> The team suggests that cuteness sensitivity is affected by female reproductive hormones.
How do hormones affect the psycho-optical system? i.e. influence the vision system to identify 'cute'?
ps. without reading the text, I identified the left-hand column as 'cuter', and the top left as 'most cute'. Must be my female reproductive hormones...
I suspect that the elder women just like babies, full stop, and don't care about cuteness; cue steroptypical old biddie leaning into pram going 'who's an uvvy baby, den?'
I had to laugh when reading through your list of problems - they're almost identical tothose we suffered at the hands (well, teeth) of Billy!
My hands are still covered in fresh scars from his many razor-sharp puppy teeth bites - to the extent that, in meetings, I catch people looking at them, so I feel the need to explain, in case they think I have some kind of pox or something! Thankfully, most (possibly all) of his puppy teeth have now gone (though we only ever found two). However, his brand new grown up teeth are just as sharp at the mo - they'll wear down a bit with time though.
Billy patricularly likes hats and gloves (as toys, not to wear ) - id they're not placed well out of reach he'll have them in seconds.
He also bites my girlfriend's sleeves/cuffs a lot too, though not really mine. As I mentioned elsewhere, I think this is due to him competing with my girlfriend for second rank in the pack (he sees me as pack leader - wish my girlfriend did too!).
But he's got a lot better. It's taken some hard work, and total disruption to my 'old' way of life, but it's ultimately worth it. However, as an addict of Mario Kart on the Nintendo Wii, I must confess to suffering withdrawal symptoms - I only get to play it (with the sound down) late at night when he's gone to sleep!!!
Help! Sorry to butt in on your thread PW, but I know there's a few good dog people on here. My border collie, about 20 months old, has started peeing around the house, often in the same spots. I haven't seen him do it but my wife and kids have.
Could it be that he thinks he's the gaffer when I'm not around, and he's marking his patch? In which case, seeing as I don't intend to breed from him, would castration be a solution? (admittedly, one he may not opt for himself..!)
LOL, I'm sure he'd be chomping at the bit to have his, er, bits chomped off.
First off, I'm no vet or animal psychologist. My personal thoughts, however, are as follows...
I'd be surprised if it was patch-marking behaviour, but it's difficult to say for sure. It would be easier to potentially diagnose the problem if you could see (or find out) what he was behaving like when he does it. For example, if he's unsettled when he does it (i.e. the act is preceded by pacing around, circling, sniffing the ground, etc.), it could be a nervous thing - either because he's unsettled because you're not there, or nervous because a plane just flew over, or whatever. If you take the lead role in walking/feeding him etc., even though other people are still in the house, he may be worrying where his next meal/walk is coming from if you're not around. Maybe it's happening when the kids are sqabbling over something? I used to have a dog that got really skulky and 'sorry' if there was any tension - for example, if my mum moaned at my dad for some reason, the dog would sense the 'atmosphere' and quickly but quietly skulk off guiltily!! He never urinated, but he would go to his bed, or sit in another room - he really was quite wet!!
Alternatively, as you suggest, it may be that he does currently see you as a 'beatable' leader, and he's competing with you. When you're not around he takes the opportunity to show the others that the house is his domain.
It could be a mild health problem - perhaps a urinary tract infection - that's making him piddle more often than usual, and it just so happens that he's doing it inside when you're not there (I'd say this was a very slim possibility though, so don't panic)
Or it could simply be that the other folk in the house aren't as good at taking him outside for widdles regularly, and so when you're not there he gets fit to burst and ends up doing it where he can (and once he's done it 'successfully' in one spot, he will probably return to that spot to do it again). Obviously not suggesting your family are irresponsible, just trying to paint a picture of the potential causes.
Cheers for that, Michael - like you say it's hard to know how he's acting immediately beforehand, as I'm not there to see it! He can be a bit nervy (hey, he's a collie!) but I think he's old enough to hold onto his pee if it's just a matter of needing to go. I know he has regular access to the garden, and it's not a habit our labrador has picked up.
I'll have to get Mrs. W. to keep a keen eye on him, see how he acts immediately prior to doing the deed.
PW - Do those terrier breeds like yours go lighter in colour as they age as yours seems more black than I remember the breed? I know Yorkshire Terriers start off more black the go lighter brown or a silver colour, particularly on the head. In fact the breed standard for KC states the colour must not eb black (or words to that effect).
Someone said something about inverted snobbery to hounds. Don't dis the hounds man. I have been deliberating about looking for a rescue lurcher. It would be my first dog and I think a deerhound cross would be good. I also like the rough coated lurchers as they remind me of the lighthouse keeper's dog in Fraggle Rock. Also my favourite breed is Irish Wolfhound. As the biggest recognised breed (size not weight) it suits me as I am the biggest recognised breed in my family (also in height not weight). Also when my hair grows I can look shaggy like them too. I like the idea of an intelligent, high endurance, loyal, highly trainable dog that seems to me to mean I have to get a lurcher. I just need to wait until I get a few things right in my life
I must say to you Peewiglet, I AM JEALOUS! Always wanted a dog, but until I find a better solution to looking after the dog during the day I won't get one. I work typical office hours so would need reliable family members or use of a dog walking service to look after the dog during the day. At this moment I can't afford the dog walkers and have no family members willing to assist. Even though they are around. Now if I had taken on a JRT early last year before it went (for £5 in a pub) they would have helped me. Time meant they were able to change their mind.
