Whisker Therapy

After a fatal crash on I-95 in Virginia, Eric and Mary VonCanon were taking a detour around the site when they spotted something unusual on the side of the road. 

Instead of wreckage or split tires, the couple saw a German shepherd laying on the side of the highway in the grass, complete with her collar and leash. 

During the crash, she was thrown from one of the vehicles and ended up lost. Luckily, Eric VonCanon, a retired police officer and dad to two German shepherds of his own, was passing by at just the right time to spot her. 

“Right away I noticed she had a collar, had tags hanging and a leash,” Eric VonCanon told iHeartDogs. “This wasn’t a stray dog that somebody discarded. I grabbed the leash and said, ‘Come on,’ and she had a little limp. But she had those eyes that were so appreciative.”

VonCanon and his wife took the dog to Brook Run Animal Clinic in Richmond for medical attention. That’s where they learned that her name was Gemma, after looking at her tags. 

It turns out, Gemma’s owner survived the accident and was rushed to the hospital. Family members had been calling local veterinary offices to see if anyone had brought in the dog. VonCanon was able to get in contact with Gemma’s mom to let her know that, to her relief, her dog was safe. 

“The girl texted me and was very thankful,” VonCanon said. “She explained to me that even when they were trying to get her out of the car, all she was doing was yelling about her dog. Now she knows she has her dog and everyone on her side of the family is ok.”

Despite a few scratches, Gemma turned out just fine from the accident. Unfortunately, one of the vehicles involved in the Wednesday morning crash had four fatalities. VonCanon wants to stress that his finding Gemma shouldn’t outshine the tragic nature of this accident.  

“I can’t emphasize enough how me getting a dog off the interstate is nothing compared to what the families involved in that accident went through and what cops went through responding to it,” VonCanon said. “But in the end, it was so good to hear that this girl was going to get her dog back.”

While Gemma’s owner is still in the hospital recovering from her injuries, they will be reunited soon. VonCanon, who handled canines while he was on the force, is just glad he was in the right place at the right time. 

“One thing I don’t understand is how that dog laid there for four hours and absolutely no one stopped to pick her up,” he said. “You see all kinds of stuff on the side of the road; you see tires, you see bumpers, you just don’t see a gorgeous black and tan shepherd on the side of the road. We’re really glad that we were there to help.”

H/T: WRIC
Featured Image: Provided by Eric VonCanon

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Dogs are more than just a man’s best friend. They’re a best friend to any human who will love them, whether that’s an adult or child. At home, our dogs seem like all love and cuddles, but when faced with danger, they won’t hesitate to protect their favorite humans.

So, when a truck started following a 12-year-old girl in Columbiana, Ohio, the family dog acted fast. He was able to scare off the stranger before the girl got hurt. Yet, the suspect is still at large, so this brave canine will need to continue keeping his human safe.

Saved By the Dog

Reports say that the driver of a truck was spotted chasing a 12-year-old girl. The girl was near the driveway of her home. When she noticed that the man was following her, she started running away.

As soon as the family dog, who is said to be a Doberman Pinscher, spotted a stranger chasing his human, he jumped into action. He ran to the unfamiliar human and knocked him to the ground so the girl could get away safely. The loyal canine knew exactly what to do in this unexpected situation, and he probably saved the girl’s life.

The suspect then ran back to the truck and drove off toward New Waterford. Reports say that the dog got him pretty good, and luckily, the dog and girl were unharmed. Yet, due to a lack of detailed information, it was difficult for the family to file a complaint at first.

Suspect on the Loose

According to the Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect is still running free. A Facebook post described his vehicle as a 1970s pickup truck with a two-toned maroon/rust color. It’s not a common vehicle, but officials haven’t been able to track it down yet.

If anyone nearby knows any information about the incident or spots a vehicle matching the description, they can contact the sheriff’s office at (330) 424-9519. Any information could help. The goal is to get this person into custody so no one else is put in danger.

