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<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11892740" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="google" source="Orion">Google</keyword> is suing a person named Nche Noel Ntse alleging they run fraudulent websites.</li><li>In its lawsuit, the tech giant said the websites scammed people looking to buy basset hounds.  </li></ul><p>Google has sicced its lawyers on a person the company says used its suite of tools to perpetuate an online puppy <keyword id="41357" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="scam" source="Orion">scam</keyword>, a form of fraud that has popped up more and more during the pandemic.</p><p>The tech giant filed a lawsuit Monday against a website owner named Nche Noel Ntse, claiming that the defendant established multiple sites intended "defraud internet users" by enticing them with "alluring photos of purebred puppies." Google's lawyers filed the case in US District Court in San Jose, California.</p><p>Seamus Hughes, the deputy director at <a href="https://extremism.gwu.edu/">George Washington University's Program on Extremism</a>, broke the news on Twitter, noting that the suit was filed around 3 a.m. in California.</p><p>Purchasing pet puppies online has become a fraught task during the pandemic. Online <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/buy-a-puppy-online-pet-dog-scams-triple-during-coronavirus-2020-9">puppy scams</a> have proliferated as the COVID-19 pandemic sending demand for pets <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/petco-grooming-training-services-overwhelming-demand-amid-dog-pet-adoptions-2021-5">spiking</a>. In 2020, the Better Business Bureau <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/buy-a-puppy-online-pet-dog-scams-triple-during-coronavirus-2020-9">reported</a> that online pet scams tripled year over year. At the end of 2021, the consumer advocacy group warned that online puppy sales remained "<a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/purchasing-a-puppy-online-remains-extremely-risky-bbb-warns-holiday-shoppers-1031036475">extremely risky</a>" for prospective pet parents.</p><p>Google's suit against Ntse appears to be an attempt to push back against this form of fraud. In their filing, the company's lawyers from the firm Cooley LLP wrote that Ntse "has been perpetrating a puppy fraud scheme to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for personal gain, while taking advantage of unsuspecting and vulnerable victims." Ntse stands accused of setting up websites chock full of photographs of "adorable puppies" and "compelling testimonials from supposedly satisfied customers."</p><p>"These photos aim to bait would-be victims into believing the puppies are real and that they are interacting with actual <keyword id="12129262" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dog" source="Orion">dog</keyword> breeders," Google's lawyers wrote.</p><p>Google's legal team alleged that the defendant not only "does not actually sell puppies," but that the websites amount to an "international non-delivery scam" that involves lulling "victims into a false sense of trust after they have invested significant time and energy communicating with people they think they have come to know." According to Google, Ntse seeks to "exploit the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting high demand for puppies" in the US.</p><p>Google's attorneys wrote in their filing that the "online puppy scam is particularly nefarious because it not only relies on one-on-one communications, but also exploits the joy of pet adoption, resulting in both emotional harm and financial loss."</p><p>The filing included images of <keyword id="13596199" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="basset-hound" source="Orion">basset hound</keyword> puppies featured on Ntse's website, including one dubbed "Hatie" who was described as a 10-week-old American Kennel Club-registered female with "up-to-date" vaccinations going for $700. Another screenshot showed an "about us" web page for Jerry's Basset Hound Home welcoming "all dog lovers into our world of basset hounds." </p><p>Google also broke down Ntse's use of various "fraudulent Google accounts" which were used to register websites and "communicate false promises to victims." As an exhibit, the tech company included a copy of its terms of service, which it said that Ntse violated. Google has asked the court to set up "a permanent injunction enjoining and restraining"  Ntse from continuing to operate the fraudulent websites, as well as establishing any Google accounts. The company is also asking for unspecified damages, and a jury trial.</p>

Google is suing a person it says ran a puppy-breeder website scam that ripped off hopeful pet owners