Peewiglet - would love to know how you are both getting on? Have you been out with pup yet?
I took my 12month out, intending to stay overnight in the tent, not too far from home, however, as I had settled, partially clothed into sleeping bag, turned out the torch just said ahhhh, when the dog went woof, woof woof and out under the tent!!
Had to get dressed and decided to take he dog home and come back and camp without her. I did think that she would settle down, but I suppose she hears what she doesn't know and is looking after us, not that she is at all agressive. I will have to precevere though. Perhaps in the Summer when she is dry enough to come into the main tent rather than on her bed in the porch may be better - she is rather large (Newfoundland) Lovely dog, BUT!
A couple of years ago we went to a local country fair. And one of the attractions were a bunch of Newfie's, which they got into the main arena. The commentator then said something like: "if any children would like to come into the ring to pet the Newfies please do...". So after about thinking about it for a few seconds... just so as the kids had a chance you know, I went in too! (actually a few adults did). They were great!
I imagine you'll need a pretty big tent to camp out with her!
Will try in the summer - will stick to just the walking for now - cannot cope with her over cautiousness of woofing when she thinks she hears something!
Having kept and bred 'working' terriers for well over 20 years, prehaps I can add my 2 penny worth.
Firstly theres not many a fox hole that terrier enters that he cant get back out of when it wants to!! people panic thinking its stuck when realy its having fun doing what was intended.
Most terriers very rarely suffer the ailments mentioned of the lager dogs unless they are too closely bred, my advise would be to stay away from 'showy' pedigree sorts, as IMO the dog show/ pedigree types have ruined many a good breed of dog for the sake of 'prettyness'. As someone said earlier the farm bred working collie is one of the hardiest dogs (come to Wales and see for yourselves).
You dont need special ointments over the years I've used germolene, detol and good old salt water (but a good cream can be had from country shops etc its used on horses).
Dogs do live better and healthier out side, provide them with a well constructed and covered pen with a warm kennel.
Just remember that when you get home no matter how tired, hungry or wet you are, the DOG always comes FIRST.
Have fun and enjoy your new life with a dog its great.
PS. these are my opinions and I'm entitled to them, so anyone that thinks different, hard luck (but you are also entitled to yours).
Peewiglet - very cute pupster! We have a 20 month old Border Terrier and he's been camping with us since he was about 6 months. I would say to keep yours in the tent rather than the 'porch' as ours would quite likely take himself off to investigate in the middle of the night.
We only generally camp April to end Sept so don't really suffer arctic temperatures and we've always found Archie is warm enough snuggled up with us and is a good hot water bottle :0). Presuming you know that Borders need to be hand stripped and not clipped?? If you camp in the cold then just leave their coat long until the weather gets warmer and they'll be fine.
Generally they're tough little things but watch them with cats. rabbits, squirrels etc as they are manic chasers and I would say never let them off the lead anywhere near a road as they can suddenly just shoot off, but you'll get to know your own dog and their personality.
If you're not already then I would advise puppy training - it really helped us with what can be a headstrong breed and at least he comes back about 80% of the time now so for a Border I'm happy with that! Generally though a lovely breed and you defo made the right choice, although I would say that...
My top tip for a toy is something called a 'Tuffy' which come in different /shapes sizes and with squeakers in but tend to last about 3 weeks before being destroyed which Border owners will know is an achievement...
Kongs are supposed to be good for keeping dogs attention.
Gary Jones 2 - I think you are right about a lot of things to do with terriers, however some breeds have dominance issues so advice is to feed yourself before the dog as it is often order that they get food that lets the dog know their rank in the family. I don't know what youthink of that? I guess a family dog is kept slightly different to a working dog although they all need the same things, food, water, shelter, discipline, etc. I do agree that a dog does NEED to be taken out for a walk or exercise as soon as you get home, especially if you have been away for some time. In that respect it comes first.
I prefer lurchers myself but I do appreciate the working dogs more. JRTs have often had SBT introduced to them to improve their working ability in the past however this would most definately be frowned upon by PaArsons Terrier breeders as the show version of JRTs. Mind you even show types of terriers such as Yorkies show the terrier spirit. Classic big dog in small dog's body.
Newfies - nice temperament. I think they are similar to the mountain dogs of the Alps (not sure of the breed but big, loads of fur like Newfies, same friendly temperament, very strong, good guard instinct, can pull cariages, can be trained to herd, etc). Saw one in the Lakes on a walk and it barked like mad, real scary but just go up to it and it settled down and made a real nice fuss. There are a lot of noisy and threatening dogs out there that just go soft when you make friends. DOn't try it with all dogs though as a hand does not grow back.
I am dead jealous of you dog owners. Will get one someday, a big lurcher or an irish wolfhound. Big and clever just like me.
) - id they're not placed well out of reach he'll have them in seconds.
Also when my hair grows I can look shaggy like them too. I like the idea of an intelligent, high endurance, loyal, highly trainable dog that seems to me to mean I have to get a lurcher. I just need to wait until I get a few things right in my life
.jpeg)