Even if your dog doesn’t seem like a strong protector, they might surprise you in the face of danger. This heroic canine saved the day, and he deserves lots of recognition for it. Many people in the comments said that the pup deserves some delicious steak for dinner, so hopefully, the family will follow through with a reward like that!

H/T: wkbn.com

The post Family Dog Attacks Would-Be Kidnapper To Protect 12-Year-Old Girl appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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Studies show that approximately 1 out of every 5 firefighters suffer from the often debilitating effects of PTSD. Many firefighters report worsening mental health over the last year as the pandemic and social justice issues compound upon an already stressful job.

Now, thanks to one adorable pup, the Charlotte Fire Department is looking to change that!

A Hero’s Hero

Meet Lady Catherine, or Cat as her brothers and sisters like to call her. The only thing more adorable than Cat herself is the way her arrival to the ranks of Charlotte FD was announced.

Blaze, the department’s doggy mascot, announced that he would be a big brother in May 2020. For the last year, Cat has been helping the heroes among Charlotte’s platoons fight their own fires raging within themselves.

Everyone Is Equally Important On A Fire Crew

While Cat may not be holding the nozzle or pulling ceilings, she has an equally (and arguably more) important job. She’s a certified therapy dog, and her job is to make sure her brothers and sisters in blue are okay.

“As soon as I see her come out of the car “I’m like Cat, hey how you doing?’” firefighter EJ McCormick told Fox 46.

During her first year of service, Cat has visited all of Charlotte’s 42 fire stations and every shift at each of those stations! Plus, she’s also completed more than 150 wellness therapy visits.

How Does Cat Do Her Job?

Much like a firefighter’s finely tuned nose can smell the difference between an electrical fire or a brush fire, Cat’s nose has been trained to sniff out stress. She can literally smell stress hormones on humans, which signals her that her firefighter friends may need help.

“She doesn’t know what’s going on, she doesn’t know whether it’s problems at home, stress with your kids, whether it’s job-related stress, she just knows that you’re not feeling good,” said Cat’s handler, Rick Dunton.

When Cat smells stress, she will go over to that person and lean into them. Cat allows her body to kind of melt into that person so they can soak up all her love. This gives the firefighters a chance to release some of their pent-up stress and release those feel-good chemicals in their brains. After all, studies show that petting a dog or looking into their eyes releases serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin – the perfect brain chemistry trio for happiness!

Cat Also Helps Children In Her Spare Time

When Cat isn’t busy melting away her firefighters’ worries, she also helps the department with fire safety education. Kids love her, and she’s pretty amazing at keeping them engaged!

“If she can do the stop, drop, and roll, the crawl low under smoke, the feel the door for heat, going to a meeting place and sitting there and waiting for the whole family. If she can do all of that, they’ll remember that for the rest of their lives,” Dunton said.

What’s More Powerful Than Four Paws And A Wagging Tail?

The Charlotte Fire Department recognizes the need for addressing mental health among its members. They’re setting an incredible example for other departments when it comes to protecting their own.

“Mental health is part of your physical health, if you are not mentally healthy, it has all kinds of physical repercussions on you,” Dunton said.

The Charlotte Fire Department’s K-9 program is funded entirely through grants, fundraising, and donations. With that being said, they’ve been looking for ways to expand their K-9  program. What’s more powerful than four paws and a wagging tail? Eight paws and two wagging tails! Duh!

Recently, Cat became a big sister to another new therapy dog named Phoenix. Phoenix, a name that symbolizes someone rising from the ashes, has been busy showing her fire department family all the love they need to keep being heroes, and Cat has been busy showing Phoenix the ropes! This dynamic duo is changing the future for fire departments across the country, one fuzzy hug at a time.

h/t: Fox46.com
Featured Photo: CharlotteFire/Instagram

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Personally, I would not approach a wild animal, even in my own yard. Dogs, however, are far less removed from their wilder cousins and much less hesitant. If they sense any kind of threat, whether it’s a visit from a neighboring mountain lion or just the Fed Ex truck, many dogs are still wired to bravely protect their territory.

