Dog Behavior

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, …

Want to know how to calm an anxious dog? Living with an anxious and fearful dog can be a challenge.  You often have to make compromises on a daily basis and working towards removing a fearful reaction, whatever it may be towards, can be a long process.  There are no quick fixes. At the same …

There are so many times I have watched a clip on Facebook of a child having a “cute” interaction with the family dog and cringed.  This is usually a clip that has gone viral because people love seeing the kid riding the dog like a horse, or being pulled along by the dog’s tail.  Perhaps …

We may love going along to an impressive fireworks display at New Year, Bonfire Night or on the Fourth of July, but for our canine friends with dog fireworks anxiety it can be one of the most stressful times of the year. If you have a dog that does not bat an eyelid at fireworks …

Dog separation anxiety is fairly common and can result in destructive behavior. In this guide, we share how to break a dog’s separation anxiety based on our personal experiences. How do I know my dog has separation anxiety? Have you come home one day to find that your dog has scratched all the paintwork off …

Annie, my dog, and I are gearing up for a winter season in the Italian Alps.  Whilst I arrange snow shovels and snow tyres for myself, I am also making sure I have all the right gear to ensure Annie has a great time too. If you have a dog, it can be wonderful to …

Why do dogs chase their tails? We’re all familiar with the stereotypical image. Dog chasing tail is a behavior that has been immortalized in movies and plastered in funny videos across YouTube. As far as many people are concerned, these behaviors are entirely normal. But, in more cases than not, this is actually a sign …

Ever since my wife and I became dog owners I have been wondering: why does my dog lick me? When my wife and I got our Maltese puppy, Schlumpf, back in 2013, he couldn’t stop licking me. At the time, I was overwhelmed to be a first-time dog owner, and since Schlumpf is primarily a …