Ten dog truths

MANILA, Philippines - While dogs are one of the most common household companions in many homes today, some owners may not know bits of important information that may help them understand and take care of their pets better. Professional dog trainer Jojo Isorena of Better Dog Canine Behavior Center shares useful facts about man’s best friend.

Dog History

While it is still the subject of much debate, there are a lot of interesting theories about the canine’s origins. Recent studies on their mitochondrial DNA (mtNA) show that dogs and wolves split into their own species approximately 100,000 years ago. And while the oldest dog skull to date was discovered in Goyet Cave, Belgium, these animals are generally believed to have come from Southeast Asia.

Growing Up The Canine Way

From the time of mating, it takes around 63 days for a puppy to be born. Newborn pups are both deaf and blind, but they gain their sense of sight after 10 to 14 days. Their sense of hearing follows. After three weeks, they start growing teeth — but the crucial period is after four to seven months, when their adult teeth start forming. 

It’s All About The Smell

Did you know that dogs have fewer taste buds than humans? While we are armed with about 9,000 of these, they only have around 1,700. Because of this, dogs are more reliant on the smell of food rather than the taste. This is why they will happily play with garbage and scarf down leftovers — to them, the scent is so interesting and peculiar no matter what they taste like.

Steer Clear Of The Ears

Some people may not know that a dog’s ears are very sensitive. In fact, even gently blowing into them is a painful experience for a canine. It’s not really the wind itself that hurts its ears, but the frequency at which you blow. The feeling is likened to the running of fingers through a blackboard — only a hundred times amplified.

Ways Of Self-Expression

Dogs can express themselves, too; in fact, they have about 100 facial expressions, and most of these depend on ear movement. Dog owners can learn how to read these expressions over time, but they need to get to know their dogs’ breed and physical features very well. Interestingly, recent studies show that dogs can also read human facial expressions and sense emotions.

Marking Their Territory

Male dogs are quite territorial, and the best evidence of this is the way they urinate. They are often seen urinating with one leg up, a sign that they are marking their territory — even when they actually don’t need to do so. 

Canine Intelligence

Dogs are generally believed to have the intelligence of a two- or three-year-old toddler. They are able to learn and understand around 150 words. However, in Germany, a Border Collie known as Rico was shown to know more than 200 words, most of which were the names of his toys.

Seeing Through A Dog’s Eyes

It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can, in fact, see colors — but not as vividly as humans do. Canines are able to distinguish the difference between blue, gray, and yellow. However, if they are able to see red and green, it might not look the same way it does to humans.

Hair Issues

Most dogs are born with a double coat of hair — the undercoat is there to keep it warm during colder days, and the outer coat serves as a form of protection against the elements. And contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a 100-percent hypoallergenic dog, as some of its hair is still prone to dander and other allergens.

Dog Training Is A Must

Dog training is a good way to strengthen the bond between the dog and its owner, as well as improve communication channels. Contrary to popular belief, responsible dog care isn’t just about feeding your pet on time; it’s also about training oneself to become a better owner.

A good way to enjoy your dog better is to invest in a good training school such as Better Dog Canine Behavior Center, which is the first of its kind in the country, offering discipline lessons as well as agility and personality classes. The school also offers a 30-percent discount on services for dogs adopted from the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).