A crazy video went viral on TikTok for showcasing this trait. The video opens with a young black bear climbing up to an apartment porch. TikTok user @hernameisphiladelphia, aka Birdie, films from her apartment one floor above as the bold bear gets up on the support beam.

Birdie tries to warn the pair of bears (another one stands below the deck):

“Guys, a whole a** dog lives there, you’re gonna get in trouble!”

A Dog Defends His Territory

As the bear stands fully on top of the porch railing preparing to venture further onto the balcony, it finally encounters some resistance. Almost on cue, the medium-sized brown dog who lives there runs right up to the bear, barking furiously.

The bear on the railing panics at the sight and sound of this vicious defender and even gets so scared it urinates a little. Meanwhile, its companion down below has already started running off in fear at the sound of barking.

You’d think it might be the other way around! That dog doesn’t care the intruder is a potentially dangerous wild animal. He just wants to defend his home and family.

Those bears might think twice before scaling this particular beam again. In reality, that’s probably a good thing, as getting too comfortable with humans can be harmful to wild animals.

Watch the entire amazing video on TikTok!

Residential Areas Where Dogs Live And Bears Frequent

This kind of doggie defense happens frequently in residential areas that also remain home to wild animals. It may seem scary to those who don’t live in these environments. Though still wild animals, bears have learned to adjust to living alongside humanity.

In a different TikTok video, New Jersey resident Birdie explains:

“Black bears are huge here. I have been around multiple families of them growing up. I’ve seen many different generations of cubs, even. I’ve grown up around these guys my whole life, so I’m really familiar and comfortable with them.”

Of course as someone who shares a habitat with coyotes and mountain lions, I understand the fear. They are, after all, wild animals, and thus unpredictable. In general, it’s probably best to keep your dog indoors or under supervision outside. As this video indicates, some wild animals can still climb into enclosed or elevated backyards.

Still, you must admire the confidence this dog had in going up against some bears to defend his territory.

H/T: Newsweek
Featured Image: @hernameisphiladelphia/TikTok

The post Fearless Dog Scares Intruding Bears Off His Property appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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Tye the baby horse had a rough go of it from the very start. At only 9 days old, Tye became an orphan. His mother, a 22-year-old mare named Sandy, experienced sudden detrimental health issues. Sadly, she eventually needed to be euthanized.

Zip, a 5-year-old rescue dog, lives among these horses in Fayette, Alabama. The Australian Cattle Dog has known many horses, young and old, but he especially connected with the orphaned Tye.

Karla Swindle, who cares for both of these animals as the owner of S & K Quarter Horses, told the Lewiston Tribune that the two are now “attached at the hip.” The story of how they formed such a close relationship will absolutely melt your heart.

Zip Supports Tye Through His Grief

Many animals are capable of recognizing loss and mourning their mothers or siblings. Tye, just a few days old, felt lost without his mom. Incredibly, sweet Zip sensed this immediately and ran to the foal’s side. Swindle described the night she knew Sandy wasn’t going to make it:

“[Zip] was laying there by his neck and the dog was whining, like crying. It just broke my heart.”

She uploaded the sweetest video to Facebook of Zip lying directly next to Tye, looking out for him. He even sometimes rests his chin on the horse. Swindle believes Zip is becoming somewhat of a father figure to the orphaned foal.

“I think he’s adopted it as his baby. He’s letting him know ‘you’re not alone.'”

An Unlikely But Strong Friendship

Without a mother to nurse him, Tye has been learning to feed himself from a bucket. Every time Swindle goes out to take care of Tye; Zip runs out to join her. He can’t wait to spend more time with his adopted horse kid!

“[Zip] beats me out there every time. He would stay out there if I would let him. He just lays in the stall with the foal.”