<ul class="summary-list"><li>As pack animals, dogs have a natural drive to bury important possessions like bones and food.</li><li>Burying things also provides stimulation, so dogs might hide toys and food when bored or stressed. </li></ul><p>Do your dog's favorite bones and toys seem to gradually disappear? </p><p>Maybe you've searched long and hard — under furniture, inside cabinets, and in your dog's bed. Eventually, you might resign yourself to shelling out more cash for new toys, still wondering where the other ones went. </p><p>Your dog might be hiding their treasures in the dirt outside, so don't be too surprised if those toys show up later, caked in mud. If they don't have access to a backyard, their toys might eventually turn up in baskets, bedding, or under couch cushions. </p><p>This burying behavior is common among dogs. Just as you might hide your favorite snacks from your family or housemates to keep them from raiding your stash, your dog wants to protect their favorite things and save them for later. </p><p>Here's what drives your dog's burying instinct. </p><h2>Why do dogs like to hide things?</h2><p>Your pet <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-do-dogs-bury-bones/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inherited</a> this very natural behavior from its canine ancestors — and <a href="https://defenders.org/blog/2012/10/caching-leftovers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wolves</a> still do this.</p><p>As pack animals, dogs sometimes didn't have enough food to go around, so when they had a surplus, they would hide food for later, says Dr. Abel Gonzalez, a veterinarian with <a href="https://fuzzy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fuzzy Pet Health</a>. </p><p>This instinctual behavior might also involve hiding things other than food or bones — like beloved toys. </p><p>Dogs might hide anything they consider necessary, according to Gonzalez. That's because burying important items <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-is-my-dog-hiding-things/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">keeps them safe</a> and prevents them from getting lost or stolen from other pets in the household.</p><p><strong>Note: </strong>A dog born into a large litter of puppies might also be more likely to hoard its belongings, since it had to compete for mom's milk, puppy food, and toys right from birth, Gonzalez says.  </p><h2>What breeds do this most often?</h2><p>Most modern-day pet dogs don't have to worry about where their next meal is coming from — but they may still carry around the natural impulse to hide things away.</p><p>Dogs originally bred to dig for underground prey tend to be more confident diggers, and they may bury toys and food more than other breeds, according to Dr. Preston Turano, veterinarian and <a href="https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AKC Pet Insurance</a> spokesperson. </p><p>That's why some breeds are more likely to bury stuff than others, such as:</p><ul><li>Basset hounds</li><li>Dachshunds</li><li>Terriers </li></ul><p>A <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abk0639" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022 study</a> that surveyed over 18,000 dog owners suggests that no behavior is exclusive to one single dog breed. However, it also found that greyhounds are unlikely buriers. </p><p>Non-sporting and herding breeds, like collies, bulldogs, and chow chows, are also less likely to bury things underground, Turano says.</p><p>According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-is-my-dog-hiding-things/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">other reasons</a> dogs may bury or hide things include:</p><ul><li>Perceived competition from other dogs or animals in the household</li><li>Boredom</li><li>Stress or anxiety</li><li>Overfeeding — if you give them too much at one meal, they may try saving the leftovers for later</li></ul><h2>Should you worry about your dog's secret stash? </h2><p>Most of the time, burying things is harmless. "It can be a very mentally stimulating and enriching activity," Gonzalez says. </p><p>Since burying things is a natural instinct — just like chewing or herding — your dog's body is wired for it. Engaging in this behavior helps them release physical, mental, and emotional energy, according to Gonzalez. </p><p>However, he does say trying to dig somewhere with a rigid substrate, like a rock garden, <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-do-dogs-bury-bones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can cause injuries</a> to your dog's paws and nails.</p><p>Dogs that love to hide and bury things may also damage items indoors, such as pet beds and couch cushions, Turano says. And of course, if your dog engages in destructive behavior that puts you on edge, both you and your furry friend may end up stressed out. </p><p><strong>Quick tip: </strong>Investing in more durable cushions or carefully supervising your dog during outdoor playtime can help. Just keep in mind this won't address the problem at the source, if your dog hides things due to stress or anxiety. </p><p>If your dog obsessively buries items, to the point where they hurt themselves when hiding or retrieving their toys, a good next step involves contacting a veterinarian or certified pet behaviorist. They can offer more guidance about anxious and destructive behavior. </p><p>Keep in mind, too, that many vets recommend not giving your dog bones, as a general rule. Bones can break into sharp pieces, <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-do-dogs-bury-bones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crack teeth</a> and lead to expensive dental procedures, or get swallowed and stuck in the intestinal tract, requiring emergency surgery, Turano says. </p><p>If your dog loves chewing on bones, the <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/exercise-caution-when-giving-your-dog-a-bone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American Kennel Club recommends</a> keeping supervised chew sessions short — up to 15 minutes — and getting rid of the bones after three to four days. You can also opt for synthetic bones, like <a href="https://www.nylabone.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nylabone</a>, instead. </p><h2>What to do about it</h2><p>Maybe you didn't mind when your dog stuck to burying their bones and toys — but now they've moved on to your belongings, like the remote, your shoes, or household knick-knacks. </p><p>You can try the following strategies to deal with this behavior:</p><ul><li><strong>Put away anything you don't want them to bury:</strong> If your dog has a high drive to hide their prized possessions, you might find it tough to break this habit. Instead, keep the things you don't want them to bury out of reach. </li><li><strong>Create a sandbox or area in your yard made for burying things:</strong> Designate a spot for your dog to bury and hide toys. "It can positively impact a pet's mental health to engage in an instinctual activity," Gonzalez says — as long as it's in a safe and controlled way. </li><li><strong>Block them from dig-free zones: </strong>Use <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/best-dog-gate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">temporary fencing or other barriers</a> to keep your dog from digging in spots you don't want them to damage, like a garden bed. </li><li><strong>Train your dog to bury only certain items: </strong>"Dogs are intelligent and capable of learning," Gonzalez says. Most dogs can quickly pick up new tricks and habits — like burying their toys instead of your car keys. Training helps improve the bond between you and your dog while also enriching their daily life. </li><li><strong>Get in touch with a behaviorist:</strong> A certified animal behaviorist can help you pinpoint possible causes of destructive or constant digging and suggest potential solutions.  </li><li><strong>Give your dog something else to do:</strong> A bored dog might bury things because they have nothing else to do. If you notice other <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/bored-dogs-how-to-recognize-doggy-boredom-and-help/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signs your dog may need more activity and stimulation</a>, like restlessness and excessive barking, try incorporating more exercise into their day or introducing them to <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/best-dog-puzzle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interactive puzzle toys</a>. </li></ul><h2>Insider's takeaway</h2><p>Your dog's urge to bury its favorite things is completely natural. This inherited behavior can even be a mentally rewarding activity for your dog. </p><p>Of course, if you're losing things around the house, you might want to consider strategies for controlling this behavior, like training or blocking access to diggable areas.</p><p>Excessive digging and burying behavior can sometimes lead to injury or property damage, not to mention worries about your dog's health and well-being. If this behavior causes problems or your dog seems stressed, consider seeking help from your vet or a dog behavior specialist.</p>

Why your dog loves to bury bones, toys, and anything else they can get their paws on

