occasional glance at the wall might be harmless curiosity, consistent or prolonged wall-staring should prompt closer observation," Semel advises.

"If the behavior persists or is accompanied by other signs, consulting your vet is the safest course of action."

Record when these staring episodes occur, how long they last, and any other unusual behaviors to help your vet make an accurate assessment.

And as for those ghost theories?

While there's no scientific evidence that dogs can see spirits, their superior senses certainly pick up things we miss.

So before blaming Casper, consider mice in the walls or a leaky pipe might be the real culprits behind your dog's mysterious wall fixation! 🐕

Source: Kinship

Playful Picks

3. Mistakes were made!

DOG TRAINING

Does Your Pet Actually Like When You Sing to Them? 🎵

If you've ever composed a special song for your furry friend (complete with perfect rhymes for "good boy" and "treat time"), you're not alone!

But has your impromptu concert tour ever made you wonder: does my pet actually enjoy this, or are they just tolerating my off-key serenades?

What Science Tells Us

According to Zachary Silver, psychology professor and director of the Canine Intelligence Lab at Occidental College, the research on pets and singing is still developing.

"We're not quite sure if they like the melodies or the harmonies that go into music," he explains.

Dogs: Your Most Attentive Audience

While we can't say for certain if dogs appreciate your musical talents, we do know they respond positively to that special "pet voice" we all use.

You know the one - slightly higher pitched, extra enthusiastic, and probably a little embarrassing in public!

"Dogs are significantly more likely to engage with human speech than cats," Silver notes.

When you sing to your dog, they may be responding more to your animated delivery than your perfect pitch.

That perked-up ear and tilted head?

They're paying attention, even if they're not exactly music critics.

Cats: The Selective Listeners

Cats, being the independent souls they are, appear to be more selective about their musical preferences.

A 2022 study found that cats specifically recognize and respond to their owners using "cat-directed speech" - that baby-talk voice we instinctively use.

So when your cat seems to appreciate your singing, they might actually be thinking, "This sounds like the voice that feeds me. I should pay attention." Classic cat logic!

What Kind of Music Do Pets Prefer?

Research suggests that dogs may have genre preferences:

• Classical music appears to calm shelter dogs

• Reggae and soft rock showed even stronger positive effects

• Rotating between genres keeps the positive effects going

• Surprisingly, audiobooks outperformed music in some studies!

Cats, meanwhile, showed more response to music specifically composed for feline ears than to classical music in one study, while another found classical music did help calm cats during surgery.

Why Your Pet Might Enjoy Your Songs

Silver suggests a few interesting theories about why animals might respond to music:

• It could be simple novelty - an unusual sound catches their attention

• It might be evolutionary - animals who bonded with music-making humans thrived

• Your pet may associate singing with positive experiences like treats or attention

Keep the Concert Going!

While science hasn't given us a definitive answer yet, there's no harm in continuing your personal pet concerts.

As Silver says, "All we can rely on right now is the accumulation of individual anecdotes."

So if your dog perks up when you launch into their special theme song, or your cat seems calmer when you hum their favorite lullaby, keep singing!

At worst, they're tolerating it - at best, you're creating a special bond that's music to both your ears.

Source: Kinship

Quiz Answers

The Answer: Synchronized Blood Pressure Reduction!

While we might expect petting a dog to calm human nerves, research has revealed a fascinating biological synchronicity between humans and canines.

During petting sessions, blood pressure measurably decreases not just in the human, but in the dog as well - creating a mutual physiological feedback loop.

This finding suggests something profound about the co-evolution of humans and dogs - we've developed biological responses that mirror each other during social bonding.

This synchronized physiological reaction helps explain why the human-canine bond has been so enduring throughout history, and why therapy dogs can be so effective in medical settings.

It's not just emotional comfort - it's a shared biological state that benefits both species at the neurochemical level.

Our relationship with dogs isn't just companionship - it's a unique interspecies dialogue written in hormones, heart rates, and health outcomes.

That’s it for this edition of Dog Forum’s newsletter.

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