Whatever the reason, it can be heartbreaking and frustrating to suddenly find your old dog peeing in the house. So, what can you do about it? First and foremost, you should consult a veterinarian and follow any treatment plan or advice they suggest. But you can also do several things yourself to help your dog—and keep your house clean.

Why Is My Old Dog Peeing in the House?

It can be perplexing to find your fully housetrained old dog having accidents suddenly, but this behavior is usually explainable.

“House soiling, including urinating indoors, while not uncommon, is typically a sign that your pet needs to visit the vet,” says Dr. Alejandro Caos, a veterinarian at The Vets, a mobile pet service in Austin, Texas. “As dogs age, they may experience changes in bladder control, cognitive decline, or mobility issues, which can contribute to this behavior.”

Most of the time, there is a medical reason why your senior dog can’t hold pee. Dr. Caos says common issues include urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones, hormonal imbalances, and kidney disease. Your dog could also have arthritis or another painful ailment that makes it difficult to physically reach an appropriate urination place. Yet another explanation is that your dog has cognitive dysfunction syndrome—a condition similar to dementia in humans—that inhibits their ability to recognize when and where to do their business.

Your old dog may also be peeing in inappropriate places due to anxiety or stress. “Changes in routine, household dynamics, or environmental stressors can cause anxiety in senior dogs, leading to house soiling,” says Dr. Caos.

The issue can also just be a sign of age. According to Dr. Caos, older dogs experience age-related changes to their bodies that could lead to a decline in their bladder control and muscle tone, which makes it more likely for them to have accidents inside the house.

Determining the Cause of an Old Dog Having Accidents

Experts advise pet parents to seek professional advice rather than try to figure out the cause on their own. However, observing your dog’s behavior patterns and reporting your findings to your veterinarian can be helpful.

“Maintain a record of the accidents, including dates, times, locations, and any notable circumstances or events preceding them,” says Dr. Caos.

For instance, if your old dog is urinating or dribbling while asleep, this could be a clue that your dog has a bladder sphincter tone issue—that is, a problem with the muscles that help them control when they pee. When this function diminishes, your dog can become incontinent.  

If your dog pees small amounts in multiple places, they might have a UTI. If they pee during a thunderstorm, stress might cause them to have accidents. If your dog is also showing atypical behaviors, like wandering the house at night or increased anxiety, they could suffer from cognitive dysfunction.

Dr. Caos says it is also essential to monitor your dog’s water intake. “Excessive drinking could indicate an underlying health issue and may contribute to increased urination,” he says. “Discuss any concerns with your veterinarian.”

Old Dog Peeing in House: 6 Tips to Help

Are you eager to figure out how to stop your old dog from peeing in the house? Here are some things you can do to help.

Take your dog to a veterinarian

If your dog has started piddling in the house, you should first contact your veterinarian, says Dr. Kasey Aona, owner and medical director of GoodVets Polaris, a veterinary clinic in Westerville, Ohio.

“Senior dogs are more likely to get some medical issues that can lead to them urinating in the house, like kidney disease, diabetes, other endocrine diseases, urinary tract infections,” says Dr. Aona.

Even if your dog isn’t having accidents, Dr. Aona recommends senior dogs have a full comprehensive exam every six months since they’re prone to developing chronic health issues in old age. “It’s better to get ahead of things and catch things early,” she says.

Keep a diary of your dog’s day

Val Suleski, the head of kennels at the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare in the U.K., says it’s important to keep a diary, noting where your dog pees, what was happening when they did it, and other helpful information.

“Even if a medical reason is indicated and the vet is providing care, having additional information to help with developing a plan around management to best support the dog is useful,” says Suleski.

Make it easy for them to get around

Your old dog may keep peeing in the house due to mobility issues. Therefore, it’s essential to make your dog’s space as accessible as possible and to give them easy access to the outdoors.

“Install a doggy door if feasible or create a clear and easily accessible path to the designated potty area,” says Dr. Caos. “Consider using ramps or steps to assist dogs with mobility issues.”

Try dog diapers, belly bands, or pee pads

Dog diapers and belly bands—a wrap designed to fit around a male dog’s waist to catch urine—are two products that help keep your house clean if your senior dog is having accidents. But Dr. Caos says these items only temporarily manage accidents without resolving the underlying issue.

Diapers and belly bands may also contribute to developing urine scald, especially if left on for too long. In female dogs, they may increase the risk of developing UTIs.

Another thing you can try is pee pads or puppy pads—super absorbent cloths that soak up your dog’s urine.

“If the dog is always peeing in certain spots, you can get disposable or reusable puppy or toilet pads that have non-slip and waterproof backing, put these down and just wash and reuse,” Suleski says. “Even laying cheap, old rugs in most often toileted areas can make cleaning up easier.”

Use an odor eliminator

Odor-elimination products can also be helpful. Not only do they get the dog urine smell out of the carpet, but they might discourage your dog from peeing in a particular spot, says Dr. Aona.

“Oftentimes, when dogs urinate, they go on a specific rug. If they can smell that urine, they’re more likely to go there again,” she says. “So I think it definitely could help to use an enzymatic cleaner to make sure that we’re getting rid of that smell as much as possible.”

However, Dr. Aona adds that odor eliminators don’t necessarily stop the behavior, especially if there is an underlying medical reason for your senior dog peeing in the house.

Re-house train your dog

Another idea is to try and modify your dog’s behavior through training.

According to Dr. Caos, behavior modification can work if your dog’s indoor peeing habit is due to age-related factors, cognitive decline, or anxiety.

“This can involve providing frequent potty breaks, establishing a consistent routine, using positive reinforcement … for appropriate elimination, and providing a comfortable and stress-free environment,” he says.

Dr. Caos says you can also re-house train your dog through crate training. He adds that it’s crucial never to scold or punish your dog for accidents since that can “create fear or anxiety, potentially exacerbating the issue.”

“Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are key,” he says.

Senior Dog Peeing in House: Other Advice

Finding yellow spots and puddles in the house will likely cause some frustration for pet parents. But Suleski says it’s important to remember that your dog is probably not doing this on purpose.

“Senior dogs peeing indoors is generally not something they are voluntarily choosing to do,” she says. “They literally suddenly must go and the drive to relieve a biological need will override any previous training.”

On this note, Suleski offers some sage advice: “Definitely do NOT scold or punish your dog; your dog will not understand why you are scaring or hurting them. Behaving negatively towards them is likely to increase the peeing incidents as they will become anxious and stressed about being around the people in the house that they experience behaving negatively around them.”

She adds that it’s essential not to show your anger when you’re cleaning up their mess since they “just won’t understand why” you’re mad.

Dr. Caos reiterates the importance of seeking out professional advice. “It’s crucial to address any potential medical issues and consult with professionals for personalized advice,” he says. “They can help determine the best approach for managing accidents in your senior dog and improve their overall well-being.”

“Remember, each situation is unique, and it’s important to consult with a veterinarian or a professional dog behaviorist for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized advice,” Dr. Caos adds. “They can provide guidance tailored to your dog’s specific needs and help develop a plan to address the issue effectively and compassionately.”

The post ​​Old Dog Peeing in the House: 6 Tips to Help appeared first on Great Pet Care.

We asked veterinarians to weigh in and offer insights on what may be happening.

(Note: While our experts provide theories of what could be going on with your pet as they get closer to death, don’t make assumptions when it comes to your dog’s health. If your pup is showing any troubling physical or behavioral signs, contact your veterinarian for guidance.)

Do Dogs Know When They Are About to Die?

There’s evidence that dogs mourn the death of humans and other animals. You’re probably familiar with stories of dogs who howl and refuse to leave the side of their deceased loved ones. The way they react to death isn’t uniform or robotic, either. As individuals, dogs react differently to death, just like humans do. Some dogs, for example, may become clingy while others withdraw.

But do dogs know when they are about to die?

While we may never learn the whole truth, veterinarians think dogs know something is up. One clue comes from wolves. “Historically, pack animals would often remove themselves from the group voluntarily if sick to prevent attention from predators,” says Dr. Audrey Weaver, a partner doctor who works at Heart + Paw in their Glen Mills, Pennsylvania location.

What’s unclear is whether dogs behave this way because they know it’s their time or if it’s a reaction to being in distress. Dogs live for the moment and depend on a regular routine, according to Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club, based in New York City. “When that routine is unable to be achieved,” he says, “I suspect that dogs become frustrated and possibly depressed.”

