Latest news with #dogs
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
How a snap of your dog on your desk can reduce anger and calm an office spat
As man's best friend, dogs have long been known to have a calming influence on their owners. But just having a picture of your pooch on your desk may be enough to reduce anger – and even violence - in the workplace by one third, scientists have found. A simple photograph of a cute pet dampens aggression and make fisticuffs with co-workers less likely. It is not clear whether the image itself has the pacifying effect, or whether those who choose to have a picture of their pet at work are less likely to be angry and aggressive more generally. But previous research has shown that owning a dog can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase levels of the so-called 'cuddle hormone', oxytocin. One theory put forward by the researchers is that an image of a cute pooch dampens down the body's fight or flight response when faced with threatening situations. 'These results provide the first empirical evidence that the presence of dogs decreases anger and aggression in humans,' said the researchers, from the State University of New York. 'Images of one's pet dog could be used to help improve cooperation among co-workers in the workplace and help them deal with conflict and anger in healthier and more socially acceptable ways. Having a picture of your pooch on your desk may be enough to reduce anger – and even violence - in the workplace by one third, scientists have found 'This could lead to lower employee turnover, which could save employers time and money by not having to consistently hire new employees when previous employees resign due to interpersonal conflict and negative emotions. 'The benefits to employees, co-workers, and employers could be substantial.' The research involved 400 people, who were either exposed to noise designed to provoke anger, or told they had been insulted at work. Those with pictures of their pet in the office were one third less angry when faced with these scenarios, and two thirds less likely to want to resort to physical harm in retaliation for an insult. But writing in the journal Anthrozoös, the researchers cautioned that it may not work with dogs associated with aggression, such as 'chow chows or pit bulls'.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Cordon in place as police return to south Essex road where 41 dead dogs were found
A CORDON has been put up as police return to the Billericay road where the remains of 41 dogs have so far been discovered. Eyewitnesses report seeing forensic investigators and numerous police officers on Hope Road this afternoon. Response - Police are back on the scene at Hope Road (Image: Mia Russell) Three people have so far been arrested in connection with the grisly incident, which saw 21 living animals removed alongside the remains of dozens more. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. Cordon - Hope Road is closed and police remain on the scene (Image: Mia Russell) According to eye witnesses on Hope Road, Essex Police have been on the scene since around 3pm this afternoon. The force has been contacted for comment.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
5 of the best dog breeds for first-time owners – including super-loving pup that's super easy to train & loves kids
DOGS are the most popular pet in the UK, with around 13.5 million households owning a pooch. If you're looking to take the plunge and invite a furry friend into your family, there are several breeds worth considering - especially if you've never owned a dog or had experience taking care of one. 2 1. Labrador retriever The most popular dog in Britain - and there are several good reasons why! Labradors are known for being super friendly, full of energy, and easy to train, hence why they make a great first pet. They also love to eat, and Vets4Pets recommend regular exercise as they are known to become obese. Key facts: Lifespan 10-12 years Good with children Easy to train Susceptible to some inherited conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia High exercise requirement 2. Shih Tzu According to the PDSA, Shih Tzus were originally bred in Tibet to be companion dogs and were also used as watchdogs to announce the arrival of visitors. They are known for having loyal, loveable natures, but many Shih Tzus are purebred which means they are more likely to develop certain health conditions. Key facts: Lifespan 10-16 years They need regular grooming because of their long fur Known to bark a lot Don't like being left alone for more than 4 hours 'World's most expensive dog' sells for £4.4MILLION as breeder buys 'Wolfdog' that is 'half-pooch & half-wild beast' 3. Bernese Mountain Dog Bernese Mountain Dogs are sweet and gentle, and loyal to their families - this is why they make a popular pet. But due to their size they need to live in a home with plenty of space. Key facts: Lifespan up to 10 years Needs a minimum of 1 hour exercise a day They have incredibly thick coats so be prepared for a lot of shedding, and regular brushing 4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Kind, gentle and loyal dogs, Cavaliers are so popular, but they need constant company as they get very upset at being left alone, the PDSA says. They are happy to live in either a city or the countryside, as long as they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Key facts: Lifespan 12 years+ Good around children Need to be brushed daily 5. Poodle 2 Poodles are playful and adventurous, and generally get on well with other pets and kids. But with their beautiful coats, they need daily grooming, and it also requires clipping and shaping by a professional groomer periodically throughout the year. Key facts: Should I get a professional dog trainer and how much does it cost? IF you're wondering whether to get a professional dog trainer, here's all you need to know... Benefits of Hiring a Professional Dog Trainer: Expertise: Professional trainers have specialised knowledge and experience in handling various breeds and behavioural issues. Personalised Training Plans: Trainers can tailor their approach to meet the specific needs and temperament of your dog. Efficiency: A professional can often achieve results more quickly than an inexperienced owner might. Behavioural Improvement: Addressing issues such as aggression, anxiety, or excessive barking can lead to a more harmonious household. Socialisation: Trainers can help your dog learn to interact well with other dogs and people. Cost of Professional Dog Training: Private Sessions: Typically range from £30 to £100 per hour, depending on the trainer's experience and location. Group Classes: Usually cost between £10 and £30 per session, often running as a course over several weeks. Board and Train Programmes: These intensive programmes, where your dog stays with the trainer, can cost anywhere from £500 to £1,500 per week. Online Courses: More budget-friendly options, ranging from £50 to £200 for a complete course, though less personalised. When considering a professional dog trainer, weigh the benefits against the costs to determine what works best for you and your furry friend.