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.

7 Weird Dog Sleeping Positions: #5 Will Have You Crying Laughing!

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

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

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!

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

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!

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…
Do Dogs Understand Death Like We Do? The Answer Might Surprise You

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

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…
Wait… Why Is My Dog Licking Another Dog’s Ear?

Wait… Why Is My Dog Licking Another Dog’s Ear?

You glance over at the dog park and, yep, your pup is tongue-deep in another dog’s ear. Gross? Sweet? A…
Why Is My Dog Obsessed With Licking Other Dogs’ Mouths?

Why Is My Dog Obsessed With Licking Other Dogs’ Mouths?

If you’ve ever taken your pup to the dog park, you’ve probably seen it: two dogs sniff hello, then one…
How to Train a Dog Without Treats – Yes, Even Your Stubborn Gremlin

How to Train a Dog Without Treats – Yes, Even Your Stubborn Gremlin

So your dog only listens when you’re holding a chicken nugget hostage? Same. Mine used to stare me down like…
Dog Anxiety: Why Your Pup Acts Like You Died Every Time You Leave The Room

Dog Anxiety: Why Your Pup Acts Like You Died Every Time You Leave The Room

You step out for coffee. Your dog acts like you vanished into a black hole. Chewed shoes, dramatic howling, pacing…
New Dog Bite Statistics Revealed: Top Dog Breeds Linked To Bites & Bite Risks

New Dog Bite Statistics Revealed: Top Dog Breeds Linked To Bites & Bite Risks

According to a study from the Center For Disease Control (CDC), approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States…
Best Dog Pee Pads: Our Top 6 Picks & More

Best Dog Pee Pads: Our Top 6 Picks & More

Do you have a new puppy that is peeing everywhere? Or maybe your old dog is starting to leak. If…
Best Dog Training Whistle For Barking, Recall & More (21+ Tested!)

Best Dog Training Whistle For Barking, Recall & More (21+ Tested!)

If you're contemplating using a dog whistle to train your pup, I'm here to help. I give you some guidance…
Is That Barking Even Legal? What Every Dog Owner (And Neighbor) Should Know

Is That Barking Even Legal? What Every Dog Owner (And Neighbor) Should Know

Whether you own a dog that won’t stop barking or you’re dealing with a neighbor’s noisy pup, you may be…
Why Do Dogs Lick You? It’s More Than A Canine Kiss

Why Do Dogs Lick You? It’s More Than A Canine Kiss

Does your best furry friend shower you with her slobbery tongue all the time? If so, you may wonder, why…
Dog Fighting Facts: We Need To Break The Chain

Dog Fighting Facts: We Need To Break The Chain

Dogfighting is not a relic of the past. Across the United States, federal agents and rescue teams continue to uncover…
Top 15 Best Anti-Chew Sprays For Dogs (Tested & Reviewed)

Top 15 Best Anti-Chew Sprays For Dogs (Tested & Reviewed)

So, you have a new pup that shreds anything he can sink his teeth into? Or maybe your middle-aged dog…
Why Do Dogs Eat Other Dogs’ Poop? Facts, Dangers & Fixes

Why Do Dogs Eat Other Dogs’ Poop? Facts, Dangers & Fixes

You’re enjoying a nice, peaceful walk when suddenly your dog dives headfirst into the unspeakable. Before you can react, they’ve…
The Poop Buffet: Why Your Dog Treats The Backyard Like A Golden Corral

The Poop Buffet: Why Your Dog Treats The Backyard Like A Golden Corral

You let your dog outside to do its business, and before you know it, they are cleaning up after themselves,…
Why Do Dogs Sniff? What Your Pup’s Nose Knows That You Don’t

Why Do Dogs Sniff? What Your Pup’s Nose Knows That You Don’t

If you’ve ever taken your dog on what was supposed to be a “quick walk,” only to spend 10 minutes…
Separation Anxiety In Dogs: The Real Reason Your Pup Freaks Out When You Leave

Separation Anxiety In Dogs: The Real Reason Your Pup Freaks Out When You Leave

They’re not mad. You just vanished into the void again, and they’re spiraling. Separation anxiety in dogs is that dramatic…
Can Dogs Understand Humans? Here’s What The Science Says

Can Dogs Understand Humans? Here’s What The Science Says

I talk to my dog all day, about emails, snacks, and why the mailman is not a villain. But does…
How To Stop A Dog From Biting: Proven Tips For Puppies And Adults

How To Stop A Dog From Biting: Proven Tips For Puppies And Adults

Every year, millions of people, including children, are bitten by dogs, often in situations their owners never saw coming. If…
Dog Whining Decoded: What Your Pup’s Whimper Really Means

Dog Whining Decoded: What Your Pup’s Whimper Really Means

Every whine is a message, and some could save your dog’s life. Your dog’s whimper isn’t just background noise; it’s…
Dog Twitching In Sleep Isn’t Just Cute: It’s A Peek Inside Their Dreams

Dog Twitching In Sleep Isn’t Just Cute: It’s A Peek Inside Their Dreams

You notice it out of the corner of your eye, your dog, curled up and still, suddenly twitches. A leg…
Dog Sneezing Like Crazy? 8 Reasons Behind That Achoo Attack

Dog Sneezing Like Crazy? 8 Reasons Behind That Achoo Attack

Trying to figure out why your dog is sneezing all the time? There's actually a number of different reasons this…
Dog Stair Safety: 8 Proven Tips To Prevent Slips, Falls & Vet Bills

Dog Stair Safety: 8 Proven Tips To Prevent Slips, Falls & Vet Bills

Did you know stair-related falls send thousands of dogs to the vet every year, and that many of these injuries…
4 Best Dog Training Clickers (We Tested 11 So You Don’t Have To!)