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Head-tilting may indicate your dog is trying to see better — especially if they have a long muzzle.</li><li>A head-tilt could also indicate that your dog is thinking or likes the attention it gets them.</li><li>If your dog has larger ears, head tilting might signal that they are trying to hear you better.</li></ul><p>It's hard to resist the cuteness of a dog tilting their head when you talk to them or when they hear a strange sound. But this endearing trait may have a bigger purpose than merely looking adorable. </p><p>Scientists are still trying to get to the bottom of exactly why dogs tilt their heads and there isn't a ton of research yet on the topic. But there are some theories about why dogs engage in this behavior and what their head tilts could mean. </p><h2><strong>1. Your dog is attempting to see better</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="black dog head tilt" height="1511" width="3023" msid="90869268" hostid="261"></div><p>The length of a dog's muzzle can block part of their vision, says <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinleighaskeland/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Erin Askeland</a>, a certified dog behavior consultant and animal <keyword id="11894571" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="health" source="Orion">health</keyword> and behavior expert for <a href="https://www.campbowwow.com/franchising/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Camp Bow Wow</a>. By tilting its head, a dog is able to get a better view of what's in front of them. </p><p>Head tilting in an attempt to see better is <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/why-do-dogs-tilt-their-heads/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more prevalent in certain dog breeds with long muzzles</a>, like greyhounds or German shepherds, compared to <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-dogs-tilt-their-heads#:~:text=Dogs%20do%20the%20same%20thing,our%20facial%20expressions%20improves%20communication." target="_blank" rel="noopener">dogs with flatter faces</a>, like bulldogs or Boston terriers.</p><h2><strong>2. Your dog is listening more attentively</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="head tilt samoyed" height="1511" width="3024" msid="90869270" hostid="261"></div><p>It may seem at times like your dog is hanging on your every word when they tilt their head, and there's some evidence to indicate this may be the case. </p><p>A small 2021 <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-021-01571-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">study</a> found that dogs were more likely to tilt their heads in response to a word they knew well. As part of the study, researchers asked dogs to fetch a specific toy from another room. They found that dogs who fetched the correct toy tilted their heads when listening to the command. </p><p>While more research is needed to fully understand head tilting in dogs, the results of this study indicate head tilting is associated with processing information and showing concentration, says <a href="https://www.dogtopia.com/dogtopia-team/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Liz Dimit</a>, a franchise dog trainer for <a href="https://www.dogtopia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dogtopia</a>, a dog daycare and boarding service. </p><h2><strong>3. Your dog is trying to determine where a sound is coming from</strong></h2><div type="image" title="white dog head tilt" height="1224" width="2448" msid="90869271" hostid="261"></div><p>A dogs' anatomy can <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-dogs-tilt-their-heads#:~:text=Dogs%20do%20the%20same%20thing,our%20facial%20expressions%20improves%20communication." target="_blank" rel="noopener">make hearing difficult</a>, especially for certain breeds like cocker spaniels or basset hounds with heavy ear flaps that cover the ear canal. </p><p>These ear flaps can interfere with sound transmission, making it difficult for your dog to get a sense of where a sound may be coming from, Askeland says. By tilting its head, a dog can open one of their ear flaps to better determine the direction of a sound and how far away it may be. </p><h2><strong>4. Your dog likes the attention it gets them</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="pug tilting head" height="310" width="620" msid="90869272" hostid="261"></div><p>Humans love the look of a dog's head tilt and often reinforce this behavior without even realizing it, says <a href="https://www.dailypaws.com/author/jenna-stregowski" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jenna Stregowski</a>, a registered veterinary technician and pet health and behavior editor at <a href="https://www.dailypaws.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Paws</a>. </p><p>"We may smile and say 'aww,' and then lavish our dogs with affection and praise," Stregowski says. "This tells our dogs they should definitely repeat the behavior so good things will happen."</p><p>A 2018 <a href="https://jov.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2700255" target="_blank" rel="noopener">study</a> showed that people's perception of a dog's cuteness increased when a head tilt was involved. Participants were given pictures of puppies in which they could control head movements. One group was instructed to "make the puppies as cute as possible," which resulted in participants tilting the heads of the puppies in the pictures. </p><p>"What likely occurs here is that when a dog tilts its head, people respond with verbal praise or pets, so the dog learns to tilt its head more frequently and may do this as a way to seek out attention," Askeland says. </p><h2><strong>5. Your dog has an underlying medical condition</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="german shepherd head tilt" height="1236" width="2473" msid="90869273" hostid="261"></div><p>In some cases head tilting may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, like vestibular disease, Askeland says. </p><p>The <a href="https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/neurology/head-tilt-in-dogs-a-clinical-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vestibular system</a> in dogs is responsible for balance and spatial awareness. A disturbance of this system can cause your dog to <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/vestibular-disease-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">appear disoriented and tilt its head</a> in an effort to regain its balance. </p><p>Medical conditions that can disrupt the vestibular system and may result in head tilting <a href="https://www.kingsdale.com/head-tilt-in-dogs#:~:text=Head%20tilt%20in%20dogs%20is,ear%20infection%20or%20head%20injury" target="_blank" rel="noopener">include</a>:</p><ul><li>Ear infections</li><li>A head injury that results in inflammation of the brain or spinal cord</li><li>A brain tumor</li><li>Vestibular syndrome, which is <a href="https://www.rock-hill.carolinavet.com/site/blog/2020/11/27/treatment-vestibular-disease-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more common in older dogs</a></li></ul><p>If you notice your dog involuntarily tilting their head (not in response to your voice or another sound), Askeland recommends monitoring them for signs of disorientation or difficulty standing and walking. If you notice these symptoms in your dog, have them checked out by a veterinarian. </p><h2><strong>Insider's takeaway</strong></h2><p>More studies are needed to fully understand why dogs tilt their heads, but current research indicates dogs do this for many reasons, including to see or hear better and to process information.</p><p>In some cases, a dog's head tilt may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, like an ear infection, inflammation in the brain, or vestibular disease. If your dog is tilting their head in addition to showing signs of disorientation, like trouble walking, have them examined by a veterinarian.</p>

