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Why do dogs have wet noses?
Any discussion
of dogs' sense of smell ultimately leads to the greatest, most
imponderable question about dogs -- the question that nags at
children and leaves their parents groping for an appropriate answer:
why do they have wet noses?
Scientists have
many answers for this. One is that evaporation or moisture from the
nose helps cool the dog. Another is that added moisture in the nose
makes the dog more sensitive to odors.The most boring answer is that
many digs simply lick their noses with their tongues, thus wetting
them.
A folk tale that
goes back to biblical times gives yet another answer. When God
flooded the world, the story goes, all life on the planet was inside
of Noah’s ark. The two dogs Noah had chosen constantly patrolled the
ark, checking on the other animals, and generally just poking around
as dogs do. One day, the dogs were taking their daily stroll when
they noticed a coin-sized leak, throuh which water was rushing in at
a rapid rate. One dog quickly ran for help, while the other dog
gallantly stuck his nose in the hole to plug it. By the time Noah
and his sons arrives to repair the hole, the poor dog was in great
pain and gasping for breath, but a major disaster had been averted.
According to this tale, dogs’ cold, wet noses are simply a badge of
honor, conferred upon them by God in memory of that heroic act.
Curb That Canine Chaser!
Dogs love the chase. Be it a vehicle, jogger, child, or another
dog—if it’s moving, they’ll try to catch it. Why? Understand that
all canines, from the Whippet to the wolf, are programmed to capture
prey, which scamper away whenever a predator appears. This flight
from danger triggers the canine’s predatory instinct to chase and
capture the prey.
The Impact of Breed
The drive to chase is stronger in certain breeds. Herders, such as
the Shetland Sheepdog or Border Collie, are infamous for going after
anything that moves; their desire to control is just too powerful,
so off they go nipping and barking, oblivious to traffic.
Territorial or predatory breeds such as Rottweilers, Huskies, sight
hounds, and most terriers can also exhibit an obsession to chase,
particularly when another animal is the target. For them it’s almost
obligatory to let the “invaders” know whose home they are passing.
But even easy-going breeds like Labs or Poodles can surrender to the
chase. It’s as much a function of learned behavior as it is breed.
Owner Errors
An untrained dog is more apt to chase something or someone if the
mood suits. Owners with little control over their dogs tend to
relinquish the leadership spot, which leads to pets that do as they
please. A dog without rules doesn’t know any better and will simply
take off after a car, jogger, bicycle, or animal because that’s what
his instincts tell him to do. The way you interact with your dog can
play a large role in persuading a dog to chase. For instance,
playing chase games encourages dogs to generalize the behavior over
to other individuals. Fido may have a hard time discerning the
difference between chasing you in the backyard and chasing joggers
down the block. Also, trips to the dog park, though great for
socialization, inadvertently encourage dogs to chase other dogs. So,
when a jogger or a dog trots by the home, your dog naturally goes
after them.
Prevention Makes Perfect
To stop your dog from chasing, first be sure he knows his basic
commands, and that he will obey them not only at home, but under
varied conditions with changing levels of distraction. This will
ensure he obeys you even if tempted by other stimuli, such as
another dog or a group of kids playing. Next, make sure he cannot
run free when you are absent. No dog, especially one without rules,
should be left loose and unsupervised. Finally, leave your dog in
the back yard, if possible, where he will observe less traffic and
territorial challenges than from the front yard. Remember, no amount
of training will help if you continue to leave your dog in a front
yard where traffic or people passing by will regularly reinforce his
chasing instincts. Teaching the “Come Here” command is especially
useful with chasers, as it can short-circuit the dog’s reactive
instinct to run after something. If you teach it properly, the fun
your dog has returning to you can defeat the lure of the chase. Just
be sure to master this difficult command on a long lead, before
trying it off-leash.
