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.
Do Dogs Understand Death Like We Do? The Answer Might Surprise You
5 days ago
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 Isn’t Just Kissing You — What Face Licking Really Means
5 days ago
Your Dog Isn’t Just Kissing You — What Face Licking Really Means
Why does your dog lick your face? Those slobbery “dog kisses” can mean affection, excitement, attention-seeking, stress, or something much…
What Smells Do Dogs Hate Most? These 10 Might Be In Your Home
5 days ago
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…
If Your Dog Stretches When They See You, This Is What They’re Really Saying
5 days 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…
Why Does My Dog Hate One Specific Person? What They Might Be Sensing
5 days ago
Why Does My Dog Hate One Specific Person? What They Might Be Sensing
Do dogs pick favorites? Absolutely — and while many pups form strong bonds with one person in the household, they’re…
Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Their Lips? What This Strange Behavior Means
5 days ago
Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Their Lips? What This Strange Behavior Means
Why does your dog keep licking or smacking their lips when there’s no food around? Sometimes it’s completely normal, but…
Can Dogs Smell Fear? Science Explains How Dogs Sense Human Emotions
5 days 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…
Dog Stair Safety: 8 Proven Tips To Prevent Slips, Falls & Vet Bills
5 days ago
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…
How To Stop Dog Eating Poop – Home Remedies That Feel Like A Miracle
5 days ago
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…
Why Dogs Get Obsessed With Certain Toys (And Ignore the Rest)
5 days ago
Why Dogs Get Obsessed With Certain Toys (And Ignore the Rest)
What do dogs think of their toys? From carrying a favorite toy everywhere to tearing it apart, dogs show clear…
Do Dogs Know When You’re Sad? Signs, Science & Sweet Stories
5 days ago
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…
The Real Reason Dogs Get Zoomies — And Why It’s Kind Of About You
5 days ago
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…
When Your Dog Poops & Stares At You… Here’s What It Means
5 days ago
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…
Why Is My Dog Licking The Floor? It’s Not Always About The Crumbs
5 days ago
Why Is My Dog Licking The Floor? It’s Not Always About The Crumbs
An occasional lick may mean your dog found a missed crumb. Sudden, frequent, or frantic floor licking can point to…
Why Is My Dog Following Me Everywhere? 8 Common Reasons
5 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…
Why Is My Dog Suddenly Digging? 7 Reasons & How To Stop It
5 days ago
Why Is My Dog Suddenly Digging? 7 Reasons & How To Stop It
When your dog suddenly digs up the yard, look at where, when, and why it happens. These clues can reveal…
Is Your Dog Mouthing Or Biting? Here’s How To Tell
5 days ago
Is Your Dog Mouthing Or Biting? Here’s How To Tell
Why does your dog keep mouthing you, and when does it cross the line from playful to problematic? We explain…
Dog Sneezing Like Crazy? 8 Reasons Behind That Achoo Attack
5 days ago
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…
Why Do Dogs Howl? 7 Reasons Your Dog Has Joined The Choir
5 days ago
Why Do Dogs Howl? 7 Reasons Your Dog Has Joined The Choir
Wondering why do dogs howl at sirens? Does your dog howl every time an ambulance or emergency vehicle rolls by?…
Socialization Secrets: Why Your Dog Acts Wild Around Strangers
5 days ago
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 Your Dog Might Bite You Out of Nowhere
5 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…
Think You Know Which Dog Breeds Attack The Most? The Truth May Surprise You
5 days 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 Scratching Your Floors? 7 Reasons Why & How To Stop It
5 days ago
Dog Scratching Your Floors? 7 Reasons Why & How To Stop It
Dogs scratching at the floor is a common behavior. Pet owners often see their pups digging outside, pawing at the…
Can Dogs Understand Humans? Here’s What The Science Says
5 days ago
Can Dogs Understand Humans? Here’s What The Science Says
Do dogs really understand what we say—or are they simply reacting to tone, routines, and body language? Explore what science…
Why Does My Dog Lick Me? What They’re Really Trying to Say
