Author: PetGd

Reviewed for accuracy on May 13, 2019 by Dr. Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB You may know dogs and people whose personalities are mirror images of each other: a low-key pet parent with an equally mellow pup or an outgoing pet parent with a dog who greets everyone with wet kisses. This might not actually be just a coincidence, as scientists say that dog personality is strongly linked to human personality. But, just how similar is a dog’s personality to their caretaker? Is the human-animal bond so strong that a dog can adopt personality traits from their owner, and vice versa? Personality Similarities Between Dogs and Their People In a study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, researchers asked pet parents to rate themselves on five major personality dimensions (as well as on corresponding personality traits of dogs). “The Big Five,” as they’re referred to in the psychology community, are: Neuroticism (a tendency towards feelings like anxiety and fear) Extraversion Conscientiousness Agreeableness Openness (level of creativity, curiosity and being open to new ideas) Pet parents overwhelmingly responded that they share all five personality dimensions with their dogs. To be certain the results weren’t mere projection by pet parents, independent peers also assessed the dog and human duos. The independent peers also rated them as sharing all the dimensions, except for openness.   Why Is Dog Personality Linked to Human Personality? One explanation why dog behavior and personality is so intertwined with that of their humans is a tendency for people to select animals who complement their own lives. A calm human will often choose a calm dog, or an anxious person will adopt a frightened dog, for example, says Jenn Fiendish, a veterinary behavior technician who runs Happy Power Behavior and Training in Portland, Oregon. She believes people do this on a subconscious level.  “When my husband and I went to pick up our new puppy 12 years ago, I immediately chose the one who was more active, feisty and a little scared of things, which is much like my own personality. My husband chose the laid-back, calm and not-bothered-by-things puppy, a perfect match for his personality. This also happened with my other two dogs that we own, both of whom I picked out because they were feisty and a bit out of control (me again!).” Through the years, she says that the dogs have maintained, and even strengthened, some of these personality traits. Dr. Patrick Mahaney, a veterinarian who owns Los Angeles-based California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness (CPAW), Inc., says he’s seen clients with seemingly neurotic tendencies gravitate towards higher-energy dogs. “Such neurotic owners seem to seek out Weimaraners, Viszlas, herding dogs and other breeds and their mixes that often would feed off of the amped-up energy of their owners.” Dog Emotions Mirror Human Emotions Given that people and pups have shared a relationship for at least 15 thousand years (scientists debate this timeline), it’s no surprise that dog personality has been impacted. Fiendish says that dogs have an ability to read and match human emotions. “When a person is very anxious, our dogs understand this and often become anxious as well. If the anxiety is chronic, the dog may also develop chronic anxiety,” she says. Dr. Mahaney has witnessed this in his practice. “I have observed pets in households where the owners are under a lot of stress [who will] subsequently exhibit behavior problems which could be attributed to the owners’ lack of calming energy.” Some of the behavior problems he sees include inappropriate urination and defecation, destructive tendencies, barking and howling, and decreased appetite.   Dogs are true empaths, says Dr. Lisa Pinn McFaddin, DVM, GDCVHM, CVSMT, CCOAC, CVA, CVFT, medical director at Independent Hill Veterinary Clinic in Manassas, Virginia, and host of a podcast called Vetsplaining. “They can sense minute physiologic changes in people and other animals and respond accordingly.” The closer the human-animal relationship, the greater the response, adds Dr. McFaddin. “Dogs frequently try to comfort and calm upset owners. People do not always recognize these cues from dogs, as they may be subtle: laying down next to the person, putting their head on the person’s leg, making physical contact with the person or trying to distract the person with a toy.”   Can a Dog’s Personality Rub Off on Humans? While experts say it’s more common for dogs to acquire personality traits from their pet parents, it’s possible for dog emotions and behavior to impact humans, says Dr. McFaddin. Dr. McFaddin explains, “I most often observe this when people own dogs who are innately anxious. The dog’s anxiety often results in owner anxiety. The person feels helpless to alleviate the anxious behaviors expressed by their pet. This helplessness makes the owner feel uncomfortable, vulnerable and, thus, anxious.” Physical cues and behaviors that an anxious dog might exhibit—like panting, whining, pacing, destruction of items and incessant barking—can also overstimulate a pet parent, Dr. McFaddin says. “The constant movement and noise become annoying and disruptive to the owner’s lifestyle, which causes anxiety. On the flip side, some insanely calm dogs (I call them Buddha dogs) help calm owners. The dog’s innate serenity is contagious, physically and emotionally,” she adds.  “Numerous studies have shown a reduction in anxiety, slowing of heart rate, lowering of blood pressure, and increased release of calming hormones and neurotransmitters in the body of both humans and dogs following positive interactions, primarily after petting,” says Dr. McFaddin. So it seems that both parties can benefit from the human-animal bond. By: Paula Fitzsimmons Featured Image: iStock.com/Akeem Ranmai

