10 Amazingly Smart & Productive Animals Humans Can Learn From

Humans have proven themselves to be the planet’s most dominant species, due to our highly developed communication, critical thinking and predatory skills. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have any competition. There are plenty of animals that we can learn from by watching the ways in which they communicate and learn from each other. While you struggle to become a more efficient student for your online college classes, try taking a cue from these 10 amazingly smart and productive animals.

1. Octupi and squids: Cephalopods — octopi, squids and cuttlefish — may be some of the smartest animals in the ocean. After studying them, scientists have deduced that cephalopods are always trying to stay busy, as they hate being bored. They use tools, are efficient eaters, and can learn new skills.

2. Dolphins: Dolphins may love humans just as much as humans love dolphins. The highly collaborative marine mammal is also incredibly intelligent and communicative and may actually be the second-smartest animal in the world, just after humans. Their brains are 4-5 times larger than other animals’ brains who have similar sized bodies. They also have a well developed neocortex which helps them process emotion, recognize themselves in a mirror, demonstrate an ability for cultural learning, and understand abstract concepts.

3. Pigeons: Although they’re often associated with dirty, crowded urban environments, pigeons are productive animals with high intelligence. They have highly developed memories, recognize themselves in a mirror, and can identify even subtle differences between different objects.

4. Pigs: Pigs are known to compensate for their mud-slinging, trough-eating ways by demonstrating high intelligence, but did you know just how smart pigs are? They’re very social and even emotional animals that can "play" computer and video games at least as well as chimpanzees. They have an excellent sense of direction and learn from each other, when they’re not trying to trick each other.

5. Rats: Rats may be one of the most abhorred creatures on Earth, but they’re still pretty smart and very resourceful. Rats are extremely adaptable and can almost always find an escape route, which is why they’re so resilient.

6. Squirrels: A slightly cuter version of the rat is the squirrel, another cunning rodent. Squirrels sometimes trick spying animals by pretending to hide their food in one spot, and then really finding a safer place for it when no one’s watching. After months have passed, squirrels can remember the exact place they stored their food, sometimes using clues to help themselves.

7. Crows: Crows may have annoying calls and scare away other, more attractive birds, but they’re so smart that even humans could learn something from them. Crows are very resourceful animals that turn all kinds of objects into usable tools for getting food from hard-to-reach places. They also have great respect for their elders, and watch older birds when they want to learn a new skill.

8. Bees: Bees have shown scientists that they are very in tune with the natural world, not just including pollinating flowers. They use the sun for direction, are punctual, and also have the ability to learn colors, sounds and even exact places. And if you’ve ever noticed a bee’s seemingly erratic flying pattern, you’ve actually watched it communicate to other bees the specifics of the food they’re finding.

9. Dogs: Scientists are still discovering just how smart dogs are. They’ve already proven to be loyal, good communicators and may have decent memory, and now scientists believe that dogs may have the ability to understand someone else’s point of view. Through tests, dogs have also proven to understand concepts and form real perceptions of things.

10. Elephants: Elephants are widely regarded as smart, efficient animals that use tools, groom themselves, and have even inspired robotics. A new robotic arm was modeled after an elephant’s trunk, which can pick up nearly any type of object and seamlessly move it and use it as needed. Elephants also have large brains — weighing around 5 kilos — and use objects to protect themselves, either as weapons or to intimidate their attackers.

Keeping Your Dog Safe on Your Vacation

Being able to take a vacation is a treat for most people. It is even more of a treat for your dog. It is rare that your pet will be able to get out of the same area and explore new regions of the world that he has never seen before. However, keeping your pet safe while taking a vacation is very important. Planning ahead for any potential problems can keep everyone happy, your dog safe, and your vacation fun. There are steps that can be taken to ensure this is taken care of. Making sure that your dog is in perfect healthy and fit for travel is at the top of the list of things you need to do before leaving.

