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.
Does Your Dog Act Like They’re In Charge? Here’s What’s Really Going On
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
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…
Is Your Dog Acting Like a Juiced-Up, Rage-Fueled Gym Bro? Here’s Why They’re Suddenly So Aggressive
2 days ago
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…
Why Does My Dog Mouth Me? A Vet Explains The Real Reasons
2 days ago
Why Does My Dog Mouth Me? A Vet Explains The Real Reasons
So, why does your dog mouth you all the time? And more importantly, how can you stop it without damaging…
Why Do Dogs Sit, Sleep, Or Lay on Your Feet? Here Are 8 Reasons, And You Won’t Believe #6!
2 days ago
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!
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
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
2 days ago
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…
Your Dog’s Stare Is A Message. Are You Reading It Right?
4 days ago
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…
Resource Guarding In Dogs: Why It Happens & How To Handle It Safely
6 days ago
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
1 week ago
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?
1 week ago
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
1 week ago
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
1 week ago
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
1 week ago
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
2 weeks ago
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
2 weeks ago
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?
2 weeks ago
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…
Your Dog Isn’t Just Kissing You — Here’s Why They Lick Your Face
3 weeks ago
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…
Why Does Your Dog Follow You To The Bathroom? A Vet Uncovers 10 Reasons
3 weeks ago
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
3 weeks ago
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
4 weeks ago
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 Sniff Crotches? Our Researchers Dig In
December 8, 2025
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…
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…
Can Dogs See Ghosts? A Deep Sniff Into the Paranormal
November 14, 2025
Can Dogs See Ghosts? A Deep Sniff Into the Paranormal
Can dogs see ghosts? My dog barks like an absolute maniac at nothing, all day and all night. At least,…
Bell Training For Dogs: The Communication Trick Every Owner Should Try
November 7, 2025
Bell Training For Dogs: The Communication Trick Every Owner Should Try
Have you ever considered bell training your dog? It is a method in which you train dogs to use a…
Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails? It’s Not Always A Sign Of Happiness!
November 7, 2025
Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails? It’s Not Always A Sign Of Happiness!
Why do dogs wag their tails? The answer isn’t as simple as you think. If you’ve been assuming every wag…
Dog Agility Training: Turn Your Chaos Goblin Into A Backyard Athlete
November 7, 2025
Dog Agility Training: Turn Your Chaos Goblin Into A Backyard Athlete
Your dog’s got Olympic energy and zero boundaries. Couch parkour? Elite level. Zoom call sock theft? Unmatched. And somehow, they’re…
Wait… Dogs Can Be Ticklish?! What Happens When You Find The Spot!
November 4, 2025
Wait… Dogs Can Be Ticklish?! What Happens When You Find The Spot!
If you’ve ever caught your pup mid-scratch-session, leg flailing and eyes full of betrayal, you’re not alone. Dog parents everywhere…
Why Dogs Bark At Other Dogs (And How To Stop It)
November 3, 2025
Why Dogs Bark At Other Dogs (And How To Stop It)
You’re walking your dog when it happens: another pup appears, and suddenly your calm companion turns into a barking machine.…
Do Dogs Understand Death Like We Do? The Answer Might Surprise You
October 31, 2025
Do Dogs Understand Death Like We Do? The Answer Might Surprise You
Science says dogs may not think about death the way humans do, but growing research and countless heart-wrenching owner stories…
Your Dog’s Bored — Here’s How To Fix It In 5 Minutes A Day
October 31, 2025
Your Dog’s Bored — Here’s How To Fix It In 5 Minutes A Day
Most dog parent think their pup needs longer walks. In reality, the secret to calm, happy dogs is working their…