5 reasons for dogs' adorable head-tilting behavior

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11918126" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dogs" source="Orion">Dogs</keyword> smell like corn chips because of the bacteria and yeast that make up their microbiomes.</li><li>Owners can mitigate the smell by bathing dogs more regularly and practicing fold care.</li></ul><p>On any given day, your dog probably has a scent, and it may not exactly smell fresh. </p><p>Maybe they smell like a trash can after rolling around on something decomposing in your yard. Maybe they just ran through your sprinkler, bringing that all-too-familiar wet dog smell into your home. </p><p>But it's not just your dog's fur that can smell bad. Ever taken a whiff of their paws? </p><p>If your dog's paws smell like Fritos, or another version of your favorite corn chip variety, then your dog may have what's called Frito feet. </p><p>Don't worry, it's not a sign that your dog just gorged on a bunch of Fritos. Here's what Frito feet actually means as well as other common dog smells and how to keep stinkiness at bay.</p><div type="image" title="A brown dog rubs its face into the grass outside." height="1967" width="2774" msid="92907689" hostid="261" sizebytes="1337524"></div><h2><strong>It's normal for your dog to smell like Fritos </strong></h2><p>The Frito feet phenomenon is due to the mixture of bacteria, fungi, and yeast that usually live harmoniously on your dog's skin, aka, the skin microbiome. </p><p>Sometimes, certain stinky microbes grow and out-populate others, which can cause your dog to smell. For example, an overabundance of the bacteria pseudomonas was associated with smelly, but otherwise healthy, bloodhounds in a small <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30251442/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2018 study</a>.</p><p>Though it was the bloodhound's skin, not their paws, that were tested for bacteria, pseudomonas could be a player in Frito feet, according to <a href="https://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/profile/rodrigues-hoffmann-aline/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Aline Rodrigues Hoffmann</a>, a veterinary anatomic pathologist who was one of the study's researchers.</p><p>Pseudomonas has a distinct smell described as a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28778416/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sweet, grape-like</a>, and <a href="https://wickhamlabs.co.uk/technical-resource-centre/fact-sheet-pseudomonas-aeruginosa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">corn tortilla-like.</a></p><p><strong>Note: </strong>If your dog has Frito feet, it doesn't necessarily mean they're sick or unhealthy. In fact, most of the bacteria on healthy dogs are not pathogenic, Hoffman says. If your dog is otherwise symptom-free, you needn't worry about their health.</p><p>Dogs can pick pseudomonas up from <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8326/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">places the bacteria inhabits</a> in the natural environment, like soil and water. So, when you take your dog for a romp in the park or a swim in the pond, there's a chance that they will pick up pseudomonas and may get Frito feet soon after. </p><p>But pseudomonas isn't the only organism that might be causing your dog's smelly paws. Other microbes at play may include: </p><ul><li><strong>The bacteria proteus</strong>, which some people say smells like <a href="http://www.microbiologynutsandbolts.co.uk/the-bug-blog/old-fashioned-microbiology-or-just-showing-my-age" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rotten fish</a> as well as — you guessed it — <a href="https://waag.org/en/article/dreaming-microbial-perfume" target="_blank" rel="noopener">corn tortillas</a>. It prefers <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442017/#:~:text=Proteus%20is%20found%20abundantly%20in,cause%20serious%20infections%20in%20humans." target="_blank" rel="noopener">moist areas </a>like soil and wastewater.</li><li><strong>Yeast, or malassezia</strong>, may also put off a yeasty scent that can mix with these other bacterial smells. </li></ul><h2><strong>When to worry</strong></h2><p>Usually, your dog's immune system keeps microbes and pathogens in check at healthy numbers. </p><p>But sometimes, "when you get an overgrowth of one over the other, that's when they become opportunistic and create infection," says <a href="https://www.drjoyadvm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Joya Griffin</a>, a veterinary dermatologist at Animal <keyword id="11931735" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="dermatology" source="Orion">Dermatology</keyword> Clinic - Louisville.</p><p>Some of the same microbes that cause smells can also cause infections if your dog's skin barrier is compromised due to allergies or an autoimmune disorder, or if the bacteria enters the skin through a scratch or wound. </p><p>It may be time to take them to a vet if your dog is stinky in addition to exhibiting any of the following symptoms: </p><ul><li>Itching or chewing at the skin or paws</li><li>Redness and inflammation</li><li>Bumps, lesions, or pus-filled sores</li><li>Hair loss or dandruff</li></ul><p>"The biggest thing is, if it doesn't smell right or look right, it's always a good idea to have your family vet take a look first. Or, if it's something that's more persistent, and not getting better, potentially seek out an exam by a dermatologist," Griffin says.</p><div type="image" title="A pug dog’s face looks at the camera." height="1477" width="2451" msid="92907690" hostid="261" sizebytes="140350"></div><h2><strong>Why are some dogs more smelly?</strong></h2><p>Some dogs smell more than others. This is due to several factors that can be related to their breed, such as the type and thickness of their coat, their body type, how close their toes are together, and how many skin folds they have.</p><p>Between the toes is a particularly ideal area for bacteria to proliferate. </p><p>"The toes in dogs are very close together, they have a lot of hairs, and it allows a lot of moisture to accumulate in those areas. Once you have a lot of moisture, you allow those bacteria that are smelly to overgrow, and then you get some smell from their feet," Hoffmann says.</p><p>Skin folds are another area where bacteria like to congregate. </p><p>"Whenever you have a folded area, there's going to be more moisture, heat, and humidity in those areas, which will promote overgrowth of bacteria and yeast, and a lot of times those folds are what smells like corn chips, because those are areas where there's a lot of overgrowth of bacteria and yeast," Griffin says.</p><div type="image" title="Hands massage soap into a dog’s fur during a bath." height="2084" width="3561" msid="92907691" hostid="261" sizebytes="141060"></div><h2><strong>To reduce the odor, wash their feet and bodies more often</strong></h2><p>If your dog's smell bothers you, try bathing them more often with a <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/best-dog-shampoo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gentle dog shampoo</a>. Just be sure not to bathe them so often that it dries out their skin.</p><p>"Some people bathe their dogs one or two times a week," Griffin says. "And, when they start to have skin problems, you need to bathe them more frequently, because it helps to restore the barrier function of the skin, increase moisture in the skin, and remove allergens as well as bacteria and yeast overgrowth on the skin."</p><p>If over-the-counter dog shampoos don't seem to be doing the trick, visit your vet. They may prescribe a medicated product with more effective active ingredients, such as ketoconazole, salicylic acid, or phytosphingosine, that can help balance out microbial overgrowth and repair the skin.</p><p>If you have a dog with skin folds, such as an English bulldog, pug, or shar-pei, you should practice fold care, Griffin says. Fold care is essentially cleaning between the folds, where smells can originate and irritating infections can bloom.</p><p>Here's how to practice fold care on your dog:</p><p><strong>1. Make a cleaning solution.