Behavior
The best way to understand your dog’s behavior is to understand what their actions mean. Canine Journal can give you advice and feedback that will have you, your dog, and your family on a level of understanding that will make it fun and rewarding to live together. We address both ends of the leash in our behavioral topics, as it’s just as important that your pup understand your actions and the reasons behind your behavior.
Why Is My Dog Following Me Everywhere? 8 Common Reasons
3 days ago
Why Is My Dog Following Me Everywhere? 8 Common Reasons
If your dog follows you from room to room, you may have a “shadow dog.” Learn why dogs develop this…
Adopting Two Puppies Together Sounds Perfect. Here’s The Part No One Talks About.
4 weeks ago
Adopting Two Puppies Together Sounds Perfect. Here’s The Part No One Talks About.
Two puppies sound twice as fun, but raising littermates can come with unexpected challenges. Here’s what littermate syndrome really is…
Why Do Dogs Facepalm? What That Paw Over The Face Really Means
4 weeks ago
Why Do Dogs Facepalm? What That Paw Over The Face Really Means
Dogs covering their face with a paw can look adorable, dramatic, or slightly suspicious, depending on the timing. Most of…
Dog Mouthing vs Biting: How To Tell The Difference (And When To Worry)
4 weeks ago
Dog Mouthing vs Biting: How To Tell The Difference (And When To Worry)
So, why does your dog mouth you all the time? And more importantly, how can you stop it without damaging…
Is Your Dog Acting Like a Juiced-Up, Rage-Fueled Gym Bro? Here’s Why They’re Suddenly So Aggressive
February 12, 2026
Is Your Dog Acting Like a Juiced-Up, Rage-Fueled Gym Bro? Here’s Why They’re Suddenly So Aggressive
Did your dog suddenly become aggressive to you or another animal? Perhaps your normally sweet pup became aggressive to someone…
Dog Shaking Like They’ve Had One Too Many Espresso Shots? What’s Normal & When To Worry
February 11, 2026
Dog Shaking Like They’ve Had One Too Many Espresso Shots? What’s Normal & When To Worry
You look over, and your dog is standing there, fully awake, vibrating like they’ve had one too many espresso shots.…
Why Do Dogs Sniff Crotches? Our Researchers Dig In
February 11, 2026
Why Do Dogs Sniff Crotches? Our Researchers Dig In
If dogs ran the world, privacy wouldn’t exist. No secret would be safe—not your emotions, not your medical history, and…
6 Reasons Your Dog Won’t Stop Barking At Other Dogs (And How To Help)
February 11, 2026
6 Reasons Your Dog Won’t Stop Barking At Other Dogs (And How To Help)
You’re walking your dog when it happens: another pup appears, and suddenly your calm companion turns into a barking machine.…
Your Dog Isn’t Just Kissing You — Here’s Why They Lick Your Face
February 11, 2026
Your Dog Isn’t Just Kissing You — Here’s Why They Lick Your Face
You lean down and, before you know it, your dog’s tongue is all over your face. Sound familiar? Whether it’s…
What Do Dogs Dream About? The Adorable Truth Will Melt Your Heart
February 9, 2026
What Do Dogs Dream About? The Adorable Truth Will Melt Your Heart
So, what exactly is your dog dreaming about? And how can you make sure they have the sweetest dreams possible?…
Fireworks Freaking Out Your Dog? Here’s What Actually Helps
February 9, 2026
Fireworks Freaking Out Your Dog? Here’s What Actually Helps
Is your dog scared of fireworks? He's not alone! Although fireworks are a fun, exciting sight for us humans, dogs…
What Does Your Dog’s Favorite Toy Say About Their Personality?
February 2, 2026
What Does Your Dog’s Favorite Toy Say About Their Personality?
Dogs don’t choose favorite toys at random. The toy your dog fixates on often reflects how they handle excitement, comfort,…
Your Dog’s Stare Is A Message. Are You Reading It Right?
January 26, 2026
Your Dog’s Stare Is A Message. Are You Reading It Right?
You feel it before you see it — that unmistakable weight of canine attention. You glance up, and there it…
Does Your Dog Act Like They’re In Charge? Here’s What’s Really Going On
January 23, 2026
Does Your Dog Act Like They’re In Charge? Here’s What’s Really Going On
Sound familiar? Your dog ignores commands they clearly understand, pushes past you through doorways, and seems perfectly comfortable deciding how…
Why Your Dog Thinks They’re The Only One Allowed To Touch You
January 23, 2026
Why Your Dog Thinks They’re The Only One Allowed To Touch You
If I so much as scratch another dog behind the ears, my own pup, Tiny, materializes out of nowhere and…
Why Do Dogs Eat Their Vomit? And How To Stop This Nasty Habit
January 23, 2026
Why Do Dogs Eat Their Vomit? And How To Stop This Nasty Habit
As if dog vomit isn’t already enough to turn an owner’s stomach, what about those precious pooches who consider their…
Why Do Dogs Sit, Sleep, Or Lay on Your Feet? Here Are 8 Reasons, And You Won’t Believe #6!
