Scientific Names vs. Common Names for Wolves

Photo taken at Howling Woods Farm, Jackson NJ

The animal pictured is a high content wolfdog, but if it were a wild wolf would Eastern Timber Wolf be the correct term?

Scientists are still debating which wolves are actually different species, subspecies, or hybrids, like the coywolf in the North American East.

 

However, it has been determined there are three recognized species of wolves around the world, the grey wolf, the red wolf and recently, the animal known as the Ethiopian Jackal/Fox was found to be a species of wolf, now called, the Ethiopian wolf.

There are also a lot of names people use when talking about wolves, like Timber, Arctic, and Tundra that are not always clearly understood.

 

What’s in a name?

The Scientific Naming of Wolves

Scientific names consist of two italicized words in Latin. 

The genus is the first part of the name, and the second part of the name is the species. Only the first letter of the genus is capitalized. For example, (Canis lupus) is the scientific name for the Grey Wolf.

Subspecies of living things will contain the species, genus... and descriptive words. For example: The Australian Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) and the domesticated dog (Canis lupus familiaris) are two of many grey wolf subspecies around the world.

The scientific naming system is universal and anyone, of any language can use the word and it will be understood without question.  Scientific names provide information about one species’ relationship to another.

Common Names for Wolves

 

Common names for wolves vary by culture and region. They are not usually specific like scientific names. For example, a gray wolf living in an eastern forest could be called an “eastern timber” wolf. Likewise, a gray wolf living on the tundra might be commonly called a “tundra” wolf.

Scientists also sometimes use regions in their descriptions in Latin ... the artic wolf (Canis lupus arctos).

The pictured animal is standing on logs in the Eastern United States, so I guess  using the common name system it can be called and Eastern Timer Wolfdog.

Dog and Wolfdog Training: How Jealousy Works

A HWF pack gathers around Kymberly Morris.

Last week, articles were shared across social media about a recently published study on dogs and jealousy.

You can read the in depth study here:  Jealousy in Dogs by Christine R. Harris and Caroline Prouvost.

Dog and wolf-dog owners agree that their animal companions do become jealous when they are lavishing attention on something other than them. 

Let's face it, we all have wanted something others have.

Take rocks for example:

If I pick up a rock and show an interest in it, my dog and friends will want to at least see what I have.

If I grab a rock from my dog or friend, I've increased the value of that rock tenfold and they will want it back.

If I painted a face on a rock and labeled it a "Pet Rock", and a few alpha kids bought one for $5, I'd be rich!

So, jealousy goes beyond wanting someone's attention, and knowing this can be useful indeed. The desired outcome may not be instant, but worth trying in certain situations.

Bringing Human Shy or Feral Animals Closer

I often use confident dogs to help socialize shy animals. The confident dog's body language makes a shy animal feel at ease around humans, but I totally play the jealousy card to move things along.

I instantly become worthy of investigation when surrounded by dogs getting attention and treats.

Retrieving Runaways

I admit there are more interesting things than me, like butt sniffing, squirrel chasing, stinky mud pits, and the dog park zoomies.

I'd love to think I could call my dog away from friends, but it's faster to bring the friends to me when it's time to leave. I also recently used my dogs as a "jealousy" lure to catch a frightened dog that got away from me when his harness broke.

Monkey See Monkey Do

I've had the pleasure of fostering some really smart dogs who watch and learn from my dogs.

They watch my dogs get praise for coming to the door for potty time, gathering and sitting for treats, and hopping in the car. Sure enough, without individual training, the foster will follow their lead and learn the house routines.

Jealousy Works

While "jealousy" may be the reason all these tactics work, it makes sense the need to have what what others have may also be key in the learning process of social animals and not just "an emotion that evolved to protect social bonds from interlopers" as the study suggested.

Used properly "jealousy" could actually be used for good.

Socializing Dogs and Wolfdogs: Communication and Language

Maggie HWF Adopted by Lexi M.

I often hear obedience training (OT) referred to as a form of control over dogs and wolf-dogs, but I can think of better reasons to offer animals basic obedience skills.

OT Opens the Door to Communication

I use a three step approach to socializing animals.

One, gain trust through routine. Two, get them on a leash to bond through exploration. Three, teach them a common language through basic training.

There is always a spark in the eye of an animal who understands what I'm saying. Teaching just one word like "sit" always leads to good things because it begins the communication process and new words are easier to pick up.

OT Builds Confidence

Who doesn't like to feel good about doing something right!

There are times for correction, like "no!" don't eat my socks, but all too often correction is all many dogs hear. And just as bad as correction... too many dogs get praise just for being in the room.

Basic training for rewards and praise builds confidence because it provides opportunities for meaningful success.

OT Helps Relive Anxiety

All animals like a certain amount of predictability and most anxiety comes from a fear of the unknown.

Knowing a few basic commands is useful because it brings the focus to the handler and tasks rather than the object or situation of fear.

Commands are simply a distraction. The result, an animal who is calmer than they would be without the distraction. But.. this is not a one time fix.

Using repetitive "trick drills" to calm anxious animals takes practice until the action becomes automatic. The more you practice during both relaxed and stress moments, the better it works.

What are your uses for OT? And what words do you teach your dogs?

For companion video: Socializing dogs and Wolfdogs: Communication