And though dogs may sense something’s amiss, they don’t understand concepts like illness and death as we do. “So you can tell a dog, ‘You have cancer with six months to live,’ and they won’t be upset. They live in the moment,” says Dr. Mary Gardner, co-founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and author of the book, “It’s Never Long Enough: A practical guide to caring for your geriatric dog.”

One thing we know for certain is that dogs feel pain and can suffer. “And I think that is what is most important. And they also don’t know that relief will come. So I do think they know when they are miserable,” adds Dr. Gardner.

Dog Behavior Changes Before Death

Pet parents have shared stories of dogs who’ve seemingly reacted to their approaching death. “Many owners mention that end-of-life animals seem to mimic what dogs do in the wild at the end of their days: they walk or crawl to a dark, safe place if they are able to maneuver, stop eating or drinking,” says Dr. Klein.

Other pet parents report that their dog appeared calmer, “as if they were ‘ready’ or knew that any physical pain they’d been experiencing would end,” says Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, director of Primary Care at Bond Vet, based in New York City.

Dog behavior before death can vary. “For example, a pet with cardiac disease that is declining may become progressively more lethargic, some become anxious as their breathing becomes affected, [and] disorientation and imbalance can also be seen if the pet has poor blood flow and oxygenation to the brain,” says Dr. Weaver. “Senior dogs (and cats) can develop dementia-like signs as they age, just like humans. Pacing, panting, whining or crying may be seen, as well as wandering off to unusual places in the home.” 

This, of course, begs the question: do dogs understand death, or does this behavior mean something else?

These behaviors don’t necessarily mean a dog is reacting to their impending death. “While some people may report their pet wanting to be alone or lying in a specific spot, if related at all, I suspect it is more instinct than any actual thoughts about death,” says Dr. Mandi Shearhart, a veterinarian with the NWA Veterinary Programs at Best Friends Animal Society in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

What seems like an awareness of death to us may just be a way for a dog to seek relief. “They simply may find comfort from their pain in a safe spot, or a warm spot, or a spot where people stop bothering them. Let’s say a dog is in heart failure and is struggling to breath. I don’t think the dog thinks to [themself]: ‘This is it, I’m dying.’ They are probably just thinking, ‘I cannot breath and I am scared’,” explains Dr. Gardner.

This isn’t to say that experts can say without a doubt that dogs can’t sense their own death. Dogs do, after all, have abilities that we don’t – like a sixth sense that allows them to detect variations in magnetic fields – so it’s not impossible. For now, however, the research on dog death is too limited to be able to provide a definitive answer.

Making End of Life Decisions for Dogs

The dog dying process is not only difficult, but it’s also not always straightforward. “Every situation is unique, and there is not always an easy way to know that it is the right time [to say goodbye],” says Dr. Shearhart.

That said, veterinarians rely on certain criteria when making recommendations. One of these is the quality of the dog’s life. In order to help determine this, Dr. Ashley Barnes, medical director at Louisville Family Animal Hospital in Louisville, Colorado, recommends looking at your dog’s behavior, considering things like: “Are they separating themselves from the family and disengaging? Are they still doing activities they enjoy, like playing with a favorite toy or going for walks? Are they wanting or able to eat? Are they able to take care of basic functions, like going outside to eliminate?”  

Other indicators of good life quality, adds Dr. Weaver, include drinking readily, not demonstrating overt pain, and exhibiting normal energy levels.  

Another critical component in the end-of-life decision-making process is whether the condition causing the illness can effectively be treated. “Before assuming an animal is just getting old or getting ready to die, it is important to visit your veterinarian and discuss any physical or behavior changes you have seen,” says Dr. Shearhart. “There may be things that can be done to increase both the quality and quantity of your dog’s life.”

We have a few tips to help you navigate this process.

Trust Your Veterinarian

Veterinarians are true allies for you and your dog. They’re in the best position to help you explore all options and offer ways to improve your dog’s quality of life.

“Your veterinarian is usually the one person familiar with your dog’s medical and physical condition and will offer the most objective assessment of your dog. Friends sometimes try to help, and they can be a beneficial support system if they have already experienced a similar situation,” says Dr. Klein.