January 23, 2026
Why Do Dogs Sit, Sleep, Or Lay on Your Feet? Here Are 8 Reasons, And You Won’t Believe #6!
Ever feel like your dog’s treating your feet like a heated throne? One minute you're standing, the next you’re stuck,…
When Your Dog’s Love Language Is Physical Touch … And The Pawing Is Driving You Nuts!
January 23, 2026
When Your Dog’s Love Language Is Physical Touch … And The Pawing Is Driving You Nuts!
Is your dog constantly pawing at you? Pawing can mean a variety of things, from seeking attention to dominance.
Why Your Dog Might Bite You Out of Nowhere
January 23, 2026
Why Your Dog Might Bite You Out of Nowhere
He didn’t growl. He didn’t snap. He just bit. One second, your dog’s wagging his tail, the next, he’s got…
Your Dog Growled At You. Here’s Why That Might Be A Good Thing
January 23, 2026
Your Dog Growled At You. Here’s Why That Might Be A Good Thing
A dog growling can stop a moment cold. At my house, it starts the second someone knocks. Daisy, my 85-pound…
From Vicious To Obedient: The Truth About Transforming Aggressive Dogs
January 23, 2026
From Vicious To Obedient: The Truth About Transforming Aggressive Dogs
Most of the time, when you see an aggressive dog, he was not born that way. An owner of this…
Your Dog Loses Their Mind Around Other Dogs: Dog-On-Dog Aggression Explained
January 23, 2026
Your Dog Loses Their Mind Around Other Dogs: Dog-On-Dog Aggression Explained
Having an aggressive dog can cause a lot of concerns for owners. Often, it can be challenging to take your…
How To Introduce Dogs Without Creating A Lifetime Grudge
January 23, 2026
How To Introduce Dogs Without Creating A Lifetime Grudge
I was so nervous when I brought home my dog Falkor. He was an eight-week-old ball of puppy fluff, so…
Resource Guarding In Dogs: Why It Happens & How To Handle It Safely
January 19, 2026
Resource Guarding In Dogs: Why It Happens & How To Handle It Safely
Resource guarding isn’t about dominance or defiance. It’s a response to perceived risk. This guide explains why dogs guard food,…
Think You Know Which Dog Breeds Attack The Most? The Truth May Surprise You
January 15, 2026
Think You Know Which Dog Breeds Attack The Most? The Truth May Surprise You
Owning a dog is a wonderful privilege and a huge responsibility. Along with the many positive benefits having a canine…
Dog Barks At Nothing… Is It A Ghost, Or Am I The Crazy One?
January 15, 2026
Dog Barks At Nothing… Is It A Ghost, Or Am I The Crazy One?
Your dog stares into the corner of the room. Nothing’s there. Then the barking starts. It’s late; you're half asleep,…
How To Teach A Dog To Sit Using The Ancient Art Of Butt Placement
January 15, 2026
How To Teach A Dog To Sit Using The Ancient Art Of Butt Placement
Yes, there’s an ancient method for getting your dog’s furry butt on the floor, and it’s surprisingly effective. And it's…
How to Teach a Dog to Come Without Begging, Bribing, or Crying in Public
January 15, 2026
How to Teach a Dog to Come Without Begging, Bribing, or Crying in Public
Yelled “Come!”, but got a tail flick and a disappearing butt instead? You’re not alone. Here’s how to teach a…
When Your Dog Ignores You: What’s Really Going On
January 15, 2026
When Your Dog Ignores You: What’s Really Going On
If your dog listens sometimes and tunes you out other times, it’s easy to wonder what changed. In most cases,…
Can Dogs Smell Fear? Science Explains How Dogs Sense Human Emotions
January 14, 2026
Can Dogs Smell Fear? Science Explains How Dogs Sense Human Emotions
Your dog stiffens before you even realize you’re nervous. Your palms sweat, your heart rate rises, and suddenly your pup…
Doggy Dan: The Online Dog Trainer Review
January 8, 2026
Doggy Dan: The Online Dog Trainer Review
Doggy Dan may be just what you need. The Online Dog Trainer (aka Doggy Dan), is one of New Zealand's…
Rehoming An Aggressive Dog: When Is It Time To Say Goodbye?
January 8, 2026
Rehoming An Aggressive Dog: When Is It Time To Say Goodbye?