Any lengthy trips can mean a lot of travel. If you plan on traveling by car, there are fewer issues that can arise, but it is still good to be prepared. Making sure that your dog is up to date on all of his shots and vaccinations will prevent the possibility of him contracting a disease while he is with you on vacation. It is also good in case you need it for proof of vaccination. In order for a pet to travel by plane a recent update in their vaccinations is needed upon boarding. Having this certification performed no more than two weeks before traveling is needed if you are taking your pet out of the country.

Other ways to ensure your dogs' health and well being on a vacation trip is to make sure that you travel safe. Do not leave your pet in the back of a pick-up truck during the trip as he can be injured if you need to stop suddenly, or if you get into an accident. Also, a dog can jump out of the back of the truck if they are left in the back for too long. Keeping your pet in the back seat of a car is a good idea, but make sure that your pooch has an empty stomach before you leave. Feeding your pet just before, or during the trip can lead to car sickness. However, keeping a bottle of water around is a very good idea. It is important that your dog has plenty of water while they are traveling.

A bored dog can become a distraction for a driver, making him rather dangerous to have in the car. It is very important to keep your dog well entertained during the trip. Stopping every so often to stretch your own legs, as well as to let your bridled buddy out to go to the bathroom, can give you an excuse to play a game with your pooch and make the remainder of his trip as enthusiastic as possible. It is also a smart idea to keep a few of his favorite toys and plenty of tasty treats on hand to keep his mind busy. This will help ease his boredom and make him a little easier to have in the vehicle.

If your dog does not particularly care for car rides, you may need to have dog crates for your pet to stay in while on the road. This will make him a little less of a danger to himself, and to his owners. Make sure that you buckle in the crate to ensure that it does not slide in the vehicle, or can be thrown free of the vehicle in an accident. There are special seat belt attachments for cars and mini-vans that work for this purpose. It is much safer to have your pooch tied in then to be free in the vehicle, where he can be thrown about and receive serious injuries. Simply being prepared for everything that may come can help you keep your pet safe and happy on your vacation.

Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top spot for metal dog gates online.

Is Camping With A Dog A Good Idea?

Anywhere that you go outdoors is completely appropriate for your dog as well, right? While many pet owners believe that as long as they are not going onto someone else's property or indoors where pets are not welcome, that it is completely appropriate to bring their dog along. While this is not always true, taking your dog camping with you is a great idea for many reasons.

Physical Exercise

Dogs need to stay active just as much as humans do. Right now we are facing an obesity epidemic, not just with the human population but with the domesticated dog population as well. More and more pets are becoming overweight and struggling with many of the same health problems that humans face as a result of carrying too much excess fat stores on their body. The best way to combat this and ensure your dog isn't one the unlucky who suffer from obesity is to get them outdoors and moving around on a consistent basis.

Camping trips are excellent sources of physical activity because you are outdoors and have access to a wide variety of recreations. You can take your dog on hikes in the nearby woods or for strolls around the camping site. You may also be able to find them a grassy area to just run around or play fetch and Frisbee. If there is a stream or creek on the campgrounds, your dog may enjoy swimming or splashing around on a hot day as well.

Bonding Time

When you get out in the wilderness with your dog, you will bond with them in ways that just can't happen at home sitting on the couch. Camping offers a lot of uninterrupted time to pet and love on your dog as well as some time to sit and enjoy looking around at the beautiful scenery together.

Of course, all of those physical activities are great for bonding and enjoying one another as well!

Protection

Your dog can also offer an extra source of protection for you and your family. Sleeping outdoors in an area you aren't completely familiar with and around people who you don't really know can present some dangers, though you should look into the safety ahead of time. Dogs can alert you to others walking onto your campsite and provide a real sense of protection when it comes time to sack up for the night.

Training Opportunities

If you have a smaller puppy or a dog that is still being trained on skills such as socializing with others, camping is a great opportunity to challenge their new skills and see how much progress they are making. For instance, a dog that is being trained to stay by your side and not chase after birds, squirrels, and other passing creatures and objects will have tons of opportunity to master this skill in an active campground environment!