</strong> Griffin says you can either dilute medicated shampoo with water or use medicated wipes. </p><p><strong>2. Start in the facial folds.</strong> Using a cotton ball, cotton swab, or wipe, clean in between the facial folds. </p><p><strong>3. Move to the feet. </strong>Clean between the toes and around the paw pads. </p><p><strong>4. Clean the groin and armpits.</strong> For some dogs, you'll also need to clean around the groin area and under the armpits. Griffin says this is a common area for short, squatty dogs like basset hounds and dachshunds to experience fold dermatitis, or <a href="https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2014/0401/p569.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">intertrigo</a>.</p><p>Overall, any area on your dog that stays hot and moist should receive a little extra attention when cleaning.</p><p>If you are regularly bathing your dog but find that you can't bathe the smell away, you should visit your family vet to make sure there are no underlying conditions, such as dental issues or yeast overgrowth, related to the smell.</p><p><strong>Quick tip: </strong>If you really want to mitigate the smell, you need to wash your dog's bedding as well, Hoffmann points out. When washing, use the hottest temperature water you can. According to a <a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/AEM.03002-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021 review</a>, cold laundry cycles and detergent aren't enough to get rid of some of those smelly microbes, including pseudomonas.</p><div type="image" title="A dog is positioned on his side, showing the bottoms of his front paws." height="1475" width="2302" msid="92907692" hostid="261" sizebytes="337390"></div><h2><strong>What does this mean for dog owners?</strong></h2><p>Both pseudomonas and proteus can <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442017/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cause infections</a> in immunocompromised humans, especially in <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/pseudomonas.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hospital settings</a>. However, Hoffmann says this isn't something healthy people need to be concerned about.</p><p>In fact, sharing some bacteria and fungi with your dog may actually be a good thing. A <a href="https://elifesciences.org/articles/00458" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2013 study</a> found that adults who lived with dogs had a more diverse skin microbiome — thanks to sharing microbes with their pooch — than people without dogs. </p><p>And researchers have found that when you expose healthy people to a greater diversity of microorganisms, it can strengthen the human immune system, helping the body respond better to harmful pathogens, and reducing the likelihood of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7913501/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">immune system overreactions</a> to harmless microbes.</p><p>"So in general, you do want to have diversity in your microbiome. And the dogs bring that, they increase the diversity of the human microbiome whenever they are sharing a household," Hoffmann says. </p><p><strong>Note: </strong>Your dog also benefits from sharing microbes with you, since a more diverse microbiome is associated with <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2018.01584/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less-allergic</a> canine skin. Moreover, a large <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5785484/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2018 study</a> found that dogs living with families who had more than two children — as well as dogs who lived with additional <keyword id="11918129" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="pets" source="Orion">pets</keyword> or on farms — were healthier and less allergic.</p><h2><strong>Other dog smells and what they mean</strong></h2><p>Certain dog smells can be a telltale sign that something isn't right with their health.</p><p>Here are a few common dog smells and how to treat them:</p><ul><li><strong>Fishy smell:</strong> This smell usually indicates that their anal glands, or anal sacs, are either impacted or infected. They may also exhibit other symptoms, such as <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/dog-dragging-butt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">butt dragging</a>. If this happens, you'll need to take your dog to their vet to have their anal glands expressed and examined.</li><li><strong>Rotten breath:</strong> They might have dental issues, such as plaque buildup, gingivitis, or ulcers. This smell may also migrate: "If they <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/why-do-dogs-lick-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lick</a> themselves and then they have halitosis or bad breath because of dental disease, then sometimes their body starts to also stink," Griffin says. If you think this is the case, take them to your vet for an examination and teeth cleaning.</li><li><strong>Rancid smell:</strong> A rancid, yeasty smell is usually associated with an <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5603939/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overgrowth of the yeast malassezia</a>. If this is the case, your dog will display other symptoms, including scaly, crusty skin, hair loss, and itchiness. Your vet will prescribe a topical shampoo to treat the condition.</li><li><strong>Strong ear smell:</strong> According to Griffin, a strong smell, along with a change in appearance, is usually the first sign of an ear infection in dogs. Your dog may also begin to shake their head or scratch around the ear area. Your vet will usually perform a <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-ear-infections/#:~:text=How%20are%20Dog%20Ear%20Infections,antibiotics%20and%20anti%2Dinflammatory%20medications." target="_blank" rel="noopener">medicated ear cleaning</a> and may prescribe a topical treatment. If the infection is bad enough, it could call for oral antibiotics.</li><li><strong>Breath smells like urine or ammonia: </strong>If your dog's breath is very bad and smells reminiscent of urine, it could be a sign of <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/get-rid-of-stinky-dog-breath/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kidney disease</a>. This condition would be accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting and weight loss. If you suspect your dog may have this condition, take them to a vet as soon as possible.</li><li><strong>Wet dog:</strong> There's not much you can do here, except dry your dog thoroughly with a towel. This extremely common smell is due to volatile compounds from the <a href="https://www.compoundchem.com/2015/07/28/wet-dog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">microorganisms in your dog's fur</a>, which evaporate along with the water.</li><li><strong>Skunk smell:</strong> If your dog got into it with a skunk, you can get rid of the smell by washing them with a mixture of baking soda, mild dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide, according to the <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/get-rid-of-skunk-smell-on-dog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American Kennel Club</a>.</li></ul><p>Griffin says it's important to try to find the focal point of any smell that isn't normal for your dog. That way, you can examine it to see if it's red and inflamed, itchy, or painful.</p><h2><strong>Insider's takeaway</strong></h2><p>In general, body odor is a normal part of being a dog. </p><p>Dog's skin is populated by bacteria, yeast, and fungi that can cause strange smells but are typically harmless and can even make your dog healthier. </p><p>If your dog is experiencing discomfort and symptoms like inflammation, lesions, and itching, however, you should probably take them to your family vet. Bacteria or yeast may have overgrown on your dog's skin, causing the irritation. Your vet can prescribe medicated shampoos to treat the overgrowth.</p><p>Other dog smells you should look out for include a strong ear smell, rotten breath, or a rancid, yeasty smell. These could point to other conditions, such as dental disease or ear infections, that need veterinary attention.</p>

