K8's Petcare

21/05/2024

Your small action, means a lot to them 💞💦


Art Credits: Artsy Bird Squad

Make a Difference for Animals

21/05/2024

Cuddles with this special guy 🥹

20/05/2024

Checking in on Mr Draig this week 😍

20/05/2024

Pretty girl Luna 🥰

14/05/2024

Not ethical . Not kind 🚫 no matter how a trainer insists “it’s just a pinch” 🤏 It is just as it looks , a torture tool

12/05/2024

Mr handsomes 😌

10/05/2024

CHEWING BEHAVIOUR: CAN IT BENEFIT LEARNING IN FEARFUL DOGS ?

Anxiety and fear behaviours in social animals is the topic of our generation and much popularised in discussion and modern scientific research. We have seen several studies emerge in the last decade that have strengthened our understanding, which behaviour professionals have applied successfully in improving the affective state and welfare of animals across species. We are so lucky to have access to the work of many incredible minds of the global science community, who are continuing to elevate our knowledge base so we can help animals better.

A recent study by Krichbaum et al, 2023 explores a novel path suggesting that chewing could enhance learning in dogs. This is a first of its kind research looking at a link between chewing and cognitive function, in relation to fearfulness ( link in the comments)

Chewing behaviour in dogs, ranging from puppies to older canines, has been extensively observed throughout history. However, in wild canid species, recreational chewing is less compared to domesticated dogs, likely due to factors such as energy conservation and minimising time near carcasses to reduce risk. A study comparing teeth indentation on bones between wolves and captive wolves suggests that stress from captivity may influence differences in chewing rates.
Mastication, which involves chewing but is different to play or recreational, is a preliminary stage of digestion, and considered a rhythmic behaviour observed in almost all mammals, akin to locomotion and respiration, with the chewing rhythm generated in the brainstem . There is also evidence suggesting that the various functions of chewing support the mechanisms of natural selection in evolution and is widely factored into canid ethograms. Wolves can easily chew through large bones, aiming for quick consumption, while play behaviours among their young can involve chewing sticks.

In contemporary times, pet dogs have access to an array of products designed to alleviate boredom and provide enrichment, with claims to prevent undesirable behaviour and enhance wellbeing. An abundance of chewing options are available, with a recent survey indicating that 94% of dog owners offer edible chews, and 83% provide chew toys, believing that chewing alleviates boredom for their dogs.

Prior research has shown that chewing in pet dogs can alleviate stress ,and also evidence to suggest post learning exercise and play can influence memory in dogs.
However, this new study by Krichbaum et al, focuses specifically on aspects of chewing related to cognition through memory tests and its potential effect on trait-anxiety which is interpreted as fearfulness. Trait-anxiety is a term for anxiety that occurs consistently as part of an individuals’ way of thinking.
The study involved adult working Labradors ( known for their pronounced object play skills) already trained for tasks like scent detection. Nylabones were used as chew toys, provided directly prior to a spatial memory task, as well as a spatial navigation task.
The findings indicated that dogs with higher levels of fearfulness, more frequent chewing was associated with improved spatial memory. The opposite being true for dogs with lower fearfulness, which is interesting as the author suggests this may be due to chewing having a mitigating effect on fear. Whereas for the non-fearful subjects, chewing served more as a distraction. Findings also concluded that chewing during memory consolidation enhanced long-term memory.

This research marks a significant advancement in understanding chewing as a function and paves the way for further exploration, especially in relation to breed specific variations and motivational effects.

However, this new insight may also have implications for all dogs, particularly in how we train unwell, trauma-affected, adolescent as well as dogs exhibiting trait-anxiety. Similarly, it may benefit dogs easily stimulated by play techniques or dogs restricted from physical activity, with potential for faster learning outcomes, in both pre and post, a brief chewing period. Dog professionals might find value in utilising this data to test these new findings while ensuring ethical standards are maintained throughout training practises.

We welcome comments from our readers in relation to this paper, have any of you observed chewing behaviour improve outcomes or the opposite, in your own dogs or in your clients?


Boo Blackhurst CDBC


References:

Krichbaum et Al, 2023, No bones about it: The effect of chewing on cognition in dogs,
Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Arhant et Al, 2021, Chewing behaviour in dogs – A survey-based exploratory study,
Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Courtenay LA, et Al, 2021, 3D Insights into the Effects of Captivity on Wolf Mastication and Their Tooth Marks; Implications in Ecological Studies of Both the Past and Present

Nadja Affenzeller et Al, 2017, Playful activity post-learning improves training performance in Labrador Retriever dogs

Rooney et Al, 2009, A Practitioner’s guide to working dog welfare, Journal of Veterinary Behaviour

Gerstner GE et Al, 2010, Chewing rates among domestic dog breeds. J Exp Biol.