There are tons of benefits for your dog if you take them along for a camping adventure! They will enjoy just being outdoors and getting some fresh air, but they will cherish the time with you even more. Dogs live for attention and the positive feedback they get from their owners when they do something right. Taking them on a camping trip rather than leaving them behind will do a world of good for your relationship with them, as long as you select a dog-friendly campsite.

Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, check out our selection of large dog beds online.

How to Choose The Right Dog For You

So you have decided to get a dog. Now is the time you should decide what is the right dog for you and your family. Do you want a Purebred, Designer, or a Mutt? Do I use a Breeder, Pet Store, Pound/Rescue Shelter? There are so many things to take into consideration when making your choice. Do you have children? Do you have your own home with a nice yard, or do you live in an apartment in the city? Do you have any experience with dogs? These are important questions you should be considering before you make your decision.

If you are looking for a Purebred dog, please investigate the breed you are interested in. Each breed has unique qualities that may or may not be a good fit for you. Lets take a Jack Russell Terrier for example. They are a very intelligent and hyper breed dog that needs a lot of interaction with its owner. This is not the type of dog you would want to leave alone all day long in an apartment. If you have children a great breed would be a Golden Retriever. They have a wonderful deposition, are gentle, and make a great family dog. Another thing to take into consideration is health issues. Many purebred dogs have a predisposition to certain medical conditions and illnesses. So please investigate the breed you are interested in to make sure it is a good fit for your family. The last thing we need is another dog at the shelter looking for a home.

If you decide you want a Purebred, PLEASE use a reputable Breeder. There are many websites today where you can get that information. When you have selected a breeder, go and visit the dog kennels and meet the breeder. See what the kennel conditions are like. Meet the dogs and take notice of their appearance, temperament, and behavior. Ask questions of the breeder about his/her experience. The last thing you want to do is go to a Pet Store to purchase a puppy. Most (but not all) of these poor animals come from Puppy Mills. I am sure you have either read or heard what the conditions of most of these places are like. Why they are aloud to exist is beyond me. (sorry just my opinion)

Lets look at getting a dog from the pound/rescue shelter. Believe it or not, there are thousands of poor dogs looking for good homes. You would be surprised at the Purebred dogs at shelters. With hard economic times the way they are, many people have had to give their beloved pet to a shelter because they could not afford to care for it anymore. Some have lost their homes and could not bring their pet to their new apartment. Others have gone and purchase a Purebred dog that was the wrong fit for their family and decided they did not want it anymore. What I am trying to get at is there are thousands of great homeless dogs available for adoption that would be a perfect dog for your family. There is nothing wrong with most of these dogs. So please make sure you take what I have said into consideration when deciding which is the right dog for you.

About The Author:
Barbara Young - I am an avid animal lover. Dogs are my passion. I wanted to promote good products and information to try and help these wonderful animals. I am not a Titled Dog Professional, however I do have over 50 years experience owning dogs. To help me get the word out I created a website called http://www.busterscaninesupplyoutlet.com. I have a great Links Page to assist you with choosing the proper pet for you and your family. After you have chosen the right pet, I can assist you with quality products.

The Harsh Coldness of Wintertime and Your Family Dog

You love your family dog ; you take care of it, while providing the food and water it needs as well as a place to sleep. This article will help you deal with the harsh coldness of wintertime and your family dog.

The Family Housedog

When it comes to the family housedog and wintertime, you need to make sure that the dog still gets the exercise it needs daily. Continue taking the dog for a walk or allowing the dog to go outside. Dog get use to and then depend upon their routines. They will not really understand why it is too cold to go outside. Besides, many dogs thoroughly enjoy going outside while the wind is crisp and clean with just the right tingle of coolness in the air that makes them feel frisky and free. In fact, you may be surprised to find that your family dog really likes getting outside and playing in the snow.

Dogs can be so very entertaining while playing in snow. However, some dogs may want to have nothing to do with snow for some reason or another. Nevertheless, while your dog is outside, provided it is a dog that has no natural breeding for extremely fridge climates, you should consider protective dog clothes for your indoor family dog. For instance, you can help your dog stay warm by retaining its natural body heat, while wearing sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, hoodies, scarves, hats and boots as well as winterized windproof raincoats with fleece linings.