Why does my dog smell like Fritos — and other canine scent anomalies

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Dan Kitwood / Getty</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>There's no easy way to rate dog intelligence.</p><p>As canine psychologist Stanley Coren wrote back in the 90s, there's adaptive intelligence (i.e., figuring stuff out), working intelligence (i.e., following orders), and instinctive intelligence (i.e., innate talent) - not to mention spatial intelligence, kinesthetic intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, and more.</p><p>Indeed, as animal behaviorist Frans de Waal has argued, humans <span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/smartest-animals-2017-1">tend to judge animal intelligence in limited and unfair terms</a></span> and often bungle the experiment.</p><p>While <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/07/well/family/dogs-intelligence.html?_r=0"><span>labs at Yale, Duke, and around the world</span></a> are studying this question, for now we do at least have data on one metric: working intelligence.</p><p>Coren, in his book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Intelligence-Dogs-Thoughts-Emotions-Companions/dp/0743280873"><span>The Intelligence of Dogs</span></a>," featured the results of a lengthy survey of 199 dog obedience judges. The responses, he said, were remarkably consistent; however, he noted that many judges pointed out that there are exceptions in every breed and that a lot comes down to training.</p><p>Here's what he found:</p><p><strong>TOP TIER</strong>-the brightest working dogs, who tend to learn a new command in less than five seconds and obey at least 95% of the time.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Dan Kitwood</span></p><p class="caption">A border collie shows how it's done.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>1. Border collie<br />2. Poodle<br />3. German shepherd<br />4. Golden retriever<br />5. Doberman pinscher<br />6. Shetland sheepdog<br />7. Labrador retriever<br />8. Papillon<br />9. Rottweiler<br />10. Australian cattle dog</p><p><strong>SECOND TIER</strong>-excellent working dogs, who tend to learn a new command in 5-15 exposures and obey at least 85% of the time.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pembroke_Welsh_Corgi#/media/File:Welchcorgipembroke.JPG">Pmuths1956 on Wikimedia Commons</a></span></p><p class="caption">Don't underestimate the small Pembroke Welsh corgi.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>11. Pembroke Welsh corgi<br />12. Miniature schnauzer<br />13. English springer spaniel<br />14. Belgian Tervuren<br />15. Schipperke, Belgian sheepdog<br />16. Collie Keeshond<br />17. German short-haired pointer<br />18. Flat-coated retriever, English cocker spaniel, Standard schnauzer<br />19. Brittany spaniel<br />20. Cocker spaniel, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever<br />21. Weimaraner<br />22. Belgian Malinois, Bernese mountain dog<br />23. Pomeranian<br />24. Irish water spaniel<br />25. Vizsla<br />26. Cardigan Welsh corgi</p><p><strong>THIRD TIER</strong>-above-average working dogs, who tend to learn a new trick in 15-25 repetitions and obey at least 70% of the time.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>AP Photo/Mary Altaffer</span></p><p class="caption">The Chesapeake Bay retriever is an above-average working dog.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>27. Chesapeake Bay retriever, Puli, Yorkshire terrier<br />28. Giant schnauzer, Portuguese water dog<br />29. Airedale, Bouvier des FLandres<br />30. Border terrier, Briard<br />31. Welsh springer spaniel<br />32. Manchester terrier<br />33. Samoyed<br />34. Field spaniel, Newfoundland, Australian terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Gordon setter, Bearded collie<br />35. American Eskimo dog, Cairn terrier, Kerry blue terrier, Irish setter<br />36. Norwegian elkhound<br />37. Affenpinscher, Silky terrier, Miniature pinscher, English setter, Pharaoh hound, Clumber spaniel<br />38. Norwich terrier<br />39. Dalmatian</p><p><strong>FOURTH TIER</strong>-average working dogs, who tend to learn a new trick in 25-40 repetitions and obey at least 50% of the time.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Shutterstock</span></p><p class="caption">The soft-coated wheater terrier is about average at following orders.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>40. Soft-coated wheaten terrier, Bedlington terrier, Smooth-haired fox terrier<br />41. Curly-coated retriever, Irish wolfhound<br />42. Kuvasz, Australian shepherd<br />43. Saluki, Finnish Spitz, Pointer<br />44. Cavalier King Charles spaniel, German wirehaired pointer, Black-and-tan coonhound, American water spaniel<br />45. Siberian husky, Bichon frise, English toy spaniel<br />46. Tibetan spaniel, English foxhound, Otterhound, American foxhound, Greyhound, Harrier, Parson Russel terrier, Wirehaired pointing griffon<br />47. West Highland white terrier, Havanese, Scottish deerhound<br />48. Boxer, Great Dane<br />49. Dachschund, Staffordshire bull terrier, Shiba Inu<br />50. Malamute<br />51. Whippet, Chinese shar-pei, Wirehaired fox terrier<br />52. Rhodesian ridgeback<br />53. Ibizan hound, Welsh terrier, Irish terrier<br />54. Boston terrier, Akita</p><p><strong>FIFTH TIER</strong>-fair working dogs, who tend to learn a new trick in 40-80 repetitions and respond about 40% of the time.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Stephanie Keith / Getty</span></p><p class="caption">It's not easy to win an obedience trial with a Skye terrier.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>55. Skye terrier<br />56. Norfolk terrier, Sealyham terrier<br />57. Pug<br />58. French bulldog<br />59. Brussels griffon, Maltese terrier<br />60. Italian greyhound<br />61. Chinese crested<br />62. Dandie Dinmont terrier, Vendeen, Tibetan terrier, Japanese chin, Lakeland terrier<br />63. Old English sheepdog<br />64. Great Pyrenees<br />65. Scottish terrier, Saint Bernard<br />66. Bull terrier, Petite Basset Griffon, Vendeen<br />67. Chihuahua<br />68. Lhasa apso<br />69. Bullmastiff</p><p><strong>SIXTH TIER</strong>-the least effective working dogs, who may learn a new trick after more than 100 repetitions and obey around 30% of the time.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Shutterstock</span></p><p class="caption">The Afghan hound doesn't care what you want.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>70. Shuh Tzu<br />71. Basset hound<br />72. Mastiff, beagle<br />73. Pekingese<br />74. Bloodhound<br />75. Borzoi<br />76. Chow chow<br />77. Bulldog<br />78. Basenji<br />79. Afghan hound</p><p>There are, again, exceptions. Coren talks in his book about a trainer who managed to win obedience competitions with multiple Staffordshire bull terriers (#49).</p><p>There are also, again, other ways of measuring intelligence.</p><p>Coren tells us about a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (#20) he owned that was in some ways too smart for competitions. "He was so bright and attentive that he read my every motion, head turn, and even the direction that I was looking with my eyes, as a command," he writes by email. "That made him very difficult to compete with in obedience trials, since, for instance, a glance with my eyes in the direction of the high jump might be interpreted by him as a command and that would send him off, taking the jump beautifully of course, but nonetheless disqualifying us from that round of competition."</p><p>De Waal, in "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Are-Smart-Enough-Know-Animals/dp/0393246183"><span>Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?</span></a>" spoke in defense of the Afghan hound (#79), noting that they may not be unintelligent but rather independent-mined, stubborn, and unwilling to follow orders.</p><p>"Afghans," he wrote, "are perhaps more like cats, which are not beholden to anyone."</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-study-debunks-strongest-argument-against-global-warming-climate-change-2017-1">A new study just blew a hole in one of the strongest arguments against global warming</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="41cTV3ODE6lScG4haYqmvmNGCs1JhD5w" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Here are the 'smartest' dog breeds, according to a canine psychologist