Swindle isn’t quite sure what exactly led Zip to care for this young horse. She notes:

“This is the first time he has ever just licked on one, nudged one, laid on one.”

For whatever reason, a strong bond formed between these two animals of very different sizes. The result is this incredibly heartwarming content we all get to enjoy. Tye is lucky to have a dad in the form of this sweet little dog.

H/T: Madly Odd
Featured Image: Karla Swindle via Facebook

The post Sweet Dog Cares For 9-Day-Old Orphaned Foal appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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They say moving is one of the most stressful of life’s events. Well, that’s made even more difficult by homes and apartments that don’t allow animals. What are you supposed to do if your new building won’t let your pup live with you?

Many renters have a tough time finding places that will accommodate them and their best friends. Fortunately, some persistence and due diligence can help change a landlord’s mind when it comes to banning animals.

Most Renters Have Animals, But Restrictions Are Common

According to The National Association of Realtors, animal-related considerations play a big role for 81% of U.S. households in choosing where they’ll live next. Still, banning animals from rentals is a very common practice.

Jam Stewart, vice president of corporate affairs for Mars Petcare North America, describes the conundrum:

“It’s a really tough situation to be in and actually gets exacerbated pretty quickly because if you can’t find a place to live, what happens with that animal? You may have to relinquish the animal … if that happens, what is the pressure that puts on the shelters or rescues? They may be full or may not have the ability to help with the animal so it really is a massive tension.”

In addition to individual leasing companies and landlords not allowing animals, some cities and states have their own breed restrictions. Still, no one wants to choose between having a place to live and their beloved dog. For those who couldn’t even think of surrendering, there may be other options.

Pet Resumes: What They Are And How They Can Help

Here’s one great way to chip at your new building’s anti-pet policies: make a pet resume for your dog. Just like a person applying for a job, pet resumes can indicate your dogs are good boys and girls who won’t cause problems. Plus, it lets you brag about what ideal housemates they are. For example, if your dog passes the AKC’s “Canine Good Citizen” test, that serves as a great certification. If they trained at an obedience school, that helps too.

You can also include details like whether your dog is spayed/neutered or if they have a microchip. Stewart explains:

“It’s really about trying to give that profile of what is your pet like. In addition, I think it’s super helpful [to provide details on] your local vet, that you have your licenses up to date. It really eliminates a lot of questions right up front.”

To be extra thorough, your pet’s resume can also indicate their schedule, like how much time they spend alone in the apartment each day. The key is answering questions before your landlord even asks them.

Preparing “Pet Interview” Questions And Answers

When conversing with your future landlord, do everything you can to assuage their concerns about animals in the residence. Mainly, these questions can make your landlord stop to consider what their objections to allowing dogs even are. Convincing them you’re a good dog owner and tenant could make them change their mind or allow exceptions.

Some good things to discuss with your landlord:

• Let them know how great you are at cleaning up after your animals and that you dispose of their waste properly.
• Tell them if your dog has no bite history and how they react to strangers in common areas.
• Ask if they’d prefer to establish a separate Pet Agreement.
• Describe how often your dog gets groomed.

For more examples of what to say, check out this sample pet interview. Don’t let a generalized clause get in the way of you and your best friend living together!

H/T: Today

The post Landlord Doesn’t Allow Pets? This Might Win Them Over appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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LaTonya Everhart has had her dog, Mr. Tipps, for over a decade — and he is even registered as her service dog. So when Mr. Tipps went missing back in March, Everhart was naturally devastated. But it’s what one shelter has done after taking in the dog that has left Everhart truly heartbroken. 

Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit adopted out her dog to another family and now says that there’s nothing they can do to reunite the dog mom with her pooch. Mr. Tipps wasn’t microchipped, and after being on a stray hold, was put up for adoption by the shelter. 

Once the adoptive family learned that their dog did, in fact, have a family of his own waiting for him, they refused to return him to Everhart, according to Click on Detroit. What makes the situation even sadder is that Everhart relies on Mr. Tipps to alert her when her blood sugar is off. 

