Since Saturday, August 26, is recognised as International Dog Day, I thought now would be a good opportunity to discuss the many ways in which our canine companions enrich our lives. This day also brings to our attention the significance of adopting dogs and providing them with the care and attention they require.
It has been known to us for a very long time that dogs are of use to us. This is evident from man's early contact with dogs when dogs worked with humans to help them avoid predators and acquire food. However, dogs bring many other benefits to man, both physically and mentally. This is clear from the fact that dogs worked with humans to help them avoid predators and get food.
They are trustworthy.
Dogs are so trustworthy that they have been given the nickname "man's best friend" due to the fact that they provide their companionship and allegiance to humans without any strings attached. We are all familiar with the stories of Greyfriars Bobby (from Edinburgh, Scotland) and Hachiko (from Tokyo, Japan), two dogs whose statues have come to represent the qualities of loyalty and devotion.
When you have a dog, you are not by yourself all the time.
Dogs are able to provide companionship even when people are unable to do so. They love people without conditions, provide emotional and mental support constantly, and cuddle with them whenever they can, all of which help people avoid being lonely. The common belief is that spending time with animals can be therapeutic for persons who suffer from feelings of isolation.
They participate in search and rescue operations.
Some dogs are educated to assist in the search for individuals who have gone missing in a variety of settings, such as after a natural disaster. These dogs are used to locate missing persons. These dogs are superior in their ability to locate people.
They provide the function of guides.
Dogs can be taught to assist individuals who are physically challenged. There are dogs that are trained to assist individuals who have difficulty with movement, dogs that are trained to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing and dogs that are trained to assist people who are blind or visually impaired.
Exercise in its various forms
It is astonishing how often people walking dogs will swap notes with other dog walkers, so they foster social connection. We receive physical activity by taking our dogs for walks, and the dogs benefit from the opportunity to engage with other people.
They are tension relieving.
Having a dog reduces the amount of stress in your life, which in turn may help you live longer. Dog owners have lower blood pressure and more effective ways of coping with stress, which is a major contributor to cardiac issues.
Petting a dog for ten minutes can significantly reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is one of the most important stress hormones.
They are also effective as guard dogs.
The presence of a dog in the home can provide its owners with a sense of increased safety and security, as dogs frequently perform the role of watchdogs.
Police dogs and military working dogs are only two examples of the many roles that can be filled by canine companions in the armed forces and in law enforcement. At airports, train stations, and any other location where illegal substances may be transported, they are deployed to detect the presence of narcotics using their acute sense of smell.
On farms, dogs are employed to herd livestock, while hunters use them to point game and retrieve it.
Their sense of smell.
They have an exceptionally acute sense of smell and communicate through the use of scent. They are able to determine how a person is feeling as well as whether or not they are becoming ill based on their smell. Because of this, dogs smell or nuzzle people in different ways depending on the individual. This is one of the most interesting and innovative ways that humans are finding to make use of dogs in the modern world. By sniffing people's skin, body fluids, or breath, they can detect the scent signatures of several forms of cancer, such as colon cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma.
There are a number of instances of people who sought medical assistance because their dog insisted on sniffing or pushing a particular portion of their owner's body, but dogs also do this to make you feel better for no other reason.
Take a good look into the eyes of your dog.
It might be exactly what you need to take the edge off of the tension. The release of oxytocin, the hormone that makes you feel wanted and secure, is triggered when you look into the eyes of your dog.
They help the elderly.
Dogs have a beneficial influence on the elderly, particularly when a person is anxious, because of their propensity to make humans feel loved. This is especially true when the individual is upset.
What our canine companions are trying to tell us
But how can we understand what our dogs are saying to us? We are aware that they are able to read our emotions as well as our gestures, which is how they literally communicate with us. They accomplish this by shifting the way that they look at us and by forming attachment relationships with us in the same way that a child does with their mother. In turn, this enables us to interpret their state of mind as well as their response.
Barking
In addition to this, they do it through their barking, which can convey a variety of meanings. It could imply that they are terrified, excited, playful, or just want to be recognised. It could also mean that they are alert. It is possible to infer the disposition of a dog based on the volume, pitch, and regularity of its barking.
Whining
If a dog is whining, it almost always indicates that it is unhappy, in discomfort, or that it wants something, such as food, a walk, or attention. Growling is a common canine language that conveys the dog's perception of being threatened or uncomfortable. It is possible that the dog is in discomfort or just wants to be left alone.
Bodily communication
Dogs communicate not only with their tails but also with their body, and a wagging tail does not always indicate that a dog is happy. How quickly the tail moves and in what direction can communicate a variety of moods. A wag that is low and loose typically indicates that the bird is friendly, whereas a wag that is high and rigid can indicate that the dog is alert or furious.
