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Have you ever wished your dog could talk? Of course you have! Maybe you have already learned how to communicate with your dog. You can probably tell the different inflections in their cries or yelps and you can hear different types of barks. But, what if dogs could actually talk? Like full-on communication with words.

Here’s good news: Scientists say it’s possible. Scientists partnered with the MIT Department of Linguistics and veterinarians to complete a study on the subject. What they found is remarkable!

“Our double-blind study found that dogs who were exposed to 30 minutes of intensive speech and language therapy every day began developing human-like speech within eight months,” said Patrick Elliott, postdoctoral associate at MIT. “When we compared dogs who received speech and language therapy to our control group, the dogs who received therapy developed syntax and semantics similar to 18-month-old humans.”

Don’t Plan On Having Stimulating Discussions With Fido Yet

The evidence is striking but scientists recommend we don’t rejoice just yet. Because languages typically develop over several generations, we shouldn’t expect to see dogs speaking in full sentences until 2045, according to the experts. The study examined the dogs’ brains with periodic MRIs throughout their therapy. Imaging showed the dogs receiving therapy had significantly increased activity in their cerebral cortex and higher rates of blood flow in their medulla oblongata.

Also interesting to note was that some breeds responded better to the therapy than others. Yorkshire Terriers, Golden Retrievers, and Boston Terriers were amongst the highest achieving breeds. Many of these pups began speaking their first word around 6.5 months into speech and language therapy. On the other hand, Pugs never developed speech past grunting, snorts, and snores (sorry Pug mamas!)

“Our pugs in the study were quite entertaining. They loved showering us with love and affection, but their attention to detail was lacking, to put it nicely. Beatlejuice was one of our participants who liked to wander out of the therapy room and into the kitchen down the hall,” said onsite animal behaviorist Haley Dougherty. “Pugs do not show promising results for any hope of brain development suitable for intelligible speech in the future. But they’re adorable, so there’s that.”

The study included eight purebred dogs and four mixed breeds. Here is a complete list of the participants:

• Twiggles – Finnish Spitz
• Bartholemew – Pug/Weimaraner Mix
• Beatlejuice – Pug
• Paul – Chihuahua
• Steve-O – Dachshund/Unknown
• Peaches – Golden Retriever
• Jimmy Chew – Rat Terrier/Peruvian Inca Orchid
• Pancake – Yorkshire Terrier
• Smitty – Boston Terrier
• Pickles – Pitbull/Bichon
• Torque – Miniature Poodle
• Halligan – Xoloitzcuintle

Look Who’s Talking!

We know you’re wondering how you can try to teach your dog to talk. Believe us, we’re trying too! Here’s what the experts say:

“Set aside 30 minutes per day with no distractions. Speak to your dog directly. Speak slowly and clearly, much like when you’re trying to speak to someone with a language barrier. It’s the same concept,” said Elliott. “It also helps if you lower your voice. The participants seemed to respond better to male voices.”

If your pup still isn’t asking for treats or the potty a few months in, don’t give up just yet. The study also showed that only 78.4% of the dogs developed spontaneous speech within the first year. And, if you’re wondering, this is the official word list the team used to teach the dogs:

• Sausage
• Lunchbox
• Periwinkle
• Pickaxe
• Rat

Curious what word was said first? Pickaxe! Pancake was the first doggo to get it out! Now, the next question is, what word will your dog say first? Share your training videos!

The post Scientists Predict Dogs Will Begin Speaking By 2045 appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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The spread of COVID-19 forced the closure of many businesses over the last few weeks, worldwide. Among them are the last remaining Greyhound racing tracks in Florida. Dog racing is illegal in most states, though some continue to allow it.

Florida’s tracks were already officially set to shut down in December of this year. Florida voters decided to end Greyhound racing back in 2018. Nearly 70% voted to pass Amendment 13, which bans the sport by the end of 2020. Several dog racing tracks already closed voluntarily. Some remained operational. The tracks closing now decided to remain closed instead of re-opening just to shut down again.

The early track closures left several retired racing dogs in Florida in an abrupt limbo. Volunteers have already been working to rescue and rehome former racing dogs, but there are a lot in need. Awesome Greyhound Adoptions shared a poster on Facebook along with a request for foster homes last week.

“FOSTER HOMES NEEDED IN SE FL for retired racing greyhounds. The virus has caused early shut down of two tracks and these dogs need places to go while waiting for forever homes. NOW IS THE TIME TO STEP UP FLORIDA PEEPS … “

Fortunately, the organization indicated they had been “swamped with replies.” Timing and a little TV exposure were on their side.

