‘What the Fluff?’
How to Make Your Dog Think You’re a Magician
Dog owners across the world are confounding their sweet pups with the latest internet craze, aptly known as the “What the Fluff?” challenge. For this puppy prank, the rules are quite simple. The owner stands in front of their dog and lifts up a blanket in front of them. As their pet looks on, the owner runs away and lets the blanket fall to the ground. From the unsuspecting pup’s point of view, it seems as if their beloved owner has disappeared into thin air! Some of the dogs stare ahead befuddled, some spin in circles, and others run around the room trying to find where their owner is hiding. It’s all fun and games for humans, but a lot of dog lovers can’t help but wonder what is going on in the minds of their pets. Zazie Todd, a professional dog trainer who holds a Ph.D. in psychology, explains that the “What the Fluff?” challenge demonstrates that dogs exhibit object permanence: the understanding that objects exist even when you can’t see them. Scientists have long known that dogs, unlike newborn babies, understand object permanence.
In 2013, a team of animal cognition scientists at the University of Kentucky conducted an experiment reminiscent of “What the Fluff?” They showed a dog a bone, hid it behind a screen, and swapped it with a bone of a different color. When they revealed the new bone, the dogs spent more time inspecting the swapped-out bone than they did when the scientists revealed the same bone as before. Because the dogs were perplexed by the incongruity, the team concluded that dogs exhibit object permanence.
So how does a dog feel when their owner disappears suddenly? It’s hard to say. Most animal cognition scientists are hesitant to hypothesize about something so subjective as emotions, but after watching the pups’ reactions on Instagram and YouTube, most experts deem the prank harmless. “What the Fluff?” is akin to playing peekaboo with a baby. Does it cause some confusion? Definitely. Is it destructive? Not likely.
Hear How Nikki Smith Found Her Next Home
When the time came to upgrade our home, a good agent was at the top of our priority list. I worked with some agents in the past who didn’t demonstrate the competency or the communication skills necessary to create a smooth transaction, and I knew this time around, I wanted someone who knew what they were doing. When I found Josh Connell of Realty ONE Group Professionals, I knew immediately he was the agent I was looking for. We sold our house on the Boise Bench and had it under contract in a matter of days. When it came time to buy, he knew exactly what to expect. His assistant, Bailey, was equally as amazing throughout the whole transaction; she valued our time and treated us as people, not numbers. The two of them never pressured us to make any decisions we weren’t comfortable with. Instead, they took an educational approach, which gave us the power to infer what was right for our future. Everything from counteroffers to home warranties was explained, and they knew precisely what we were looking for and how to help.
can enjoy the yard and have barbeques outside. I have Josh and his team to thank for that, and I’d recommend him to anyone.
– Nikki Smith
We live in a bigger home now with a three-car garage, and I couldn’t be more pleased. I can’t wait for this summer when we
2
www.rogprofessionals.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker