Dogs are typically known for burying bones, but some dogs have been trained to unearth them

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

They smell dead people.

If you read mysteries, you’ve probably run across more than a few where a random dog finds a dead body or uncovers buried bones. Or perhaps the detective is working with a cadaver dog: one trained to detect the odor of human decomposition.

The next one you read might feature a dog helping to solve archaeological mysteries.

In a 2018 paper published in the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, archaeologist Vedrana Glavas and ethologist and dog handler Andrea Pintar proposed that human-remains-detection dogs could be valuable tools for locating ancient burial sites. They based this idea on their work with four dogs at a prehistoric site in Croatia. Their research demonstrated that HRD dogs could detect trace amounts of specific human decomposition odor and indicate burial sites considerably older than had previously been thought possible. Using radiocarbon dating and analysis of material culture (the objects found at the site), the excavated burials were dated to the eighth century BCE.

Dogs have formally played a role in finding bodies for criminal investigations since at least 1974, and it’s no surprise that other professionals have wondered if dogs could contribute to their work, as well. Forensic anthropologist and K-9 handler Paul S. Martin’s interest in the abilities of cadaver dogs to aid archaeological surveys and cold case investigations began in 2002, when he established HRD Specialized K9 Training. He says the most interesting and rewarding work he has done -- in partnership with Ziva, an 11-year-old black Lab -- has been participating in the search for and recovery of the remains of missing American service members from World War II through a nonprofit organization called History Flight.

“These men died in the service of our country 75-plus years ago, and families were told they were unrecoverable,” he says. “Some of these were intentional burials, but with the air crews, they became buried due to impact or accumulation of sediment over time.”

When it comes to more ancient burials, Martin, who was not involved in the study performed by Glavas and Pintar, says several universities are working on understanding human decomposition and the volatile organic compounds -- the odors that the dogs detect -- that it produces.

“One of the things we can already see is that, due to the changes in diet, there are compounds present in modern remains that don’t present in historic or older remains,” he says.

Archaeologists use techniques as basic as field surveys -- gathering information through observations, sketches and interviews with local people, for instance -- and as high-tech as ground-penetrating radar, satellite imaging and aerial photography. Like those techniques, HRD dogs provide information in a non-destructive way. At the Croatian site, geological characteristics and environmental conditions made visual inspection and GPR impractical, but didn’t deter the dogs.

Canine scenting abilities, in conjunction with geophysical surveys, help archaeologists establish a more complete picture of where human remains may lie.

“The dog adds the ability to gain another layer of information about what might be in an area,” Martin says.

That’s important, especially at sites that may be facing development. Dogs can help to focus searches before bulldozers move in.

“Locating burial grounds using HRD dogs has great potential in preventive archaeology,” Glavas and Pintar write in their paper. That’s the detection and study of archaeological sites prior to construction or other development.

Currently, Glavas isn’t working with HRD dogs on any site, she writes in an email, but she doesn’t rule it out.

“We have some plans for the future, but we will see.”

Q&A

Make the most

of new dog park

Q: We have a new dog park in town, and I want to start taking my dog there. What should we know about having a good time and staying safe?

A: Dog parks have their issues, but for some dogs, they are the only opportunity for a good off-leash run-and-play session. Here’s how to have fun without having problems with other dogs or humans.

It seems counterintuitive, but give your dog some exercise before you head to the park, especially if he’s a high-energy hound. Taking him for a walk first or giving him a puzzle toy to figure out can dampen his energy a bit so he doesn’t overwhelm other dogs with his antics or run them down in his excitement to be there.

Avoid the park if your dog is aggressive or fearful, or go at times when you know you will have it to yourself. It’s not fair to your dog -- or other dogs and people -- to put them at risk of an unpleasant or harmful encounter.

Leave your dog’s favorite toys and treats at home if he doesn’t like sharing them. You don’t want to start any fights.

Most parks have a double-gated entry. Take your dog off leash once you’re through the first gate so he can enter the park leash-free. That ensures that he won’t feel vulnerable when other dogs approach. For safety reasons, be sure he’s wearing a breakaway collar or one with a quick-release buckle.

Pay attention. It’s tempting to use the time to peruse Instagram or read emails, but your focus should be on your dog to ensure that he’s playing nicely and not being bullied -- or being a bully.

Lastly, pick up after your dog so you’ll both be welcomed back. -- Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Watch animal videos

for good health

-- Watching animal videos is good for the heart and soul, according to researchers at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. They found that heart rates dropped in participants who watched videos and images of cute animals. Also, the average blood pressure of the group moved into the ideal range, and participants’ stress and anxiety levels were reduced by up to 50%. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and after participants watched the videos. The 19 participants consisted of students waiting to take an exam and academic support staff who felt stressed from work.

