Naturally Pets Canine Centre

08/02/2025

05/02/2025

28/01/2025

Credit
Scott Metzger Cartoons

28/01/2025

Abutiu: un compagno per l’eternità

Il primo cane di cui conosciamo il nome è vissuto migliaia di anni fa nell’antico Egitto e si chiamava Abuwtiyuw, o Abutiu.
Nel 1935, l’egittologo George A. Reisner rinviene una tavola calcarea lunga circa mezzo metro, in una tomba risalente forse al 2280 a.C. circa, una màstaba della VI Dinastia, sita nella Necropoli di Giza: probabilmente la tavola era stata riutilizzata per la costruzione di una tomba successiva, infatti non è stato possibile trovare né la tomba vera e propria del cane né la sua mummia. L’incisione tradotta da Reisner recita più o meno queste parole:
“Era il cane da guardia di Sua Maestà, il suo nome era Abuwtiyuw. Sua Maestà ha ordinato che venga sepolto con una cerimonia, che riceva una bara proveniente dal tesoro reale, che riceva fine lino in quantità e incenso. Sua Maestà gli ha donato un unguento profumato e ha ordinato che la tomba sia costruita dagli scalpellini. Sua Maestà ha così disposto, affinché (il cane) sia onorato (davanti al grande Dio Anubis).”

È interessante notare che la parola che nel testo indica “cane” è “ṯzm”, quindi si trattava di un cane da caccia, un levriero.
Secondo l’interpretazione di Reisner, la tavola deve essersi trovata nella tomba di un uomo sconosciuto cui il cane era appartenuto. È probabile che si trattasse di una persona vicina al Faraone e che fosse accompagnato dal suo cane nell’esercizio delle sue mansioni quotidiane (forse era una guardia reale o un capocaccia), tanto che il Faraone vi si affezionò e volle rendergli omaggio con una cerimonia degna di una persona di alto rango, affinché il suo “ka” sopravvivesse nell’Aldilà, insieme a quello del suo padrone, per vegliare su di loro per l’eternità.

Nel primo commento trovate il link a Digital Giza (progetto curato dall’Università di Harvard), dove potrete vedere l’immagine della tavola con l’incisione di Abutiu e leggere i relativi articoli scritti da George A. Reisner tra il 1936 e il 1938. 👇

Immagine: disegno eseguito da Giuseppe Angelelli (1803-1844) in cui sono rappresentati vari tipi di cani presenti nelle antiche pitture, osservate durante la Spedizione Franco-Toscana in Egitto (1828-29), guidata da Ippolito Rosellini.

06/12/2024

Socialisation basics: top 10 tips

1: practice all 3 things you want your dog to be able do: A: walk on by B: stop, sniff and walk on C: go play but come back when asked. Don't over balance one. If your dog always plays but never walks on by, they'll over excite when they see dogs. If they never play, they won't have much social robustness.
2: learn to 'read the room' - learn about body language ( actually of people as well as dogs), so you can work out which of the above to do when you see a dog in public. It's your job to ensure your dog has good experiences in public. You wouldn't let your child run off to play with a random gang of unknown teenagers, so why is your puppy any different?
3: here's a key golden rule: NEVER LET YOUR LOOSE DOG RUN OVER TO A DOG ON A LEAD. Dogs on lead feel trapped and more vulnerable and they could be on a lead for many reasons - sick or injured, elderly and vulnerable, reactive - or the owner just wants to mind their own business and have a quiet, undisturbed walk, which is their absolute right. By all means, ask an owner with a dog on a lead if a sniff hello is OK, but get permission first.
4: avoid head to head meetings. Dogs go straight at things when targeting them. That's why dogs naturally circle on approach- they're saying 'im not targeting you'. So even if on a lead, on a pavement, use the limited space you have to encourage your dog to take even just one step to the side, and curve in to say 'hi'.
5: watch for stillness and stiffness. A social dog saying hello will show some movement - even if its just wiggling the nose as they sniff. If they go still, it's time to call away - that's a sign they've become uncomfortable and could be about to say 'go away!'
6: watch the flexibility in the tail. Wagging tail is just a signal of intent to engage - it could be social or antisocial. The more relaxed a dog is, the more the tail will curve and flop as it wags.
7: dogs have the right to say 'no'. Never force a dog closer on a lead if they're seeking space. If either dog signals they want space ( either with avoidance or defensive behaviour), the other dog should be encouraged to respect that and move away.
8: play should involve role reversals. Eg one dog should chase for a while, then allow the other dog to chase them. While some dogs love to play the victim - eg many sighthounds love to be chased - its dogs who only like to play the aggressor that may need to be asked occasionally to calm down and disengage before they get too committed to their role.
9: if you want 2 dogs to become friends, go for a ' parallel walk' - instead of meeting head to head, go for a lead stroll together in the same direction, enjoying sniffs etc together. Getting them walking together and ejoying the exploration of non- territory as a team, rather than facing of with each other.
10: finally, remember that a walk is a team activity between you and your dog - don't 'use' other peoples pets in the park to tire your dog out! Let your dog explore, but call them back regularly for games and fun training activities so they want to engage with you. The walk is an experience you share - don't just be the anchor around his neck calling him away from fun.

Natalie Lagstrom
BSc (hons) Behavioural Science
MSc Animal Behaviour
ICB

29/11/2024

Naturally Pets: specialist in complex behaviour problems, over excitement and impulse control, anxiety, obsessive behaviour, serial lead pullers...
Degree and masters qualified, 25 years experience, recommended by vets, rescues and referred to by other trainers, member of ICB and signed up to UK behaviour and training charter.

07/11/2024

Obsessions can become unhealthy. If you can't break your dogs focus, it could be becoming an Obsessions. Seek help before it gets worse.

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain!

06/10/2024

New research suggests that the domestication of dogs not only changed their facial muscle morphology but also how these muscles function. Dogs have almost 100% fast-twitch muscle fibers, facilitating quick facial expression movements, while wolves have less than 50%, allowing sustained contractions. This evolution may have helped domestic dogs communicate better with humans!
Study by Anne Burrows et al.: https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25580

26/09/2024

SOCIAL AND DISTANCE OBEDIENCE classes. Take your dog to the next level!
Coming this autumn: classes in listening to you and remaining calm in a social environment, even at a distance!
There will be a variety of classes exploring this theme: : group walk, recall masterclass, distance obedience, distraction proofing
Email [email protected] for details

10/09/2024

DID YOU KNOW: we never caught and domesticated the wolf: he CHOSE to come live with us! The dog really is man's best friend! ( and woman's too!)
If you want to raise your dog as your friend and companion, with mutual love and respect, get in touch! From puppy 101 starter lessons to troubled teens to complex remedial behaviour cases, we have a 121 service to suit your needs.
Degree and masters qualified, vet and rescue recommended, 25 years in practice, ICB registered and signed up to UK dog behaviour and training charter.
[email protected]

04/08/2024

03/08/2024

Our amazing events weekend! Please come support our open day and fun dog show tomorrow evening! There's a bbq, photo booth and more !

Tonight's incredible 'legends'event is currently sold out, but we've had so much interest we're doing a repeat on the 17th, so do get in touch if you'd like tickers! [email protected]

31/07/2024

There will be NO agility classes foe the rest of August. We will be looking to start up again in the early autumn