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Fevers, aches, chills…there’s no shortage of symptoms when we get sick. If our stomach aches, we can take some medicine and get some rest. It’s not quite that easy for our dogs. In fact, it can be rather tough to tell when your dog isn’t feeling quite right even if you’re attuned to his body language and habits. Is your dog sleeping more than normal? Has he stopped scarfing down his food? If so, the chances that he is experiencing some discomfort are likely. Dogs have a different way of communicating when they’re sick and it’s up to us to… Read More

It’s true that dogs and cats have human characteristics, including a personality they call their own. But there are many classic situations where our interpretation of events is flat-out wrong, all because we think our animal thinks just like us. Let’s examine some of those scenarios. When we shout, we seem really scary Wrong! Let’s picture the scene: Fido is a Scottish Terrier running amok in the home. You stand over him and start raising your voice. In your mind, you’re telling him to get his act together and stop making a mess. But to Fido, the loud voice is… Read More

Dogs are pack members There’s a reason dogs are thought to be more sociable than cats: very often they are. While the latter are solitary animals that hunt alone, the former are used to being in big groups and operating within the pack. Instinctively dogs search for this in the home, which is why they look up to you as a pack leader and want to be kept socially active a lot of the time. Of course, not every cat is quiet and shy and not every dog needs constant attention, but the stereotypical depiction of both species is grounded… Read More

Ever seen your dog do something that seemed so uncharacteristic, you temporarily questioned whether there was something wrong with them? Ever seen your dog display mind-blowing intuition to the point you think, “they’re practically human”? Well, we’ve pinpointed five uncommon behaviors you might have spied – and we’re here to tell you that if you have, you’re not alone. Empathy There have been stories of people battling panic attacks who were inexplicably greeted by their furry friend. If you notice that your dog puts his paw on you as a way of saying – “I understand” – he probably really… Read More

We tend to think that a dog that’s jumping up and down and barking madly is happy. In fact, the opposite is true. Serenity and calm are signs that your dog is content, while excitement can often spell impending aggression. The first step to curbing excitement is recognizing that it’s a problem. The second stage is doing something about it. Here are our tips for discouraging excitable, potentially aggressive behavior. Don’t encourage your dog If we equate excitement with happiness, we’re very likely to pat a dog that’s excitedly jumping to and fro, thereby reinforcing the behavior. What we want… Read More

In today’s article we’re going to examine whether your dog is being aggressive or simply engaging in play, with a particular focus on puppies, a group who are often guilty of going too hard. In focus: the rough-and-tumble between a puppy and a dog of its own age (or an adult), as well as a particular feature of young pups: nipping. What does a nip mean? Nips, or little bites, are common behaviors from young dogs. This isn’t a sign of aggression at all, but rather a sign that the dog needs to cool off a bit. What you should… Read More

We’ve written at length about the things to do to keep your dog from barking all the time, but it’s worth considering what that bark actually means. As Cesar Milan notes, dogs don’t lie. The bark is a window into their personality; into a set of needs and preferences. Scratching your head? Here are a few of the possibilities in play. Often, a bark can be a sign that a dog is overindulged. A dog at the center of a manic household is a dog that’s likely to be badly behaved. Just like spoilt children, dogs whose owners… Read More

Cortisol, that hormone that floods our body any time we’re under stress, is a reality of adult life. Busy commuter journeys, long office hours and piling commitments can send us into a heightened state of fight-or-flight. But, did you know that dogs get stressed as well? They too have cortisol to contend with. And what’s more, our furry friends tend to mirror the stress we’re feeling after a day’s work. In other words, if you’re coming home in a blind panic, your dog is going to respond in kind. What’s happening? A study in Nature shows there’s… Read More

Just like humans, dogs grieve the loss of loved ones, whether it be a human or canine companion. Dogs are both acutely aware of their loss and capable of feeling a cascade of emotions in response – similar to the emotional range of human experience. So when you’re presented with a sorrowful, mourning dog – one in the depths of depression – just what do you do? Well, the first thing is to identify when a dog is in mourning. A common first sign is sluggishness; are they moving more slowly or spend more time sleeping, with none of the… Read More

Picture the scene: you’re walking down the road when you come across two dogs going at one another physically. Heaven forbid, it might even be your own dog caught in the fray. You want to take action – of course you do, but you’re worried about the consequences. You umm and arr and act indecisively. A bad move. Step #1: Resist the urge to shout Behaviorist Cesar Millan cautions against one yelling at the top of your lungs for the dogs to disengage. This will be an ineffective strategy, and it’s only to be used if you’re actually calling… Read More