-- Dogs walk with us in death as well as in life. Have you ever heard or seen the word “psychopomp”? In mythology, a psychopomp is a spirit guide who leads souls from life into death, helping them cross over to whatever that culture believes comes next, such as judgment or an afterlife. Our best friends, the dogs, play the role of psychopomp in many cultures. The jackal-headed Anubis, an ancient Egyptian god, is one such canine escort. Others include the black dogs, or “grims,” found in English and Welsh lore. They often make an appearance when someone is near death. And in Mesoamerican cultures, such as Aztec and Mayan, people were laid to rest with the figure of a clay dog in which their spirit could reside as they made their journey to the afterlife.

-- Domestic chickens are believed to have originated in southern and Southeast Asia. Four species of wild jungle fowl are still known in those areas: Gallus gallus (red jungle fowl); Gallus lafayetti (Ceylonese jungle fowl); Gallus sonnerati (gray jungle fowl); and Gallus varius (black or green jungle fowl). The red jungle fowl has long been considered the progenitor of today’s domesticated chicken strains and breeds. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Most pets stay calm when they see people wearing masks, but these tips can help those who might be a little worried

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Most of our pets are exposed to masks -- scary or otherwise -- at least annually, thanks to the Halloween season. But over the past six months, seeing people in masks has become a daily occurrence for them: on walks, at the veterinary clinic and even at home.

According to interviews with experts, and a completely unscientific survey on social media, animals rarely respond to masks with concern.

Professional dog groomer Julie Ellingson in Sacramento, California, says none of her canine clients bat an eye when she greets them in a mask. They just look for a new place to deliver a kiss, usually targeting her glasses.

Veronica Barker of Tustin, California, wore a mask long before COVID-19 came along in order to protect herself from inhaling dust while grinding the nails of her English springer spaniel, Polly. Barker says Polly is unfazed by the face covering.

That’s probably because animals rely on more than a view of our face when it comes to identification.

“They have other points of reference, such as eye contact, our tone of voice, scent, body language -- and in some cases, familiarity with the person,” says Wailani Sung, DVM, veterinary behavior specialist at San Francisco SPCA. Other cues such as gestures or movement can also contribute to their recognition of a particular person.

Masks muffle voices, and that can be an issue when working with or training dogs, so it’s important to speak clearly. Wearing a mask with a transparent section over the mouth allows other humans -- and very likely dogs -- to read lips and better understand what’s being said.

Some dogs have learned that masks mean good things are about to happen. Shelley Bueche of Austin, Texas, says her dog interprets the donning of a mask as a signal that she’s going to get to go somewhere. “She’s usually right,” Bueche says.

Similarly, Labrador mix Rio and miniature poodle Peach, who both live with Jen Reeder in Denver, get excited and rush toward the door when they see her putting on a mask. That usually means they’re going for a walk, Reeder says.

That’s not to say that every dog reacts to masks with nonchalance. “One of my regular patients growled at me the other day when I was wearing a mask,” says behavior specialist Lisa Radosta, DVM, who practices at Florida Veterinary Behavior Service in West Palm Beach.

Alastor, a flat-coated retriever, first saw owner Jill Gibbs wearing a mask while they were at a Barn Hunt event. “He wanted to pull it off my face, and almost broke my nose trying,” says Gibbs, of Billings, Montana. “He is better now, but still jumps for it.” Her other flat-coat, Izzy, looks twice before she recognizes Gibbs, and her golden retriever, Henry, avoids her until she pulls the mask down so he can see her whole face.

Mask design may affect a pet’s reaction. Some animals might be taken aback by masks with images of dog or cat faces.

“Hopefully, the dog would recognize the family member behind the mask and quickly habituate, especially if engaged in an enjoyable activity,” says Toronto veterinary behaviorist Gary Landsberg, DVM, who heads up research for Fear Free Pets. “However, one would also expect and hope that the owner would recognize, remove and replace a mask if the image evoked fear.”

If you have a new pet or one who doesn’t like masks, the following tips can help:

-- Wear a mask around the house to accustom your pet to seeing people in them.

-- Put on the mask while your pet is watching so he knows it’s you.

-- Don’t stare at your pet (whether or not you’re wearing a mask).

-- If a mask with a particular image causes fear in your pet, remove and replace it.

-- Offer favorite treats or toys while wearing a mask so your pet develops a pleasant association with it.

Q&A

Parrots need

more than seed

Q: What should I feed my new baby parrot? Her veterinarian recommends a pelleted food, but I heard seeds were better.

