Your dogs senses are more powerful than you know - learn why

Like humans, dogs have the same primary 5 senses of the body: smell, hearing, sight, touch, and taste. However, when compared to humans, dogs rely on different senses than we do. Their two primary senses are smell and hearing, and the other 3 senses basically act as extras. Here is some insight on the amazing senses that dogs possess: First, smell is one of the two strongest senses dogs have, the other being the sense of hearing.

Scientific studies have shown that when compared to a human's sense of smell, a dog's smelling sense is roughly 100,000 times more powerful than that of their human counterparts. A human can only smell something from a relatively short distance away, yet dogs can trace a smell along many different paths; this is why dogs help in activities such as hunting and tracking. So, when you go to a park or a place that is unfamiliar to your dog, the reason they immediately put their nose to the ground is because they want to scope out the area by checking out their surroundings and picking up smells of various kinds. The other strong sense your dog has is the sense of hearing. Where you might be able to hear something roughly 50-100 feet away, you dog can hear something as far away as a quarter of a mile, sometimes even farther. Dog's ears are also built in a formation that helps them receive sound waves more clearly than humans. If your dog is barking at an unusual time of day (or night!), you may want to pay attention; they could be trying to alert you of a sound they hear, but one you are unaware of.

The next sense is sight. Several years ago it was common belief that dogs are colorblind meaning they can see only varying shades of black, white, and gray. Recent scientific studies have shown, however, that dogs can see varying shades of blue, green, gray, and black and white. Though a dog's eyesight may not be as colorful as that of humans, they generally have better night vision, and some breeds possess a talent for spotting far-off moving objects, such as other animals.

Taste is another important sense to humans, but it is not as keen or appreciated by dogs. As far as food is concerned, dogs are usually much more interested in the smell than the taste; the stronger the smell of the food, the more desirable it is to eat. Dogs could care less how appetizing it looks. Besides, how long does it take them to devour their dinner? They certainly don't stop to review the food; they just chow on down.

Touch is the final sense. Touch is extremely important to humans, and though dogs may not appreciate it quite to the same level that humans do, it is still important to them. Even though dogs have fur (some, a lot!) they are still able to feel the human touch very distinctly. This is why dogs sidle up to you and nose your hand; they want you to pat them, and they want that assuring, loving human touch! Though dogs possess the same senses as humans, they rely more on their senses of smell and hearing than the other 3. Dogs' keen sense of smell and hearing help humans in hunting, searching, tracking, and protection. Take advantage of your dog's keen talents in their senses; they may just help!

Article provided by Discount Pet Mall a site featuring:pet beds, raised dog bowls and dog ramps.

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