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If you own a dog, you’ve no doubt fallen into the same trap as everyone else. You’ve looked at your beloved pet and thought: you’re an extension of me; you think the same way, you see things the same way, you want the same things. It’s human nature to attribute our feelings and wants and needs to a companion that’s so often beside us. But while dogs are quite capable of making us happy, they tend to have a very different way of assessing the world. And as for those thoughts… Read More

Summer is here and the Fahrenheit is rising, but while it’s tough on you and me, dogs can really struggle in the heat. Our furry friends don’t have sweat glands the size of ours, for one, and have to make do with heat extraction through their paws. The other way they cool down is by panting a lot, but when they’ve got a hot fur coat to contend with as well, that’s not always enough. Warning signs include excessively red gums, thick saliva and a very high body temperature. Read More

Dogs don’t only age physically. In fact, many of the biggest ailments they face in their advancing years are all mental. Doggy dementia can cause a host of behavioral changes including separation anxiety and disorientation. From about the age of 11 onwards, the likelihood of your dog suffering from dementia shoots up, and experts estimate that more than half of dogs aged 15 or older are suffering from some form of cognitive decline. The question is, what you can you do about it to make your dog’s life as easy and pleasant… Read More

A hyperactive dog can be a real headache. Whether he’s digging holes in the yard and burying your valuables, making a noise or jumping up at you and guests, you’ll want to curb this sort of behavior ASAP. The good news is that, with the right approach, it’s entirely possible to put a lid on it. Tip #1: Ignore it Hyperactivity is often a bargaining tactic. Your dog is saying: “I’ll keep making a ruckus until you acknowledge I’m here and give me some attention.” So do the… Read More

Aggression is a common problem dog owners face, and it’s a reality every owner dreads. Certain breeds are more passive than others, but even the most good-natured litter occasionally produces a dog that growls more than it wags its tail.   The good news is that professional help is everywhere you look, and if your dog is displaying repeated antisocial or aggressive behavior you need to enlist the services of a proper trainer immediately.   Taking him into public when he’s improperly conditioned is dangerous to others. Moving objects, like a runner going… Read More

In the last few articles we’ve talked about how dogs and humans are similar in ways we often don’t realize, and today, it’s time to look at another aspect of doggy culture that mirrors our own: the canine celebrity. Apollo German Shepherd 350 rescue dogs were deployed at the site of the Twin Towers’ destruction on September 11, 2001. Appollo was the first dog on the scene with his handler Pete Davis, a mere fifteen minutes after the attack. For sixteen hours a day, Appollo and… Read More

Dogs have been at our side for thousands of years. They’re great foils that complement our strengths and weaknesses. With a dog at your side, you’ve got a companion with a sense of smell that can keep you out of danger and eyesight that can pick up ultraviolet light. You’ve also got a companion who rides an emotional rollercoaster just like you. We might be different in so many ways, but as these amazing facts reveal, dogs are like us in many ways too, and a truly indispensable part of our lives. Dogs can… Read More

If history is to be believed, thousands of years ago early humans bred gray wolves. Over time, these wolves were domesticated, fed and selectively bred. Slowly but surely they lost their wild tendencies and inherited different physical characteristics too. A slow evolution had occurred, and with it came an animal perfectly suited to people. Welcome to the dog we know and love today. Thanks to its historical connection to us, our pet is more like us than you might think. Dogs can read facial expressions There’s arguably no animal on the planet… Read More

Morbid as it might be, every owner has to front up to the fact that their dog won’t live forever. A single dog year is roughly equal to seven human years, but like humans, life expectancy varies depending on the dog and the breed. With that in mind, let’s take at the longest-living breeds followed by the shortest-living members of the doggy kingdom. Read until the end, because we’ve got some pointers on keeping your dog as fit and healthy as can be. Longest living Jack Russell Terrier… Read More

Looking to exude calm, show assertiveness and teach your dog all the right habits? We’ve got the lowdown on some common problems – and some handy solutions – right here. How to: guard against rowdiness Getting home from work to find the dog has chewed the carpets and is scrabbling over the floorboards to jump up at you? That’s a sure sign he isn’t getting enough exercise. Make sure you ignore him until he has calmed down. Don’t make eye contact and don’t… Read More