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Call for more dog blood donors amid growing demand
Pet owners have been urged to donate their dog's blood as demand continues to rise, a charity has Blood Bank UK said a number of dogs that donate regularly are set to retire, which could result in a lack of life-changing sessions take place at Mount Vets Veterinary Hospital, Wellington, Somerset, and at Wells Vets, with the next session in Wellington on 14 Osborne, from the charity, said: "Some of our dogs have been donating for a long time and they retire when they reach nine years old, so we always need more dogs to come forward to take their place." The charity says there is a big demand for the service, with vets across the country needing blood every have different blood types, either positive or 30% have the negative blood type but it is in high demand as it can be given to any dog in an emergency. Ms Osbourne said: "We're looking for any dogs that are confident and enjoy meeting new people. They need to be between the ages of one and eight and they need to weigh over 25kg (3.9st)."She added: "Dogs can give blood up to every eight weeks and that's because dogs replenish their blood stock more effectively than humans do. After their donation, dogs get their 'tea and biscuits', which is a drink of water and snack and are given a goody bag to take home.
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
His dog suffocated in a chip bag, and he wants to prevent other pet deaths
Social Sharing When Ian Reid left an open chip bag on his TV stand, he didn't expect to return home to find his beloved dog Mingus dead, with the bag almost vacuum-sealed to his muzzle. The dog was found behind a chair with the chip bag up over his neck, tightly clinging to his face. "He was motionless and cold," Reid said. The incident was devastating to the retired surgeon in Indian Harbour, N.S., and left him with profound feelings of guilt. When Reid took Mingus to his regular veterinarian clinic to be cremated, the vets were shocked at how the dog died. "None of the vets were aware of the lethal hazard that the bags present," he said. Reid says residual food left in the chip bag was enough of an enticement for the dog to put his nose deep in the bag. By the time a dog has breathed in all the oxygen, they can't get the bag off their head. Reid wants other dog owners to be aware of the risk of food packaging. "These [deaths] are preventable. And it's tragic and it's sudden and dramatic and a terrible thing as a pet owner and terrible thing for a pet to go through it," he said. Bonnie Harlan experienced something very similar just before Christmas in 2011. Harlan came home to find her rescue dog, Blue, dead with food packaging suctioned around his face. It was so tight, she couldn't pull it off on her own. She then called her vet, who explained how to do dog CPR before he rushed over to her home, but it was too late. "It only takes three to five minutes, so you don't have a lot of time when that happens." This prompted her to found the non-profit, Prevent Pet Suffocation. In the years since Blue's death, she's found many vets still don't know about the risk of food packaging. Harlan lives in Texas but says she receives thousands of messages from people around the world every year. "That's the thing. This is international. There's food bags everywhere." Maggie Brown-Bury is a small animal veterinarian who works in Newfoundland and Labrador and sits on the executive council of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. She said she hasn't experienced any pet deaths in connection to chip bags, but she said if you search for chip bags in the association's online network, you do get quite a few hits. "It is one of the sort of more common accidental tragedies we will see." Although chip bag risk isn't directly addressed in vet schools, Brown-Bury says it is talked about in a more broad way. "The issue of chip bags of course is the suffocation and lack of oxygen and that is something we touch on specifically, just not necessarily going through all the potential ways it could happen." Her sentiments were echoed by Marti Hopson, a veterinarian and lecturer at the Atlantic Veterinarian College on P.E.I. Hopson says at vet colleges, future vets learn how to talk to their clients about hazards in general and tell clients that living with a pet is like living with a toddler: Anything you see in your environment could be a risk to them. "I think that the way to do that might be through public campaigns like the Preventing Pets from Suffocation campaign that's happening on social media and that does take a long time to spread." Goal to raise awareness On Harlan's website, she lists ways people can protect pets from this kind of harm. One of them is to cut the food packaging up so there are no closed pieces that could become sealed around an animals face. Reid and Harlan have reached out to organizations like Frito Lay, to ask if they would put a warning on their chip bags. CBC News reached out to Frito Lay, but they did not respond to the request for comment. Reid hopes his story can prevent other pet owners from going through what he did. "I think that the key thing is prevention and knowledge and if this information can be made available through veterinarians, through word of mouth, through general pet owner knowledge and through warnings on these bags, that will go a long way to prevent the hundreds of dogs in particular that suffocate every year."