Remember That Quality of Life is More Important Than Quantity

“I strongly believe that the quality of a dog’s life is way more important than the quantity. We have the wonderful gift of allowing peaceful passage and preventing suffering in our canine companions, and I think it is something to be considered when their quality of life is no longer acceptable,” says Dr. Shearhart.

Whether or not a dog understands they’re about to die, there are several things a pet parent can do to alleviate the pain and discomfort for as long as possible, says Dr. Fadl. “Some health issues might be curable or treatable, whereas for others, the focus is on alleviating pain and improving quality of life.”

Start a Health Journal

One issue complicating the process is when a dog’s health status changes daily, which is why Dr. Fadl recommends keeping a health journal for your dog. “That way, you can tell when the bad days start outnumbering the good. Also, keep track of things your dog loves to do – things that really make them happy – and take note of when they are no longer able to do these things.”

Prepare Before There’s an Issue

While thinking about your beloved dog dying is unpleasant, Dr. Fadl explains that it can be helpful to have a plan in place when your pup starts aging and showing symptoms. “Decide what is best for your individual pet, whether that is at a veterinary practice [or] using a mobile or hospice vet that can perform the euthanasia in your home. That way, when the day comes, the process will be as smooth and peaceful as possible for your dog.”

Put Your Dog’s Best Interest First

Let whatever is in your dog’s best interest guide your decisions. “In the end, it comes down to making the most selfless decision for your dog and not the most selfish one,” says Dr. Klein.

Take Advantage of Available Resources

There are plenty of resources out there that can help guide you through the dog dying process.

As previously mentioned, keeping a journal helps you keep track of your dog’s symptoms, which could be useful to you and your veterinarian when making end-of-life decisions. A couple free online worksheets available include:

• Lap of Love’s Daily Assessment worksheet
• The Veterinary Medical Center at Ohio State University’s How Do I Know When It’s Time? worksheet

An increasing number of veterinarians also offer in-home pet care, which can ease the burden if your dog is very sick.

Where to find in-home veterinarians:

• Lap of Love’s network of veterinarians provide in-home hospice and euthanasia services.
• Blue Pearl’s Pet hospice directory contains a database of their veterinarians who provide in-home euthanasia.

If/when you do make the decision for humane dog euthanasia, know that there are lots of additional resources available to help you navigate this difficult process.

The post Do Dogs Know When They Are Dying? Experts Weigh In appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Aside from being cold, there are other potential reasons for teeth chattering in dogs, such as smelling something interesting or, in some cases, an underlying health problem. 

Let’s take a closer look at what causes dog teeth chattering—and what to do about this behavior.

What Is Dog Teeth Chattering?

So, what exactly is teeth chattering in dogs, and what does it look like? This depends on how you define teeth chattering, says Dr. Nicholas Dodman, a professor emeritus at Tufts University and the chief scientific officer at the Center for Canine Behavior Studies. 

To Dr. Dodman, teeth chattering is what happens when a dog smells something new and exciting, like urine from another dog. The movement of the dog’s jaw helps move chemical signals from the smell to the vomeronasal organ—also called the Jacobson’s organ—in the roof of their mouth, allowing them to supercharge their sense of smell. This is called a Flehmen response. 

“Chattering has something to do with tasting, smelling, appreciating certain foreign materials, notably other dogs’ excretions or other interesting smells like bits of dead animal or an old piece of rotten chicken on the side of the road,” Dr. Dodman says. 

Dr. Dodman says that when chattering is part of a Flehmen response, a dog might briefly quiver their jaw while sniffing or licking. They might even appear like they’re about to yawn. They probably won’t tap their teeth together. Most of these episodes only last about 30 seconds—sometimes too quick for you to see, he adds.

But dog teeth chattering can also be defined another way. Dr. Roxanne LeBrun, a veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Society, a leading U.S. animal welfare organization, describes it as “an involuntary movement caused by contractions in the muscles used for mastication,” which can happen in response to dental pain, neurologic issues, or even anxiety.

In these situations, you might literally hear your dog’s teeth tap together as their jaw shakes. “It is a pretty obvious motion of the mouth, and you can often hear the teeth tapping against each other,” says Dr. LeBrun.