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://davemosher.com">Dave Mosher</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>One oddly affectionate nickname I have for my dog Oreo is "slug."</p><p>No couch or bed is safe from Oreo, a pit bull mix and professional lounger who gladly snoozes on wood, concrete, dirt, hard plastic dog toys, and even piles of rocks.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.davemosher.com">Dave Mosher/Tech Insider</a></span></p><p class="caption">A Whistle GPS collar on Oreo.</p></div><p></p></div></div>But are pit bulls really that lazy as far as <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/dog-breed-diversity-same-species-2016-2">dog breeds</a> go? What about chunky bulldogs or droopy basset hounds or other lackadaisical pet canines?</p><p>To find out, Business Insider asked <a href="http://www.whistle.com/">Whistle</a> - a company that makes a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Whistle-100-0500-00-GPS-Pet-Tracker/dp/B015DV0O9C/">GPS and activity-tracking dog collar</a> - what the least active dog breeds are based on the data they see from the roughly 150,000 Americans who've used its products. (Like all data, this set has limitations - see our notes at the end.)</p><p>Here are the 42 least active breeds in the US, ranked by average minutes of activity a day.</p><p>And don't miss our list of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/most-energetic-dog-breeds-2016-7">43 most active breeds</a>, too.</p>

RANKED: The 42 laziest dog breeds in America

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>Here is what you need to know.</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/us-jobs-report-preview-february-2017-2017-3">Here comes the jobs report</a>. </strong>The US economy is expected to have added 200,000 nonfarm jobs in February as the unemployment rate slipped to 4.7%, according to the Bloomberg consensus. Additionally, average hourly earnings are expected to have increased by 2.8% year-over-year. The report will cross the wires at 8:30 a.m. ET.</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/south-korea-president-park-geun-hye-removed-from-office-2017-3">South Korea's president is out</a>. </strong>In a decision that's "final and unchallengeable," South Korea's Constitutional Court has removed president <span>Park Geun-hye from office as a result of her <span>corruption scandal. </span></span></p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/debt-ceiling-deadline-limit-when-how-much-2017-3">Mnuchin asks Congress to raise the debt ceiling</a>.</strong>Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin sent letters to Congressional leaders on Thursday asking them to raise the debt ceiling by midnight on March 17 in order to prevent the Treasury from needing to take<span> "extraordinary measures" for the federal government to keep paying its bills. </span></p><p><strong>Oil is stabilizing. </strong>West Texas Intermediate crude oil trades up at 0.3% at $49.61 per barrel. Friday's bid comes after the energy component lost almost 7% over the previous two sessions in response to Department of Energy data showing US inventories swelled to a record high.</p><p><strong>Bitcoin is unchanged ahead of the big SEC decision. </strong>The cryptocurrency holds at $1,200 a coin as traders await the US Securities and Exchange Commission's decision on whether or not it will approve at least one of the three proposed bitcoin-focused exchange-traded funds by the March 11 deadline. Because the deadline falls on a Saturday, the announcement could come as late as Monday.</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sessions-says-he-will-enforce-federal-weed-laws-2017-3">Jeff Sessions rattles the marijuana industry</a>. </strong><span>"[M]arijuana is against federal law, and that applies in states where they may have repealed their own anti-marijuana laws," US Attorney General Jeff Sessions told <span>conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Thursday.</span> "</span><span>And I'm not in favor of legalization of marijuana. I think it's a more dangerous drug than a lot of people realize."</span></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-in-soccer-streaming-deal-with-mls-univision-1489122001">Facebook reaches a deal to stream soccer matches</a>. </strong>Facebook, <span>Spanish-language broadcaster Univision, and Major League Soccer</span> have reached an agreement where Facebook will stream at least 22 regular season matches, the Wall Street Journal reports.</p><p><strong>Stock markets around the world are higher. </strong>Japan's Nikkei (+1.5%) led the gains in Asia and Spain's IBEX (+0.9%) sets the pace in Europe. The S&amp;P 500 is on track to open higher by 0.4% near 2,375.</p><p><strong>Earnings reports trickle out. </strong>Vail Resorts will release its quarterly results ahead of the opening bell.</p><p><strong>US economic data is light. </strong>Aside from the jobs report and everything associated with it, traders will be watching the 1 p.m. ET release of the Baker Hughes rig count.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/side-effects-brain-body-drugs-adderall-recreationally-adhd-pill-2017-2">What happens to your brain and body if you use Adderall recreationally</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="FtY3hzOTE6I-lLvh74cjJwaK2QnBUvzk" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

