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4/2/2023

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Becoming a Dog

Although we humans have had a relationship with dogs for thousands of years, many of us really don’t understand them and what motivates their behaviours. We can’t ask a dog how they feel or why they do something, so in the past we could only make assumptions about their motivations and feelings. Unfortunately, this led to a lot of misconceptions and often to the detriment of dogs.

Although dogs have been used for many years in research, these were generally more to do with issues relating to our health, biology, social development and learning. Sadly, most of these experiments didn’t end well for the dogs.
 
In the late 1990s things started to change with research beginning in the modern field of comparative dog cognition and behaviour. The term cognition simply means how we learn to understand the world around us through gaining knowledge and experiences which shape our behaviour and how we react in different situations.

Today dog cognition and behaviour have become an area for serious academic research, but the behaviours of any species have also been shaped by evolutionary processes; so let’s start with how we think dogs evolved and when they became humans’ companions.

In the past, we knew that there were several types of canids (the dog family) that evolved in many parts of the world but it was very difficult to find evidence of their ancestors and where they came from. Canids originally developed from a dog-like creature and over time they evolved into different species through adaptation to changing environments. For many years it was assumed that dogs evolved from wolves because of the similarities in their physical structures, but we didn’t know how to prove this. The bones of wolves and dogs look very similar, making it difficult to determine if archaeological finds, which were mostly just fragments, were from dogs or wolves and how old they were. With the development of carbon dating, scientists were able to determine the age of bones but not whether they were wolf or dog. It took the development of DNA sequencing to solve the mystery, and we now know that the modern dog’s ancestor is the Grey Wolf, a species that still exists in North America and Northern Europe though it too may have further adapted from its ancient ancestors.

So why did dogs start to evolve away from the Grey Wolf, how did they end up being our companions, and when did this occur?

The traditional theory of how wolves became dogs was that humans captured wolf puppies and domesticated them so that over time they turned into dogs. Certainly, wolf bones have been found in graves and middens of early humans but it is unclear if they lived with humans or were simply grave goods. As happens in the present day, it is likely that some humans did capture wolf cubs to keep as ‘pets’. The problem is that while you can tame a wolf, that is not the same as being domesticated. If a tame wolf has pups, they are born with all the traits of a wild wolf and they too require taming; in other words, their wild behaviour is coded in their DNA. The genetic make-up of domesticated animals has evolved to be coded for living beside humans, so they are born with a propensity to bond and be biddable with humans. Dogs were the first domesticated animals and chose to live beside humans, if not always within their homes. We still see this today with village dogs who will attach to one person or family but who choose to have the freedom of deciding to live semi-independently.

We now think that dogs themselves may have actually started the domestication process. Most Canids are opportunists taking food wherever they find it, and in populated areas, dingoes, coyotes and foxes will raid bins. Wolves are cautious animals so they avoid human populations, preferring to range over distances to hunt large prey. If needed they will also catch small mammals, or any other food that helps to sustain them, including stealing the kill of other predators. If really desperate, wolves will come close to human settlements seeking food. This is rare but many people believe that this is what started the wolf’s journey to becoming the domesticated dog.

The current theory, by contrast, says that humans have always created waste and some of that would be quite appealing to a hungry animal. It is thought that some wolves were brave enough to come near people for an easy meal and over time felt safe enough to hang around the camp or wherever there were humans. If those people didn’t feel threatened, they might see the wolves as beneficial in cleaning up around them and protecting them from other predators.

If wolves brought their offspring, then the next generations did the same, you begin to see wolves that feel comfortable being near humans. It’s well documented that offspring can inherit some emotional states from their parents which can be carried down through generations and even effect the coding of familial DNA thereby shaping new behaviours. It’s possible that, after a few generations, wolves started to incline toward domestication and seeking the company of humans.

We know that early people did indeed share their lives with dogs because of cave paintings depicting them with humans and because of dogs’ bones being found in grave sites. Because initially it wasn’t clear whether canid bones found in these graves were from wolves or dogs, determining when dogs evolved out of wolves and became domesticated was unclear. With new techniques in research, including DNA sequencing, researchers have been able to confirm that several sites did indeed contain dog bones. Further Radioactive Carbon Dating has been able to put dates to the finds and discovered that all the bones were from after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) that lasted from 19,000-26,000 years ago.

In 1962 the skull of a dog-like creature was found among the bones of many different animals in the Razboinichya Cave in the Altai Mountains of Serbia. The skull was nearly complete, in excellent condition and dated to 33,000 years ago, locating it before the LGM. At the time it was proposed that this animal was more like a dog than a wolf, but this was rejected as impossible because it was unlikely that the evolutionary process of going from wolf to dog had started prior to 19,000 years ago. Bones of a dog-like animal predating the LGM were also found in Goyet Cave in Belgium and were dated to 31,000 years ago.