By Heather Larson If you’re looking for a minimally invasive alternative to a traditional spay procedure, a laparoscopic spay might be a good fit for your female dog or cat. With a traditional spay procedure, both ovaries and the uterus are usually removed, which is considered an ovariohysterectomy. In contrast, a laparoscopic spay normally only removes the ovaries (ovariectomy), which means a surgeon can make a smaller incision or set of incisions in the patient. Both surgical procedures achieve the same end result: sterilization, says Dr. Marc Hirshenson, a board-certified veterinary surgeon. Laparoscopic surgeries are gaining popularity in veterinary medicine. We asked the experts to explain how the procedure works and whether it’s safer than a traditional spay. Laparoscopic Spay Technique “Some minimal variation occurs in the procedure among surgeons, but it involves between one to three small incisions along the abdominal body wall,” says Hirshenson, who performs surgery at Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. “Through these small incision(s), the surgeon places ports allowing the entrance of the camera and instrumentation.” The patient’s abdomen is filled with CO2 gas for better visualization, adds Dr. John Adam, owner and president of Imperial Highway Animal Clinic in Southern California. The camera transmits a digital image to a screen in the operating room, allowing full view of the entire abdomen and all organs, Hirshenson describes. After the blood vessels are sealed, the ovaries are transected (cut across) and removed. The surgeon’s hands never enter the abdomen.

WRITTEN BY Victoria Lynn Arnold Freelance Writer,NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially “people foods.” What might be OK for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet. Are nuts safe for dogs to eat? It depends on exactly which nut you’re talking about. Some, like macadamia nuts, are toxic to pups. Others, like peanuts, are perfectly fine when properly prepped and fed in moderation. But can dogs eat cashews?  Cashews are not toxic to dogs, but there are some things to consider before you give them to your dog as a treat. Are Cashews Bad for Dogs? Although cashews are nontoxic for dogs, they should only be eaten in moderation. Cashews contain a high amount of fat, and eating fatty foods repeatedly over time can cause obesity or pancreatitis in dogs. As with any other food—especially nuts—there’s always a potential concern for them to be a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage. Thankfully, cashews are softer and more rounded than other types of nuts, such as almonds, and they are not sold inside shells (like pistachios). This can help reduce the chances of your dog choking on cashews, but pet parents should always supervise their pup while they snack. And remember that all nuts are not the same. For example, because macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, it’s important to avoid feeding your dog mixed nuts. 

There’s nothing quite like using dog treats for positive reinforcement, which is why you probably have a cupboard full of dog training treats for your pup. There seems to be real power behind a tasty goody—but what if your dog is not food-motivated or you don’t have any treats handy? Dog treats are not the only types of rewards that our furry best friends appreciate. In fact, the best dog handlers use a variety of “creative rewards” that tap into their dogs’ drives to help keep them motivated, responsive and ready to work. Why Use Nonfood Dog Rewards? Dog training treats are an important tool, but the fact is that you can’t always have a pocket full of them (although your dog would be very happy if you did!).  While it’s critical to use food rewards during the foundation stages of dog training, pet parents should gradually wean their treat usage as their dog starts to understand the basic lessons. That means that you should end up only occasionally using treats to mark good behavior.   That said, it’s always important to recognize your dog when he makes good choices, and creative, nonfood rewards are an easy way to do it. This is especially true in the case of dogs who are not food-motivated. Rewarding your dog with a creative alternative can help to keep your dog motivated during training sessions.

What to Do Once You Receive a Second Opinion Once a pet parent has received multiple opinions or diagnoses, you’ll need to begin trying to make the best decision possible for your pet. “The family needs to ask themselves what they want do [and] what they think is right for their pet. Talk to the veterinarian who is change of the whole thing and ask, ‘does this make sense?’” says Hohenhaus. If your pet is being treated at a large hospital, you can consult with a social worker who can help you sort out your feelings and what the best treatment plan is. Sadly, it also might be time to accept that euthanasia or hospice care is the best remaining option for your pet. Especially as pets age and some treatments become costlier and more invasive, investing the time, money and energy in a care plan that might only prolong your pets’ life by a few weeks or months may not make sense. Discuss with your doctors to decide on the best course of action for your individual pet.,By Teresa Traverse Like people, our pets can be diagnosed with a condition that might require a second medical opinion. However, unlike in human medicine, it can be hard to find information on how to go about getting another vet to chime in on your pet’s condition. Find out more about how to get a second opinion, how not to offend your primary vet while doing it and why sharing information with your vet is important, below. How Do You Get a Second Opinion? The first person you should ask about getting a second opinion is your primary veterinarian. “The veterinary community is very small, so your veterinarian likely knows the right specialists,” says Ann Hohenhaus, DVM and staff veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. Hohenhaus acknowledges that many pet owners don’t want to tell their primary vets that they are looking for another opinion because they’re worried about hurting the doctor’s feelings, but it can be detrimental for your pet if the vets aren’t working together. “No single veterinarian can know everything out there that there is to know. So collaborating and sharing of information is really an important thing in practicing any kind of medicine,” Hohenhaus said. Maybe your vet will miss things that a second vet will catch. Maybe they’ll collaborate to come up with an effective treatment plan that you and both veterinarians are happy with. She advises that it’s usually best to have one vet coordinating care and discussing lab results with other vets, assuming you’re working with multiple vets. At the animal hospital where Hohenhaus works, pet parents are not charged for time the vets spend talking about cases amongst themselves as the staff works as a team. Pet owners are only billed for individual appointments they have with a particular veterinarian.