“AGA has received a tremendous response via email, phone & Facebook to the three major TV spots about the need for fosters in the SE FL area. We have been swamped with over 1000 emails (enough to cause Barbara’s email account to crash) and Facebook messages and at least 500 phone calls! We are trying to get to all of them ASAP.”

Still, it never hurts to reach out if you’re local and able to foster a Greyhound! Call the organization at (561) 737-1941 or visit their page for more information.

How To Rescue A Greyhound If You Don’t Live In Florida

If you want to adopt a Greyhound but don’t live locally, look into other rescues that rehabilitate retired racers. For example, these organizations all share similar missions:

• Greyhound Pets of America/Greater Orlando
• Friends of Greyhounds
• Elite Greyhound Adoptions South Florida
• Greyhound Pet Adoption
• Hollydogs Greyhound Adoption
• Greyhound Ranch Adoptions, Inc.
• National Greyhound Association

Now, while we have this time to spend at home, is a great time to foster or adopt a dog! Greyhounds make loving, loyal companions. They’ll be forever grateful for you.

H/T: Fox35

The post Hundreds Of FL Greyhounds Need Homes Due To Coronavirus-Related Track Closure appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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Dogs and cats have a long history of not getting along. Many people still believe that these animals are destined to be enemies despite all the dog and cat friends on the internet. In fact, some dogs actually love cats more than anything else. 

A big dog named Clyde is an example of a dog who’s obsessed with cats. He has always wanted a kitten friend of his own, so he makes sure his dad knows. In a hilarious video, his dad films Clyde’s reaction to him visiting the pet store.

A Talking Dog?

After returning from a pet store, Clyde’s dad decided to record a video of himself talking to his dog. But in this video, Clyde actually responds! His voice even sounds exactly like what you’d expect a dog to sound like.

As soon as his dad tells him he went to the pet store, Clyde immediately gets excited about the idea of a kitten sibling. His dad describes Clyde’s dream kitten, and of course, the big dog gets excited. He bounces around, ready to meet his new friend.

However, his dad starts going on about the other animals he saw instead. He talks about the snakes, turtles, and hamsters, but it’s clear that Clyde’s growing impatient. Whenever his dad mentions a cat though, Clyde is thrilled.

It seems like his dad will continue the charade for a while longer, but a tiny meow interrupts their conversation. Finally, his dad reveals that he picked up one of the shelter kittens. Clyde can’t contain his excitement! He bounces around as his dad leads him to his new kitten friend.

The Man Behind the Video

Clyde’s video was created as a promotion for a campaign called Pets Add Life. It was made to promote responsible dog and cat ownership. Of course, it was also there to add humor to everyone’s day as well.

This hilarious video was created and voiced by Andrew Grantham. He makes comedic videos like this full-time. He’s most well-known for the silly video called ‘Ultimate Dog Tease’, where the dad teases his talking dog by discussing delicious food. He eventually tells the dog that he already ate all the food and gave some to the cat too. As you can imagine, the dog in that video is even more frustrated than Clyde!

If your dog could talk, what would they have to say? It’s funny to imagine how dogs would behave if they could speak, and these videos perfectly capture that fantasy. If you want to see more videos like this one, check out the Talking Animals YouTube channel!

You Can Watch the Hilarious Video Here:

H/T: ca.new.yahoo.com
Featured Image: Screenshot, Talking Animals YouTube

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As the impact of COVID-19 continues to grow, many people across the globe must stay at home to avoid other people. Walking your dog is, of course, considered an important exception. We can’t exactly let our pups do their business inside, and most don’t know how to use toilets. Still, even taking regular walks through the neighborhood induces anxiety. Sometimes, other pedestrians pass by too closely for comfort.

A dog parent in Cyprus came up with a clever way around all of that. He let someone else do his dog walking. Well, something else. A now-viral video shows a pup being walked down the street by a drone. A leash connects the landing gear to the totally unaffected dog.

Vakis Demetriou posted the video in the midst of self-isolation, along with some useful advice:

“Stay home to be safe, but don’t forget your dog happiness.”

As far as we know, there’s no evidence to suggest dogs can transfer the virus to people. While there is such a thing as canine coronavirus, dogs don’t seem to be impacted by this particular strain. So, the thought of walking around the neighborhood doesn’t make them so nervous these days.

Though there’s something new at the end of its leash, the dog doesn’t seem to mind. He strolls along happy as ever on his regular walk. From his porch, Demetriou controls the drone. Don’t worry, he always had his eye on his dog.

Some dogs scare easily at the sounds a drone makes. After all, they don’t sound too different from a vacuum. Not this pup though. He’s just glad to get out!

