Johnson: Friday is National Dog Day

There are many different types to choose from – the spectrum includes everything from cats, birds, reptiles, rodents and fish to larger animals such as horses and array of creatures in between — but the dog tends to be one of the first images to pop into most minds when the word “pet” is used.

A logical go to, it’s no surprise that dogs embody the pet image, particularly since humans and dogs have a relationship that extends thousands of

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years – scientific estimates range from 10,000 to 30,000 years — into a period long before history books begin to tell a narrative of civilization.

Of course each pet has unique qualities and each person a preferred critter, but it’s most surely that long-standing relationship between dogs and humans that turns the spotlight their way when the subject of pets comes up.

And for those who claim the dog as the animal of their heart, as luck would have it, there is a special day set aside to celebrate the glory of the pooch.

Make a batch of special bacon flavored popsicles, wash the dried slobber off the Frisbee so it shines like new, pack some extra poop bags and plan to play hooky with your pup Friday, because it’s National Dog Day.

Founded in 2004 as a day to highlight dog adoption and increase awareness, National Dog Day is about celebrating all dogs and drawing attention to the plight of animals in need of homes.

While drawing attention to those issues, the day is also an opportunity to cherish your dog and appreciate the relationship we humans are able to enjoy with our pooches, who serve not only as companions that enrich our lives tremendously, but that also put their noses, paws and brains to work, not just helping humans on a daily basis but saving lives as well.

When you look at it like that, it seems like there should be some gifts involved in celebrating National Dog Day, or at the very least, some special treats.

Before running out to buy new toys, special biscuits and a gourmet bone, however, some information has surfaced recently that might just change the way we show our pups how much we care.

Dogs actually prefer affection and praise to food and treats, according to a study released last month.

Using a series of tests, researchers presented dogs with toys and treats, praise and also withheld praise while they scanned and recorded the activity in their brains. Of 15 dogs, 13 consistently showed brain activity to praise that was greater than or equal to the response they showed to a toy or food reward. In a third trial, researchers gave dogs a choice between a bowl of food or a belly rub from their owners and, as in the first experiments, the dogs that had previously shown a preference for praise chose their owners over food.

The conclusion the team reached was that while preferences are individual to each dog, a large number of dogs may prefer praise and affection to treats as rewards. Not only does the finding indicate that for many dogs praise could be the most effective motivator for training, they speculated the tendency to prefer praise points to social interaction being a stronger part of the human-dog bond than we realize.

If, in fact, it is praise that our pooches work and love us for, it stands to reason that on National Dog Day, and every day for that matter, the greatest reward we can give them is our love and attention — odds are it’s what they’re really begging for.

Sharna Johnson is a writer who is always searching for ponies. You can reach her at:

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