Are dogs really smart? Why do they do what they do??

Biscuit's Buddy · 05-17-2008, 12:03 PM

Hello everyone,

Some of you have read my posts and others have not. Thanks to all of you who have responded and given some great advise to me to help my peace of mind and sanity!! I have some questions concerning why dog's do what they do. I am going to list them here individually. Some of them may seem stupid or silly to even ask, but I am sorry, there are times when these dogs do NOT make any sense to me!!...lol.

1) How can you tell if your dog has Seperation Anxiety? We have 2 Beagles, one female and one male (seizes). They are both usually good when we leave. The female will howl and bark for a few minutes, but then she calms down and is okay. The male will get REALLY happy when we come home. I don't think that this is SA, but I'd like to know the signs to look for.

2)Can dogs get Seasonal Depression? I know that up until the end of Daylight Savings Time last year, my male Beagle was fine with going to sleep and all. Then, after Nov. and the end of DST, his time table was all messed up. He was up 4-5 times a night to play and go out, and some days he seemed depressed. Seemed weird to me.

3)Why are dogs sometimes spry and full of "vim and vigor" and other times they are mopey and lathargic?? My female seems to be the same all the time, she lives by her rules, which is mainly to sleep and relax all day long. The male you can see trends in him. Like, USUALLY, when it's nasty, cloudy and rainy day, he is content to just sit and sleep, and lay around, being a bum (like I'd love to do too). On sunny days he is usally happy, bouncy and wanting to go in and out, in and out, in and out all day long. Then there are times when he switches that around, like today. I guess that they are more like humans and are just subject to things like a good night sleep, their moods, etc.

4) Why do they lay in the heat of the sun, and pant like mad (like they are ready to pass out) when shade is only 3-4 feet away?? They will both lay at the front door when it is open and lay in the sun and pant like mad, but if they got up and moved over a few feet, they'd be out of sun and not so hot. My female does this a lot more than the male will, but it makes no sense to me.

That's all I have for right now. Anyone have any comments or suggestions, I'd love to hear them!! I supposed I need to stop worrying and let them just be as they will be. I have had many dogs in my life, mostly when I was a kid, and back then, my parents were the ones that had to worry about them, not me. Now that I am the parent, I guess it's my turn. I think that my wife thinks I am crazy sometimes, she says that I worry more about them than I do our daughter (which is not really true). I tell her it's because she has a mouth and can tell me what hurts, how she is feeling, etc. Then I can deal rationally with her. With them (specifically him), they can't talk and tell me "I'm just in a mopey mood today", or "I am just tired, didn't get much sleep last night", things like that. I don't know. Anyway, thanks to you all....Walter

zimandtakandgrrandmimi · 05-17-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscuit's Buddy

Hello everyone,

Some of you have read my posts and others have not. Thanks to all of you who have responded and given some great advise to me to help my peace of mind and sanity!! I have some questions concerning why dog's do what they do. I am going to list them here individually. Some of them may seem stupid or silly to even ask, but I am sorry, there are times when these dogs do NOT make any sense to me!!...lol.

1) How can you tell if your dog has Seperation Anxiety? We have 2 Beagles, one female and one male (seizes). They are both usually good when we leave. The female will howl and bark for a few minutes, but then she calms down and is okay. The male will get REALLY happy when we come home. I don't think that this is SA, but I'd like to know the signs to look for.

2)Can dogs get Seasonal Depression? I know that up until the end of Daylight Savings Time last year, my male Beagle was fine with going to sleep and all. Then, after Nov. and the end of DST, his time table was all messed up. He was up 4-5 times a night to play and go out, and some days he seemed depressed. Seemed weird to me.

3)Why are dogs sometimes spry and full of "vim and vigor" and other times they are mopey and lathargic?? My female seems to be the same all the time, she lives by her rules, which is mainly to sleep and relax all day long. The male you can see trends in him. Like, USUALLY, when it's nasty, cloudy and rainy day, he is content to just sit and sleep, and lay around, being a bum (like I'd love to do too). On sunny days he is usally happy, bouncy and wanting to go in and out, in and out, in and out all day long. Then there are times when he switches that around, like today. I guess that they are more like humans and are just subject to things like a good night sleep, their moods, etc.

4) Why do they lay in the heat of the sun, and pant like mad (like they are ready to pass out) when shade is only 3-4 feet away?? They will both lay at the front door when it is open and lay in the sun and pant like mad, but if they got up and moved over a few feet, they'd be out of sun and not so hot. My female does this a lot more than the male will, but it makes no sense to me.

