Maybe We're Not Smart Enough To Know!
Frans de Waal, Are We Smart Enough To Know How Smart Animals Are?

Dr. Frans de Waal asks the poignant question in his book, "Are we smart enough to know how smart animals are?" Many of us suspect that our cats and dogs have a sixth sense. They seem to know things are going to happen before humans do. Is this smarts, or is it hyper-observation of your every move? Maybe a little of both.

Dr. de Waal looks at this question from a scientific point of view. He tells us that in science, there has been a sort of a downplaying in animal intelligence. He states that the hard-nosed scientists of the last century didn't want to hear about animal intelligence and animal cognition was even a taboo word that they couldn't even use with animals.

It is only in the last 30 years that Dr. de Waal states we are starting to look at animal intelligence in a different way. That is why he is asking the question of whether or not we are smart enough to do that, which he thinks we are.

When asked why he thinks we have downplayed animal intelligence, Dr. de Waal claims that there are many reasons, including the religious side. Some people claim that we have souls but animals do not. As part of our religion and culture, we have made every effort to make them look dumb.

Next is the moral issue. It is quite convenient to describe them as dumb and having no emotions, if you want to eat them.

So how smart are our companion dogs? You've probably heard about the dogs that were able to recall 100 to 1,000 different words and toy items. These dogs were tested by asking them to get a certain toy in a different room. This prevents them from seeing where you are looking and pointing so they can't pick up on any clues. They then go into the other room and come back with the item you requested.

Even smarter than that, is that they can exclude. So if you ask for a certain toy that they've never heard of and there is only one item in that room that they've never seen before, they are able to make that connection. They can figure out that that is a new word that they didn't know, so that must be for the item they didn't know.

We often believe our dogs know what we are thinking before we even say it. Dr. de Waal states that more likely we are giving off cues that we are not aware of. These can be anything from putting on shoes, getting a jacket or picking up keys, to tip them off that we are leaving. They are constantly watching us!

Dr. de Waal reviews the rise and fall of the mechanistic view of animals and opens our minds to the idea that animal minds are far more intricate and complex than we have assumed. Dr. de Waal's landmark book will convince you to rethink everything you thought you knew about animal-and human-intelligence.

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Dog Lawyer
Jeremy Cohen, Boston Dog Lawyers

Attorney Jeremy Cohen gave up his insurance fraud law practice to focus only on dogs. He is one of the few "dog only" lawyers in the U.S. Jeremy represents dangerous dogs that usually have a death sentence. He tells us that lots of people have threatened him and harass him, but it's worth it if he can save the life of a dog.

Jeremy Cohen has been practicing law for over 25 years. He has represented dog owners when their right to have a pet has been restricted by local authorities. He also has a firm dedicated solely to dog owners. He says that saving dogs give him a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day unlike debt collection!

The people who contact him are the people whose dog has perhaps bitten someone or allegedly bit someone. They call him to represent them at a hearing to determine if their dog is dangerous or not, which can be a death sentence for a dog.

It is his job to then make sure that the dog owner's constitutional rights are protected. This means that they have a right to a hearing when property (unfortunately dogs are still considered property) is being taken away from them.

Sometimes the process is not very fair and Jeremy steps in and makes sure that the end result was reached properly.

Jeremy doesn't feel that the only option for "dangerous" dogs is to be put down, as we are much smarter now. There are so many things available to rehabilitate a dog or an owner, who may even be the cause of the incident. Jeremy tells us that most bite victims are children under the age of 12 who are not attended.

When you hear a certain headline about a dog biting someone severely, you immediately think the dog is horrible and should be put down. But Jeremy digs deeper. While he sometimes does find that the dog is a bad dog and shouldn't be represented, there are also times when it wasn't the dog's fault. He uses dog behaviorists to make this determination.

In one case, Jeremy received a call because an 8-year-old boy was bitten. When you hear that, it sounds pretty bad, as the boy had to go to the hospital. But as Jeremy investigated the case (the animal control officer did not do any investigation), neighbors told him that every day this boy threw rocks at this dog through a chain-link fence. On this particular day, the boy saw the owner outside with the dog and asked if he could pet him. But when he went to pet the dog, the dog bit him in the hand. Jeremy feels that resentment had been building up in this dog and he remembered the boy's action and that is why he bit him. So, they went from having the dog put down, to the case being dismissed. Everyone agreed that this child tormented the dog and now the dog is living his life without restrictions.