“When my sugar would go high he would know before I would,” Everhart told Click on Detroit. “He would lay on my feet, you know, and keep nudging me with his nose.”

Mr. Tipps originally went missing on March 13, when family was in town for the funeral of Everhart’s mother. 

“Someone left the door open accidentally and he got out,” she said. “And we were looking for him. It’s not just a pet, you know, he’s part of my family.”

After visiting many nearby animal shelters, searching online, and making signs, Everhart eventually found a Facebook post that led her to the shelter in Dearborn, Michigan. When she rushed inside, employees told her it was too late — and that she couldn’t have her dog back. 

“They were kind of cold, like they really didn’t care,” she said.

Click on Detroit spoke with Kim Cross, CEO of the shelter, who told the news station that there was nothing they could do to return the dog to his rightful family. 

“We did everything legally,” she told the station. “We held the dog for the legal amount of time, we looked for the owners, and then once the dog is adopted out there’s really nothing we can do.” 

Despite being a registered service dog, Mr. Tipps isn’t legally required to be returned to Everhart. Everhart has even offered to pay the adoption fee for the family that has Mr. Tipps to adopt a different dog, but they don’t want to, she said on Facebook. 

As of now, Mr. Tipps is still with the other family. Everhart is devastated and hopes they will change their mind eventually. 

“I just don’t understand it,” Everhart said. “I don’t understand it at all.”

H/T: Click on Detroit
Featured Image: LaTonya Everhart/ Facebook

The post Family Refuses to Return Woman’s Lost Service Dog After Adopting Him appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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It’s that time of year when days get longer and temperatures rise. Sadly, the warmer weather also brings out snakes, some of them venomous, along with the chance one may bite your dog.

The death of Jersey, a three-year-old mixed breed dog in California, earlier this month is a reminder of how important it is to know what to do if a snake bites your dog.

The Attack

Jersey was playing on some rocks outside of her home in Pranther, CA, when her owner, Deborah Smith, heard a commotion outside.

“I heard the gravel move and she came out from between the cars, and she was swollen and drooling, and she had been bit by a rattlesnake,” Smith told yourcentralvalley.com.

Deborah rushed Jersey to a vet, where they quickly started anti-venom treatment.

She had been bitten five times in the face and chest. But after three days overnight at the veterinary hospital, Jersey seemed healthy enough to head home. Vets and Deborah were optimistic she could make a full recovery.

The Aftermath

But things took a turn for the worse just a few days after Jersey got home, and she tragically passed away on the morning of May 8.

“She was so happy to be home, I’m glad we had those couple days with her,” Smith explained.

Deborah speculated to local media that the snake venom must have gotten into Jersey’s bloodstream, causing her organs to shut down. The incident is a sobering reminder of how quickly you must act if a snake bites your dog.

“Don’t think you have ten hours to get to the vet you have a couple hours to get to the vet,” says local veterinarian, Camala Siebeneicher.

What You Should Do

Keep in mind that snakes are most active between April and October, so extra precautions should be taken during these months. While most snakes are not naturally aggressive towards dogs or other animals, they will bite if threatened or cornered.

There are lots of accessible resources out there on what to do if a snake bites your dog. For a helpful guide on how to protect your dog from snake bites, iHeartDogs has you covered.

When it comes down to it, there’s no better strategy to treat a snake-bitten dog than to contact your vet immediately and follow their directions. And since seconds matter, call professional help as soon as you discover a bite has occurred. Snake venom can be incredibly deadly for you as well as your doggo, and it is not a situation to take lightly.

Not all stories of venomous snake encounters end as tragically as Jersey’s. Check out these posts where the dogs (and humans) win in the end.

• One heck of a good boy, Haus, takes multiple bites from a rattlesnake to save one of his family’s children.
• A heroic puppy takes the bite intended for his mom.
• Two dogs risk their lives to protect their family’s toddlers from highly-venomous snake bites.

