Danielle DeGroot
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Hi there. This is a great question. I have dogs that love to lick things, including food, my face, and sometimes even my teeth! Gross right? I don’t allow this, but my smaller dog has a way of just getting at me when I least expect it. So, of course, I have asked myself this same question. Dog saliva does carry certain bacteria and even intestinal parasites and, in rare cases, can get you sick. That said, it does not happen very often. But you should know that Capnocytophaga bacteria, roundworms, hookworms, and giardia can all be present in your pup’s saliva, among other things. If they pass to you, there is a slim chance you may become sick. Letting a dog lick an open wound or cut is a bad idea, as it introduces these germs and can even lead to infection. It is a huge misconception that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than ours. It is not. Along with the germs, they lick everything, including rear ends, private parts, and poop! That’s not something you want on you. So, you are likely safe and won’t suffer any serious issues from eating the food as long as you know where your pup’s mouth has been. Plus, you cooked the food, so that should have killed any germs, but it is best to avoid eating food your pup licks in the future. Even though the chances are small, it’s better to be safe than sick.
Hi DianeH. This is a great question. I have raised several Pittie Lab mixes, along with my other dogs. You could say I have a soft spot for them. In my personal experience, a smaller breed than the Pit mix has worked well as a companion. I have had Chihuahuas and Poogles (Poodle Beagle mix), who have gotten along very well with my Pit mixes. My 5-pound Chihuahua and 80-pound Pit Lab mix were the best of friends. He was absolutely smitten with her and would let the little pup sleep on his back. It was almost as if she were his little dog. All my Pit mixes seem to like smaller dogs better, regardless of the breed.
Along with my personal experience, I have looked into this a little further. Some dog breeds are known to get along better with others. These include German Shepherds, Beagles, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Corgis, and Poodles to name a few.
The best advice I can give you is to have your pup spend some time with other breeds before you make a decision. Then, let your pup meet any new dog you are considering in a neutral, controlled place. This way, you can see how they react to each other, and the new pup will not be invading your dog’s space. I have adopted several dogs from a shelter that requires this meetup before any adoption takes place if there is already a dog in the house. The reason behind this is that some dogs simply do not like each other, and it’s best to find this out before you make a decision to adopt. We cover some wonderful options in our guide on the most affectionate dog breeds. I hope this helps and that you find a lovely companion for your sweet Pittie mix!
Hi Walter. Dogs should not eat grapes as a general rule. Grapes contain several elements that can cause issues for canines. They can cause kidney failure and, in some cases, even death. We do not know the exact cause of the toxicity, but researchers have been looking into this for years. One big reason is that dogs cannot digest tannins, flavonoids, and monosaccharides that are present in grapes. This is true for any kind of grape, even those delicious cotton candy ones. Raisins are also dangerous and should be avoided. We’ve covered this in our guides on dogs eating grapes and dogs eating raisins. I am glad your pup has not had problems with grapes, but it might be a good idea to try a different snack. Try watermelon or apples instead. I myself have stopped even having grapes or raisins in the house after a close call with one of my pups. It’s better not to even have the risk.
Hello. This is an excellent question. Using human shampoo on your pup is not the best idea unless it specifically says it is safe to use on pets. Some natural ones like Burt’s Bees or baby shampoo can be ok if you are in a bind if your pup rolled in poo etc.) but as a general rule, you should try and stick to pet-specific shampoos. I personally like oatmeal-based shampoos for my dogs because they are gentle and help keep the skin soft and moisturized. We cover some of the best all-natural dog shampoos in this guide. Additionally, if you want to make your own pet shampoo, you can follow our DIY pet shampoo recipe here.
Hi Frankie. This is a great question. I’ve recently had some similar issues with my dog and new people moving in next door. One thing I did was to take the time to introduce myself and my dog to the new neighbors and explain that she was a little nervous. They have spent a few minutes at a time speaking to her and even giving her a treat, which has helped a little. It’s hard to tell why your pup may not like someone or feel like he needs his guard up. It could be a certain smell, pheromone, or simply that they are a new person and your pup feels scared. Dogs are also able to easily tell if someone is feeling nervous or scared around them and may react in the same way. My suggestion would be to set up a few short meet-and-greets with your neighbor and your dog to get your pup acclimated to this new person. If the neighbor is unwilling, and your pup keeps it up, you may need to look into some training or behavior modification classes to stop it.
Hi Sarahrox, I understand your concern about adopting a purebred dog, as many breeds, like French Bulldogs, have significant health issues. Technically speaking, any dog that is made up of two or more breeds is a mixed breed, so designer dogs, as they are called, would fall into this category. In general, mixed breeds are healthier due to the genetic diversity they have from different breed lines. That said, there is always a possibility that health issues could be compounded if the different breeds share some of the same genetic disease risks. For example, dogs with smushy faces, or brachycephalic breeds, like Bulldogs and Pugs, are at risk for respiratory issues, so breeding them together may increase that. Beagles and Boxers have a high risk of cancer, so breeding those two together may not be a great idea health-wise. Ultimately it really depends on the specific mix you are considering and the precautions that have been taken during the breeding process.
Hi GooseD. I understand your concern and have faced this same concern with my own dogs. When I must be away for long hours, I try to take my pups out for a good walk beforehand to help get out some of their energy. I also keep several different forms of entertainment around for them. One of my big go-to’s is a lick mat. I have one that I can stick on the floor and cover with peanut butter. To make it last longer, I freeze it! This keeps my pup distracted for a good while. I also leave out a snuffle mat with a few bits of kibble hidden in it. If you want to keep an eye on your pup and interact with them, you can try out a Furbo or PetCube. These are cameras that also have a treat dispenser function. So, you can say hi to your pup, check in on what he is doing, and give him a treat.
