Austin Dog Blog | Anything and Everything Dog in Austin, TX!

Austin Yappy Hour - This Sunday!

 

2010 Winter Purina® Incredible Dog Challenge®

The Winter Games arrived in Canada when the world’s most athletic dogs competed in front of hundreds of animal lovers at the first-ever Winter Purina Incredible Dog Challenge in Whistler-Blackcomb.

 Great video preview on Petcentric.com!

Dog Eats with Human Hands...Fun for Monday!

Research Shows Personality Differences Between Cat and Dog People!

I found this article published on the University of Texas website that has generated a tremendous amount of feedback...since I have one of each I feel pretty balanced!  

January 13, 2010

AUSTIN, Texas — There really is a difference between "dog people" and "cat people," according to new research from a University of Texas at Austin psychologist.

In a paper to be published later this year in the journal Anthrozoös, Sam Gosling finds that those who define themselves as "dog people" are more extraverted, more agreeable and more conscientious than self-described "cat people."

Fans of felines, on the other hand, are more neurotic but also more open than their canine-loving counterparts.

"There is a widely held cultural belief that the pet species—dog or cat—with which a person has the strongest affinity says something about the individual's personality," says Gosling, who conducted the study with graduate student Carson Sandy.

Yet numerous studies that have tried to tackle this question in the past have failed to find convincing evidence for consistent differences between the two kinds of pet lovers. Gosling's paper is the first to provide a clear portrait of what cat and dog people tend to be like.

"This research suggests there are significant differences on major personality traits between dog people and cat people," he says. "Given the tight psychological connections between people and their pets, it is likely that the differences between dogs and cats may be suited to different human personalities."

As part of the research, 4,565 volunteers were asked whether they were dog people, cat people, neither or both. The same group was given a 44-item assessment that measured them on the so-called Big Five personality dimensions psychologists often use to study personalities.

According to the findings:

• Forty-six percent of respondents described themselves as dog people, while 12 percent said they were cat people. Almost 28 percent said they were both and 15 percent said they were neither.
• Dog people were generally about 15 percent more extraverted, 13 percent more agreeable and 11 percent more conscientious than cat people.
• Cat people were generally about 12 percent more neurotic and 11 percent more open than dog people.

Gosling, a professor in the Psychology Department, is a leading authority on human personality. He is the author of "Snoop: What Your Stuff Says About You" and recently made international headlines with his findings that people's Facebook pages reveal their true personalities, not their idealized personalities.

For more information, contact: Gary Susswein, College of Liberal Arts, 512 471 4945; Sam Gosling, 512-471-1628.

Austin Humane Society Pushes for New Animal Services Center!

By: News 8 Austin Staff The Austin Humane Society said dogs and cats are cramped as it is.   Austin Humane Society officials met with City of Austin staff Wednesday to persuade the city to reconsider allowing construction of a new animal services center. Four years ago voters approved a plan to relocate the Town Lake Animal Center from its current location downtown to just off Levandar Loop in East Austin. But on Jan. 28, after a recommendation from the Public Health and Human Services Subcommittee, Austin City Council decided to indefinitely postpone approving the contractor and bids for construction of the new facility. AHS said city staff told them the city wants more input concerning recommendations for services. The Austin Humane Society said dogs and cats are cramped as it is, and delaying the new building will only make things worse. "It's heartbreaking," AHS Executive Director Frances Jonon said. "Every day we see the homeless animals here at the Austin Humane Society that need our help. We visit our friends at Town Lake Animal Center, and we see the cages there and the animals there. So it's heartbreaking that our hopes of a new city animal shelter, they've been dashed." Photo courtesy of News 8 photographer Roy Kuntz.   In Nov. 2006, Austin voters approved $12 million for a new animal services facility. After the project was designed, a construction start date was planned for next month. The Austin Humane Society wants the item re-slated for the March 25 council meeting, saying the bidding deadline is April 9. After that, the process has to start all over again. Members of the city council have not returned calls as of press time.

Congratulations to Sadie, the 2010 Westminster Best in Show!

The 2010 WKC Best In Show Trophy was awarded to "Ch Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot," a.k.a. "Sadie," a Scottish Terrier.

  

Mattel to launch Puppy Tweets

This fall, Mattel will be launching a new high-tech toy that Tweets when triggered by sound and motion captured through the sensor on the dog collar.  The collar will be priced at $29.99 and available through a variety of retailers...Amazon has already picked up the line so put-in your pre-order now and brag to your friends at the dog park about how your dog is an early adopter too!

Dog owners are provided with a USB receiver that they connect to their computer. They then download the toy's software online and create a Twitter account for their dog. When the dog moves or barks, a signal is sent from its Puppy Tweets tag to the receiver, which updates the dog's Twitter page. (Mattel / February 4, 2010)

Celebrate Austin Dog Alliance's One Year Anniversary Today!

 

Great Doritos Commercial...Doggie Revenge!

One2One Bar has a Dog Friendly Roof-Top Deck!

I was recently at the One2One Bar for a show and learned that their roof-top deck is dog friently!  It's a fantastic space with a beautiful view of the city and big comfy seating.  Put this one on your list once the weather warms up and bring your furry friend with you for a drink or two!