10/05/2024

How’s life going ? 😆

07/05/2024

Chief dossers . Anyone would think they’re the ones that have been grafting all day 😅

06/05/2024

🐰

Are you considering rabbits as companion animals?

Have you wondered what it's like to have rabbits?

What about getting the right pair and knowing they're the right fit for your family?

Do you worry you might regret it and end up as one of the statistics : 8 out of 10 rabbits are given up in the first year?

We have the answer. Consider doing a foster to adopt trial ➡️

1. Be matched with the right pair for your home environment. A pair who are already neutered, vaccinated and bonded for you.
2. Trial them in your home for 2 months (at no cost to you!) with the advice and support of an experienced organisation. There to assist you along the way, answer your questions and help you get to know your pair better.

Love it? Amazing! Sign the adoption papers and welcome them into your family forever.

Hate it? No worries! The pair go back and no harm done, you won't be adding to the rescue crisis.

babybluebeebunnies.com

04/05/2024

🥹❤️

02/05/2024

Just so you can put in to perspective at the moment of how full I am and can no longer take on any at present time ( other than those I’ve already made arrangements for )

44 rabbits, 21 guinea pigs, 3 permanent rats, 5 hamsters ( 2 permanents )

This is a rescues crisis point and sadly it happens every single year. With requests each day asking if I can take on animals.

This needs to stop. You should not be taking in animals if you don’t plan on having them for 8-12 years. They are not disposable nor are they disposable to give to rescues to afford the cost that people cannot be bothered to pay.💔💔

28/04/2024

Not every dog loves to be social and not every dog loves the dog park.

Just like other mammals you have some that love to be social butterflies and others are very selective when it comes to friends.

Izzy for example has a few besties she loves to play with but does not enjoy attending social hour and that is ok.

It is normal to be friend selective. It’s unusual to enjoy and be friendly with every single dog.
Thank you Every Dog Behavior and Training and Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin for this brilliant infographic

23/04/2024

Always check your bunnies bum ! 🐰 🍑. It could save their life . Flystrike is one of the most horrific things I have ever witnessed 😣

Do you know how to prevent flystrike now the weather is warming up? 🪰

👀 Bum checks
💩 Clean up cecotrophes
🛁 Keep litter trays spotless
🐇 Check on your rabbits often
🌾 Grow fresh lavender
🚫 Avoid toxic fly sprays
☢️ Use Rearguard every 8-10 weeks, it's the only product we recommend

There's still time to book one of our Spring grooming day slots to have your buns 1st rearguard applied 🦺

To learn more, become a member to access exclusive content on applying rearguard and grooming tutorials ✂️

21/04/2024

The quality of life you give to your animals is a reflection of you as a person. All animals deserve a home. Not all people deserve an animal.

CTTO

19/04/2024

Handsome old boy Buster had a haircut 💇‍♂️ 😍

16/04/2024

Ha

.secret.dog.walker

11/04/2024

🩷

Your weekly reminder that you are not a bad owner for having a dog that isn’t what society deems as ‘perfect’ and your dog is not a bad dog for not being able to handle everything life may throw at them. 💜

08/04/2024

Until you've had a reactive or fearful dog, you can't understand what these dogs (and their owners) go through after an encounter with an unleashed dog.

It not only increases anxiety in your dog, but it makes YOU anxious, as well. The result? The next time you're out for a walk, instead of enjoying the time with your dog, you are constantly on guard, your eyes scanning the area relentlessly for a dog to come running at you out of nowhere.

Like clockwork, you will yell to me that your unleashed and uncontrolled dog racing toward us is friendly, but that's not the point. My dog is fearful, and that fear is going to trigger a reaction. My dog is on a leash so that I can (1) ensure his safety and (2) control his environment - both of which are compromised when your unleashed dog approaches us.

After the encounter, my dog and I are left trying to decompress from the very stressful situation that just happened.

Our relaxing walk ruined.

Our bonding time rudely interrupted.

In most public spaces, the law requires dogs to be leashed. It's for their safety and the safety of others.

Our dogs depend on us to keep them safe.

Our community depends on us to be responsible owners and leash our dogs.

When in public and sharing common space with others, we should have (at the very least) a BASIC RESPECT for ALL those around us.

PLEASE LEASH YOUR DOG!!

03/04/2024

Chest scratches for Pepe le pew 🥰

27/03/2024

💛🖤 🐝

16/03/2024

Ole’ butter wouldn’t melt 🧈 👀