It’s not hard to make dogs happy

The key to happiness is to be able to do something you're passionate about. For Tucker, a four-year-old Lab, that means being allowed to sniff out killer-whale poop. He goes into "paroxysms of excitement" when he smells the slimy green stuff floating in the ocean. Researchers from the University of Washington's Center for Conservation Biology then scoop it up for analysis. Tucker's handler says, "We haven't had a dog that has caught on quicker. He just knew this was what he wanted to do." Link: Canada.com

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Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Sun Nov 23, 2008
Category: Animals

Comments

I don't understand what all the fuss is about. Dogs spend 25% of their time sniffing butts so the LEAP to sniffing whale poop shouldn't take that much training. 😉

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/24/08 at 04:18 AM

I agree with Expat, how much training does a dog really need. I mean, anybody could probably sniff out some whale poo. I could sniff out whale poo...and I only spend about 5% of my time sniffing butts. 🐛

Posted by Madd Maxx on 11/24/08 at 07:43 AM

Does the sidebar advertisement have key word recognition for these stories or something like that? Cause mine right now is 100% Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags

Posted by Jules in Connecticut on 11/24/08 at 08:22 AM

Jules, yea, sometimes the ads that pop up are about as funny as the stories they're trying to make sense of. I've got "Ask a Dog Vet Online Now" and some European Detection Dog service. Looks like it's out of Germany.

Maxx, I see you're trying to ween yourself off butts again! Good boy! :lol:

Patty: Of course polite dogs. I'm living in the cradle of democracy here. One MUST be civil.

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/24/08 at 08:28 AM

Expat, I'm trying but crack is so addictive.

Posted by Madd Maxx on 11/24/08 at 08:52 AM

Jules -- yes, the google ads do use keyword recognition. As Expat47 points out, this often produces some very odd results.

Posted by Alex on 11/24/08 at 09:07 AM

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