Modifying the Bad Behavior
If your dog does chase, try this. First, purchase a “face” collar,
and over a few days acclimate your dog to wearing it (follow the
manufacturer’s directions). Face collars work just as horse bridles
do; control the head and you control the animal. Next, clip his
leash onto the ring of the face collar, and then take him out to the
edge of the road, preferably one where he has done some chasing
before. Allow him to face the road while you linger behind, holding
the leash. Be sure to have slack in the leash. When a car or person
approaches, watch your dog. The moment he shows any sign of pulling
or chasing, pull the leash toward you while saying “No. Leave it!”
Then, walk the dog off a bit and have him sit. The correction should
be just firm enough to stop his forward motion. Never pull too hard
or maintain pressure on the leash, as this could hurt the dog’s
neck. And remember, this training is essential to break your dog of
his bad habit, so don’t feel remorseful when he looks at you
reproachfully. Walk the dog down the street a few yards, and then
position yourself and the dog again in hopes that another car or
person will pass. Repeat the corrections if necessary. When you
notice your dog hesitating before attempting to lunge after the
object, praise him mightily and give him a treat. You can even feed
him his dinner in the driveway to further desensitize him to cars
and people. Practice this each day until he gets the idea. Always
keep your dog on leash when near the road, to prevent injury. Once
your dog masters the basics, try it with a ten-foot lead. With him
by the side of the road, amble off until he is at least ten feet
away. Then do the exercise the same way, correcting him for
attempting to chase anything, and praising when he behaves. By
moving farther away, you lessen your direct influence and allow the
dog to think independently. Do this until he shows little desire to
chase. Be sure, though, that the longer lead does not allow him
access to the road. By using these techniques and regularly
practicing your dog’s obedience, you should be able to minimize the
chasing habit. Remember though that the instinct to chase is strong;
never put your dog in a position in which he can independently
decide to chase anything. In addition, be sure to socialize him in
controlled environments, to make social situations less stimulating.
The more he learns to relax around people, the less likely he’ll be
to chase them.
Poisons, Poisons, Everywhere!
By Deb M. Eldredge, DVM
The ASPCA Animal Poison
Control
Center
recently released a list of the ten most common poisons that dogs
ingest. What is immediately striking about the list is how ordinary
each of the poisons is—most of us have these compounds in our homes
or garages. The list is a reminder that it is important to keep
medications and potentially toxic items locked up or stored safely
away from our pets.
Here is a list of the toxins that you need to keep out of your pet’s
reach:
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a widely used human non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug. In dogs, this medication can cause stomach and kidney problems
and even impact the nervous system causing symptoms such as
depression and seizures. If you drop a pill, be very careful to find
it before your dog does. Labs and Beagles are notorious for snarfing
up dropped drugs. If this happens in your household, be sure to make
your dog vomit, if you can, as soon as you suspect he ate any pills,
and then call your veterinarian. Never give your dog ibuprofen for
pain or discomfort.
Chocolate
Chocolate has two potent substances – theobromine and caffeine.
The amount of these compounds present in chocolate varies greatly
depending upon the type and brand of chocolate. The dog who indulges
in chocolate with large amounts of theobromine or caffeine may show
increased heart rate and excitability leading to possible seizures.
If you can make your dog vomit close to the time of ingestion, do
so. Then head to your veterinarian. It may take up to three days for
the theobromine effects to wear off, and this can be dangerous for
your dog’s heart.
Ant and Roach Baits
Ant and roach baits may be found in motels when you travel, as
well as in areas around your home. Luckily the toxic substances are
generally present in small amounts, but they are often mixed in with
tasty treats like peanut butter that your dog may find irresistible.
If your dog ingests the bait, he is more likely to have a problem
with the parts of the container he eats than with the ingredients,
but take him into your veterinarian just the same. Better to be safe
than sorry.