5 days ago
Why Does My Dog Lick Me? What They’re Really Trying to Say
Does your best furry friend shower you with her slobbery tongue all the time? If so, you may wonder, why…
Dog Twitching In Sleep Isn’t Just Cute: It’s A Peek Inside Their Dreams
5 days ago
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…
Why Dogs Sigh: The Drama Behind That Deep Breath
5 days ago
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…
“Born This Way”? What Your Dog’s Same-Sex Behavior Might Really Mean
5 days ago
“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…
Why Dogs Go Straight For The Crotch: The Science Behind The Sniff
5 days ago
Why Dogs Go Straight For The Crotch: The Science Behind The Sniff
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 Tilt Their Heads? Science Says It’s Not Just “Aww”
5 days ago
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…
Why Do Dogs Sleep On Their Backs? What It Really Means (And When To Worry)
5 days ago
Why Do Dogs Sleep On Their Backs? What It Really Means (And When To Worry)
Ever catch your dog passed out on their back, legs splayed like roadkill, tongue flopped out like they just ran…
Your Dog Growled At You. Here’s Why That Might Be A Good Thing
5 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…
How To Teach A Dog To Sit Using The Ancient Art Of Butt Placement
5 days 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 When Called: Easy Recall Training
5 days ago
How to Teach a Dog to Come When Called: Easy Recall Training
Yelled “Come!”, but got a tail flick and a disappearing butt instead? You’re not alone. Teaching a dog to come…
Why Is My Dog Eating Wood? When Chewing Sticks Becomes Dangerous
5 days ago
Why Is My Dog Eating Wood? When Chewing Sticks Becomes Dangerous
Dogs chew on wood because they like chewing on things. That's why you see dogs play with chew toys, and…
From Whining to Wagging: 7 Ways To Beat Dog Travel Anxiety
5 days ago
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…
Why Does My Dog Walk Backwards?
5 days ago
Why Does My Dog Walk Backwards?
Seeing your dog suddenly walk backward can be pretty strange, and it's understandable to wonder if something is wrong. While…
My Dog Loses It Around Other Dogs—Is It Aggression Or Reactivity?
5 days ago
My Dog Loses It Around Other Dogs—Is It Aggression Or Reactivity?
Does your dog bark, lunge, or growl at other dogs? Learn how to tell aggression from reactivity, identify common triggers,…
Your Dog’s Bored — Here’s How To Fix It In 5 Minutes A Day
5 days ago
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…
Dog Shaking Like They’ve Had One Too Many Espresso Shots? What’s Normal & When To Worry
5 days ago
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 Lick Their Wounds? Does It Help Them Heal?
5 days ago
Why Do Dogs Lick Their Wounds? Does It Help Them Heal?
Dogs instinctively lick cuts, scrapes, and sore spots, but too much licking can interfere with healing. Learn why dogs lick…
Dog Fighting Facts: We Need To Break The Chain
5 days ago
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…
How to Train a Dog Without Treats – Yes, Even Your Stubborn Gremlin
5 days ago
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…
Why Do Dogs Lick Everything? (Even the Couch, Floor, and You)
5 days ago
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…
Fireworks Freaking Out Your Dog? Here’s What Actually Helps
5 days ago
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…
How To Stop A Dog From Biting: Proven Tips For Puppies And Adults
5 days ago
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…
Puppy Crying in Crate? How to Stop Whining Day & Night
5 days ago
Puppy Crying in Crate? How to Stop Whining Day & Night
If your puppy is crying in the crate, you probably want to know one thing: How do I get them…
Why Your Dog Chases Their Tail — And When It’s Not Just A Silly Habit
5 days ago
Why Your Dog Chases Their Tail — And When It’s Not Just A Silly Habit
Tail chasing can be hilarious, but sometimes there’s more behind all that spinning. Learn why dogs chase their tails, what…
Why Do Dogs Bury Bones? How Can I Stop It?
5 days ago
Why Do Dogs Bury Bones? How Can I Stop It?
Why do dogs bury bones, toys, and other treasures? Learn what drives this instinctive behavior, why some dogs “bury” things…
Separation Anxiety In Dogs: The Real Reason Your Pup Freaks Out When You Leave
5 days ago
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…