Canine Behavior Solutions

22/09/2024

Welcome to another edition of our "Science Says" series! 🧠🐶

In this series, we explore the latest scientific research and break it down for you. Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of canine cognition—specifically, how dogs process smells in their brains.

Dogs' sense of smell is renowned for its sensitivity and diversity, but have you ever wondered how those smells are processed in the brain? Using Diffusion MRI (a method that measures molecular diffusion through tissues), researchers mapped connections from the olfactory bulb—the part of the brain where smells are processed—to other regions of the brain.

What they discovered is groundbreaking! They identified five extensive pathways connecting the olfactory bulb to the occipital lobe (responsible for vision), the cortical spinal tract, the limbic system, the piriform lobe, and the entorhinal pathway. This is the first time anyone has documented a direct connection between the olfactory bulb (smell) and the occipital lobe (vision) in any species!

This new understanding brings us one step closer to uncovering how dogs integrate smells into their cognitive functioning.

What do you think about this discovery? How might this connection between smell and vision influence a dog's perception of the world? Share your thoughts in the comments! And if you have any studies you'd like us to review in future posts, drop a link below!

https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2355-21.2022
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21/08/2024

This is so true. It’s a puppy ❤️

12/08/2024

01/07/2024

Resource Guarding - My Precious!!!
Some people have never heard the term “resource guarding” but when I describe what the behavior looks like, ding, ding, ding, ding!! Alarm bells go off in their head, recognition hits and they put a term to a behavior they’ve seen in their dog or someone else’s dog. So what is resource guarding?

What is Resource Guarding?
Resource guarding is when a dog feels the need to protect something in their environment because they are concerned it may be taken away. Like in “The Lord of the Rings”, think of Golem and “my precious!” There are 2 basic parts to think about with guarding - what the dog guards and who the dog guards it from. The most common object to guard is (you guessed it!) food. Other things a dog might guard include toys, space on the bed or couch, dirty laundry, or a person.

There’s honestly no limit to what a dog can choose to guard and often you’re left wondering “why in the world would my dog need to guard THAT?” The second part to think about is who the dog is guarding from, including dogs, humans or any other creature that your dog is concerned might “take” their object, or all of the above.

What Does Resource Guarding Look Like?
Resource guarding looks ugly, honestly. Your dog may simply freeze or growl when someone comes near his “precious” object, or he may growl, lunge, airsnap or bite. If you’re observant, noticing the freeze that a dog gives is super helpful. A freeze might look like: you’ve just fed your dog dinner and walked away from the bowl area. You realize you needed to get the towel you left on the counter over by Spot’s feeding area. So you walk back over to retrieve it and see Spot stop eating and his whole body freeze while he observes what you’re doing. You can see his eyes track you, but the rest of his body remains frozen, unmoving. Chances are the growl may start at this point, and hopefully no other aggressive behaviors. Back away slowly!

Continue reading here:
https://caninebehaviorsolutionsnc.com/resource-guarding-my-precious/

29/06/2024

Please, add this to your dog's collar. Add anything you can, JUST IN CASE! Dogs who are scared, like during fireworks, are not thinking clearly and behave differently. It is very common for them to run straight out any open door, which scares them even more, but again, they cannot think clearly when that scared.

Someone passed this onto us and we thought it was a great idea to share.
With the 4th of July right around the corner we tend to get several calls about dogs getting out, and owners frantically trying to find them. We ask that you make sure your dogs have their collars on, updated contact information on their licenses, or do something similar to the picture below !

We love our community fur babies and want to make sure they are safe! 🐾💕

27/06/2024

Hey pet parents! With the Fourth of July just around the corner, it's crucial to prepare our furry friends for all the festivities. Many dog owners can relate to the challenge of calming their furry companions during the loud noises and bright lights of July 4th celebrations. Dogs, known for their sensitive hearing and natural aversion to sudden loud sounds, often get greatly distressed by fireworks. To assist your four-legged friend, it's crucial to plan ahead. Here are some tips to help your dog cope:

🇺🇸Create a safe space at home where your dog can seek refuge.
🇺🇸Provide long-lasting treats or toys for distraction.
🇺🇸Consider using pheromone sprays like Adaptil.
🇺🇸Shower your dog with love and cuddles.
🇺🇸If your dog is severely affected, consult your vet immediately for anxiety-relief medication to avoid any last-minute worries.
By preparing in advance, you can ensure a more peaceful and comfortable experience for your dog during fireworks displays. Remember, fireworks can occur throughout the day and into the weekend. Remember, a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a stress-free holiday for your furry friend. Let's make this Fourth of July enjoyable for everyone – two-legged and four-legged alike!

We specialize in concerning behavior issues for dogs.From severe fear issues to bite cases, reactivity to resource guarding, our internationally certified behavior experts have worked with struggling families across the country to help their furry friends by focusing on the underlying problems and i...

25/06/2024

Does your Google search history look similar to this? We've just published a brand new blog on our website all about resource guarding that will answer all these questions - all in one place! If your furry friend has ever shown signs of protecting their food, toys, or favorite spots a bit too fiercely, this one's for you! Read all about it here ---> https://caninebehaviorsolutionsnc.com/resource-guarding-my-precious/

15/06/2024

🐾 Happy National Dog Dad Day! 🐾
To all the incredible dog dads out there, today is all about celebrating YOU and the unbreakable bond you share with your furry best friends. Whether you're taking them on adventurous hikes, playing endless games of fetch, or simply snuggling on the couch, your love and dedication make their tails wag and hearts happy.

Share a photo of you and your pup enjoying your favorite activity together and tag so we can all celebrate the joy and happiness that our four-legged family members bring into our lives. Here's to the dog dads who give belly rubs, treats, and unconditional love every single day. 🐶💜

10/06/2024

I recently had the pleasure of reconnecting with one of my past clients, Frankie! She is just as beautiful and sweet as ever! 💜

06/06/2024

Please, plan ahead!

23/05/2024

Did you know that every single time your dog uses their nose, their brains engage? They take an incredible amount of information from each sniff! Letting your dog use their nose on your walk can be very beneficial for them. Next time you take your dog on a stroll, consider it your dog's walk by letting them choose the direction and the speed. Take a different route to let your dog explore new scents. Let 'em sniff!

15/05/2024

Does your dog rush to the door when a guest arrives? Do they jump up on people as they walk through the door? This example of behavioral training can teach your dog to keep all four paws on the floor and create an alternative behavior to jumping for attention. Starting with people you know, you can progressively introduce newer people. Remember: calling back to touch is key! When your dog gets overly excited to see someone, calling back to touch can give them a chance to calm down, refocus and go back to say hello properly. Try it out!

08/05/2024

We had an absolutely amazing time this past weekend at the IAABC Foundation Annual Conference in Asheville, NC! This conference was a great opportunity to educate ourselves in the latest research, methodologies, and practices in the field of animal behavior training, presented by some of the most respected voices in animal behavior science and practice. We had an amazing time volunteering at this conference and can’t wait to bring back some of the techniques we learned to Canine Behavior Solutions!
We also had the pleasure of attending a workshop for IAABC foundation before the conference started for horse training. We got to meet Twig the horse as we worked on things like consent and cooperative care with the horses while using positive reinforcement. Six equine experts from around the world gave presentations to conference attendees from various countries. It truly was an amazing time!

04/05/2024

We had so much fun at this wonderful event. If you haven’t visited, consider it. You won’t be sorry!