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Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog(s) of the Day:
Zeke
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Meme of the day: Oops!
Myth: Pet insurance claims are too slow
Unlike in the past, most pet insurance claims are now super easy to process. Now, you can submit a claim right from an app and get the money deposited directly into your account within days. Many insurers even offer options for direct payment to the vet, reducing the out-of-pocket burden. Check out Money’s Best Pet Insurance list to find options with fast and painless claims processing.
Why Does That Clicker Make Your Dog's Ears Go Back?
We all love to spoil our furry friends, but sometimes the smallest, seemingly innocent sounds can make them instantly uneasy. If you've ever wondered why your canine companion seems to flinch, retreat, or just plain dislike things that click—be it a camera shutter, a training clicker, or even a pen—you're not alone!
It turns out there are a few compelling reasons rooted in their incredible senses and learning processes that explain this common doggy quirk.
The Power of Sound: Super-Sensitive Ears!
Dogs hear the world in a way we simply can't imagine.
Higher Frequency Range: Dogs can hear much higher frequencies than humans. A click, while sounding sharp to us, is likely a much more intense and piercing sound to them. They can hear up to 45,000 to 65,000 Hz, while humans top out around 20,000 Hz.
Directional Hearing: With 18 muscles moving each ear independently, they are expert sound locators. An unexpected, sharp, and non-organic sound like a click can be instantly alarming because it's difficult to identify and seems to come from nowhere.
For a dog, an ordinary click can be the auditory equivalent of a camera flash going off in their face—intense, surprising, and disruptive.
The Startle Factor: Is It a Threat?
In the wild, unusual, sudden sounds often signal danger or an unpredictable event.
Evolutionary Instinct: Your dog's natural instinct is to be wary of sudden, sharp noises. This is a survival mechanism. An abrupt click triggers their "startle response," leading to that tell-tale flinch, lowered ears, or quick retreat.
Lack of Context: A dog knows what a car horn or thunder means (generally), but a random click-click from a device has no inherent meaning, making it confusing and potentially threatening until they learn otherwise.
Training Troubles: When the Clicker is Misunderstood
A clicker is one of the most effective tools in positive reinforcement training, but if introduced improperly, it can become a negative association.
Scenario | Dog's Association | Outcome |
Proper Use | Click → Treat → Good action! | Joyful Anticipation |
Improper Use | Click → Used to interrupt bad behavior or followed by a harsh word. | Fear/Anxiety |
Overuse | Click, click, click, click... (too many clicks without a reward) | Irritation/Annoyance |
If a dog associates the click with being corrected, startled, or feeling confused, they will quickly learn to dislike the sound.
How to Make the Click Less Clicky
If your dog is click-shy, don't worry! You can help them overcome their aversion with patience and positive experiences:
Introduce it Quietly: Start by clicking the device behind your back or muffling the sound with a towel until your dog barely notices it.
Pair with the Best Treat: Every time you make the muffled click, immediately follow it with an incredibly high-value treat (like a tiny piece of cheese or meat).3 You are teaching them: "Click means party!"
Gradually Increase Volume: Slowly uncover the clicker and increase the volume over several sessions. If your dog shows any sign of stress, go back a step.
Try an Alternative: If the sound of a standard clicker is simply too much, consider a box clicker (which makes a softer, less sharp sound) or even a verbal marker like the word "Yes!"
The bond we share with our dogs is built on trust and understanding. By recognizing that a simple click can be a big deal for them, we can help them feel safer, happier, and more comfortable in our loud human world!
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Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Viva - Ground Beef for Dogs and Ground Chicken for Dogs and Cats for potential Salmonella and Listeria contamination.
Savage Pet - Cat Food Chicken for potential bird flu exposure.
Family Photo of the Day:
Indy!
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Meme of the day - Instagram: @5_shades_of_golden
