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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

Dogs and humans have lived in harmony for thousands of years. It’s one of the strongest and longest-enduring relationships between our species and any animal. Dogs have and continue to help us reach new heights; they’re dependable companions, loyal servants, guards at night, and companions to the disabled. And yet, for all the stock we’ve built up together, we so regularly get things wrong. Here are four key things you need to know about your dog. Dogs live in the moment One of the biggest mistakes we make is punishing our dog for an action he/she has committed hours earlier. Read More

While it can make all the sense in the world to adopt two dogs from the same litter – siblings, no less – this isn’t always the wisest course of action. Yes, breaking up young pups can be heartbreaking, but there are some very real reasons to avoid bringing siblings into your home. Note, what we’re going to unpack is based on anecdotal evidence but has been borne out by dog owners worldwide. So, let’s get started. Not all siblings bond in the early weeks of their life – but some do, and that bond is very profound Littermate syndrome… 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