Using DNA and comparing the skulls of both modern as well as ancient wolves and dogs, along with non-dog canids, it was found that it is likely that these animals were incipient dogs, in other words animals closer to being full dogs than wolves. However, DNA research shows no evidence that these animals were the ancestors of the modern dog because it doesn’t match modern dogs’ DNA. Other finds from further afield also suggests that dogs were evolving in many different places in the northern hemisphere. This is not uncommon in evolutionary development where a species distributed across large geographical areas can develop several different versions due to environmental differences. Current evidence suggests that the first transitions from wolf to dog did not actually survive the LGM.

A hundred years ago the remains of two humans, a man around 40 and woman around 20 and two dogs, one an older adult and one a puppy, were found in a grave in Bonn-Oberkassel in Germany from about 14,000 years ago (the early stone age). At first, the idea that these might be dog bones was not accepted. Instead, they were believed to be wolf bones and nothing other than grave goods. Now we know that these are indeed the bones of true, fully-evolved dogs and a very important early find. What is most exciting is that it appears that these animals were not grave goods but companions. The older dog had signs of arthritis and was likely to be unable to work but seems to have been well fed and cared for. The puppy had died from distemper and there was evidence that it was nursed through the illness until death. Surprisingly, it seems that both animals were looked after by their humans, indicating a bond had been forged between them and their dogs.

Today many more finds have emerged which show that dogs were domesticated prior to the emergence of settled agriculture, and that domestication was happening in many areas simultaneously. We know that dogs enter the New World alongside humans 12,000 to 14,000 years ago when there were probably large numbers already living in Eurasia including the Levant, Northern China and Eastern Russia. In 2021 a dog’s femur was discovered in Alaska dated to 10,150 years ago. Excavations at the Svaerdborg site in Demark have found three graves containing 8,000 years-old dog bones. Bones of dogs discovered in Arabia are also from this time. We are now sure that dogs have been living in human communities as domesticated animals since at least 10,000 years ago.
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Today new discoveries continue to emerge from new excavations or by looking at previously-excavated bone collections, especially those once recorded as wolves. Who knows what the future may bring in our understanding of the relationship our ancestors had with dogs, but what we do know is that in the journey to the modern world, our species did so alongside dogs.
 
A 33,000-Year-Old Incipient Dog from the Altai Mountains of Siberia: Evidence of the Earliest Domestication Disrupted by the Last Glacial Maximum
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0022821
 
A new look at an old dog: Bonn-Oberkassel reconstructed
https://doi.org/10.1016/.jas.2018.01.004
 
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/canine-corner/201802/is-emotional-attachment-dogs-modern-development
 
https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/18/15992572/dog-genetics-archaeology-fossils-evolution-domestication-wolves
 
 

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21/12/2018

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A Holiday Message from Laura 2018

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It’s that time of year again when we send out good wishes to the people we know, so here is my holiday message to all however you celebrate! I guess you won’t be surprised that I’m going to say a few words about dogs at this time of year.
 
Don’t forget that that while some dogs love the hustle-bustle of the holiday season, many find it stressful. Dogs like routine and may find changes to their environment difficult to cope with. It is really important to stick to feeding and walking times! Luckily we can do  things to help them feel comfortable and relaxed, so here are a few suggestions:

  • Sticking to routines and creating a dog-only zone for your dog will help to alleviate stress. Find a place your dog likes and set it up with a comfy area to sleep with subdued lighting and noise reduction (especially important if you’re having a lively party) and make sure water is readily accessible. Except for family members, keep people out of the dog zone but don’t forget to go in and give your dog some loving attention and to take it out for a comfort break.
 
  • Keep an eye on folks when they’ve had a few drinks because they can accidentally step on your dog or drop food that isn’t good for your pet. They are also more likely to approach your dog in a way that causes it concerns.
 
  • Make sure to keep dogs and children safe. Best to ensure that children and dogs are always monitored when together and insist that children leave the dog alone when it wants the space. If children make your dog nervous do not allow contact!
 
CHOCOLATE!
 
One of the biggest dangers to dogs at Christmas is chocolate, and because many people still think feeding dogs chocolate is OK, I’m going to tell you why chocolate is so dangerous.
 
Some foods not only make your dog ill but can kill. Chocolate is particularly dangerous at Christmas because there is so much of it around – on the tree, in advent calendars, wrapped in packages, in bowls and stockings. Dogs like the smell and taste of chocolate and will seek it out, especially if you treat your pooch with dog chocolate. The only way to keep your dog safe is to keep chocolate in a location your dog can’t reach at all times.
 
