The dog handler spoke about the effect of toys on the behavior and psyche of dogs

A new study by scientists from the Messerli Research Institute in Austria has shown that some dogs may exhibit behaviors similar to human addiction, except that toys rather than gadgets or gambling become the object of affection. Some pets feel not just interest in them, but a real "attraction" — they are ready to give up food or communication with the owner for the sake of their favorite ball. Vladimir Urazhevsky, president of the Union of Cynological Organizations of Russia, told Izvestia on October 11 how to understand that a dog's attachment to a toy has crossed the line.

According to him, addiction is formed when a person unintentionally reinforces the behavior of an animal. If the owner praises the pet for excessive zeal, the dog takes this as approval and repeats the action over and over again.

"Addiction can develop very easily. If an animal does something and a human encourages it," the expert noted.

He noted that a pet's habits are largely shaped by human behavior, so it is important not only to praise the dog, but also to adjust its reactions. According to Urazhevsky, it is possible to prevent the development of such extremes with the participation of professional dog handlers: education should be objective, with access to the club, in order to prevent the formation of dependence.

The study noted that herding and service dogs are particularly susceptible to "gaming addiction." The dog handler explained that these breeds have innate working qualities and a high need for exercise that make them particularly susceptible to strong attachment to toys.

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"Yes, they are working dogs, because they have always been selected in one direction or another to help people. Someone will save a flock of sheep — that's where the border collie does it perfectly. Someone is the same Newfoundlanders, there was such a breed, a diver. Dogs rescued drowning people on the water. Shepherd dogs are just working dogs that must comply unconditionally with any requirements of the owner," explained Urazhevsky.

Thus, in service and herding breeds, dependence can develop faster, since it is closely related to innate working qualities and a genetic orientation towards fulfilling human tasks.

The president of the Union of Cynological Organizations of Russia stressed that excessive fixation on a toy can be dangerous for the health of a pet.

"It's very dangerous, very bad, like any human addiction. There are people who can play games, sit on the computer and forget about the need to monitor hygiene, food and what real life is. It's the same for a dog," Urazhevsky noted.

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In addition, when raising a dog, as well as a child, it is important to maintain a balance between encouragement and restriction. He noted that it is impossible to completely ban the initiative of a pet, so as not to suppress his interest, and at the same time it is necessary to avoid extremes in education, as is done with children. If the pet is overly persistent, it is worth gently switching attention to other activities.

"When we see an extreme, it demands more, more — we have to distract it and punish it by distraction, encouragement, switch to another. Exactly the same as a child. And then there will be no dependence," the dog handler added.

The expert noted that it is not difficult to recognize addiction in a dog: it manifests itself in an insistent desire for a toy, ignoring food and commands, as well as irritability when trying to take away an object.

"It's one thing that a dog loves a particular toy, puts it next to it, sleeps. But when you try to take her, she may growl at you or immediately become more active. She's with her all the time, doesn't leave her, doesn't pay attention to food, doesn't pay attention to other commands — of course, then it's already an addiction. And we must fight this," concluded Urazhevsky.

Popular Science magazine reported that a dog is as attached to a favorite toy as a child is to a blanket or a stuffed toy. Research shows that some dogs do have behaviors similar to human addiction.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.