Dog Behavior

Like all mammals, dogs need to drink water in sufficient amounts to keep their bodies functioning normally. Water is essential to digestion, circulation and elimination, and plays an important role in regulating body heat. Without adequate fluid intake, a dog will become dehydrated and, in time, very sick. Severe dehydration can even result in death. …

I remember the first time I heard my dog’s stomach making noises: a strange, gurgling, rumbling sound that went on and on. I spent ten minutes going around the house, trying to find the source. What was it? Water in the pipes? An earthquake? Some sort of little monster? In the end, the sound was …

An everyday thing that pet owners are used to is their dog eating regularly. A great appetite, as well as a balanced diet is always important to your dogs health. When your dog doesn’t eat over a period of time, owners often become concerned. Here are a handful of reasons why your dog may not …

One of the most natural and instinctive behaviors our dogs can do is to dig. But why do they do it? And how can we manage the issue if it starts to become a problem? While we can never completely take away the natural instincts of our animals, nor should we want to, sometimes this …

Paying close attention to all of your dogs habits typically is a common occurrence by most dog owners. Whether it be your dog does something funny often with their body, or they bark at the same people over and over, dog owners often have habits to keep an eye on. One of those habits that …

No matter what part of the world you may be in, at some point, hotter temperatures have come across your path. Dogs often will “pant” during these warmer days, however, is it always normal for them to do so? I am here to give you the breakdown on dog panting, what causes it, and other …

If you’re reading this right now, the chances are that you just witnessed your canine companion do the unthinkable – eat cat poop! While this is not a conversation you want to be having, especially where food is involved, dogs eating cat poop is no new news! You would be surprised how common this is, …

Dogs have different ways of showing their interest in the human voice. Whether they show that interest by running in the room when you call them, or licking you and never stopping, the different ways they give you their attention is quite entertaining. One of these ways of showing attention is by tilting their heads. …

All dog owners are familiar with the strange noises that can sometimes come out of our dogs. As funny as these weird noises might sometimes be, you might also be wondering what’s behind some of the weird noises your dog makes. Read on to learn all about how dogs communicate, find out the meaning behind …

Recently, a friend was lamenting that she now had to share custody of her dog with her soon-to-be ex-husband. I think she was more upset about not having her furry companion with her 24-7 than she was with the actual breakup of her marriage. For many people, dogs are not just pets they are members …

We’ve all been there. You’re in a public place with your dog, watching them run, chase and play with another dog. Then, when you least expect it, you see your dog mounting another. It is somewhat embarrassing or shocking, particularly as it is not something that you see a dog doing all the time in …

Behavior problems are a common reason owners give for surrendering pets to shelters or rescue organizations.  Approximately 3.3 million dogs are surrendered to animal shelters each year.  One in five of these dogs will be euthanized. Correcting behaviors and keeping dogs in loving homes is not only easier on dog owners, but literally saves lives. …

You may have noticed that your dog has started licking his paws and are curious about why this could be. Alternatively, perhaps your dog has done this for a long time and it’s become natural, therefore making it more difficult to spot yourself. When your dog licks his paws, it could be for several different …

Nothing is more exciting than the prospect of becoming a brand new dog parent. You run out and buy more dog toys than your pup will ever need and a dog bed the size of a full grown Great Dane. Your puppy deserves only the best, and you’re going to do everything you can to …

We all know the feeling of having to leave your dog home alone. You’re all set, ready to go and just before you do you have to say goodbye to your precious pooch. They stare at you with those puppy dog eyes, begging you not to leave. How adorable they look makes it difficult to …

The feeling that you get when a dog shows a sign of affection is unlike any other. A dog loves you more than anything else is the world. Where you have lots of things that complete your life, your dog only has you. There are many ways that your dog shows you affection and some …

Some dogs bark due to boredom, loneliness, or lack of exercise. Others bark incessantly to get attention or release stress. My dog barks to annoy me. Just kidding. The truth is, no dog barks just to drive us insane. Dogs bark for many different reasons and now, thanks to some pretty cool studies, we are …

Howling can be a cute, quirky behavior, until it becomes nonstop. And getting your dog’s howling under control isn’t always an easy task. The best way to prevent or stop this behavior is to know what causes or exacerbates howling; a dog may howl for a variety of reasons, and there are some instances of …

A recent study by the University of Portsmouth found that “Dogs have evolved new muscles around the eyes to better communicate with humans.” They compared data between dogs and wolves, and came to the conclusion that dogs’ facial anatomies have evolved over time to make it easier to communicate with us. Here’s a rundown with …

Jealousy in dogs can be quite common, especially if they are used to being the centre of attention. Naturally, dogs can be territorial. When they believe something is theirs and they do not like sharing, it can cause jealousy. This could be with a person, toy, food or anything else that they associate as their …

Chances are if you have a dog, you also have a sea of dead, brown patches of grass in your yard. Unfortunately, one of the few cons of dog ownership is their urine. Dog urine contains nitrogen, which in small amounts is actually beneficial to grass. But in large amounts, burns it.  It’s a common …

At the sight of you, your dog goes around in circles. Apart from shaking his tail, he jumps on you like crazy, too. By the looks of it, he’s happy. But are you 100% certain of it? In this post, let’s check out the different signs that will tell you that your dog is happy. …

