According to the ASPCA, food guarding or aggression is not the same as resource guarding. Most dogs become very excited around mealtime, watching you prepare their food. They hop around and even bark if you’re a bit slow. But some dogs are fearful that their food will be taken away. Other dogs see you as […]
Dog Behavior
Ever wonder why your dog does the things he does? Scientists have only recently begun studying dog behavior seriously. Dog owners all know that their dogs are intelligent and can understand them pretty well. Researchers are studying how much of the anecdotal stories can be proven scientifically and whether dogs’ behavior has been modified as a result of living closely with humans. They claim that humans may misinterpret dog behavior, seeing the dog’s actions through the prism of human behavior. Understanding a dog’s behavior opens up the possibilities of modifying it or simply reacting appropriately.
Trainers and Classes for Dogs
We all want our dogs to be well-behaved and not cause us embarrassment or worse. We can achieve this goal with proper training. When researching the right trainer for your dog, be sure to find one that uses positive training techniques. Positive reinforcement such as food, praise or play keep your dog attentive and anxious […]
Adopting a Feral Dog
Feral dogs, dogs that are abandoned or born to feral dogs will revert back to their wild behavior and usually live in packs. In many cultures dogs are not viewed as pets, they either must work for their food or just as often find it themselves or are left to roam at will. Fortunately, there […]
Message and Breakaway Collars for Dogs
Dexil, a company in the United Kingdom, has devised collars with a message. When walking your dog, the Dexil Friendly Dog Collars make people aware of your dog’s temperament and whether or not s/he is approachable. The system hopes to avoid unwanted encounters, both with humans and their dogs. There are different colored collars, harnesses […]
Why Dogs and Cats Sleep Curled Up
Have you ever watched your pet curl up on a winter’s day, feet tucked in, tail curled round covering the nose? While it may not look like the most comfortable position for your pet, it offers warmth and comfort. The curled position conserves body heat and while our dogs and cats usually have their own […]
Do Pets Recognize Littermates
No one really knows for sure, but it is believed that some pets can recognize their littermates after being separated for a time, particularly if separation occurs after 8-10 weeks old. We know from studies that wolves bond with littermates and form packs. They do not usually accept a stranger into their pack. Researchers have […]
Digging Dogs
Most dogs given the opportunity, the time and the place will dig. And they dig indiscriminately, generally in your favorite flower bed. What can we do to prevent digging? Well, let’s examine some reasons for digging and options to discourage it. Dogs dig for a number of reasons and it can be a very difficult […]
Happy Tail Syndrome
Dogs use their tails as part of communicating their feelings. Their happy greetings lift our spirits too. Some dogs seem so happy-go-lucky, their tails never stop wagging. But this excitement can lead to injury, sometimes serious, known as Happy Tail Syndrome or Kennel Tail. A tail that is rapidly wagging can meet a hard enough […]
Why Do Dogs and Cats Yawn
We humans are not the only creatures that yawn. Apes, snakes, rabbits, fish, some birds and cats and dogs yawn too. We yawn mainly when we’re tired or bored. But cats and dogs do so for other reasons. When pets yawn and stretch, especially when arising, they use all the muscles in their bodies and […]