Surprisingly, Jeremy states that he has had people say to him how dare he try to keep a dangerous dog alive. There have even been circumstances where he has had to be escorted out of a courtroom. However, he states that these same people are the first people to call him when someone is trying to take their own dog away.

Dogs are still considered property in the eyes of the court and Jeremy tells us that there are many people working on changing this.

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Pet Flipping - Seven Tips to Safeguard Your Pet - Dr. Debbie

Pet lovers beware of the disturbing criminal trend called "pet flipping." This is when a person steals a pet or takes ownership of a lost pet, and then sells the animal. Pets are typically sold on the Internet to make a quick profit. The American Kennel Club (AKC) reports a rise in pet thefts.

Pet flippers most commonly target purebred dogs because they can fetch a high price, but even mixed breed dogs are at risk. Dogs are swiped from porches, fenced in back yards, dog parks, and cars. Some pet scams involve a person advertising as a pet sitter or trainer, who then disappears with your pet. Other scams involve someone who steals a pet and then responds to the lost pet ad, making money on rewards.

Top 7 Tips to Prevent Pet Flipping:

1. Don't Leave Your Pet Unattended
Avoid leaving your pet unattended, even in your own backyard. Don't leave your pet outside of stores or coffee shops. Tying your dog's leash up while you run that quick errand can give a thief the few minutes he needs to snatch your pet while you step away. Keep a watchful eye on your dog when visiting dog parks.

2. Get Your Pet Microchipped
A microchip is one of the best tools to reunite lost pets and serves as legal proof of ownership. Be sure to keep your contact information up to date with the microchip company.

3. Use GPS Collars
A GPS collar allows you to track your dog's movement minute by minute. These units can help you find your pet quickly if lost, but are of little use if a pet flipper removes the collar. I use the Tagg Pet Tracker for my dog and like that I can locate him to a precise location with my smart phone.

4. Get Your Pet Spayed or Neutered
Dogs that aren't spayed or neutered are especially prized targets to thieves since they are perceived as a money-making opportunity. Spaying and neutering also decreases the desire to stray and is good for your pet's health.

5. Research Pet Services Carefully
Before signing on for pet sitting or dog trainer services, research the business person's reputation with the Better Business Bureau. Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a reputable pet professional. Request references before using a new pet service.

6. Buyer Beware
Be cautious when buying a pet online and only use reputable breeders. Check out a breeders standing with the AKC and breed clubs. Be wary of individuals that lack documentation of breeding or veterinary health care records.

7. Sign Up For Doggie Facial Recognition Apps
High-tech facial recognition technology is now available to identify and track down lost pets with services like Finding Rover. Use your iPhone to download the app. Upload your pet's photo in their database, and promptly notify Finding Rover if your pet is ever lost.

Pet flipping is so heinous because it exploits the cherished relationship between family and a beloved pet. Share this information with fellow pet lovers to spread awareness and halt this criminal trend.

Featured veterinarian known as "Dr. Debbie" on national pet radio program, Animal Radio. Ebook author of "Yorkshire Terriers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Pugs: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Mini Schnauzers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; and "Shih Tzu: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend." Dr. Debbie's books.

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10 Meaningful Ways To Forever Honor Your Pet
Robert Semrow, Animal Radio Listomania

I lost my best friend in the world, my dog Sugar. She is the reason I am so deeply involved in the pet world. She was abused, thrown out of a car at an outlet mall and left for dead. She adopted my wife and I and she was as important to our family as anything can be. I was devastated beyond belief at her passing and knew I needed to do something that would honor her memory for decades to come.

To begin with, we spent many days in our yard, at parks and outdoors with her. We wanted to do something special that would honor her love of the sun and the outdoors. My outdoor choice was to have her with us in the form a few trees. We have planted some of her ashes with a tree seedling in a Bios Urn that will sprout to life and grow for many years to come. This rebirth of our beloved Sugar will serve as a reminder that she is still with us and still watching over. The Bios Urn kit makes it easy and is interactive and healing for the kids as well. You'll see me talking to the trees for the rest of my life, and I hope you'll ask me who I'm talking to!

Next is the celebration of the fun and creativity that our pets inspire. There are several companies that offer to create art from the ashes of our pets. From glass sculptures to sun catchers to centerpieces, these soul filled creations provide an eye catching and heartwarming way to incorporate your pet's memorial in your house. It's a unique and beautiful way to share their memory with those who visit.

