By TRACI PEDERSEN Associate News Editor

A new study suggests that dog owners tend to be more lively, outgoing, and rule-following, while cat owners are typically more introverted, sensitive, non-conforming, and open-minded. Cat owners also scored higher on intelligence tests. The findings were presented at the annual Association for Psychological Science meeting.

“One explanation for these personality differences could be due to each owner’s choice of environment,” said study researcher Dr. Denise Guastello, an associate professor of psychology at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

“It makes sense that a dog person is going to be more lively, because they’re going to want to be out there, outside, talking to people, bringing their dog,” said Guastello. “Whereas, if you’re more introverted, and sensitive, maybe you’re more at home reading a book, and your cat doesn’t need to go outside for a walk.”

The study involved 600 college students who were asked whether they considered themselves dog lovers or cat lovers, and what qualities they found most attractive in their pets. Participants also answered several personality questions. More participants reported that they were dog lovers: about 60 percent of participants identified themselves as dog people, compared with 11 percent who called themselves cat people. The rest said they liked both dogs and cats, or they didn’t identify with either animal.

Dog lovers reported that “companionship” was the best quality, while cat people reported “affection” as the top cat trait. Perhaps some people select pets based on their own personality. “If you’re like that, you appreciate that in an animal, it’s a better match for you. Determining why people identify themselves as cat or dog lovers may also improve pet therapy, leading to better matches between owners and pets who participate in pet therapy,” said Guastello.

In 2010, a study involving more than 4,500 people showed that dog lovers are typically more extroverted (or outgoing) and conscientious (rule-following).

Source: LiveScience by TRACI PEDERSEN, Associate News Editor

We enjoy listening to it at home, at work, in the car, in the store, and almost any place we go. Music appears to hit upon our stressful lives pretty much every single day. No wonder, songs and tunes can be vitally important to many humans. It can make us calm, content, and happy despite our demanding lifestyles. But did you have any idea that your pooch can also be calmed by music? Recent studies have shown that by playing music, animals tend to become more calm and at ease even in new surroundings.

What Music Do Dogs Like to Listen To?

Research conducted by Deborah Wells, an animal behaviorist, seems to back up the claim that dogs indeed like music. The result of Wells’ study revealed that pooches find specific types of classical music to be quieting and relaxing, while not being interested in pop music or radio shows. It looks like our furry friends also have their own preferences to music, just like we do.

In addition, the researchers of The Animal Science found that playing classical music with a ambient sounds like human conversation, dog barking, and birds chirping incorporated in the melody is considered to be one of the most effective tunes to relax Fido.

Nowadays, lots of dog owners are convinced that their pooches really enjoy listening to music and have made use of gentle, relaxing sounds to help them remain calm at home alone during the day, to recuperate from sickness or surgery, as well as to promote their welfare. It surely won’t be long before our four-legged furry companions will have their own unique music shops, collections, track list, and favorites stored in their own doggie iPods!

Source: The Dogington Post