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.
Dog owners can agree your sweet pup rolling in poop in the yard can bring a quick halt to a very good day. Dogs like to roll in smelly things. What is it about poop, dead things, and other smelly stuff that makes our dogs dive in? Find out why dogs love smelling nasty and how you can stop this behavior.
According to a study from the Center For Disease Control (CDC), approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and 800,000 of those bites result in medical care. The U.S. population was approximately 328.2 million people in 2019. That means a dog bites 1 out of every 73 people. These are scary statistics. But scary becomes a lot less so when you’re armed with the right information. From the top breeds to be wary of, to considering your behavior around animals, to why dogs bite in the first place, we give you an arsenal of information so that you can bite back in the dog bite debate.
Owning a dog is a wonderful privilege and a huge responsibility. Along with the many positive benefits having a canine companion brings. Unfortunately, some occurrences, like bites and attacks, can be scary. Some breeds are more prone to biting than others, and owners must be aware of this. Canine attacks happen for a variety of reasons. Circumstances, ownership, care, and genetics all play a role. We discuss dog attacks by breed and get into the details owners need to know.
So many questions come to mind when you think about what would happen if your dog bit someone. “What do I do to stop my dog? Is everyone okay? Do I need to call for help? Do I report the incident to someone? Could I get sued?” My dog hurting someone is the last thing I would ever imagine. Not only could someone get seriously injured but my beloved pup could be taken away. As dog owners, it’s important that we know what to do should our dogs bite someone.
Are you having trouble with your dog biting or nipping at people? Our animal behaviorist expert Amy Robinson answers a reader’s question and offers some advice to help curb this behavior.
Dog owners often observe their pets grinding their teeth. This leads to many questions and concerns. Grinding teeth together is called bruxism and can affect dogs, cats, and even people. Though not all dogs grind their teeth, some do, and there are a few reasons behind it. While mild grinding may not be cause for concern, if it happens often or your dog clenches their jaw, there might be cause for concern. Owners need to know why pets experience bruxism, when to call the vet, and how to stop dental grinding.
Puppy and dog chewing is normal behavior because canines use their mouths to explore the world around them (and help relieve teething). But excessive or destructive chewing can be a frustrating problem with some of our furry friends. If you’re looking for the best solutions to deter your champion chewer, you’re in the right place. We’ve got expert tips on how to stop the incessant chomping, including our top picks for the best bitter apple spray for dogs.
The doorbell rings, a school bus drives by, a dog is across the street or you’re standing in the kitchen, it doesn’t matter what you do, it seems like Fido is barking at everything. Why is Fido barking and how can you stop it?…
Dogs love digging holes in the ground, but what happens if they take it a step further and eat the dirt? In addition to making them a muddy mess, is ingesting soil harmful to your pup? First, you need to determine the frequency of your dog’s dirt disposition. If your dog consumes soil infrequently, it’s probably fine (but it’s always good to discuss this with your vet). However, if your dog routinely devours dirt, there may be cause for concern…
Having an aggressive dog can cause a lot of concerns for owners. Often, it can be challenging to take your dog on walks or into any public setting when you’re always concerned about approaching other dogs. This scenario puts stress on you and your dog and makes it feel like an impossible situation. There is hope. Lots of dogs respond positively to different training techniques and programs. Get informed and start working toward what might work for your furry friend…
We’ve all heard the expression “licking one’s wounds” (meaning to recover after defeat or embarrassment). It’s believed that this saying originated hundreds of years ago from people observing animals licking their injuries after a predator’s attack. Have you ever wondered why dogs and other animals lick wounds in the first place? And is it beneficial or harmful to their healing?…
If dogs could talk, oh, the tales they would tell. The truth is that dogs communicate in many ways, and one of the more vocal ways they communicate, both with humans and other animals, is through whining.