10 things you need to know before the opening bell

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>Paramount already had an uphill battle on its hands with its live-action adaptation of "Ghost in the Shell." Trying to make a global blockbuster out of a legendary Japanese manga is no easy feat (Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks has had the US rights since 2008), not to mention the 1995 animated movie that's considered a classic.<p>But then casting Scarlett Johansson as the main character, Major Kusanagi, led to a PR nightmare. The&#xa0;movie is now labeled as just the latest example of Hollywood whitewashing.</p><p>It's an issue that can't be dismissed. But facing all the spin from the filmmakers - that's it's an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ghost-in-the-shell-producer-defends-scarlett-johansson-casting-2016-7">"international" story</a> and Johansson'&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/scarlett-johansson-ghost-in-the-shell-whitewashing-2017-2">comments that she</a> "would never presume to play another race of a person" - I went&#xa0;into the movie willing to accept that this could work.</p><p>More on that later. Let's get to what I did like about the movie.</p><p>For fans of the manga or the anime movie, you will be happy to hear that this "Ghost in the Shell," directed by Rupert Sanders ("Snow White and the Huntsman"), very much pays homage to both with dazzling visuals and special effects. You will certainly see a lot of similarities to "The Matrix" franchise, as the Wachowskis pretty much used "Ghost in the Shell" as their guide to make their own heralded sci-fi franchise (all the way down to people having network portals in the backs of their heads). And the cityscapes have a distinct "Blade Runner" vibe.</p><p>The story follows Major (Johansson) from her creation - the Hanka Robotics company seemingly saved her brain from a body about to perish and placed it into a robot - to joining the counter-cyber terrorism task force known as Section 9.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>The iconic shot of Major&#xa0;free-falling off a skyscraper&#xa0;is here, as well as her taking on all comers guns blazing. Johansson plays the part as very robotic, though not as stiff as her last enhanced-human role, in 2014's "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2872732/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Lucy.</a>"<p>Section 9 is led by Chief Daisuke Aramaki, played by legendary Japanese actor Takeshi Kitano, while Danish actor Pilou Asbæk plays Major's&#xa0;second-in-command Batou.</p><p>The team learns of a new criminal who is determined to take down Hanka and begins to investigate. It turns out&#xa0;Kuze (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0685856/?ref_=tt_cl_t5" target="_blank">Michael Pitt</a>) has built his own network and uses it to jump in and out of bodies to follow through on his task to kill the Hanka scientists who created him. Major realizes through Kuze that even though she was told she was the first of her kind,&#xa0;she's certainly not.</p><p>There are many philosophical moments, particularly about the meaning of a person's "ghost" or soul. In an imagined age when machines have not only taken over everything around us but now enhance us, the movie examines the only thing we have ownership of anymore: our own being.</p><p>That abstract thinking will be welcome for fans of "Ghost in the Shell," as will shoutouts to various tropes from the Japanese comics and anime movies (like director Mamoru Oshii's <a href="http://s344.photobucket.com/user/aweshi/media/gits2in3.jpg.html" target="_blank">love of basset hounds</a>).</p><p>But let's get to the part that didn't sit well for me and probably won't for many others.</p><p><strong>(Warning:&#xa0;Spoiler coming.)</strong></p><p>Major suffers "glitches" in her ghost that turn out to be related to her past life. We come to learn that before she was encased in her robot body, she was a runaway and Hanka took her and other outcasts from a house and used their brains to create cyborgs. Major was once a Japanese woman named Motoko Kusanagi.</p><p>For those who were already upset that Major is not played by an Asian actress, this will likely only infuriate them. Not only did the makers of the movie and Paramount clearly whitewash, but they doubled down by showing in the movie that Major has the brain of a human who was once Japanese, and now sports the synthetic features of a pretty white woman.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>There's an obvious economic motivation behind Johansson's casting. She's a proven&#xa0;box-office draw, both in the US and abroad. Paramount is looking at dollars over common sense. But when the entire industry is rightfully being hammered about its lack of diversity, the blindness of all involved in "Ghost in the Shell" is remarkable.<p>And it also points out a big, gaping hole in Hollywood's diversity problem. Though there's an obvious effort to hire more directors who are female and of color, the lack of diversity at the studio-executive level has the potential for&#xa0;its own unique damage.</p><p>It's likely that numerous directors passed on making the new "Ghost in the Shell" because they predicted a public backlash, but if an executive wants to make a movie a certain way, sooner or later, they're going to find a director who will take the job.</p><p>We applaud when we see a diverse cast and crew, but we need to focus on the people filling the boardrooms.</p><p><em>"Ghost in the Shell" opens in theaters on Friday.</em></p><p>&#xa0;</p><div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sesame-street-mock-trump-best-moments-budget-proposal-pbs-public-funding-2017-3">'Sesame Street' has been mocking Trump since 1988 - here are some of the best moments</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="Zzc3RmYTE6B1TWWP6Sb05CiGy5P-mR4J" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

'Ghost in the Shell' is a stunning sci-fi thriller - but it has one massive problem

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Google +</span></p><p class="caption">Izzie Lerer, co-founder of The Dodo</p></div><p></p></div></div>"Cute animals deserve respect."</p>
<p>BuzzFeed co-founder Jonah Peretti told the audience at South by Southwest that last year. And he should know.</p>
<p>His site is investing in original reporting and traditional journalism, but the newsroom has grown on the backbone of truly viral posts which sustain BuzzFeed from a monetary perspective. Many of those viral posts have to do with cute animals.</p>
<p>For example, one article titled "Basset Hounds Running" <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/29/buzzfeeds-jonah-peretti-explains-if-you-dont-like-cute-animal-pics-hence-buzzfeed-youre-not-human/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29">amassed 1.2 million page views</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Because of its highly entertaining animal posts, BuzzFeed has gotten a reputation for producing pieces of "fluff" journalism rather than "real" journalism. In other words, it's great at culling together intriguing photos of animals doing ridiculous things, but it has yet to establish itself as a trusted source of news.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://www.thedodo.com">TheDodo</a>, another site Peretti is involved with, just launched. Instead of having to make an excuse for its animal posts (like BuzzFeed sometimes has to do) it's embracing animals right from the get-go.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Today, TheDodo went live with funding from Greycroft, Softbank Capital, Sterling Equities, RRE and a personal investment from Oak Investment Partners' Fred Harmon. It's being run by Izzie Lerer, whose father Ken co-founded The Huffington Post with Jonah Peretti and whose brother, Ben, co-founded Thrillist. <a href="http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/ken-ben-lerer-2014-1/index1.html">The Lerers</a> also started a </span>venture arm, Lerer Ventures, which has invested in 185 startups over the past few years. Peretti is an advisor. Izzie is joined by Salon's former editor-in-chief, Kerry Lauerman.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">The Dodo is the first website built entirely on another Lerer Ventures startup, RebelMouse. This makes it easy for The Dodo to pull in cute animal posts from social media and takes pressure off The Dodo to produce original content, which is more expensive. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">At first glance, The Dodo is cute overload. But Lerer says there will be substance to some of the stories. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">"<span>Caring about animals in the past has often been dismissed as overly sentimental or radical, but now the whole movement is moving mainstream," Izzie Lerer justifies her site in a press release. "There's a growing readiness and willingness to listen to people speak about issues concerning animals, and The Dodo will provide a home for these kinds of conversations."</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>In short, you'll never see animals being mistreated on The Dodo. Instead, it's a place that celebrates pets. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>It's tempting to think: why does the web need yet another destination for cute animal photos?</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>But when you stop and mull it over, it's brilliant. The Dodo is setting itself up to be BuzzFeed but without the baggage of having to be a "real" news and journalism site. It can celebrate animals, and celebrate all the viral traffic that comes with it.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Not a believer? Fine. Then try not to read one of their articles:</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>"<a href="https://www.thedodo.com/pug-and-baby-battle-over-a-coo-384608855.html">Pug and Baby Battle Over a Cookie.</a>"<a href="https://www.thedodo.com/pug-and-baby-battle-over-a-coo-384608855.html"></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Here's what it looks like:</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>TheDodo.com</span></p></div><p></p></div><br /></span></span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">*Ken Lerer is personally invested in Business Insider</span></em></p>

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