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Dogs Read Gestures Like 2-Year-Olds
AOL News ^ | July 14, 2009 | AOL News

Posted on 07/14/2009 11:31:05 AM PDT by libstripper

Have you ever considered your dog as an extra child? You may not be that far off. New research shows dogs are similar to 2-year-olds in their capacity to understand simple pointing gestures, Discovery News reported.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.aol.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cognition; doggieping; dogs
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To: KYGrandma
We routinely use "left" and "right" in agility, judges tend to set up courses so that the dog comes to a point where he could either take an obstacle on his left or one on his right. If you're panting some distance behind your dog (which with the larger and faster dogs is usually the case) then a timely shout of "LEFT!" may save you from an off-course DQ.

Also, there's an event called "Gamblers" where you have to remotely handle your dog from behind a touch-line. "Left" and "right" (and "whoa!" and "go on!") come in real handy there.

61 posted on 07/14/2009 6:35:23 PM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: AnAmericanMother
They also know many of their toys by name and will bring them on command . . .

One of the strangest things I've ever seen was how our late Taffy had a specific toy she shook at her "Momma" for different aliments... and how she did it.

She always waited until Miss Emily was sound asleep and then would carefully sort through the toy pile and select the correct talisman.

Carefully pad up to the bed, climb up stealthily, shake the toy, and lie down and gnaw on it.

There was one for colds, one for flu-- another for toothaches... one for feminine ailments, one for joint problems.

If something new developed, she'd pick a toy she had never before used.

We called it "Dog Shaman Mode"-- shaking her Ju-Ju bag at you.

62 posted on 07/15/2009 1:55:24 AM PDT by backhoe (All across America, the Lights are going out...)
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To: backhoe
That is AMAZING.

It suggests not only treatment, but diagnosis.

Did she always use the same toy for the same condition?

You should have sent her to medical school.

63 posted on 07/15/2009 6:46:15 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: AnAmericanMother
Did she always use the same toy for the same condition?

Yes, she did, which was one of the eerie things about it-- and if Miss Emily stirred, she would quickly slip down to the floor and feign sleep. Apparently Dog Shamanism only worked when afflicted was unaware of it... she never minded my watching.

64 posted on 07/15/2009 6:55:53 AM PDT by backhoe (All across America, the Lights are going out...)
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To: libstripper
New research shows dogs are similar to 2-year-olds in their capacity to understand simple pointing gestures

Cats, on the other hand, don't understand pointing AT ALL!!!!

65 posted on 07/15/2009 6:58:46 AM PDT by stayathomemom (Beware of cat attacks while typing!)
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To: backhoe

66 posted on 07/15/2009 7:09:10 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: backhoe

Now, here’s the real question: Did it WORK?


67 posted on 07/15/2009 9:29:37 AM PDT by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: libstripper

My GF’s little chihuahua mix trembles in terror if I give it the evil-eye and snarl my face.


68 posted on 07/15/2009 9:32:47 AM PDT by Rebelbase (Obama--POtuS.)
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