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.
Best Dog Pee Pads: Our Top 6 Picks & More
October 3, 2025
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!)
October 3, 2025
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
September 30, 2025
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…
Dog Fighting Facts: We Need To Break The Chain
September 23, 2025
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)
September 18, 2025
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
September 17, 2025
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
September 12, 2025
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
September 8, 2025
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
August 21, 2025
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…
How To Stop A Dog From Biting: Proven Tips For Puppies And Adults
August 18, 2025
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 Twitching In Sleep Isn’t Just Cute: It’s A Peek Inside Their Dreams
August 13, 2025
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
August 1, 2025
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
July 28, 2025
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!)
July 22, 2025
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
July 16, 2025
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!
July 14, 2025
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!)
July 14, 2025
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…
Is Your Dog Yawning Or Throwing Shade? You’ll Be Surprised By The Answer
July 9, 2025
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
July 1, 2025
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
June 30, 2025
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
June 14, 2025
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
June 13, 2025
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
June 11, 2025
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
June 11, 2025
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
June 10, 2025
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
June 9, 2025
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
June 5, 2025
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
May 20, 2025
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
May 19, 2025
“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
May 15, 2025
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…
Dog Grinding Their Teeth Like A Stressed-Out Accountant In April? Here’s What It Means
May 14, 2025
Dog Grinding Their Teeth Like A Stressed-Out Accountant In April? Here’s What It Means
Is your dog producing sounds reminiscent of a midnight tax crunch—clenching their jaw, grinding their teeth, and appearing unusually tense?…
Dog Won’t Take Pills? A Vet Shares 13 Game-Changing Tricks
May 12, 2025
Dog Won’t Take Pills? A Vet Shares 13 Game-Changing Tricks
Getting your dog to take a pill can feel like a battle of wits. One that you may find yourself…
Why Is Your Dog Marking Territory? Unraveling the Mystery
May 8, 2025
Why Is Your Dog Marking Territory? Unraveling the Mystery
Are you tired of cleaning up after your dog’s constant marking? It can feel like a never-ending battle, especially in…
Dog Butt-Licking: Gross Habit Or Vet Emergency?
April 15, 2025
Dog Butt-Licking: Gross Habit Or Vet Emergency?
If your dog won’t stop licking their butt, don’t just brush it off as another one of their quirky behaviors.…
Is Your Dog Seeing Things You Can’t at Night? Human vs. Canine Night Vision
April 14, 2025
Is Your Dog Seeing Things You Can’t at Night? Human vs. Canine Night Vision
Many of us have no choice but to walk our dogs in the dark, whether it's a late-night potty break…
Is Your Dog Secretly Trying To Get You Evicted? The Poop-Rolling Conspiracy
March 6, 2025
Is Your Dog Secretly Trying To Get You Evicted? The Poop-Rolling Conspiracy
Dog owners, we’ve all been there. One minute, you’re enjoying a beautiful day, and the next, your dog is gleefully…
The Real Reason Dogs Chase Their Tails (It’s Not What You Think!)
March 6, 2025
The Real Reason Dogs Chase Their Tails (It’s Not What You Think!)
Watching a dog spin in circles, chasing its own tail, is one of those classic dog behaviors that never fails…
House Training An Older Dog
March 3, 2025
House Training An Older Dog
Bringing home an adult dog is an unusually large undertaking for any family. Whether this is your first or fiftieth…
Best Online Dog Training Courses: Professional Help At Home
February 13, 2025
Best Online Dog Training Courses: Professional Help At Home
Nothing is more frustrating than a dog who misbehaves. Or maybe your pup is already obedient, but you want to…
When She Makes The First Move: Why Does My Female Dog Hump My Male Dog?
February 6, 2025
When She Makes The First Move: Why Does My Female Dog Hump My Male Dog?
Friends and dog lovers, it's time we had the talk about a… rather sensitive topic: female dogs humping male dogs.…
Get Fit Together: 20 Fat-Burning Exercises & Hacks For You And Your Dog!
January 27, 2025
Get Fit Together: 20 Fat-Burning Exercises & Hacks For You And Your Dog!
Whether you want to improve your overall fitness, tone your body, or just lose a few pounds, your dog is…
Why is My Dog Constantly Licking The Floors and Carpet?
December 17, 2024
Why is My Dog Constantly Licking The Floors and Carpet?
If your dog constantly licks the floor or carpet, you may be concerned that something is wrong. But this behavior…
5 Best Anti-Anxiety And Calming Dog Beds To Soothe Your Pup
December 10, 2024
5 Best Anti-Anxiety And Calming Dog Beds To Soothe Your Pup
If your pup has anxiety or is just happier with a snuggly dog bed, you have a lot of choices…
Best Training Treats For Dogs: Which Treat Should You Use?
September 27, 2024
Best Training Treats For Dogs: Which Treat Should You Use?
Picking a treat to give your dog while training can be tricky. You want to find something super tasty to…
Barn Hunting For Dogs: What Is It & Where To Find A Barn Hunt Event Near You
September 10, 2024
Barn Hunting For Dogs: What Is It & Where To Find A Barn Hunt Event Near You
If you're wondering what a Barn Hunt is, you've come to the right place. This exciting dog sport has been…
Bad Behavior In Dogs: How To Stop Chewing, Biting, Digging & More
August 27, 2024
Bad Behavior In Dogs: How To Stop Chewing, Biting, Digging & More
Looking to stop bad behavior in your family dog? Get some of our best tips to nip these annoying habits…
Bitter Apple Spray For Dogs & Your Best Anti-Chew Alternatives
July 8, 2024
Bitter Apple Spray For Dogs & Your Best Anti-Chew Alternatives
Puppy and dog chewing is normal behavior because canines use their mouths to explore the world around them (and help…
How To Stop Your Dog From Jumping On Visitors And Strangers
June 10, 2024
How To Stop Your Dog From Jumping On Visitors And Strangers
Does your dog jump on everyone who enters your home? Have you ever tried to teach them to stop? Learn…
Why Do Dogs Lick Their Wounds?
May 30, 2024
Why Do Dogs Lick Their Wounds?
We've all heard the expression "licking one's wounds" (meaning to recover after defeat or embarrassment). It's believed that this saying…
SpiritDog Training Reviews: Do These Online Courses Work?
May 9, 2024
SpiritDog Training Reviews: Do These Online Courses Work?
While it's essential to train your four-legged friend to follow your commands and behave properly in many situations, hiring a…