Causes of Dog Teeth Chattering

Veterinary experts say several things can cause teeth chattering in dogs, including:

• Flehmen response
• Dental disease, which can affect the teeth, gums, and tissues
• Neurologic issues such as seizures
• A neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerves controlling the jaw muscle
• Anxiety or fright
• Cold temperatures

So how can you tell if your dog’s teeth chattering is a response to something stinky and interesting—or an underlying health problem? Dr. Pieter Vanacker, a veterinary surgeon at AniCura Veterinary Center Anthemis in Kapelle-op-den-Bos, Belgium, says you must assess the situation and the dog’s overall behavior. In other words, get the context.

“It’s very important at that moment to see what the dog is doing,” Dr. Vanacker says. “What are the circumstances in which he starts doing that? So, for example, when you go for a walk with the dog, he’s going to sniff the environment, and he’s starting to shiver his teeth, it’s possible he found something he likes. But if it happens around the moment he wants to eat, it’s possible that he has a tooth [issue] and eating hurts him a little.”

Dr. Vanacker says if you see your dog chattering their teeth more than usual, or if you notice anything unusual about his behavior, it might be worth taking your dog to the veterinary clinic.

Should You Worry About Teeth Chattering in Dogs?

In many cases, you don’t need to worry about dog teeth chattering, especially if your dog seems to do it while sniffing or licking something. 

However, one situation in which you should take teeth chattering very seriously is when a dog is suddenly not responding to you, says Dr. Vanacker. In these situations, your dog may be experiencing a focal seizure. If you notice your dog chattering their teeth or biting at the air for no apparent reason, contact a veterinarian to rule out focal seizures.

And of course, if you think your dog is suffering due to an issue like dental pain or anxiety, you should also contact your veterinarian.

What to Do About a Dog’s Chattering Teeth

In most cases, teeth chattering in dogs does not indicate a serious issue that requires a trip to the emergency clinic. But if you’re still concerned, carefully document what’s happening so you can discuss the behavior with your veterinarian.

“If you notice teeth chattering, it’s a good idea to make a mental note of the conditions it’s occurring in and the generalized demeanor of your dog,” says Dr. LeBrun. “Ask yourself questions like: Are they in an unfamiliar or scary environment? How is the ambient temperature? Do they respond to you speaking or petting them?

“Another very helpful thing you can do is try to capture the episode on video to share with your veterinarian,” she adds. “It may provide hard-to-describe details that help your veterinarian identify how concerned to be about the behavior and where to direct their physical exam.”

If your dog turns out to be suffering from dental issues, neurological problems, anxiety, or another condition, your vet will be able to provide advice on what to do. For instance, your veterinarian might advise a professional dental cleaning to address any oral health issues, or to consult a dog behavior expert for ways to ease your dog’s anxiety. If you tackle the root of the issue, a dog’s teeth chattering might completely disappear.

The post Dog Teeth Chattering: Causes and What It Means appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Let’s explore potential reasons why a dog looks worried, plus steps you can take to help your canine companion feel better. 

Do Dogs Worry?

Dogs experience many of the same emotions that people do, including worry and anxiety. In fact, a recent study found that 72.5 percent of dogs displayed various types of anxiety-related behaviors (1). Dogs are also very good at sensing the emotions of those around them and often reflect that same emotion back. So don’t be surprised if you’re feeling a little anxious and you find that your dog starts pacing or following you around. 

Actions aren’t the only way dogs show they are worried. A dog uses body language to express their feelings. Pet parents can look at the position of their dog’s tail or ears, body posture, and other clues to assess how their dog is feeling. Frightened or worried dogs may tuck their tail between their legs, hold their ears back, divert their eyes away from you, and whimper. A stressed dog’s entire posture is tense and withdrawn instead of relaxed and happy. 

Why Does My Dog Look Worried? 10 Potential Reasons

If you are concerned about a worried dog, here are 10 potential reasons for your pup’s uneasy expression:

Anxiety, fear, or stress

Dogs who are experiencing anxiety, fear, and stress often have a worried demeanor. These feelings may stem from being separated from their pet parent for long periods of time, hearing unfamiliar noises, traveling to new places, or being around unfamiliar people. Pet parents may notice their dogs pacing, constantly licking their fur, and panting or drooling excessively as a result of the stress. 