Saying goodbye to your dog is difficult no matter what the circumstances. In my family's case, we had to bid…
Why Does Your Dog Follow You To The Bathroom? A Vet Uncovers 10 Reasons
January 2, 2026
Why Does Your Dog Follow You To The Bathroom? A Vet Uncovers 10 Reasons
It’s happened to every dog owner… you go to the bathroom, and your dog can’t help but join you. They…
12 Signs Your Dog Has Chosen You As Their Person
January 2, 2026
12 Signs Your Dog Has Chosen You As Their Person
You know that feeling when you stand up, and your dog stands up, too. You walk to the kitchen, and…
If Your Dog Stretches When They See You, This Is What They’re Really Saying
December 29, 2025
If Your Dog Stretches When They See You, This Is What They’re Really Saying
We all know our charming canine companions have some bone-afide quirky habits, but decoding their behavior can sometimes feel like…
The Real Reason Dogs Get Zoomies — And Why It’s Kind Of About You
December 22, 2025
The Real Reason Dogs Get Zoomies — And Why It’s Kind Of About You
Have you ever settled down for a quiet night, and your dog barrels through the room with a sudden burst…
Why Do Dogs Not Like Certain People? Discover What Your Dog Might Be Sensing
December 22, 2025
Why Do Dogs Not Like Certain People? Discover What Your Dog Might Be Sensing
Do dogs pick favorites? Absolutely — and while many pups form strong bonds with one person in the household, they’re…
Do Dogs Know When You’re Sad? Signs, Science & Sweet Stories
December 22, 2025
Do Dogs Know When You’re Sad? Signs, Science & Sweet Stories
Do dogs know when you are sad? Do canines understand when a human cries? We often wonder if our pets…
Unlocking The Silence: Why Dogs Bark So Much & What You Can Do About It
December 18, 2025
Unlocking The Silence: Why Dogs Bark So Much & What You Can Do About It
You’re enjoying a quiet afternoon in the yard. Birds are chirping, the water feature is trickling, and everything feels peaceful…
When Your Dog Poops & Stares At You… Here’s What It Means
December 17, 2025
When Your Dog Poops & Stares At You… Here’s What It Means
Have you ever glanced over at your sweet pup while on a walk, only to discover they are mid-squatting and…
How Do Dogs Communicate With Each Other? The Hidden Language You’ve Been Missing
December 16, 2025
How Do Dogs Communicate With Each Other? The Hidden Language You’ve Been Missing
If you’ve ever watched two dogs meet, sniffing, circling, freezing, then suddenly exploding into play or tension, you’ve witnessed a…
What Smells Do Dogs Hate Most? These 10 Might Be In Your Home
December 8, 2025
What Smells Do Dogs Hate Most? These 10 Might Be In Your Home
What smells do dogs hate? It’s a question I never really thought about until I started walking Falkor, my Poodle…
Why Do Dogs Like Sticking Their Heads Out The Car Window?
December 2, 2025
Why Do Dogs Like Sticking Their Heads Out The Car Window?
Ah, the open road — sun shining, tunes bumping, and that unmistakable image of pure canine joy: a dog’s head…
Why Do Corgis Sploot? The Science (And Sass) Behind That Adorable Pose
December 2, 2025
Why Do Corgis Sploot? The Science (And Sass) Behind That Adorable Pose
You’ve seen it — that unmistakable pose where your Corgi drops flat on the floor, back legs stretched behind them…
Why Dogs Sigh: The Drama Behind That Deep Breath
December 1, 2025
Why Dogs Sigh: The Drama Behind That Deep Breath
On most afternoons, right when I’m hitting that mid-day slump, my little dog Falkor wanders over like he’s checking on…
Socialization Secrets: Why Your Dog Acts Wild Around Strangers
November 26, 2025
Socialization Secrets: Why Your Dog Acts Wild Around Strangers
Ever wonder why your sweet dog suddenly turns into an angry or overexcited tornado the moment a stranger shows up?…
Why Do Dogs Lick Everything? (Even the Couch, Floor, and You)
November 26, 2025
Why Do Dogs Lick Everything? (Even the Couch, Floor, and You)
Your dog licks the floor like it’s a five-star buffet, your feet like you’re made of bacon, and your face…
Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads? Science Says It’s Not Just “Aww”
November 24, 2025
Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads? Science Says It’s Not Just “Aww”
Your dog does that dramatic little head tilt, and you melt. But what if that cute moment is more than…
How To Stop A Dog From Digging Holes Under Fences, In Bed, In Yard & More – Why Do Dogs Dig Holes?
November 19, 2025
How To Stop A Dog From Digging Holes Under Fences, In Bed, In Yard & More – Why Do Dogs Dig Holes?
Why do dogs dig holes? Is your yard starting to look like a minefield? It's important to know that your…
7 Weird Dog Sleeping Positions: #5 Will Have You Crying Laughing!
November 17, 2025
7 Weird Dog Sleeping Positions: #5 Will Have You Crying Laughing!
There’s nothing more heart-melting than watching your dog sleep—until they suddenly look like a tangled pile of misplaced limbs. One…