Feeding chocolate to a dog is playing Russian Roulette with its life. Yes there are dogs that are fed chocolate and appear to have no ill effects, but how toxic any chocolate is to a dog depends on several factors: the size of the dog, the amount of chocolate eaten and the type of chocolate consumed.
 
Different types of chocolate will have different toxicity levels due to the amount of cocoa present. White chocolate has so little cocoa that toxicity will be low but it could still create digestive discomfort. White chocolate also contains high levels of sugar and cocoa fat and this can cause pancreatitis in some dogs that may not show up for several days.
 
Milk chocolate is the least toxic, while dark chocolate or baking chocolate could easily kill even a large dog. Only 1.3 grams of chocolate per kilo of body-weight creates dangerous levels for dogs.
 
Tolerance of chocolate will differ depending on the size of the dog, small dogs being at a higher risk than large dogs. 
PetMed has a brilliant toxicity measure online that can help to identify chocolate-toxicity danger levels based on the size of the dog, the type of chocolate eaten and the amount ingested. The address is: https://www.petmd.com/dog/chocolate-toxicity
However, a sensible owner will never risk feeding human chocolate to their dog.
 
So why is chocolate toxic for dogs? Chocolate contains methylxanthines, theobromine and caffeine all of which are toxic for dogs. It is the theobromine that gives chocolate its depth of flavour and that is why darker, stronger-tasting chocolates are more toxic. Though individual dogs will have varying levels of tolerance, if a dog is fed chocolate several times throughout the day, the amounts can easily accumulate and reach the dog’s toxic threshold.
 
Methylxanthines are distributed throughout the body by being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, metabolised by the liver, and excreted in urine. However, methylxanthines can be reabsorbed back into the intestines and recirculated into the body through a process known as enterohepatic recycling which increases toxicity and puts stress on the liver.
 
The half-life of theobromine in the chocolate (the amount of time it is active) is 17.5 hours and for caffeine it is 4.5 hours. As dogs take longer to digest chocolate than humans do, they could easily have high doses of toxins circulating in all parts of the body over an extended period, leading to serious illness or death. Further, the slower digestion process means that evidence of toxicity can be delayed by 6-12 hours so that it may not be obvious that a dog has been poisoned. This can have serious implications for prompt and effective treatment. Symptoms are likely to progress slowly, starting with increased thirst, diarrhoea, abdominal distension and vomiting. Over time symptoms may turn to tremors, seizures, ataxia (lack of coordination) and increased urination.
 
When chocolate is ingested, behavioural changes begin with the dog becoming restless and agitated, which can later develop into hyperactivity/hypertension, while regulation of body temperature may become erratic. If the dose of chocolate is high enough, then cardiac dysfunction ensues leading to abnormally low blood pressure or even coma. Death is usually from heart or respiratory failure, or hyperthermia.
 
There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning so stabilisation is a priority. If chocolate is still present in the stomach, vomit-inducing medicine is given to remove undigested toxins. Medical charcoal may also be fed to the dog to help absorb the toxins. Low-level seizures and tremors may be treated with benzodiazepines, and barbiturates may be used for more severe seizures. If a dog survives, it may still need to be treated for seizure and cardiac dysfunction for several days. In severe cases, the symptoms of poisoning can last for up to 72 hours, but even after this period a dog will continue to need time to convalesce and recuperate.
 
When we realise how poisonous chocolate is, why would anyone risk their dog eating it? There are plenty of treats for your dogs to enjoy that they will love and aren’t harmful. Put those chocolates on the high shelf and ask people giving you chocolate to let you know which package mustn’t be left under the tree. If you’re having a party, put the chocolates away. I love chocolate and eat plenty over Christmas, but my dogs definitely don’t!
 
Whatever, you do have a great holiday season and a belting Hogmanay!
 
All the best,
Laura and the family.

                                                               Dave and me
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                                                    Lucy           Trinket              Brodie
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Keeping your dog safe when it snows

2/3/2018

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​Well what a snowy period we’re experiencing here in the UK. Although so much snow can be a pain, it can also be fun and most dogs love to play in it. It’s delightful watching them scamp about and I especially love when mine shove their noses into the snow sniffing out small rodents moving through the grass below. Though playing in the snow can be great for your dog we have to take care that they don’t get too cold.
 
Little dogs can get cold very quickly, even the hairy ones, because their bodies are too small to hold heat for long periods. Folks need to be really careful with miniature breeds, and those that are short haired, flat faced, short legged or hairless and these breeds are best kept out of the snow. Yes they do need to go out and do their business, and might even want a wee play but don’t keep them out for too long and make sure they have a coat on.
 