That's all I have for right now. Anyone have any comments or suggestions, I'd love to hear them!! I supposed I need to stop worrying and let them just be as they will be. I have had many dogs in my life, mostly when I was a kid, and back then, my parents were the ones that had to worry about them, not me. Now that I am the parent, I guess it's my turn. I think that my wife thinks I am crazy sometimes, she says that I worry more about them than I do our daughter (which is not really true). I tell her it's because she has a mouth and can tell me what hurts, how she is feeling, etc. Then I can deal rationally with her. With them (specifically him), they can't talk and tell me "I'm just in a mopey mood today", or "I am just tired, didn't get much sleep last night", things like that. I don't know. Anyway, thanks to you all....Walter

wowee! a five million gagillion part question! lol

I don't know. nobody does for sure. science gives us clues. do some research into canine behavior and history and so on..you notice certain trends....i'll put together a links list for you if you would like.

TooneyDogs · 05-17-2008, 01:13 PM

Here's some things on #1:

Signs of separation anxiety can range from mild to severe:
Distress vocalization—howling, barking, whining
Inappropriate elimination—urination, defecation
Destructive behavior—chewing, digging, self mutilation
Anorexia/ “depression” or inactivity
Psychosomatic/medical consequences—excessive licking of haircoat, pacing, circling
Hyperattachment—excessive greeting behavior, constant pestering of owner
Hypersalivation

The behaviors associated with separation anxiety often occur within a short period of time after the animal is left alone, a unique feature which distinguishes separation anxiety from other behavioral disorders. A thorough history and physical examination (including blood tests - Hormone/Endocrine levels) are needed to definitively diagnose separation anxiety and rule out other medical or behavioral differential diagnoses.

Curbside Prophet · 05-17-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscuit's Buddy

1) How can you tell if your dog has Seperation Anxiety? We have 2 Beagles, one female and one male (seizes). They are both usually good when we leave. The female will howl and bark for a few minutes, but then she calms down and is okay. The male will get REALLY happy when we come home. I don't think that this is SA, but I'd like to know the signs to look for.

SA is very difficult to diagnose and is often confused with other normal doggie behaviors. If you really did have a dog with SA he/she would broadcast his/her anxiety even before you leave and they may pant, pace, shiver, drool, turn whale eye, or excessively groom. There are other signs but I'd say just from what you described you do not have dogs with SA.

Quote:

2)Can dogs get Seasonal Depression? I know that up until the end of Daylight Savings Time last year, my male Beagle was fine with going to sleep and all. Then, after Nov. and the end of DST, his time table was all messed up. He was up 4-5 times a night to play and go out, and some days he seemed depressed. Seemed weird to me.

Could be just a coincidence, but why not? Though it it's more likely due to how your schedule changes to the time difference, thus effecting them.

Quote:

3)Why are dogs sometimes spry and full of "vim and vigor" and other times they are mopey and lathargic?? My female seems to be the same all the time, she lives by her rules, which is mainly to sleep and relax all day long. The male you can see trends in him. Like, USUALLY, when it's nasty, cloudy and rainy day, he is content to just sit and sleep, and lay around, being a bum (like I'd love to do too). On sunny days he is usally happy, bouncy and wanting to go in and out, in and out, in and out all day long. Then there are times when he switches that around, like today. I guess that they are more like humans and are just subject to things like a good night sleep, their moods, etc.

I would certainly say that dogs do have moods but don't exclude the possibility that your dogs recognize patterns. If you don't walk your dogs as far on cloudy days but do so on sunny ones, they may recognize the pattern and anticipate a long walk on a sunny day, and therefore be more energetic.

Quote:

4) Why do they lay in the heat of the sun, and pant like mad (like they are ready to pass out) when shade is only 3-4 feet away?? They will both lay at the front door when it is open and lay in the sun and pant like mad, but if they got up and moved over a few feet, they'd be out of sun and not so hot. My female does this a lot more than the male will, but it makes no sense to me.

Why do humans enjoy hot tubs and saunas? They make us feel good.

Darkmoon · 05-17-2008, 01:40 PM

#1. Your dogs don't have separating anxiety. They are upset from you leaving but are ok with it. You'd know if your dog has SA. The first sign my dog had it was when I returned home about 3 days after bringing him into our home and there was a door frame pretty much destroyed. and that was only the start.

He also never stopped barking when we weren't at home. Luckily I own my house so I didn't have anyone to complain. If you start to see the signs that Tooney posted, get your dog to the vet asap have a thyroid test done and call up a behaviorist. Nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand.

#2. Yes it does happen. I can't give you any scientific data to back me up, but just like in humans, seasons can make a dog depressed. Remember dogs like a structurer to their day, you throw that off just a little bit and it messes with them.

#3 you answered your own question

#4. Just like cats dogs enjoy the sun. It makes them happy and warms their bones and makes them feel good. Don't worry about it. If they were really that hot, they would move on their own.

Don't worry so much! You learn what is "normal" for your dog over time. I'm still learning with my dog Nubs what is normal and whats not. Its amazing what an animal can tell you by the way it's body talks.