Dog Training
09/18/2012
The Purpose and Benefits of Using the Prong Collar
Author: Melanie Benware, Trainer, Glen Allen Of all the tools used in dog training, perhaps none is more widely misunderstood…
…while slightly pulled back ears signal she’s feeling friendly. Lovebugs Maggie and Oliver are perfect examples!
IN ONE EAR AND OUT THE OTHER…
Dogs’ ears have the ability to move independently. Because of this, “floppy ears” are common during puppy-hood. German Shepherd puppies like Zypher are perfect examples of floppy puppy ears!
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
Afgan Hounds have pendant ears, meaning their ears hang, and their hearing is not as acute because the canals are covered. Pendant ears, drop-ears, and uber-hairy ears are more prone to ear infections since there is little air flow.
NOW HEAR THIS!
Interestingly, dogs are born deaf with closed ear canals. Most puppies’ ear canals will open by 10-14 days after they are born.
Sometimes it takes far longer for him to grow into his ears!
BE VEWY, VEWY QUIET Elmer Fud
Even at night when it’s quiet for us, it’s a noisy place for our 4-legged friends. They can hear the high-frequency pulse of the crystal resonator used in alarm clocks… and even the vibrations of ants or termites in the walls, or detect a bat or rodent (Eeeek!).
Katie is appalled…
EMMA IS CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF!
A dog’s level of attention can be determined by watching the ears. These beautiful pups in Holiday Barn’s Dog Training Program were most definitely listening to their Dog Trainer’s instructions. Erect ears indicate that he’s engaged…
Ears laid tightly back against the head suggest a timid reaction. Sometimes it indicates fear… but not the case with Ace and Tequila… they’re just super sweet! Amazingly, the ears are as much of an outward sin of a dog’s mood as his tail.
RADAR LOVE
The hearing ability is superior in dogs with erect ears, which act as amplifier for incoming sounds.
YOU DON’T SAY…
The color of your dog’s fur may predict his hearing ability. Congenital hearing loss is mostly due to genetic factors, and these are found to be associated with certain coat colors. Coat colors at highest risk are white, piebald (like a Dalmatian), and merle.
SAY WHAT?!
A human’s range of hearing is 20,000cps (or 20kHz). A dog’s range of hearing is a whopping 40,000cps (or 40kHz)! Dogs may find high-pitched noises like vacuum cleaners and other household appliances uncomfortable or even painful.
BUT
GUESS WHAT?
CATS HAVE THE BEST HEARING!!!
“Very funny…” says Maddie.
Romeo says he picks up HBO. 🙂
“Do these come in any other size?” asks Kilo and Hokie.