Hairy ones like Miniature Schnauzers and the Scottish terriers have coats that can keep them pretty warm but their short legs mean they struggle walking in the snow and it can pack into their hair making them feel the cold.
 
Sleet and rain combined with snow can soak a dog’s coat and being wet to the skin is very dangerous - it can bring on hypothermia very quickly.
 
Big hairy mountain dogs, sled dogs and many other working breeds have double or even triple coats and hardly notice the snow because they are fully insulated around their entire bodies and they have feet that function well on snow. We often forget that a dog loses heat from their feet and that many breeds have a lot less hair on their tummies. Even a dog that has a course, waterproof coat on its back can have a relatively little hair underneath. Both my girls have nice waterproof coats on their backs but almost no hair on their tummies and I need to watch for when they start to feel cold.
 
The depth of snow can make a big difference in how well your dog will cope. Most dogs can tolerate a few centimetres but as the snow level rises, a dog can easily lose body heat as snow touches the bottom of its torso. If a dog spends a lot of time running about it will probably feel quite warm because exercise generates heat but as soon as they’re on lead they can begin to feel quite cold. Keep an eye out for this and avoid making your dog spend too much time on the lead walking through high levels of snow.
 
Always check your dog’s feet for ice balls in between the pads. These can be really uncomfortable and make a dog feel really cold. They can also take a while to melt and are easily missed when drying feet.
 
Icy snow balls can form on the legs as well and can be miserable for a dog. I use a soft dust-pan brush to sweep them off my dogs’ legs. It’s quick and easy.
 
Something we all need to be aware of is how the salt and chemicals used on pavements and roads affect our dogs. Try to avoid salty patches and always clean your dog’s feet well when you get home. High levels of salt are really bad for dogs as are the chemicals used to melt ice, you don’t want your dog ingesting them when they lick their feet. Grit can collect in their hair and between toes causing discomfort and skin problems so wash those feet well when you get home!
 
Salt and snow on a dog’s tummy can quickly bring on hypothermia. When I was a child we use to make ice cream with a hand cranked ice cream maker. The ice cream mix would go into a cylinder in the middle which was surrounded by ice laced with salt. As we cranked the handle to turn the cylinder, the salt melted the ice. This pulled the heat out of the mixture exchanging it for the cold in a classic heat transfer system. In a similar way the salt and snow mix on your dog’s tummy can quickly chill your dog by exchanging heat for cold and causing it to become hypothermic.
 
Hypothermia is serious and can lead to coma, heart failure and even death.
 
Signs of hypothermia:
The first signs: paleness, weakness, strong shivering and lack of mental awareness
Next level: listlessness, stupor, muscle stiffness, lethargy, confusion, slow/shallow breathing, low blood pressure
Severe level: fixed and dilated pupils, inaudible heartbeat, difficulty breathing and finally coma
 
Your dog may stop and suddenly lie down in the snow and if this happens you need to get your dog warm as soon as possible. Dogs can also get frostbite on tails, tips of ears, scrotum and foot pads.
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If your dog is hypothermic you should:
  1. Quickly warm some blankets on a radiator or in the clothes dryer.
  2. Wrap the dog in the blankets.
  3. Wrap a hot water bottle in a towel and place it against the dog’s abdomen. Do not use it unwrapped, as this will burn the skin.
  4. If the dog is conscious, give him warmed fluids to drink.
  5. Check the dog’s temperature every 10 minutes: if it is below 98°F (36.7°C), get immediate veterinary attention.
  6. Once the temperature is above 100°F (37.8°C), you can remove the hot water bottle to avoid overheating. Keep the dog in a warm room.
  7. If you are near your car, quickly wipe off as much snow as possible and get your dog inside the car.
  8. While the engine is warming your heating system use your body to try and get your dog warm until warm air comes through the system. Be careful not to put your cold dog in front of cold air coming through the heating system or you will make it worse. Ideally you should have some emergency survival blankets and extra fleeces in the car for situations like this to product both you and your dog. If you, do wrap up your dog and again use your body to increase warmth if this is possible.
  9. If you suspect your dog is hypothermic – phone your vet immediately!

And finally, watch out for antifreeze it’s sweet enough to attract dogs and is extremely toxic, even small amounts can kill (watch out for your cats too).

Expect your dog to sleep more after being outside and to be more hungry than usual. Your dog might also be a bit nutty if it can’t get outside to exercise as much as it is used to. This is a good time to introduce some scent and enrichment games. There is a lot of advice on this online.
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If your dog loves to play in snow, let it! Even better, you play with it! Don’t pass up the opportunity to have fun together, just be aware that you need keep your dog safe while you do.

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