Rodenticides
People often rely on rodenticides to remove mice and rats when
they don’t have a good cat or a skilled terrier to do the dirty
work. Most of these products contain anticoagulants that stimulate
fatal bleeding in rodents. They can also stimulate bleeding in dogs
that eat the treated blocks. Paralysis, seizures, and kidney failure
are all possible effects of these potent drugs. Induce vomiting if
you can, but then head directly to your veterinarian. Your dog may
need fluids, blood tests to follow the progression of treatment,
vitamin K injections, and possibly even a blood transfusion. Some
versions of rodenticides have cholecalciferol that can cause
elevated blood calcium and phosphorus levels, which lead to renal
failure. This may require a much different course of action for your
pet. If possible, bring the container for the poison into your vet’s
office, so they can determine exactly what your dog is up against.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is an extremely common pain medication for people.
Unfortunately, this drug can cause liver failure, swelling of the
face and paws, a problem with oxygen transport in the blood, and
even a decrease in tear production for dogs. N-acetylcysteine is an
antidote to the problem, but it needs to be repeated until all signs
of poisoning are cleared. Supportive treatment for the liver and dry
eyes is recommended. If your dog ingests acetaminophen, he will
probably need to be hospitalized.
Pseudoephedrine Containing Cold Medications
Numerous over the counter cold medications contain
pseudoephedrine. In dogs, this drug causes panting, excitement,
increased temperature, and increased heart rate. Sedation and even
general anesthesia may be required to settle your dog down, while
fluid therapy will help to flush this substance from your dog’s
system.
Thyroid Hormones
Thyroid hormones are used to treat both people and dogs with low
thyroid levels. Luckily, most dogs handle an overdose of these
medications quite well. An increased heart rate and a hyperactive
dog that is bouncing off the walls are common signs that your dog
has eaten something he shouldn’t.
Bleach
Most bleach products used at home are fairly dilute. Commercial
bleaches, however, can be very strong and cause irritation to your
dog’s eyes or skin. A quick bath is ideal if bleach is on your dog’s
skin or coat. If your dog inhales bleach, especially any bleach
mixed with ammonia products, she could develop a deadly chemical
pneumonitis. This can affect you too, so don’t breathe deeply
yourself. Get your dog out into fresh air as quickly as possible and
then to your veterinarian.
Fertilizer, Including Plant “Foods”
Fertilizer can be very attractive to dogs. Additives such as bone
meal are enticing. While the basic fertilizer formulas of nitrogen,
potassium, and phosphorus are generally not highly toxic, additives
such as fungicides can be. Most dogs that ingest fertilizer show
gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and/or diarrhea, but they do
recover on their own. In some cases, however, they need fluids for
hydration and medications to settle and soothe the stomach and
intestines. Consult with your veterinarian for the best course of
treatment when your dog ingests fertilizer.
Hydrocarbons Including Paints, Polishes, and Fuel Oils
Rounding out the list is hydrocarbons. These products can be
found in paints, polishes, and fuel oils—including kerosene,
acetone, and gasoline. Dogs that swallow these products tend to have
gastrointestinal upsets. The skin can also be irritated from
contact. If your dog simply breathes in fumes or aspirates these
products, he may suffer from depression or hyperexcitability along
with secondary pneumonia and liver or kidney damage. Dogs that have
breathed or ingested hydrocarbons should not be
made to vomit as the risk of aspiration is too high. Instead, they
need symptomatic treatment and supportive care such as fluids to
flush their systems, baths to remove any residue, and saline
flushing of the eyes if any residue splashed into them.
Take Care
All of the products on the ASPCA list can be found in most of our
households. To keep your pet safe, be proactive. Store goods safely
in locked cupboards, use secure, non-breakable containers, and
always keep careful track of all medications in the household.
Taking some basic precautions can go a long way toward avoiding a
catastrophe for your dog.
If you have questions about the safety of a substance or you
suspect your pet may have ingested something he shouldn’t have,
don’t wait--call the National Animal Poison
Control
Center
at: 888-426-4435.
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