Dog Behavior
Dog Chewing Paws? Why Do Dogs bite Their Paws and What To Do
Is your dog chewing paws or licking paws excessively? While occasional licking and chewing of paws is generally a normal behavior for dogs, though there are times when a dog chewing paws or licking paws excessively can be an indication that something is going on with your dog that needs to be addressed. Today, we …
When Do Puppies Stop Biting? How To Manage Those Sharp Little Puppy Teeth
When do puppies stop biting? This is a common question we get from many of our clients who are new to puppy parenthood. While most of us can agree that puppies are ridiculously adorable, we can also agree it’s not so adorable when they sink their needle-like teeth into our skin. Ouch! While puppy biting …
Why Is My Dog Drinking So Much Water?
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. …
Why Dogs Eat Cat Poop from the Litter Box and How to Stop It
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, …
Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?
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. …
Why Does My Dog Make Weird Noises?
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 …
What to Do with Your Dog in a Divorce – Advice from Divorce Lawyers
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 …
5 Reasons Why Dogs Hump
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 …
10 Common Dog Behavior Problems and How To End Them
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. …
Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws? 8 Common Reasons
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 …
What Did Your Dog Just Say? 15 Bark Sounds and What They Mean
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 …
7 Reasons Why Dogs Howl and What You Can Do About It
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 …
11 Most Common Dog Facial Expressions and What They Mean
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 …
5 Signs Your Dog May be Jealous and What You Can Do About It
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 …
What Are Desensitization and Counterconditioning and Why Are They Helpful?
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 Behavior in Dogs: Some Examples and How to Manage Them
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 …
Why is My Dog Having Seizures and Should I Worry?
One of the most frightening moments as a dog parent is noticing strange behavior and distress in our dogs and not knowing the cause. Especially in the case of seizures, it is often difficult to determine when a seizure is benign or a sign of an underlying dangerous health disorder. According to an article by …
Dog Aquaphobia: The Fear of Water and How to Help Your Dog Overcome It
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 …
How to Take Incredible Photos of Your Dog
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 …
When Is It Appropriate to Use Dog Coats or Other Clothing for Your Dog?
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 …
Can Dogs Detect Cancer?
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, …
My Dog is a Digger: Why do They do it and How to Prevent / Stop Digging?
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 …
DIY Brain Games for your Dog
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 …
Wild Heritage: 12 Things Dogs and Wolves Have in Common
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 …
What is my Dog Telling me: How to Read Canine Body Language
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 …
My Dog Destroys Everything: 10 Ways to Stop Destructive Behavior
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, …
Have a Resource Guarding Dog? 10 Tips to Help
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 …
Why Does My Dog Eat Poop and What Can I Do About It?
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, …