Amazing Dog Facts Every Dog Lover Should Know

Dogs share our homes, join us on walks and become such an important part of the family. Even so, they experience the world very differently from us.

A quick sniff, a sudden turn of the head or a favourite toy may not seem unusual at first. But behind these everyday moments are some remarkable abilities.

Here are three true dog facts featured in our latest video, with a little more detail about what makes each one so interesting.

Dogs can use each side of their nose to locate a smell

Have you ever watched a dog sniffing the ground and wondered how they seem to know exactly which way to go?

Dogs can use each nostril separately. This helps them notice which side a smell is strongest on and work out the direction it is coming from.

As a dog follows a scent, you may see them move their head from side to side or walk in a slightly zigzag pattern. They are not simply wondering around. They may be comparing the scent as they move and searching for the strongest part of the trail.

A dog's nose also helps them gather information about the world around them. A patch of grass, a tree or a lamppost can carry smells left by other animals and people. To us, it may look like an ordinary place. To a dog, it can be full of interesting information.

This is also part of the reason dogs can be trained for important jobs such as finding missing people and following scent trails. Their natural sniffing ability is incredibly powerful, but training teaches them which particular smell they need to follow.

Allowing a dog time to sniff during a walk can therefore be an enjoyable form of mental activity. They are using one of their strongest natural senses to explore their surroundings.

This is why a slower walk with plenty of time for sniffing can sometimes be just as valuable as walking a long distance. A dog is not only exercising its body, it is also taking in new smells and working out what has happened in that area.

You may even notice that your dog spends longer sniffing somewhere after another dog has passed by. Although we cannot tell exactly what they have discovered, scent can give dogs clues about other animals that have visited. It is a bit like checking the latest neighbourhood news, only through smell rather than words.

Weather can make a difference too. Wind can carry a scent in a particular direction, while damp ground may help smells remain noticeable for longer. That is one reason the same walking route can still seem exciting to a dog each time you visit it.
Find out more: Pets4Homes UK - 6 fascinating facts about your dog's nose

Dogs can hear sounds that humans cannot

Does your dog ever suddenly lift their head, turn their ears or look towards the door when you cannot hear anything?

They may have noticed a sound that is too high-pitched or too quiet for you to hear. Dogs can hear a wider range of sounds than humans, particularly at the higher end.

Their ears are also much more mobile than ours. Dogs can turn and adjust their ears towards a noise, helping them work out where it is coming from. Ear shape differs between breeds, but dogs generally have a very impressive ability to notice and locate sounds.

This helps explain why a dog might react before someone knocks on the door, or notice a person or animal approaching before you do. it is not a mysterious sixth sense. Their hearing may simply have picked up something ours missed.

It also mean that everyday sounds may affect dogs differently. Vacuum cleaners, household equipment, whistles and other high-pitched noises can be more noticeable to them. Some dogs are not bothered, while others may find certain sounds uncomfortable or frightening.

Age and health can affect a dog's hearing, just as they can affect ours. If a dog suddenly stops responding to familiar sounds or seems uncomfortable around noise, it is sensible to speak to a vet.

So, the next time your dog appears to be listening to "nothing" remember that there may be something there that only they can hear.

A dog's movable ears also help to collect sound. You may see one ear turn before the other, or both ears point towards something interesting. Along with helping a dog listen, these movements can give us clues about what has caught their attention.

Different dogs may respond to sounds in different ways. One dog might sleep through the vacuum cleaner but notice a tiny sound outside, while another may become worried by thunder or fireworks. Their past experiences, age, health and individual personality can all affect how they react.

Watching your dog's body language can help you understand whether a noise has simply caught their attention or is making them uncomfortable. Looking towards a sound is not necessarily a problem, but hiding, shaking, trying to escape, or becoming very restless may show that a dog is frightened and needs support.
Find out more: https://www.npsa.gov.uk/building-protection/search-screening/introduction-how-dogs-hear

Chaser the Border Collie learnt the names of 1,022 objects

Many dogs recognise familiar words such as "walk", "dinner" and the names of their favourite toys. One very special Border Collie showed just how far this type of learning could go.

Her name was Chaser. She was trained by retired psychology professor John W. Pilley, who used regular practice and play to teach her the individual names of different objects.

Chaser eventually learnt the names of 1,022 objects, most of which were toys. When asked for a particular one, she could search through her collection and bring back the correct item.

What made this especially interesting was that Chaser could understand the difference between the name of an object and an instruction. This suggested that she was not simply memorising one long command. She understood that one word referred to the object and another told her what to do with it.

Chaser was an exceptional dog, and her achievement does not mean every dog will learn more than a thousand names. Dogs have different personalities, interests and ways of learning.

Her story does, however, show how much some dogs may be capable of learning when they receive patient, consistent and enjoyable training. It is also a lovely reminder that games, toys and simple training sessions can exercise a dog's mind while strengthening the bond they share with their person.

Chaser passed away in 2019 at the age of 15, but her remarkable achievements continue to be remembered by dog lovers and researchers.

Her training was built around play, which made learning enjoyable and meaningful to her. Instead of every lesson feeling like work, finding a named toy became part of a game she wanted to take part in. Chaser also received a great deal of patience and regular practice over several years.

Her achievement is not a reason to compare one dog with another. A dog that does not remember the names of many toys is not less special or less capable. Some dogs may be more interested in scent games, movement, problem-solving or learning practical routines.

Owners can still take inspiration from Chaser by giving their own dogs small and enjoyable mental challenges. This could be teaching the name of one favourite toy, asking them to find a hidden treat or practising a simple cue. Short, positive sessions can provide stimulation and create enjoyable time together.
Find out more: https://www.chaserthebc.com/the-research

Dogs really are amazing

From following invisible scent trails to hearing sounds we cannot detect and learning the names of hundreds of objects, dogs have some truly remarkable abilities.

Understanding how dogs experience the world can also help us understand their behaviour. A long sniff during a walk, a sudden reaction to a distant noise or excitement over a favourite toy may mean much more than we first realise.

Which of these three facts surprised you the most? let us know in the comments?