The position of a dog's ears can provide insight into the mental state of the animal. When someone's ears are pointing forward, it usually means that they are paying attention or that they are excited, however when their ears are bowed, it might represent either fear or submission.
If they stare at you with trusting eyes, then they do trust you; but, if they look at you with angry eyes, then they are angry.
Additionally, the expression on a dog's face might reveal how the dog is feeling. When someone is happy, their face will be relaxed, and their lips will be open. When someone is worried or afraid, their face will be tense, and their forehead will have wrinkles. And as a final point to make, dogs can demonstrate their excitement or eagerness by jumping, spinning, or pawing the ground.
How to choose a dog
Choosing a dog is a big choice that should take several things into account. Here are some steps to help you choose a dog that fits your lifestyle and tastes:
1 Think about how you spend your time every day, how active you are, and where you live. Different dog breeds need different amounts of exercise and have different personalities. Some breeds, for example, are very busy and need a lot of exercise, while others are more laid-back and do well in apartments.
2 Size is important. Think about what size dog would work best for your home and lifestyle. Most of the time, smaller dogs do better in apartments, while bigger dogs may need more room and exercise. There is nothing worse than seeing big dogs in tiny gardens when for their nature they need fields to run in. This is a form of cruelty.
3 Energy Level: Think about how much time you can spend playing and working out. Border Collies and Labradors, which are high-energy breeds, may need more exercise and mental activity than Basset Hounds and Bulldogs, which are low-energy breeds.
4 Allergies: If you or someone in your home has allergies, think about breeds that don't shed or have hair instead of fur.
5 Temperament: Learn about how different breeds act. Some breeds are known for being friendly and outgoing, while others may be more shy or watchful. It's important to choose a breed whose personality fits your needs and way of life.
6 Think about the needs for grooming. Long-haired breeds might need to be groomed more often, while short-haired breeds are usually easier to care for.
7 Age: Choose whether you want a baby or a full-grown dog. Puppies need a lot of time, patience, and training, but adult dogs may already be trained and have personalities set.
8 Breeder or Rescue? Decide if you want to buy from a breeder or accept from a shelter or rescue group. Both choices have good and bad points, so do your study and pick the one that fits with your values. If possible, check if the dog has had a loving home or has been abused. A traumatised dog is difficult to rehabilitate and will take extra commitment. Whether your dog is a baby or an adult, you should be ready to put in time and work to train it. A well-behaved and happy pet needs to be trained right.
9 Health: Find out what health problems are common in the breed and think about getting a dog from a good breeder who does health checks. This can help stop health problems in the future. If the breed you pick is known for particular health problems, make sure you get health insurance cover in time.
10 Commitment of Time: Dogs need time and care. Make sure you have enough time to learn, play with, and take care of your dog the right way. If you travel a lot or work long hours, you should think about how your dog will be cared for when you're not around.
11 Budget: When you have a dog, you have to pay for things like food, vet care, grooming, and tools. Make sure you have enough money to take care of a dog.
Finally, If you already have other pets, you should think about how a new dog will fit into your home.
So let us celebrate August 26th and give thanks for these wonderful companions of ours.
If you want to discover the rich tapestry of August festivals and Irish traditions while exploring cyclical health patterns, read more about that here.
Further reading
1. Thalmann O, Shapiro B, Cui P, Schuenemann VJ, Sawyer SK, Greenfield D, et al. Complete mitochondrial genomes of ancient canids suggest a European origin of domestic dogs. Science. (2013) 342:871–4. doi: 10.1126/science.1243650
2. Albuquerque N, Guo K, Wilkinson A, Savalli C, Otta E, Mills D. Dogs recognize dog and human emotions. Biol Lett. (2016) 12:20150883. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0883
3. Hare B, Brown M, Williamson C, Tomasello M. The domestication of social cognition in dogs. Science. (2002) 298:1634–6. doi: 10.1126/science.1072702
4. Miklósi Á, Kubinyi E, Topál J, Gácsi M, Virányi Z, Csányi V. A simple reason for a big difference: wolves do not look back at humans, but dogs do. Curr Biol. (2003) 13:763–6. doi: 10.1016/S0960-9822(03) 00263-X
5. Payne E, Bennett PC, Mcgreevy PD. Current perspectives on attachment and bonding in the dog–human dyad. Psychol Res Behav Manag. (2015) 8:71. doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S74972
Long-Term Commitment:
Keep in mind that dogs can live for at least 10–15 years. Make sure you're ready for the long-term effort it takes to take care of a dog for their whole life.
Meet the Dog:
Before making a choice, spend some time with the dog, either at a shelter or with a breeder's dogs. This will help you get a feel for the dog's attitude and see if you like them.
Taking these things into account will help you choose a dog that will fit in well with your life and give you years of friendship and happiness.