4 Best Dog Training Clickers (We Tested 11 So You Don’t Have To!)

Training a new puppy or leveling up your dog training game? Many pros swear by clickers for better results. We…
Why Do Dogs Love Mud? 7 Filthy Facts That Explain Everything

Why Do Dogs Love Mud? 7 Filthy Facts That Explain Everything

You just spent $50 on grooming. Fifteen minutes later, your dog is proudly marinating in a mud puddle like it’s…
Dog Pees When Excited? Welcome To The Splash Zone!

Dog Pees When Excited? Welcome To The Splash Zone!

If your canine companion seems to pee every time they get excited, you aren't alone! This behavior happens frequently in…
Your Dog’s Butt-Sniffing Habit, Explained (It’s Not Just Weird!)

Your Dog’s Butt-Sniffing Habit, Explained (It’s Not Just Weird!)

Dogs sniff butts. A lot. It's one of those canine behaviors that's equal parts hilarious, embarrassing, and completely normal. But…
Dog Body Language: The Hidden Messages Revealed

Dog Body Language: The Hidden Messages Revealed

Dogs may not speak our language, but they constantly talk to us. Every wag of the tail, head tilt, or…
Is Your Dog Yawning Or Throwing Shade? You’ll Be Surprised By The Answer

Is Your Dog Yawning Or Throwing Shade? You’ll Be Surprised By The Answer

If your dog just let out a huge yawn, they could be tired or quietly judging your life choices. Dog…
Why Do Dogs Howl? 10 Weird Reasons You Won’t Believe

Why Do Dogs Howl? 10 Weird Reasons You Won’t Believe

Your dog isn’t broken. They just really, really need to be heard. But why do dogs howl at sirens, songs,…
How To Stop Dog Eating Poop – Home Remedies That Feel Like A Miracle

How To Stop Dog Eating Poop – Home Remedies That Feel Like A Miracle

How to stop a dog eating poop? Step one: admit you live with a tiny, furry poop connoisseur. A steaming…
From Whining to Wagging: 7 Ways To Beat Dog Travel Anxiety

From Whining to Wagging: 7 Ways To Beat Dog Travel Anxiety

My dog Daisy, a senior Pitbull-Labrador mix, has always struggled with travel anxiety. She’s calm and relaxed at home, but…
Do Dogs Ever Shut Up, Or Are We Doomed Forever? Here’s The Barking Truth

Do Dogs Ever Shut Up, Or Are We Doomed Forever? Here’s The Barking Truth

Whenever the doorbell rings, a truck drives by, a neighbor takes a walk, or the wind blows, my dog Falkor…
27 Dog Tricks You Can Teach Your Pup Right Now

27 Dog Tricks You Can Teach Your Pup Right Now

Looking for some new dog tricks to teach your sweet pup? Teaching your dog different dog tricks isn't necessarily hard.…
When Your Dog Holds It In: Why Your Dog Won’t Poop Or Pee On Walks

When Your Dog Holds It In: Why Your Dog Won’t Poop Or Pee On Walks

It’s a beautiful day, leash in hand, and your dog is trotting happily beside you. But after 20 minutes, there’s…
Why Do Some Dogs Keep Licking & Smacking Their Lips? Hint: It’s Not Always About Food

Why Do Some Dogs Keep Licking & Smacking Their Lips? Hint: It’s Not Always About Food

Dogs do many things that leave us scratching our heads: circling before they poop, barking at invisible squirrels, and, yes,…
Is Your Dog Secretly A Cow? Top 7 Reasons They Like To Graze

Is Your Dog Secretly A Cow? Top 7 Reasons They Like To Graze

Before you start worrying or rushing to stop your dog from grazing, let’s break it all down. Is eating grass…
I Thought My Dog Was Just Being Weird. Then I Learned Why Dogs Eat Dirt

I Thought My Dog Was Just Being Weird. Then I Learned Why Dogs Eat Dirt

Of all the things your dog could eat, shoes, couch cushions, mysterious sidewalk snacks, they go for dirt. Plain, flavorless,…
Can Dogs Smile? The Truth Behind Those Happy Faces

Can Dogs Smile? The Truth Behind Those Happy Faces

Every day, when I walk through the door, my dog Daisy is there, her tail wagging furiously, eyes shining, and…
“Born This Way”? What Your Dog’s Same-Sex Behavior Might Really Mean

“Born This Way”? What Your Dog’s Same-Sex Behavior Might Really Mean

Pup owners have a tendency to anthropomorphize their dogs. After all, many of us consider our furry friends as beloved…
The Poop Loop: Why Your Dog Must Spin Before They Go

The Poop Loop: Why Your Dog Must Spin Before They Go

Owning a dog is like living with a furry little mystery machine. Every day brings new questions. Why is he…