The Family Backyard Dog

When it comes to the family backyard dog and wintertime, you need to ensure that the doghouse is steady and secure in an area sheltered from the winds. It should be elevated in structure and sound enough to withstand wind, rain and snow. You should have an insulated doghouse or take the time to add clean straw for insulation. You will need to replace the straw insulation and bedding regularly. This is because the comings and goings of your dog will get the straw insulation and bedding wet and dirty.

If there is snow, you should shovel the snow from around it well enough that the dog can get to its bathroom area. Perhaps, allowing the dog to run freely in the backyard to enjoy the snow, while you are clearing its area and replacing the straw in the doghouse. Provide your dog with plenty of lukewarm water as he or she will need plenty during this time. If temperatures become intolerably cold, bring your backyard dog into the garage, carport or even the house, if you feel it is safe to do so. You may also consider a doghouse warmer to keep your dog warm in the backyard during wintertime.

Dogs Walking on Ice and Snow Melting Products

Ice and salt will accumulate between the toes of your dog whenever it spends any time walking on such surfaces and treated surfaces. You must either protect their feet from the side effects of ice, salt or chemical snow and ice removers. You can do this by training your dog to wear boots to avoid the problem. You can also apply dog paw wax or make sure to wipe his or her paws each time he or she goes in and out.

Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, check out our cute dog coats selection online.

Study Says: Cat Owners Smarter Than Dog Owners

Just when you thought that old "cat lady" cliche was an urban myth comes word from the Veterinary Record journal that cat owners tend to be older and female. But on the upside the same study showed cat owners are smarter.

The research done by the U.K.’s University of Bristol revealed cat owners were more likely to be college graduates than dog owners. The study, which compiled data from almost 3 thousand people, asked about their education, pets and where they lived.

Dr. Jane Murray led the study and said "cats require less time per day than dogs, so they are more popular with educated people who work late and have long commutes."

Murray said the higher intelligence of cat owners isn’t exactly directly related to the feline mystique, rather pet owners with more education work longer hours. The cats fit into their lifestyles since they don’t have to be walked like their canine counterparts.

But dog owners need not feel “dumbed- down”, yet another study showed dogs themselves were smarter than cats.

Animal Radio® is the “most-listened-to” animal programming in the U.S.; on 95 AM-FM radio stations including Los Angeles’ KOST 103.5 FM and XM Satellite Radio. Internet savvy folks can listen online anytime by logging onto http://AnimalRadio.com.

How to Stop a Dog from Chewing

The act of chewing seems to be a matter of individual preference among dogs: some have an innate desire to chew as a pleasurable activity in itself, and some seem to have no need to chew whatsoever unless they’re driven to it out of sheer boredom. In any case, when chewing is destructive - it's a problem that NEEDS to be address quickly.

The phrase “destructive chewing” may sound redundant, because – by its very nature! – all chewing is destructive. Your dog has strong jaws full of sharp, pointy teeth: just about anything she starts to chew on is probably going to show the effects of it inside of a minute. So just to clarify, when I use the phrase “destructive chewing”, I’m referring to inappropriate chewing: the kind of chewing that’s focused on your own possessions and household items, instead of on your dog’s own designated toys and chews.

The 3 Main Reasons Why Dogs Chew:

1. Most dogs have a natural desire to chew. It’s fun, it passes the time, and it’s a self-rewarding, self-reinforcing activity (for example, if she’s chewing on something that tastes good.)

2. Chewing provides a nervous, bored, or lonely dog with an outlet for her emotions. To an anxious dog, the repetitive act of chewing is soothing – it’s the doggie equivalent of comfort food.

3. Under exercised dogs often use chewing as a way of burning up nervous energy and giving themselves something to do.


6 Ways to Prevent Destructive Chewing

Dogs are perfectly capable of learning not to chew your stuff – you just have to put in a little effort first, that’s all.