 

H:T: Jersey’s GoFundMe page
Featured Image: Facebook/Deborah Wotherspoon Smith

The post Dog Tragically Dies At Home After Initially Surviving Rattlesnake Bite appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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When John Holloway saw his friend’s dog after an intensive on-site session at Virginia Beach Dog Training, he noted impressive behavioral improvements. So, Holloway chose to enroll his French Bulldog named Ego. Chris Kowalski also enrolled his Rottweiler Max at the same time.

Ego and Max joined a group of dogs for a three-week training program run by Nicole and Stephane Hubert. Sadly, that was the last time the families saw their dogs alive.

Hope Turns Into Tragedy

Holloway anxiously awaited Ego’s return. Yet, before the pup ever completed his training, Holloway received a horrific phone call. Nicole Hubert called to notify him that Ego, along with seven other dogs, had died of heat exhaustion. The business owners left the dogs alone in the house for 5 to 6 hours. During that time, the AC turned on, but somehow pushed out hot air instead.

The house got up to 90 degrees, and the owners claimed that all eight dogs were dead when they returned. Holloway said Nicole was crying and sounded sorry as she shared the news, but the whole situation still doesn’t make much sense to him. It took a few days for the training facility to share the incident, but they eventually addressed the issue on Facebook.

“Last weekend we had a freak accident that resulted in the loss of both members of our personal pack as well as several of our clients’ dogs. We are devastated by the loss and have tried to show compassion and respect for the wishes of the parents of those that were lost,” Virginia Beach Dog Training wrote. “We have been in direct, timely contact with each person affected by the accident and have been transparent with the events surrounding the accident. Once the immediate crisis was handled, we investigated the cause, found, and corrected the equipment failure, as well as are continuing to put measures in place to prevent any chances this situation could happen again.”

The owners gave Holloway $5,000 for his loss, and they cremated his dog for him. However, Holloway and other clients will continue to speak up about this issue. They want to ensure that it never happens to another dog.

An Unforgivable Mistake

Holloway and Kowalski have both spoken up publicly to raise awareness. Yet, it seems that the company is trying to avoid these stories. They deleted their Facebook page for a few days, and then, when Holloway tried to comment about his experience, they deleted his comment. Other users claimed that their negative comments were deleted too.

“We were promised to have a dog we could walk around with or without a leash, and he would behave. What we got back was the ashes in a box,” said Kowalski.

Currently, animal control is investigating this issue. Holloway said that he’s also exploring a civil lawsuit. Even if this was a “freak accident,” like the business said, it’s something they can’t undo. Those dogs are gone forever, so other clients need to be warned.

“People should be informed. I know people love their dogs because I loved my guy. I’ve been crying since it happened. But people need to know before they send their dog there it could be the last time they see their dog,” said Holloway.

There is still a lot of uncertainty about the incident, so officials will continue to look into it. Hopefully, Nicole and Stephane will learn from this tragedy instead of trying to hide from it. After all, mistakes happen, but this is one that’s not so easily forgiven.

H/T: 13newsnow.com
Featured Image: @13BrianFarrell/Twitter

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Benny the Lamb, also known as Bennedict CurlyPatch, thinks he’s a puppy. That’s because his birth mother rejected him, so a Golden Retriever named Lily stepped up to adopt him. They might look like an unusual pair, but they are incredibly happy together.

Videos of Benny and Lily’s relationship have gone viral. She helped the little sheep get over the rejection from his own kind, which is a heartwarming and beautiful thing. Followers hope that this mother and son duo will remain close for the rest of their lives.

Love Defines Family

By nature, sheep usually only care for two lambs at a time. So, when Benny’s biological mother gave birth to three, she kept the two bigger lambs and rejected Benny. Benny was heartbroken, but his humans say that it’s not the mother’s fault.

