Learn your dogs langauage

Artificial Intelligence researchers at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary have been able to identify the similarities in barks in certain situation, and can understand them better than humans can!

These findings suggest computers might significantly help people comprehend animal communication. Scientists tested artificially intelligent software on more than 6,000 barks from 14 Hungarian sheepdogs.

Six different kinds of barks were taped:

Barks for strangers were recorded when a researcher approached a dog's owner's home when the owner was away.

Barks during fights were recorded at dog training schools, when a trainer encouraged dogs to bite the glove on the trainer's arms and bark aggressively.

• Barks for walks were recorded when owners behaved as if they were preparing to go for a walk with their dogs.


• Barks for balls were recorded when owners held balls in front of dogs.


• Barks during playtime were recorded when owners played tug-of-war or similar games with dogs.


• Barks made when alone were recorded when owners tied dogs to trees in a park and then walked out of sight.

After analyzing digital versions of the barks, overall the computer program correctly identified the kinds of barks the dogs made 43 percent of the time — about the same as humans' 40 percent, said researcher Csaba Molnár, an ethologist at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary.

The software identified 'walk' and 'ball' barks better than people, although people identified 'play' and 'alone' barks better than the software. The program also could identify which dog made each bark 52 percent of the time. Molnár and his colleagues had previously found that people can not reliably distinguish between individual Hungarian sheepdogs by their barks at all.

"I'm pretty sure this could work with any animal vocal signals," Molnár told LiveScience.
Molnár thinks dogs are ideal for study because humans and canines have spent thousands of years living together. "At least you know what the humans intend in any communication between them and dogs," he explained. "When you have communication just between animals, it's much harder to study what they mean."

In future experiments, the researchers will compare barks from different breeds. Since these dogs were bred for different jobs, this could result in differences in their barks, Molnár said. Molnár and his colleagues detailed their findings on January 15 in the journal Animal Cognition.

Pets Adoptions International

Pets Good for your Health

It’s a fact; pet ownership is good for your health, your children’s health and can help you live longer! Sounds wildly optimistic, but chances are, you'll feel better if you own a pet!

Medical studies on the human-animal bond reveal that pet owners are more likely to have reduced stress levels, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. They also experience fewer heart attacks than people without pets.

Researchers have found that the mere presence of an animal has a beneficial effect on heart function, and stroking and talking to a pet reduces blood pressure and stress.

For years, switched-on parents have known that pets and children are a good combination. Now, research is demonstrating that children can positively benefit from animal companionship. Children with pet animals are more likely to have higher self-esteem.

A US study of university students revealed that those who had owned dogs or cats as childhood pets were more self-confident than those who did not. Pets are a wonderful stress buster for adults and kids. Children raised with family pets suffer from fewer incidences of asthma and allergic reactions than kids in pet-free households.

Pets also stimulate communication skills in children. An International study of school children between the ages of 11 and 16 revealed that children with pets had a better ability to understand non-verbal communications. Pet ownership is an excellent way to teach children about responsibility. However, don’t forget that any pet requires attention, guidance and care. In return for feeding, grooming and exercising their pets, children obtain companionship and unconditional love.

Please don’t forget, the needs of the pet should be considered as you make your choice. Out at work all day? Don’t take on a puppy or a dog unless you have live-in help. You must also be prepared to provide the socialisation and training all dogs require. If you can’t allow a pet to live as part of your family inside your home please reconsider dog ownership.

Think about what you will do when you go on holidaybefore committing to a pet. Consider your lifestyle before deciding on a pet. All pets deserve our time, love and daily care.

Experienced PAI volunteers can help you find the best pet match for your family. It’s a win-win situation. You gain all the benefits of adoration and love and our shelter pets find a loving forever family!