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28 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 26, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Separating the fact from fiction about dogs U rban legends are made with a combination of the believable mixed in with the questionable. Canines have become the centre of some of these tales where fact gets mixed with fiction. Test your knowledge of the truth by asking if the following beliefs about dogs are fact or fiction. Fact or Fiction: Dogs prefer to live outside in the fresh air. False. Dogs are social pack animals. They like to stay close to their group whenever possible. Therefore your dog is likely to want to be where you are. While at work, a dog will behave better inside than if left outside. Why? Territorial links -- inside the house is a place where good things happen and the scent of you and your dog lingers. Outside, dogs may become compelled to defend all of their space all of the time, resulting in barking or other not so endearing behaviours. Fact or Fiction: It's okay to let your dog run in the country, but not in the city. False. Loose dogs in any environment are at risk of physical harm. Cars pose dangers in metropolitan areas and on highways adjacent to farmland. Hunters and farmers protecting their livestock or crops pose a real threat to a roaming dog in the country. In either environment, dogs may become territorial which could result in fights with other dogs. There is also the threat of potentially diseased wildlife. Roaming dogs are also free to breed, leading to overpopulation problems in both the country and urban centres. "Dumping" unwanted dogs in the country may be perceived as the best alternative for a dog, but in truth this type of freedom puts an animal at significant risk. Fact or Fiction: Dogs are spiteful. False. Humans often give animals misplaced emotions, when in fact dogs demonstrate behaviour patterns as a result of instinct and training. To a dog it is perfectly suitable to dig, bark or chase other dogs. Unless you train the dog not to, it will do what comes naturally. Humans assuming that this is a revengeful act of spiteful intent are confusing their perception with behaviours that dogs have no clue will annoy you. Fact or Fiction: My dog knows he is guilty when he does something wrong. False. Again, the inclination is to attach human responses to dogs when interpreting what is animal behaviour. A dog can tell when you are upset by `reading' your body language and emo- PET OF THE WEEK: Cinnamon is a beautiful orange tabby with a lovely personality. For more information on the cats available for adoption visit www.oakvillehumane.ca, call 905-845-1551 or visit the shelter located at 445 Cornwall Rd. tions. When you get mad the dog may try to get out of your way, crouch, crawl, or roll over on their backs avoiding eye contact. The dog is reading your emotional state, no matter how subtle. When you come home to find that the dog has done something that you are not happy with, the dog doesn't understand what it did to make you mad, only that you are upset. Fact or Fiction: Crating a dog is an awful thing to do to it and they hate it. False. Dogs, like their wolf ancestors, are den animals. When properly introduced to a crate, most dogs love it and often seek it out to sleep. Crates can be wonderful tools for house training, but care must be taken to not leave a dog in so long that it soils its crate. There are only a few dogs that are required to use a crate all of the time, due to negative behaviours that may occur in your absence, for example as a result of separation anxiety. Crates also offer a safe haven for your dog when traveling in a car. Fact or Fiction: You have to show a dog who is boss. FREE ADMISSION courtesy of THE 5TH ANNUAL False. Dogs work with a pack mentality. Dogs are looking for direction from their human companions otherwise they can get themselves into trouble. Leadership should be established through clear rules, training and positive reinforcement of desired behaviour. Hitting, yelling or other means of punishment do not demonstrate leadership to your dog, but they can make your companion fear and distrust you. Fear is not an appropriate means of controlling your dog's behaviour. Believe it or not, people mix fact with canine fiction all the time. If you are uncertain about something you have heard about dog behaviour, check with your veterinarian or dog trainer. The Oakville and District Humane Society staff is also an excellent source of information that can help you with your pet. Contact the Oakville & District Humane Society at 905-845-1551. The shelter is located at 445 Cornwall Rd. and cares for 5,000 animals annually. Yes! 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