Counterconditioning and desensitization are two terms that can be baffling if you are just entering the world of dog training and behavior but, if you are dealing with a nervous or fearful dog, they are ones that it is important to gain an understanding of as they can be very powerful tools, especially when used …

Compulsive behaviors in dogs are more common than you might think.  Sometimes you may actually be inadvertently encouraging these behaviors to develop in your own dog.  Sometimes there may be a medical reason that needs to be addressed, other times it is about management and training, or simply just making sure that your dog has …

If you have a new puppy or adopted dog, it is more than likely that there could be a few accidents that occur in the house.  While it is important to work on a consistent toilet training regime, with lots of opportunities to get outside and huge praise and rewards when they successfully go there, …

Picture this: an adorable dog bed has finally arrived! What you do after the delivery guy left it on your front porch is yell out your dog’s name. “Baby Booooy!” you say. Upon hearing this, your dog, Baby Boy, happily rushes to you. But as soon as he notices the package that’s beside you, you …

Has your dog ever shown an interest in playing a game of tug with you but you have quickly nipped it in the bud because you have heard that playing games like that may encourage your dog to become aggressive? Games of tug often satisfy your dog’s natural urge to pull and chew on things  …

So often when we go out with our dog it is a brisk walk down the street or to the park where we then play fetch with a ball or let them run around with some other dogs.  If your dog stops to sniff, I am sure we have all been guilty of feeling frustrated …

Aquaphobia by definition is the irrational fear of water. While it is typically connected to humans, it can also occur in our four-legged friends. When you do a simple online search, dog aquaphobia usually goes hand-in-hand with rabies. However, that is not always the case. Aquaphobia in dogs can range from fear of snow and …

We have all had that moment as dog parents — witnessing our fluffy children do something so painfully adorable that the world needs to see, and then failing to capture the moment. It’s as if our four legged companions have a “camera sense” and immediately abort mission. If capturing every moment of your dog’s cute …

You have a new dog and you can’t wait to take them to your favourite hiking spot or on a camping trip.  You get all organised and ready to go and then your dog is terrified of getting in the car.  You keep trying until they get themselves really stressed out. Eventually they are in …

Looking for the best dog coats? Doggy fashion is a booming business these days.  Pictures of dogs in cute outfits regularly go viral on social media.  Whilst many of these outfits are an indulgence for us as owners rather than for the benefit of our dogs, there are times when dressing up your dog can …

Ever wondered why does your dog eat grass? Are you finding that everytime your dog goes out into the garden or on a walk they always gravitate towards the grass and they want to gobble it down with great gusto?  Have you heard that dogs only want to do this if they are unwell, have …

It might sound like something from a science fiction novel but there is now strong scientific evidence to show that our dogs can actually detect human cancers.  This fantastic ability is now being honed by dog trainers and clinical researchers with the hope that this will enable cancers to be discovered in the early stages, …

Are you super proud of your beautiful green lawn and pretty plant borders?  Have you introduced a new puppy or rescue dog to your family? Have you discovered that your dog has an obsession with digging and now your once well-manicured lawn has turned into a potholed mess? It can be incredibly frustrating but at …

There is almost nothing worse for your dog than being bored, but with some creativity you can bring fresh air into your daily routine. Joint activities are great to tire out your friend and will strengthen the bond between you. You can turn a simple walk into an adventure by giving your dog different challenges …

Hollywood often portrays wolves as dangerous, mysterious animals, but truthfully they have more in common with our beloved dogs than most people realize. Both are beautiful, intelligent, and complex creatures, and both are worthy of our respect. In my time volunteering at Shy Wolf Sanctuary, I had the opportunity to work with wolfs one-on-one and …

It is amazing how much a dog communicates through their body language.  Unlike humans, it is so much more than any vocalisations they use may convey. When we think of canine body language we often think of tail wagging, lip curling when growling and a dog putting their hackles up.  It is so, so much …

If you your dog is a tail-wagging shredding machine, don’t despair. You can save your home (and your shoes) by understanding the root of the problem and by taking small steps to help your dog overcome it. Dogs rarely destroy things out of spite. It’s tempting to take the annihilation of your favorite jacket personally, …

All too often we read on social media about dogs that go missing.  Many times the missing canines have escaped from their home, garden or car and this is how they ended up on the run.  It is a serious problem, the dogs can risk injury or death and they are also putting others at …

Does your dog have issues with resource guarding? Here are 10 tips for how to deal with resource guarding in dogs. We will show you what is the most appropriate dog training to help your dog overcome its guarding behavior.  1. What is Resource Guarding? Resource Guarding is a guarding behavior shown by your dog …

Imagine the scenario; your young puppy, who is not yet used to car journeys, is bundled into a car, feels sick on the journey and then arrives at a strange smelling new place.  In this place there are wails and cries from other animals, he is hissed at by a cat in a nearby basket …

Want to stop puppy biting? New puppy teeth are like little needles.  They can give you a real sore one if they catch you and they can create a nasty hole in trouser legs if they get a good grip.  It may seem funny and cute the first time they get hold of your child’s …

What is Coprophagy? Coprophagy is a strange word, but it basically means “to eat poop”! While poop eating is a very disgusting habit to our eyes, there are various reasons for coprophagy or eating poop in dogs, and some of them are even natural and instinctive! Eating poop is a common behavior among wild canides, …