Going through that heartbreak brought Benny to his new mom though. His humans have three Golden Retrievers: Lily, Boris, and Darcy. Lily is the mom of the group, so when she saw a baby in need, she rushed to help. It didn’t matter to her that Benny is a different species. Benny’s story proves that love is what defines family, not DNA.

“Lily still loves cleaning Benny, wrestling with him and she always watches over him. If someone’s too rough near him or mama sheep comes over to push him away, Lily will get in the way,” wrote Lily’s family.

Lily and Benny’s human family turned to Instagram and TikTok to share videos of the two. It’s no surprise that the internet quickly fell in love with this adorable pair.

Lamb in a Dog World

By being around dogs so much, Benny started to pick up on dog behaviors. He follows them, plays with them, and even cuddles with them. He sometimes gets to play with the other lambs, but he seems happiest with his canine family. This little lamb might even think he’s a dog now!

“When he’s a little older, he’s going to join us on dog walks with his doggo flock. Our neighbors are going to think we’re completely [nut]s but I really don’t care,” Benny’s human said.

Benny’s humans couldn’t bear to see the lamb upset after the sheep rejected him. So, they’re grateful that Lily took him in and showed him what love is like.

“Thank you Lily for showing Benny he is NOT alone and that he IS loved. He really needed a new mummy. He is now thriving with you by his side,” the family wrote.

Lily’s social media pages will continue to share video updates on Benny’s progress. It looks like he has truly found his place among the Golden Retrievers, so he has a lifetime of love and happiness ahead of him.

H/T: msn.com
Featured Image: Screenshot, @darcy_boris_lily/TikTok

The post Golden Retriever Adopts Orphaned Lamb As Her Own Curly Puppy appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

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When we communicate with other humans, we often focus on the words they say above all else. Yet, body language is an important communication factor for all species, especially when two different species communicate. Dogs don’t speak human, so they need to rely on body language, smells, and facial expressions to understand what we’re saying.

As it turns out, our facial expressions have a bigger effect on our dogs than we realize. Dogs like active expressions, like smiling and frowning, but they grow uninterested when it comes to neutral or passive faces. So, have we been looking at our dogs all wrong?

Dogs and Passive Expressions

New research shows that the facial expression you use can affect the bond you have with your furry friend. This information was discovered after researchers studied the correlation between young children and facial expressions. After all, dogs are said to have a mind similar to a 2- or 3-year-old child.

The study with children focused on three phases in which they interacted with adults. The first phase consisted of the adults showing positive facial expressions and interacting with the children. Then, they switched to the second phase, which involved the adult being unresponsive with neutral facial expressions. Finally, they moved on to the third phase, which is the same actions as the first phase, to see if anything changes.

Children in the study disliked the second phase and showed more negative emotional signs even when it moved into the third phase. So, researchers conducted this same study using dogs instead. The study consisted of 23 Beagles of varying ages. Each phase of the study lasted for one minute.

The second phase had a much similar effect on the dogs as it did on the children. Dogs showed a two-thirds reduction in eye contact after the human made a neutral face. The physical contact between the dog and the human also decreased by more than half. As expected, dogs were less interested in humans when they appeared passive.

Do Dogs Rely on Our Facial Expressions?

The information from this study might seem a little contradictory. A different study found that dogs focus more on our body language and smells than our facial expressions. Yet, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they never focus on our faces.

Science suggests that dogs recognize human facial expressions, especially around someone they’re close to. Yet, they don’t rely solely on faces to understand what we’re saying or feeling. Body language and smell are much more beneficial to them than just our faces.

However, the way we look at our dogs could help them understand us and feel more comfortable around us. Professionals say that approaching your dog with over-exaggerated expressions can help them better understand how you’re feeling. Especially exaggerate your smiles to help them see that you’re happy. It might sound silly, but it will help your dog feel at ease in your presence. It’s similar to the way you would behave around a young child.

While more research needs to be done on this topic, avoiding a neutral facial expression is a good habit to have around your furry friend. It might not seem like a big deal on the surface, but it could help strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

H/T: psychologytoday.com

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