Companion Animal Psychology News November 2016

The latest news on dogs and cats from Companion Animal Psychology, November 2016.

Some of my favourite posts from around the web this month

Hot dogs offer window into canine emotions by Julie Hecht, MSc (DogSpies).

Camera shy to camera guy: Helping an anxious dog to overcome their fears by Kristi Benson CTC.

Why you should stop chanting cues at your dog by Allison Wells CTC.

Think like a cat. John Bradshaw PhD considers the latest research on feline intelligence.  

It’s more than just a box! Ingrid Johnson CCBC takes a pictorial look at all the enrichment cardboard boxes can provide for cats.  

Pets in the news…

“Our canine companions developed the ability to digest starchy foods during the farming revolution thousands of years ago, according to DNA evidence.” Dog’s dinner: DNA clue to how dogs became our best friends. BBC News.  

"Veterinarians have an ethical responsibility to the animals they treat and tail docking goes against that responsibility” Vets in BC, Canada, have banned the cosmetic tail docking of dogs, horses and cattle. CBC.

Also in Canada, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies released its first report Humane Societies and SPCAs in Canada.  Amongst other findings, “the responsibility of protecting animals in Canadian society is falling mainly to individual donors and the charities they support.” Read a summary by Barbara Cartwright, CEO, in the Huffington Post. 

In the UK, the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee released a report on pet welfare. Most of the media attention has focused on the proposal to remove powers of prosecution from the RSPCA, which is opposed by animal welfare groups including Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs and Cats Homes, PDSA, Blue Cross and Cats Protection (pro-hunting group Countryside Alliance is in favour). But the report also includes other measures, including the proposal to licence anyone breeding two or more litters. See the Dogs Trust response and a summary of the report from the British Veterinary Assocation (with a link to the full report).

Upcoming events

Changing perspectives on rehoming and retention of dogs and cats: Keeping Fluffy home. Speaker Margaret R. Slater DVM PhD. Presented by the Tufts Centre for Animals and Public Policy and also available to join online. 29th November 12 – 1 EST.

Helping shelter pets find health, happiness and homes with Fear Free. A webcast by Dr. Marty Becker for Maddies Fund. Those who watch the live webcast will receive a code for 50% off the Fear Free course (and some lucky people will win a certification scholarship). 7th December 2016 at 9pm EST.

Pets, people and urban places. Webinar with Melanie Rock PhD (University of Calgary) 26 Jan 2017 12 – 1pm MST.  

Pet Photos

Zen dogs.

Kittens caught mid-leap.

Here at Companion Animal Psychology

Companion Animal Psychology Book Club: The book of the month is The Trainable Cat by John Bradshaw and Sarah Ellis. The book for December 2016 will be The Secret History of Kindness: Learning from how Dogs Learn by Melissa Holbrook Pierson.

Celebrating 20 years of The Culture Clash. Since I published this post, people keep telling me how important this book was to them. Don’t miss my interview with Jean Donaldson.  

As always, if there is anything you would like to see on the blog, please let me know (subscribers just have to hit the reply button and your email will come straight to my inbox).

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