Dogs sure are interesting little characters, aren’t they? From their silly antics and zoomies to their stubbornness that can often come out of nowhere, to those cuddles and nose licks at the end of the day, our dogs quickly work their way into our hearts and souls.
At Easy Scoops, we’re in the business of dog poop. Yes, you read that right. Our team comes to your home or place of business to pick up dog poop, leaving the yard poo-free and smelling fresh. And with this business of ours, we’ve learned a lot about dogs. And we want to share some of those facts with you. Some of these facts border on the scientific and others are just plain fun.
So, enjoy this article about 10 fun facts about Fido that you likely didn’t know.
- Dogs Can Sense Rain and Storms
Have you ever tried to sneak in a walk before the rain hits, only to find out that your dog is in a hurry to get the walk over with? It’s true. The next time you take your pup our for that W-A-L-K, you may notice that he is less interested in smelling all the fun things around him, and more determined to get home. That’s because your pet wants to get home before the raindrops fall, just as much as you do.
Their super-sensitive noses can detect changes in the air, while their sharp ears pick up low-frequency sounds like thunder, way before we hear it. So, when Fido starts pacing or hiding under the couch, don’t be surprised if a downpour is on its way!
- Dogs Have a Sense of Time
Many people mistakenly confuse a dogs memory with their sense of time. While its true that a dog’s short term memory is only about two minutes, they have a pretty profound long-term memory. And, they do very much have a sense of time. That’s why your dog might be waiting for you at the back door when you come home from work.
Dogs understand the daily routine and set their expectations by it. So, if your pooch is sitting by the door every day at 5:00 PM, it’s not just your imagination—they really do have a sense of time!
- Dogs Can Get Jealous
If you have children, you probably know how jealous they can get when someone else is playing with their toys or when another sibling is getting mommy and daddy cuddles. Well, it’s not much different for your pup.
Research shows that dogs can become jealous, especially if they feel like their owner’s attention is going elsewhere. So, if your pup nudges your hand when you’re petting another dog, they’re just looking for some extra love, too.
- Dogs Can Smell Your Feelings
We all know how intuitive dogs can be. This is one of the reasons that some breeds make excellent assistance animals. But this intuitiveness might not come from where you think. It’s actually their noses and their sense of smell that notice when you are sad, are ill, or may need some extra help.
That’s why they often seem to comfort us when we’re down or excitedly join in when we’re happy. Their noses really know what’s going on!
- Petting Your Dog is Good for Your Health
Most dogs love a good scratch behind the ears or that coveted belly rub. They appreciate it when their human can get to the spaces that they simply can’t reach. Plus, it makes them feel loved to get your extra and undivided attention.
But did you know that petting your dog is just as good for you? Petting your dog can reduce cortisol in your body. Cortisol is the stress hormone that builds up when we don’t take time to take care of ourselves and manage our stress.
So, next time you give your pup a belly rub, remember you’re not just making them happy—you’re giving your own mental and physical health a little boost, too.
- Dogs Prefer to Poop with the Earth’s Magnetic Field
At Easy Scoops, we know all about dog poop. However, one fact that we were fascinated to learn is that dogs like to go number two while aligning themselves with the Earth’s magnetic field. Yep, research suggests that when dogs do their business, they often choose to face north or south.
It’s still a bit of a mystery why they do this, but one thing’s for sure—dogs have a better internal compass than most of us! So, the next time you see your dog circling before doing the doo, know that their simply calling on their inner compass.
- Dogs Kick Backward After Doing The Duty
Speaking of dogs and their pooey habits, have you ever seen your dog kick up grass or dirt after they go to the bathroom? While it might look like they’re trying to cover their mess, they’re actually marking their territory! Dogs have scent glands in their paws, and kicking backward helps spread their scent and send a message to other dogs in the area: “I was here!”
- Chocolate is a No-Go for Dogs
While about 90% of people love chocolate, it’s bad business for your dog. This is because chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that dogs can’t process as quickly as humans can. And the statistics about what can happen to your dog if they consume enough chocolate is not one we like to see. The truth is that 50% of dogs can experience death if you wait it out for them to start vomiting.
Even a small amount can cause serious health issues for dogs, so be sure to keep those candy bars out of reach! And if your dog gets into chocolate, get them to the vet right away.
- A Dog’s Nose Print is Like a Human Fingerprint
Just like humans have unique fingerprints, a dog’s nose print is one of a kind. Every bump and ridge on your dog’s nose is distinct, making it possible to identify them through their nose print. While we typically rely on microchips or tags, it’s fun to think that your dog’s nose could be their very own identity card!
- Dogs Can Dream
Perhaps one of the most endearing things is to watch your pup fall into a slumber, only to see them trying to run in their sleep. So, if you’ve ever seen your dog twitching or making noises while sleeping, they’re likely in the middle of a dream.
Just like humans, dogs go through different stages of sleep, and during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, they experience dreams. So, the next time your pup looks like they’re chasing something in their sleep, they probably are—all while getting in a great snooze!
Fact: Picking Up Dog Poop is No Fun
While we could have made this fact 11, we decided to end with it instead. At the end of a busy day, one of the last things that pet owners often want to do is head outside with the pooper scooper to pick up their dog’s doo. So, what if we told you that you no longer had to do it? No, we’re not talking about a magic poo eraser—wasn’t that in a movie once?
At Easy Scoops, we’re here to pick up your dog’s poop so you don’t have to. Regular pet waste removal benefits you and your yard in so many ways. And if time is not on your side, let us take over the dirty work. Contact us at Easy Scoops today to get your pet waste removal on our calendar.
