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So you want to get a dog for the first time. Congrats! Owning your own pup is one of the best feelings you can have, but it’s also a big responsibility, and not something that you should undertake without due care and research. Here are three things to keep in mind: Start-up costs are larger than you might think Every dog owner needs to buy a leash for their animal, a collar, food bowls and the food itself. But there’s more to think about than just those essentials. Have you considered the cost of bedding, travel, at-home crates,… Read More

Humans and dogs might be best friends, but that doesn’t mean we always get the relationship quite right. In fact, there are a number of behaviors we exhibit that actually cause our canine friends distress. Guilty of some of these? Don’t worry – many people are, and it’s a simple case of being more mindful in future. Patting a dog’s headWe’ve all done it – a simple head pat feels like just the right thing to do when your dog has behaved well. It’s a way of showing affection, right? But many dog behaviorists consider it bad form. Read More

“Why is my dog crying?” is not a question you have to ask every day, and yet, from time to time, your dog’s eyes will begin to produce tears. But before you reach for the tissues, safe in the assumption he’s feeling a tad emotional today, consider this: dogs aren’t able to cry emotional tears. While they feel emotions very strongly and react to our positive and negative emotions like soul mates would, a dog isn’t physically able to express emotion through tears alone.   Why? Well, that’s all down to the fact that a dog’s tear duct drains… Read More

We all know people who live in homes crammed high with nonessential things that have long since passed their expiry date. But did you know that dogs often resort to hoarding as well? Worse, dogs will often pick food as the object of their affection, then hide leftovers in hard-to-find places. If you’ve got a suspicious smell coming from the underside of the couch, chances are you’ve got a hoarder on your hands. Here’s what you need to know, and what you can do about it. Why do dogs hoard food? The behavior goes back thousands of years. Read More

Man’s best friend is a companion like no other, but no one likes a dog that fails to respect boundaries. Boundaries are important because they ensure a dog remains respectful, both at home and in public, and by following a few time-honored techniques, you can ensure your pet toes the line. Make it clear what your dog is doing wrong A lot of owners make the mistake of disciplining their dogs at the wrong time. If you’re trying to stop your dog eating off a plate, there’s no point waiting until it’s three mouthfuls in. To correct inappropriate behaviors… Read More

While there’s no such thing as a doggy IQ, per se, experts do agree that certain breeds are better at learning new commands and adapting to their environment than others. In the market for a furry Einstein? Here are the ten that are top of class (in descending order), based in large part on Stanley Coren’s book, The Intelligence of Dogs: A Guide to the Thoughts, Emotions, and Inner Lives of Our Canine Companions.  1: Border collie Experts are almost all in agreement on this one – the Scottish border collie is the smartest breed in the world, bred… Read More

So you’re looking to bring a dog into your house for the first time and you’re excited about making him part of the family. Great! Here are the biggest things to watch out for. Avoid these mistakes and you’ll have a happy, contended doggy on your hands. Mistake 1: Not doing your research Just because it’s cute doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good fit for your home. Know what breed will be right for you, because dogs come in all different shapes and sizes, and their energy requirements differ accordingly. Next, talk to the breeder about your… Read More

Bringing a dog home from a shelter? Trying to interact with a friend’s dog for the first time? We’ve all had those moments where our best intentions are spurned, and our well-meaning actions actually produce fear in the dog in question. Our immediate reaction is to feel hurt and surprised. Rejection is never nice, especially when we’re trying to be friendly. But remember: dogs don’t see social interactions the same way we do. And there could be a host of reasons the dog is reacting in its way. So without further ado, here are a… Read More

Every dog owner is familiar with the experience of sitting down to a plate of something delicious only to feel the shadow of their pet hovering nearby, tongue lolling. Some dogs might even try to get at your plate directly, and this is particularly annoying for people who enter your home as a guest. Make no mistake: our four-legged friends love anything edible, even if it’s bad for them, like chocolate. So, what can be done about it? Should you simply accept this as a reality of life with a dog, or are there steps you can take to… Read More

As we’ve stressed many times in the past, exercise is a great way of keeping a dog happy and calm. One of the best ways to do this? Regular walks around your neighborhood, or to your local park. In fact, a dog walk is not only a way of exercising your dog (and by extension, calming them), it’s also a chance for you to show that you’re the leader of the household, as we’ll explain below. Tip #1: Assert yourself as the pack leader By walking ahead of your dog during a walk, you send the message… Read More