1. Doggy-Proofing: Take control of the situation: manage your own possessions. Your first step should be to dog-proof your home. Even if you have the best-behaved dog in the world, there’s still no reason to test her self-control – after all, dogs explore the world with their mouths.

Dog-proofing your home means taking whatever you don’t want to end up in her mouth, and making it unavailable. Consider her size and agility when deciding whether something’s out of reach: can she jump? Can she climb, or leap onto something else to reach the desired object? How tall is she when standing on her back legs

Common targets in the home include books, eyewear, clothing, shoes, garbage, and small crunchy appliances like cameras, cell phones, and remote controls.

It should go without saying that all food needs to be put securely away: don’t leave snacks on low tables (or even countertops – you’d be surprised how acrobatic she can be when there’s food at stake!), put all food into containers or the pantry. Rinse your dirty plates clean of any food scraps before leaving them by the sink.

2. Prevention: Prevent her from learning the joys of illegal chewing. The more times she manages to snatch a jawful of a forbidden substance – a chair-leg, a pillow, a running shoe – the more readily she’ll target those items in future. If you can prevent her from chewing your stuff in the first place, it’s a lot easier for her to understand what you expect of her. Practically speaking, this means confining her in a dog-proofed area until you’re confident of her understanding of the house rules.

3. Rule Setting: Don’t set her up for failure by blurring the boundaries between her stuff (OK to chew) and your stuff (not OK to chew). Don’t offer your dog cast-off clothes, shoes, or towels to chew and play with: realistically, you can’t possibly expect her to be able to tell the difference between your current shoes and the one she’s got in her mouth that you gave her five minutes ago.

4. Provision: Provide her with lots of tasty alternatives to your stuff. If her environment is relatively barren of attractive, appropriate chewing objects, you can hardly blame her for targeting your possessions. Remember, most dogs need to chew; if she’s an adolescent (under three years) or a puppy (under one year), her needs will be even more pronounced. Go on a toy and chew shopping spree, then give her two or three to play with at a time. Rotating the available toys every few days will keep things novel and interesting for her.

5. Supervision: Spend lots of time in active supervision. Yes, it might be easier for you to just keep her penned up in her dog crates, run, or the yard – but that’s boring and horrible for her, and hardly much fun for you either (if you wanted a pet that you don’t need to interact with, you’d have got a goldfish, right?) She can’t learn what you expect of her if she’s spending all her time boxed up in the dog-proof zone: she needs the opportunity to explore the boundaries of your expectations, so she can understand what’s appropriate and what’s not.

6. The Switcheroo: When you catch her chewing something inappropriate, interrupt her by making a loud noise: clap your hands or make an “Ah-ah-aaaah!” noise. Then, immediately hand her a tasty and dog-appropriate alternative (a rawhide bone or other chew toy); as soon as her jaws close around it, praise her lavishly. There is no better way to get your dog to understand that chewing “her” toys equals praise from you, but everything else equals trouble.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

Above all, remember to keep your expectations realistic. You’re not perfect, and neither is your dog: there’s likely to be at least one incident where a cherished item is damaged by her curiosity.

Particularly in the early stages of your relationship, she’s still learning the ropes: it’ll take awhile before she’s completely reliable (and even then, if she’s left by herself for too long or feels neglected, she may choose your stuff over hers to occupy her time and jaws with.) Remember to give her time to learn the rules, and plenty of ‘you-time’ to help her learn faster – and don’t forget to take precautions and keep things out of reach until she’s got the hang of the chewing rules!

If you REALLY want to end your dog's excessive chewing problem, you NEED to establish yourself as the Alpha Dog of the house. To discover the FASTEST way to accomplish Alpha Dog status, check out the step by step tutorial at www.Dog-Training-Works.com. There, you'll learn how to finally get your dog to listen to you and follow your command the first time around. Check it out here!

Jason Ellis has been helping people train their dogs and newborn puppies for years. His expertise deals with applying proven, effective techniques that train your dog to be the obedient companion you've always wanted in a matter of WEEKS. You can find Jason's complete dog training course at http://www.Dog-Training-Works.com