A: The idea that birds need only seeds for a complete and balanced diet is one of those myths that keeps hanging on. Seeds are high in fat and don’t provide the nutrition that birds need. Feeding only seeds is like giving your kids a diet of hamburgers, hot dogs, and mac and cheese every day. Birds who eat only seeds are prone to obesity and other health conditions caused by poor diet.

Pellets are a mixture of grains, seeds, fruits and vegetables, and provide appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals. Different types of pellets are made for different species and sizes of birds. But not even pellets offer a complete meal for every bird. Many species have unique nutritional requirements.

Adding fresh foods such as vegetables, fruits, pasta and various types of protein -- including lean poultry or cooked eggs -- is important for giving your bird a well-rounded diet. Birds enjoy fun foods that they have to work at: think corn on the cob, a slice of watermelon, the core of a bell pepper, sprouts, or a nut in the shell. Your bird-savvy veterinarian can advise you about the proper percentage of pellets and fresh foods for your bird’s species, but in general, pellets should make up about 80 percent of your bird’s diet.

When are seeds OK? I’m not saying you can never give seeds to your bird; in very small amounts, they are a great reward when you are teaching her something new, or when she has just done something you like. Just remember that they should be a special treat, not a large percentage of her intake. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Airport deploys

virus-sniffing dogs

-- Travelers arriving in Finland’s Helsinki-Vantaa Airport will now be greeted -- at a distance, of course -- by coronavirus-sniffing dogs, who will check to see if they are infectious. The dogs, trained to recognize the virus that causes COVID-19, are located at specially built sniffing stations. Passengers swipe their skin with small pieces of gauze, then put the samples in a beaker and pass it to a dog handler on the opposite side of the booth. The dog sniffs the beaker and indicates any samples that may belong to an infectious person. Results for the free, voluntary tests are available within 10 seconds, and the entire process takes less than a minute. Dogs and passengers don’t come in contact with each other, which helps to protect the dogs from potential infection.

-- Teens in Hungary who participated in a program that involved working with horses two days a week had fewer emotional and behavioral problems, and better “prosocial behavior” -- actions that benefit other people or society as a whole -- than students in the control group, who did not work with horses, according to a report in the journal Environmental Research and Public Health. Researchers’ analysis found that equine-related activities were a significant factor in development of the positive traits. Working with horses requires students to understand equine communication and behavior. The relationship-building skills they learn translate to developing trust, acceptance and understanding with humans as well.

-- Burmese cats, with their unique brown coats, were known as copper cats in Southeast Asia. Smart, funny and playful, they enjoy interacting with people and have a loyal, loving temperament. Burmese aren’t as talkative as their Siamese cousins, but they will carry on a conversation with you in their raspy voices. The medium-sized cats have eyes ranging in color from yellow to gold and a short, glossy, solid-colored coat. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Eleven ways to cope with copious shedding

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

It’s October, and that means you are probably in the middle of fall -- the season of flurries and “furricanes” as double-coated dogs shed their summer coats so their winter coats can come in thick and heavy. Even if you don’t live in Alaska or Maine, your Alaskan malamute, Bernese mountain dog, Great Pyrenees, Norwegian elkhound or pretty much any dog with a thick, furry coat will go through this seasonal shedding process, making your life furrier in the process. And don’t think you are home-free if you have a short-haired dog. Labrador retrievers, beagles, pugs and puggles are also among the dogs who shed like nervous Chihuahuas this time of year.

Seasonal shedding, known to the dognoscenti as “blowing coat,” usually begins in September and completes its mission to layer your home, clothes and belongings in fur by November -- just in time for the holidays. (Maybe you can collect it to weave scarves and socks for loved ones?)

People new to double-coated dogs are sometimes stunned by the amount of hair that comes off their pets. Ankle-deep in dustpuppies, they call their veterinarians, wondering if their dog has a skin disease.

Nope, it’s normal. The good news is that it doesn’t last forever (it just seems that way). The better news? You can take steps to help relieve your dog of fur faster. The following tips can help you get through it, sense of humor and sanity intact.

-- Brush daily to remove dead hair.

-- Brush outdoors to keep hair in your home to a minimum.

-- Invest in fur-removal tools: wire slicker brushes, undercoat rakes, shedding blades, Furminators, hound gloves and Zoom Grooms are just a few of the options available.

-- Go easy. With tools such as Furminators, you can become so enthusiastic at the amount of hair that’s coming out that the next thing you know, your dog is bald. Don’t go there.

