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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

Dogs are full of unusual behaviors, behaviors they seemingly come equipped with out of the box. Whether it’s burying their heads in sand (are they looking for treasure?) or guarding their territory, dogs are hardwired to do certain things. Here’s how you can interpret those actions. Rolling around in dirt – or worse Ever noticed that your dog is drawn to the worst things lying around off the beaten track? Say, a giant pile of poop? Before you know what’s happening, he’s rushing over to inspect the offering and lo and behold, rolling around in it. The good news… Read More

When we talk to dogs, we tend to use the ears and the eyes to communicate. We put out our hand in a restraining way, palm facing outwards, a reassuring or commanding phrase following our gesture. “Stay”, we might say. Or “stop it.” Or “leave it”. But as famed dog behaviorist Cesar Millan has noted, a dog uses one tool first and foremost: its nose. A dog’s sense of smell is upwards of 40 times more sensitive than our own sense of smell, and if you can harness this, you’ll be able to achieve mastery. What follows 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

Pups are all the rage, and with good reason. Who doesn’t like owning a cute young dog, one that you can watch develop and grow? Old is not as cool, of course, but many people simply don’t realize that adopting an elderly dog is even a viable option. Well, hopefully this article will give you pause for thought. A “senior” dog is typically between the ages of seven to nine, and in the article below, we’ll outline a few good reasons to consider adopting a senior dog, as opposed to a fit young pup. Elderly dogs in shelters have… Read More

Dogs and children go together like salt and pepper: it’s just a pairing that works. And while we’re not suggesting you run out and buy a dog for the express purpose of keeping your child company, there are very good reasons why have a four-legged friend in the house is good for your child’s development. Dogs teach children to be more responsible Dogs are a big responsibility and they require more attention than a lot of other pets. They need regular feeding, regular walking, regular maintenance. Children who grow up with dogs and assume some of these responsibilities… 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

Dogs love to nibble. In fact, some say the quickest way to a dog’s heart is through her stomach. It’s the quickest way to get her to be obedient too, and because food is such a powerful agent for coaxing desirable behaviors from your animal, it can be tempting to reward her for every good deed she does. But as dog behaviorists have discovered, and outlined, this approach stymies development. Repetition only works at first Before we dive in, let’s start with an indisputable truism: if you’re trying to teach a young pup to obey your command, you need to… Read More