People online have pointed out one important question: who’s picking up the dog’s waste? Is that a drone capability as well? Unfortunately, we’re left with only our best guesses to these questions.

Watch the social distance approved stroll below:

I must say, even though this is a troubling time, dog content has been extremely comforting. Tons of kind families have stepped up to foster and adopt animals while stuck at home. In general, people have more time to sit around taking videos of their cute animals too. These are the stories we want cluttering up our feeds right now. In fact, they’re the stories we need.

If you’ve come up with a creative way to keep your pup happy in the time of self-isolation, let us know and we’ll share. Stay safe and stay home!

H/T: LADBible
Featured Image: Screenshot, @NXD Shutter BOX/YouTube

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Elon Musk is quite possibly one of the greatest visionaries of our time. First, Tesla introduced electric cars that looked like something straight from the year 3000. Then they launched that car into space while playing an infinite loop of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” Next came that weird, robotic looking pick-up truck that may not have exactly won over the hearts of the world quite so well. Don’t fret- Tesla has redeemed itself.

Tesla, Inc. has not even been around for two decades yet, but they’ve just made history. The visionaries and engineers have pushed the boundaries yet again. A new line of cars is about to hit the market, this time with four-legged occupants in mind. Tesla’s new Model K9 is expected to debut in European markets later this year, according to Reuters. The Model K9 is the world’s first dog drivable vehicle. Yes, you read that correctly! Model K9 cars are fully operational without the help of humans (mostly).

 

The Inspiration

Tesla has partnered with Boston Dynamics to make a self-driving vehicle just for dogs. Boston Dynamics used its robot named “Spot” as their test subject when designing the vehicles.

“We’re very dedicated to furthering the realm of artificial intelligence so that often means long nights away from home. Many of our employees are dog lovers though, so we were really excited to work on this,” said Marc Raibert, founder and chairman of Boston Dynamics. “Now we’re just counting down the days until our own dogs can drive over and see us while we’re at work.”

Even Elon Musk himself is a dog lover! He has two dogs: Gatsby and Marvin the Martian. Honestly, could there have been any better name?

How It Works

Model K9 cars will be equipped with paw print recognition and voiceprint technology. Dog parents will need to register their dog’s paw print when the car first arrives. After the initial setup, dogs can unlock the door, open the vehicle and start the engine simply by standing within 18 inches of the driver’s side door. Infrared sensors coupled with voice recognition technology analyze your dog’s body mass, fur type and unique voiceprint of their bark to be sure it’s the right pup. Once inside, the car’s climate can be controlled entirely through an app so pet parents can be sure their four-legged friends are always comfortable.

Model K9s will also have GPS capability and will have an “easy-select” menu where dogs or dog parents can choose from nearby dog parks and veterinarian offices. There is also space for four additional two or four-legged passengers, which can either sit in the passenger seat or the second row. And, if you’re concerned about theft, don’t worry. Model K9s will not allow the engine to start unless the registered dog is in the driver’s seat.

Additional Features With Your Pup In Mind

Following a traditional SUV body style, the Model K9 will boast a spacious trunk. The trunk’s open and close feature can also be activated by dog parents from the mobile app, or by dogs themselves if they’re able to be trained to use the bark command feature. Once the trunk opens, a ramp will automatically deploy, allowing dogs the ability to access the trunk for any toys or treats!

“We’re very excited about this new technology and the autonomy we are finally able to give dogs,” Musk said.

The Model K9 starts at $42,799. For any interested pooch parents, Tesla is offering a pre-order special of 20% off MSRP and an upgrade to scratch-proof interior. Use code APRILFOOLS on your preorder form!

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It can be challenging to see things from another person’s perspective, especially when that person is on the opposite side of the world. Each of our days is so different, and that in turn affects the animals in our lives.

Something I’ve learned in my travels is how large of a spectrum there is when it comes to loving our furry friends. Though each end of the scale may look completely different, it doesn’t mean either end is wrong. Though the way I spoil my fur baby at home is nothing like the way a local Cambodian family spoils their canine companion, our love for our dog is just the same!

If there’s any one thing I can help to shed light on, it’s the fact that loving a pet can come in many forms based on where you are in the world. I set out on a task around town to speak with local Cambodian families and really understand the ways in which they welcome furry friends into their homes. I wanted to get a peek inside the lives of their animals, how much they value their furry friends, and if they possess the same love for their pets as we do in the states.

The first family I spoke with was a family of 4 that owns a local sporting goods store in a tiny neighborhood in Phnom Penh. With having a business of their own and a separate home away from their store, they’re considered extremely privileged.