-- Go to the experts. If you purchased your dog from a breeder, ask about the best grooming tools to use on your dog. For instance, hound gloves, grooming mitts and Zoom Grooms work best on shorthaired dogs. A professional groomer can also give good advice (and take much of the labor off your hands).

For dogs with big, thick coats, pro groomer Julie Ellingson of Sacramento, California, uses a slicker, comb, de-shedding shampoo and conditioner, silicone brushing spray, a Mighty Wind high-velocity dryer and “a liberal yet scientific application of elbow grease.”

-- Draw a warm bath for your dog. That helps to release loose coat. A warm bath every two weeks for her collies encourages dead hair to let go, says Rosemary George of Virginia. Follow the bath with conditioner, and then blow-dry, brushing your dog thoroughly to remove loosened hair and undercoat. For best results, be sure your dog is dry all the way down to the skin.

-- Between baths and brushings, pull out your trusty lint roller and go over your dog with it to remove small amounts of loose hair.

-- Buy a good vacuum cleaner, one that won’t balk at sucking up all that fur. Better, choose one with an attachment, such as an upholstery tool, that allows you to vacuum your dog. If they are introduced to it at a young age and aren’t fearful of the loud noise, many dogs enjoy the feel of being vacuumed. Introduce him to the experience slowly so he doesn’t feel as if he’s being attacked.

-- Ask your veterinarian about fatty acid supplements. They may help to reduce the volume of shedding.

-- De-fur furniture and carpets with a rubber dishwashing glove, hound glove or squeegee. You can find pet hair lifters, lint removers or similar items online or at pet supply stores.

-- Most important, relax. Every fashionista knows dog hair is a neutral.

Q&A

Hair-raising query

about cat fur

Q: Why do cats shed so much hair when they go to the vet?

A: That’s a fascinating phenomenon. They’re just sitting there on the exam table and you pet them and wads of fur come off in your hand. What’s up with that? Your cat’s fur, literally.

When cats get scared, they get goosebumps, just like us. But instead of manifesting as bumps on the skin, the feline physiological reaction is hair-raising, so to speak. Goosebumps occur in humans and apes as a result of stress and have the purpose of making them appear bigger and more frightening in the face of a threat. In cats, piloerection, as this vestigial reflex is known, results in raised fur to make the animal look more fearsome in the face of a stethoscope wielded by a strange veterinarian.

The phenomenon occurs when tiny muscles called arrector pili are stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system -- responsible for the famous fight-or-flight response -- causing them to contract. The arrector pili are located at the base of each hair -- so there are a lot of them -- and when they contract, the hairs are pulled erect. As an intimidation display, it works pretty well.

But then what happens? Lots of that raised fur comes out. That’s because certain of the hairs were already primed to be released. These telogen hairs are in the resting phase of the growth cycle, meaning they are about to be shed anyway. The anxiety caused by a vet visit or car ride or whatever has sent your cat into a tizzy simply accelerates the process, causing your cat to drop fur in an attempt to lighten his body’s load so he can make a run for it. Fortunately, the sudden hair loss isn’t harmful -- in fact, it’s perfectly normal. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Dogs at risk for

Chagas disease

-- As if we didn’t have enough to worry about with our dogs -- heartworms, ticks, fleas -- now they are at risk from “kissing bugs.” The blood-sucking insects, found primarily in the southern United States and into Mexico, Central America and South America, seek out animals on which they can feed, including dogs, birds, reptiles and, yes, humans. Dogs can become infected with what’s known as Chagas disease when they are exposed to the bugs’ feces or when they eat the bugs. The potentially fatal disease affects the heart and other organs. According to Sarah Hamer, DVM, at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, approximately 60 percent of kissing bugs in Texas are infected with the disease-causing parasite. To help prevent infection, keep dogs indoors at night, seal cracks and gaps around doors and windows, and keep pet areas clean and bug-free.

-- Who is that masked cat? It’s not just Siamese and other pointed felines that can hide behind a facial mask. Bicolor cats -- a pattern also known as piebald -- have white fur and fur of another color or pattern. Depending on the spotting genes they have, some may sport what are known as “mask-and-mantle” and “black-mask” patterns. Mask-and-mantle cats resemble superheroes, with a colored “mask” and color over the back that looks like a cape. Black-mask cats look just the way the name sounds: They have a mask of black over the head.

-- When immunizing pets, don’t forget ferrets and other exotics. They are as susceptible to influenza, distemper and rabies as dogs and cats. Vaccines are not readily available for exotics, but they may be used off-label at a veterinarian’s discretion. Consider your exotic’s exposure to other animals when discussing the issue with your veterinarian. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.