Electric Charge in Dogs - Science Explained

[bibi9]

Hi,

I've got a question which I can't google, I' haven't found anything about this. My dog simply shock me. Yes, I know static electricity and stuff but I wonder why this happens only when he is excited about something? For example I tell him that we're going for a walk and when I touch him he shock me. But the weird thing is why this happens ONLY when he's excited. When he simply walk or sleep there's nothing. I found some article where somebody describes it like some extra energy in the body. But I wanted to know if there is some scientific explanation.

Thanks

 

[jedishrfu]

Is the dog sleeping on a carpet? Sometimes added charge can come from rubbing his fur with the carpet.

 

[mfb]

Rubbing surfaces against each other is a typical way static electricity builds up. Does he do something like that when he is excited?
The state "excited" alone certainly does not have an influence, but what the dog does then might have one.

 

[zoki85]

It is either triboelectricity or your dog is turning into electric eel oo)

 

[bibi9]

Is the dog sleeping on a carpet? Sometimes added charge can come from rubbing his fur with the carpet.

Sometimes. He mostly sleeps on leather sofa.

 

[bibi9]

Rubbing surfaces against each other is a typical way static electricity builds up. Does he do something like that when he is excited?
The state "excited" alone certainly does not have an influence, but what the dog does then might have one.

It appears for example when he lays and suddenly stand up.

 

[jedishrfu]

Thats enough to generate a lot of static electricity especially in a dry environment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_electricity

and sometimes it brings fear to them:

http://www.rover.com/blog/dogs-thunderstorms-and-static/

 

[ehild]

When excited, the dog usually waggle its tail.:) The hair on the tail rubs against something it generates electricity. When it suddenly stands up, the hair can rub to something again. The question is what is the other material. Possible the dog has different kinds of fur?

 

[bibi9]

I don't think he has different kind of fur, but this explanation totally makes sense. Thanks!

 

[zoki85]

Ground your dog:D

 

[mfb]

Ground your dog:D

Touching the paws is a good way to keep the same potential. If you are unlucky, the cat/dog does not like that - and of course they do not understand that it prevents shocks.

 

[zoki85]

I wonder if dogs are even more irritated by such ESDs then humans. They frequently touch us with their wet noses (sensitive part of body)

 

[OmCheeto]

Hi,

I've got a question which I can't google, I' haven't found anything about this. My dog simply shock me. Yes, I know static electricity and stuff but I wonder why this happens only when he is excited about something? For example I tell him that we're going for a walk and when I touch him he shock me. But the weird thing is why this happens ONLY when he's excited. When he simply walk or sleep there's nothing. I found some article where somebody describes it like some extra energy in the body. But I wanted to know if there is some scientific explanation.

Thanks

Are you one of those people, who insists on their dogs wearing boots?

If not, I have another answer.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Are you one of those people, who insists on their dogs wearing boots?

I hate to break this to you, but I am pretty sure that's not a dog.

 

[NascentOxygen]

Sometimes. He mostly sleeps on leather sofa.

A long-haired dog that you wash far too often? :w