The father of this family has two children in which he desperately wanted to grow up alongside a canine friend. Seeing YouTube videos of American and European children running hand in hand with a dog, he knew his children would thrive in a home with a dog. Fast forward to now, and his kids have two lovable pups that they’re growing up alongside with.

“I’ve seen on YouTube that people in Europe or USA, they always give a child a pet, and I want that for Cambodia.”

Next, I spoke with a hard-working woman who owns a fruit stand on a busy street in Boeng Tumpun.  She works from sunup until sundown selling mangoes and papayas and makes it home at night just in time to tuck in her children for bed.

She doesn’t have any pets that live in her home, but she does care for two cats that frequent her home in hopes of food. She makes sure to put out chicken and rice each morning and night, and asks her children to check on them during the day while she’s away.

She even took the female kitten to the PPAWS animal clinic to have her spayed when she reached 2 pounds. While these two cats are still free-roaming, she certainly cares deeply for their well-being.

Last is the woman who has always loved animals, and often thinks of how wonderful it would be if more of her neighbors were open to the idea of adopting a pet. She rescued a scruffy pup that found himself alone and wandering the streets a few years prior and now can’t imagine her life without him.

“Animals are so honest and so naive. If we can, we should try to provide a place to stay for stray cats or dogs.”

On the surface, we may be quick to assume that these animals lack the care we may offer in the States, but it’s clear when speaking to these families that the love is just the same. In reality, the struggles that these families face living in extreme poverty almost make it more challenging to have a pet, and they certainly are taking the extra steps to ensure their happiness. Though these animals may be covered in a thin layer of dirt, roam their streets freely, or lack a plush bed to rest their heads at night, they are still immensely loved.

I’ve learned that the act of loving an animal despite the daily struggles you may face is an incredible force in itself. Loving a dog or cat is not simply black and white, and that bond can come in many forms. I know going forward that I will always have more of an open mind when it comes to animal care, and I hope this article can help you do that as well!

Check out Part 1 in my series – Amber Abroad: Welcome To iHeartDogs Around The World

Image Source: VetTechandTravel/Insta

The post Amber Abroad: Part 2 – Cambodians & Their Love Of Animals appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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Some people go above and beyond to help animals in need. Colorado accountant, Steve Greig definitely fits into that category. After a personal tragedy, he began taking in unwanted senior dogs, discarded livestock, and the occasional pocket pet.

His current menagerie of misfits consists of ten dogs, a pig named Bikini, a rabbit named Stuart, a chicken named Betty, and a turkey named Tofu.

The Loss Of A Dear Friend

By all accounts an average guy, Greig grew up in a family of animal lovers, a passion that followed him into adulthood. As a young man he always had three or four dogs of his own, but one in particular stole his heart.

Wolfgang was Greig’s best buddy and constant companion for more than 12 years until a heartbreaking accident ended his life.

“When he was killed by a car it was one of the single most devastating things in my life,” Greig writes in an Instagram post. “To give his death meaning I started adopting senior dogs on death row, the dogs that were getting overlooked but still had so much life yet to give. I know he lives on through each one of them.”

It All Begins With Eeyore

The first of these rescue pups was an elderly Chihuahua named Eeyore with severe joint problems and a heart murmur. Greig selected him by going to his local shelter and asking for their “least adoptable” dog.

While Eeyore was the first, he would certainly not be the last. Greig made it his mission to give Wolfgang’s untimely death meaning by saving multiple dogs in need.

Over the years, many dogs have come and gone, living out their final days in joy and love as part of Greig’s pack. Although he mourns the loss of each one, he says senior dogs are definitely worth the eventual heartbreak.

“They’re just wiser animals. You kind of know what you want out of life once you become a certain age. These dogs know who they are, and it’s easy to develop a relationship with a person or pet who knows who they are.”

Pigs, Chickens & Rabbits, Oh My!

Having grown up surrounded by a variety of pets, Greig knows that farm animals and smaller pets also need rescue. In addition to Bikini the Pig (who thinks she’s a dog), he opens his home to an ever-rotating band of ducks, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, and cats. Oh, and a pond full of koi.

In order to care for so many pets, Greig gets up at five a.m. every day to begin preparing meals and administering medications. Many of the dogs are on special diets and have a variety of ailments that come along with their advanced age.

Believe it or not, Greig works full time, coming home each day at lunchtime to let the animals out and dole out treats. His weekends are typically dedicated to baths, grooming, and veterinary visits.

Greig documents all the details of his hectic-but-happy life on his wildly popular Instagram page @wolfgang2242. Be sure to follow him for daily doses of senior dog adorableness and piggy shenanigans!

H/T to The Dodo
Featured Image via Instagram/Wolfgang2242

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