One of the most important things our pets do is bring us love and comfort. The hole that exists after the loss of a pet can never be filled, but it can be comforted. Many others and I have turned to a clone of our pets for this comfort. No, I'm not having Sugar's DNA cloned in to a new being, instead I am getting a Cuddle Clone of her. These meticulously custom handmade plush versions of our beloved pets are upliftingly lifelike and spot on clones of their inspirations.

There are other wonderful ways to memorialize your pets. Consider a custom miniature statue, A canvas print of your favorite photo, a plaster paw print, a jewelry piece made from their nose print, a donation of a bench to local dog park or a plaque in your back yard in an area they loved.

More than anything I just wish I could give Sugar one more hug and tell her I love one more time. I know she knew the love we had for her and we knew the love she had for us. For me, honoring her beyond the memories is something that my family and I needed to do for us, not her. One thing I want to leave you all with is that the best way to honor your pet is to be the best pet parent you can be, every day. No one is perfect, but your pet sure thinks you are close enough!

Share your pet memorial stories on our Animal Radio Facebook Page.

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The Dogfather's Grooming Tip with Joey Villani

Brush Dirty Pet Before Bathing
Joey has said some confusing things about brushing and bathing your pet and wants to set the record straight.

Joey tells people not to wash their pets before brushing, because any knots they have will become tighter. However, he has also said that it's better to brush out a clean pet than a dirty pet.

Let him clarify.

In a perfect world, and of course our world is not perfect, if we were able to work on a clean pet, everything would be easier. Knots brush out easier and the hair detangles easier and separates. Unfortunately, that's not usually how it is.

If you have a pet with very few knots, you can bathe your pet and then brush them out. Groomers are able to do this on a very dirty dog because they have the proper tools and high velocity dryers that can penetrate the coat and will separate the hair as they are brushing it.

Unfortunately, people don't have the luxury of having these tools at home. So if you bathe a dirty, knotted dog at home before brushing, the matt will dry and tighten up. This will make it harder to remove and may even require your pet to be shaved.

If you can't get the knots out at home before bathing and you're having a problem, go to a professional groomer. If there is just light tangling, try to brush it out before bathing. If that doesn't work, you can bathe your pet and then brush it out. But again, be careful because if you can't get the knots out, you could be causing more harm.

Animal Radio News - Lori Brooks

Pet Therapy Goes To College
A growing number of colleges across the country are offering their stressed out students pet therapy. The health benefits of dogs and cats are well documented. Petting a canine companion can help lower blood pressure and help ease depression. People with heart disease who own dogs tend to live longer than those with the same ailments who don't own a dog. And pets help decrease stress by lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increasing levels of the neurochemical oxytocin, the love hormone. For all of those reasons, hospitals, nursing homes and prisons have embraced pet therapy as a part of treatment and rehabilitation. Oklahoma State University actually has a student stress reduction center called Reboot where certified therapy dogs are available for students.

Chicago Launched Cat Cafe
Tree House Humane Society launched a coffee shop, which doubled as a cat adoption center. It featured a full coffee bar and a cat lounge where a dozen or more cats were free to roam about, sleep and play. Cat cafes are very popular in other countries. Cat Town in Oakland, saw its adoption rate more than double after opening the first stateside cat cafe.

Cat Personality Test
The University of South Australia conducted research using online cat personality tests. Many psychologists subscribe to the theory that all people have five broad personality traits, which are extroversion, agreeableness, openness to experience, conscientiousness and neuroticism. And cats, the team found, have their own five dominant traits too. The Feline Five as they're known are skittishness, outgoingness, dominance, spontaneity and friendliness. They found that older cats were generally slightly more dominant and less outgoing than younger ones, but there were no significant variations between genders or between indoor and outdoor cats. The study was only open to cats in South Australia.

Buddy's Bucket List
Buddy, a 14-year-old Labrador mix in Michigan, went out in style. He was one of the lucky dogs whose caretaker has made a bucket list for him. You see, Buddy's owner passed away unexpectedly and understandably Buddy plunged into a deep depression just before he was diagnosed as having cancer that had already spread throughout his body. Buddy's new mom wanted to make sure he knew a special life before he left the planet, so the bucket list was created. Some of the things Buddy was able to check off his list were sleeping every night in his "humom's" bed, spending a day at the beach, overdosing on peanut butter and eating a whole McDonald's happy meal.

Listen to the entire Podcast of this show (#1220)