Posts of 1234 RSSFri, 30 May 2014 16:12:19 GMTA study by Carroll University, Wisconsin found that cat owners scored more highly on an intelligence test than dog owners and are more sensitive too Dog lovers tend to be more energetic, outgoing and rule-abiding One psychologist believes the reason for the personality differences may be down to the types of environment that pet owners are drawn to   Pet owners have long fought like cats and dogs about whether felines or canines make the best furry companions. But now a new study claims that cat owners are smarter than dog owners – regardless of their pet's intelligence. The research revealed that the owners of the two animals tend to have different personalities - with cat lovers being more sensitive and open-minded than dog lovers who are largely energetic. A study by Carroll University, Wisconsin found that cat owners scored more highly on an intelligence test than dog owners.  Dog lovers tend to be more energetic and outgoing than cat owners and follow rules more obediently, Live Science reported. Speaking at the annual Association for Psychological Science meeting in Chicago, psychology professor Denise Guastello said that cat owners are more introverted, sensitive and open-minded than dog people. They also tend to be better at breaking rules.  She thinks that the reason for these differences if the types of environment that cat and dog owners are drawn to. ‘It makes sense that a dog person is going to be more lively, because they're going to want to be out there, outside, talking to people, bringing their dog. ‘Whereas, if you're more introverted and sensitive, maybe you're more at home reading a book and your cat doesn't need to go outside for a walk.’ A total of 600 students took a survey to reveal their personality traits and were asked whether they are cat or dog lovers. Around 60 per cent of people identified themselves as 'dog people' – around six times as many as the number of students who said they love cats. Around a third of those questioned claimed... Read more

]]>Fri, 30 May 2014 16:12:19 GMTIn the wake of a number of serious dog attacks, a majority of New Zealanders want dog owners, not just their dogs, to be compulsorily registered. Fifty-nine per cent of people polled back a call for registration of dog owners, supporting a call made by SPCA head Bob Kerridge in the Sunday Star-Times in March after the mauling of Japanese girl Sakurako Uehara in Murupara. The 7-year-old was bitten more than 100 times by four dogs. Currently, it is a legal requirement for all dogs to be registered but dog owners do not have to be licensed or registered. Auckland Council has a voluntary scheme where dog owners take a written test showing how much they know about handling and caring for dogs, and have a property inspection. If they pass they get a Responsible Dog Owner Licence and reduction in licensing fees. Wellington City Council has a similar approach. The SPCA is calling for this type of owner-licensing to be compulsory across New Zealand. An owner licence will ensure that a person has the knowledge and responsibility to care for and train a dog, said Kerridge.  "The real value of licensing owners is that it will be a forced education of what their responsibilities are as a dog owner. We are aiming it at the owner rather than the dog."  Site: http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/10032486/Kiwis-want-dog-owners-registered-not-just-dogs 

]]>Sun, 11 May 2014 03:44:45 GMT TV's Cesar Millan tells Hongkongers that owners often need more training than their pets.  As a celebrated "dog whisperer", Cesar Millan knows a thing or two about animal behaviour. But often it's the owner he needs to teach. According to him, Hongkongers who say dogs are too much of a handful for their hectic lifestyles are only making excuses. "[Saying] 'I'm busy or it's hectic' - it's just an excuse to not be there for someone," Millan told hundreds of dog-lovers at Stanley Plaza yesterday.  The 44-year-old dog trainer to the stars is in town to promote and film two episodes of his reality TV show. He will also perform at the AsiaWorld-Expo tonight.  Between 2010 and 2012, almost 20,000 abandoned and wild dogs were put down in Hong Kong, with many others left in kennels and shelters. But Millan denied that the city's pace and lack of space made it unsuitable for dogs. "Someone who abandons their dog is likely to abandon their families as well. The difference is, the family can drive away, but the dog can't. It's left there." Owner responsibility is a strong theme in his reality TV shows Dog Whispererand Cesar to the Rescue.  But owners need to be more than just responsible. Balanced dogs, Millan says, require strong 'pack leadership' from owners, in the form of exercise, discipline and affection. Most people give too much affection, and not enough exercise and discipline.  "My clients went to Harvard, but they don't know how to walk a Chihuahua. They're smart, but they don't understand nature."  He pointed to a teenage girl who was clutching her terrier protectively as it was introduced to a bulldog several times its size.  "See what she did there?" he asked, as the terrier yapped. The terrier would not naturally be afraid of the larger dog, but it had become aggressive after picking up on its owner's fear, he said. "The dog acts that way because they want to protect the human, because the human is scared."  He picked up another dog which had become alarmed by ... Read more

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