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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

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

Puppies are hardwired to be fascinated about the world around them, but because of their inexperience, they’re liable to be fearful of things as well. In the article to follow, we’re going to lean on insights from expert dog behaviorists who explore how to tackle – and improve – the behavior of young dogs. Inexperience is the root cause of frenetic behavior Struggling to keep your puppy under control? Unable to go out in public without her cowering in fear? That’s not unusual. As dog behaviorist Jeff Stallings notes in his article on the topic, puppies are… Read More

More and more, modern offices are coming round to the idea that having a pet or two in the vicinity is good for business – after all, who doesn’t like a furball to play with during breaks from day-to-day tasks? That said, while bringing your dog to the office is a useful way of ensuring the animal isn’t home alone and lonely, not every breed is suited to the office environment. Moreover, there are a few things to keep in mind before taking the decision. Consider the breed Certain breeds are better suited to offices than others. Here are a… Read More

If you suffer from pet-related allergies, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans report that they get the sniffles the minute a dog is around. But though it’s widely believed that your dog’s fur is to blame, this is actually false. In reality, allergies are caused by proteins produced in animal skin. These proteins are microscopic (far smaller than dust particles) and they can live in the atmosphere of your house for months at a time. Think of it as a kind of dandruff with a sticky surface that finds a way to endure. All dogs produce the protein that causes… Read More

Dogs change as they get older. The same is true of any sophisticated animal. However, certain behavioral changes might not just be a symptom of the ageing process and might be indicative of a larger problem. Here are a few things to look out for. My dog is moving more slowly than usual Dogs inevitably slow down as they get older. They’re less well equipped to deal with strenuous exercise, they take frequent naps, and their movements might start to resemble those of an animal walking through mud. But not so fast. The physical changes might have a very real… Read More

As anyone in the Midwest will tell you, it’s been a long winter, but the good news is that bright and sunny summer months are on the horizon. With that in mind, now’s the time to start savoring the thought of getting out the house with your furry friend. Here are a few great things to do. A day out at the beach If you’re lucky enough to live near the ocean you owe it to yourself – and your dog – to take a trip to the beach. Dogs love to get stuck in to the sand; they’ll be… Read More

Suspect your dog is pregnant? Wondering how long the pregnancy lasts, and how many pups are likely to be born at the end of it all? We’ve got you covered in this pregnancy guide. How do I tell if my dog is pregnant? Unlike humans, getting a read on whether your dog is pregnant or not can be tricky. The signs are not as obvious. Things to look out for include: 1. An increase in hunger levels 2. A change in behavior (often, they become keener on affection) 3. An inability or lack of desire to exercise 4. Vomiting or… Read More