I also often leave the TV or music on for my dogs while I am away. They like hearing the background noise, which helps reduce their stress from being alone. I also walk my pups right away when I get back.
One thing to keep in mind is that your pup likely gets a bit sad or lonely at some point throughout the day. So, you want to make sure he feels safe while you are away. Try to remove any stress triggers, and if possible, keep unexpected disturbances away. For example, schedule deliveries when you will be home, and put out a sign to discourage salespeople, etc., to avoid unwanted knocks on the door. If your pup is really having a hard time, you can set up a regular visit with a professional dog walker. They can come and take him out for a walk while you are not home and help break up the amount of time he stays alone.
Hi Bernard M, I also love mixed breeds. I am the proud parent of several pound puppies and am happy to be able to give needy pets a home. However, I know and love many purebred pups as well. There are arguments for and against both shelters and breeders.
One thing to remember is that breeders are not responsible for the large number of dogs in shelters. That, sadly, is due to irresponsible owners. It’s always important to understand the responsibility and commitment that adopting any dog, mixed or purebred, is.
Purebred dogs tend to be more predictable in size, behavior, health, and temperament. For folks who have allergies, some breeds are less triggering, like Poodles, which are considered a hypoallergenic dog breed. An example of this is service and emotional support dogs. I will use the lovely Poodle as an example again, as they are highly trainable and make excellent service dogs. In my work with disabled students, we have many service dogs, and some of the very best are purebred Poodles and Labrador Retrievers.
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Does anyone else’s dog do this and do you know the reason behind it?My small dogs have always been picky about pooping when it is wet outside. Personally, I understand; I wouldn’t want to poop on the cold, damp ground either. This may simply be your dog’s preference, or he may not have had exposure to the elements, may be scared, feel physically uncomfortable, or even pick up on your stress about it. Whatever the reason, there are a few ways to approach it. For my dog, I started taking him for short walks in the rain. This helped him become less sensitive to it. I also provide a semi-covered spot in the yard that stays fairly dry, so he has somewhere he feels safe to go, even when it is raining. We cover a lot about poop, including why dogs won’t poop and pee on walks, which has some tips to help your pup get more comfortable doing their doggy business.
Hi GooseD. If you can find the package or look online for the ingredients of the gum brand your dog ate. If it contains the artificial sweetener xylitol, you will want to contact the vet as soon as possible. Many sugar-free gum varieties use xylitol, so if it is sugar-free, you want to find out quickly. Observe your dog and keep track of any unusual symptoms or behavior. Symptoms of poisoning in dogs include loss of appetite, weakness, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and collapse. Xylitol is absorbed quickly, causing your pup’s blood sugar to drop rapidly, which is very dangerous.
Xylitol can be very dangerous for dogs. One piece of gum usually has about 0.22 to 1 gram of xylitol, which is enough to make a 10-pound dog very sick. So, this is not something to hesitate on. If you suspect your pup ingested gum with xylitol, call the vet right away.
Please keep us posted on your pup!
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Our dog is now scared to walk on the hardwood floorsHi GooseD. I am sorry your pup is having some trouble. My older dog, Daisy, has the same issue. We recently removed our carpet and replaced it with wood laminate. Poor Daisy has been slipping and sliding all over the place. As a senior dog, she has a few conditions like arthritis and hip dysplasia that can impact her mobility, so having slippery floors is not really safe for her. Along with adding slip-resistant rugs, keeping her nails trimmed has been a big help. With properly trimmed nails, she has better control of herself on the floors. I also check to make sure her paw hair is not too long and causing her to slip. We cover how to trim your dog’s nails safely here. If your pup has other sudden behavior changes, it’s worth a trip to the vet to rule out any underlying health issues.
Hi Beachgal. I’ve had several dogs that were pullers, both large and small breeds. This often causes me back pain, so I’ve tried quite a few harnesses and collars to alleviate the behavior and reduce my back pain. I find harnesses to be more comfortable for both me and my dog. My Labrador Pitbull Terrier mix is a strong puller, but the Rabitgoo Tactical Dog Harness is a huge help. It is very sturdy, and she has never been able to wiggle out of it. Rabitgoo also makes a harness for smaller breeds. Learn more about tactical dog harnesses and the best harnesses for small breeds in our reviews.
Along with a good harness, you can also try training your pup not to pull. Keeping her on a short leash and saying “leave it” when she pulls towards something like another dog is very effective for my dog. I started this with her as a young puppy, so now, as an adult, she knows she must move on. Consider consulting a professional trainer or trying an obedience class if the behavior is persistent.
Dogs usually fart because something has caused extra gas in their digestive tract. So, she may have eaten something outside or snuck a piece of your dinner when you were not looking. She may also be stressed with being in a new place, which can also cause some excess gas and farting. You can learn a lot more about why dogs fart, why it smells so bad, and some gas relief tips in this guide. These canine stress relief tips may also help. Good luck!
I have a pup that will chew through wood literally, and I have had great luck with Kong chew toys. They are super durable, and you can add goodies inside some of them. I have one that has lasted my dog almost 3 years. Nylabone, and Orbee-Tuff are some other good choices. You can learn more about these in our reviews of the best indestructible dog toys for aggressive chewers. I’ve used many of these with my dogs; the only one I do not recommend is the rope toys, as my dogs chew through those very quickly.
It’s a good idea to talk to your kids and explain all the duties and work involved in taking care of a dog. You may even want to try to spend time at a local shelter or with a friend’s dog to get them used to being around animals. Keeping a friend’s pup for a sleepover is a great way to see how your dogs interact and how much work a pup will add to your life. You can also consider a puppy contract, which helps everyone stay on top of what they need to do to help with the dog.