Big life event

Any changes within a dog’s environment can trigger a sense of worry. A new baby, a relocation, tension within the household, or a death in the family can all impact a dog’s emotions. 

Medical issues 

Dogs who have underlying health issues often look depressed or worried because they are not feeling well, even if they display no other symptoms. Various types of medical conditions can negatively impact a dog’s demeanor, and a veterinarian can run tests to figure out a cause. Medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism in senior dogs, can also lead to changes in facial expression and appearance.

Underlying pain

Dogs experiencing pain have trouble doing normal activities. As a result, they may show signs of distress. Joint pain from osteoarthritis is a very common issue, especially in senior dogs, that can lead to a worried dog or stressed appearance. Veterinarians typically recommend a combination of treatments to alleviate pain and improve mobility in dogs with arthritis. This includes appropriate pain medications for dogs, such as Galliprant, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for canine osteoarthritis pain and inflammation relief.

Age-related changes

As dogs age, they experience changes within their bodies like people do. Senior dogs may display worried expressions as they navigate vision loss, confusion from changes that affect brain function, or effects of disease.  Conditions like cognitive dysfunction (dementia) may lead senior dogs to feel disoriented, bump into objects, or just not feel like themselves. Senior dogs may also experience changes in their muscles and tissues, which can alter their facial expression. All of these age-related changes can result in a worried or sad looking dog.  

Empathy 

Dogs can sense emotions from the people around them. If a pet parent seems worried, dogs can sense this and may then appear concerned. Likewise, if a pet parent is feeling anxious, dogs will often become stressed and nervous as a result (2). 

Traumatic history

Dogs who have been abused or neglected may appear worried because they are wary of people. Likewise, some dogs who have been relinquished to shelters may harbor fears of abandonment and find it difficult to trust again. This can make dogs look frightened or sad.

Breed appearance

Some breeds, such as Basset Hounds, may seem worried simply because of their natural facial characteristics, such as wrinkles brows and “hound dog” eyes. This can make it difficult to discern whether there is a true underlying issue or if it is just the natural appearance of the dog. In breeds where these facial expressions are normal, a worried look is often not a cause for concern. However, if other abnormal behaviors or concerning symptoms are also present, pet parents should bring their dogs to the veterinarian. 

Boredom 

A pet parent may think they have a worried dog when the dog is really just bored. If dogs do not get enough stimulation throughout the day from exercise and play, they can often look sad. Dogs need mental and physical stimulation, which can be provided through puzzle toys, long walks, or socialization. 

Attention-seeking behavior

Dogs are incredibly smart. If a dog sees that their pet parent cuddles them and provides extra love when they act or look a certain way, the dog will catch on and repeat that behavior. In these instances, there is nothing actually worrying the dog—they just enjoy the attention. 

How to Help a Worried Dog

If your dog looks worried, try to identify what’s causing their unusual behavior. Think about whether there have been any changes in the home or anything that can trigger anxiety in your dog’s current environment. Take note of any other symptoms that may be present and whether the worried dog appearance is constant or triggered by certain events.  

If you are unsure what is making your dog worried, take them to the veterinarian for a checkup. This is especially true if your dog is experiencing other troublesome symptoms, such as limping, not eating or drinking, vomiting, hiding, or having accidents in the house. These can be signs of an underlying medical issue that needs to be addressed.

Veterinarians will recommend treatment options based on what is causing a dog’s worried appearance. If a dog is experiencing anxiety, a sedative may be prescribed to help the dog relax. As mentioned, some dogs who appeared worried are actually bored and may benefit from more stimulation through increased exercise and play. If a dog is showing signs of arthritis, your veterinarian may prescribe appropriate pain medications, such as Galliprant. A dog arthritis treatment plan can help your canine companion return to their relaxed and happy self.

Your veterinarian can work with you to choose a treatment option that is right for your pet. Unfortunately, if left untreated, worry in dogs can lead to problematic behaviors, such as aggression and self-mutilation. That’s why it is important to mention any concerning symptoms to your dog’s veterinarian right away. 

Worried Dog: Other Tips and Advice

It is understandable to feel concerned when your dog looks worried. However, because dogs are able to feel the emotions of those around them, it is important to remain relaxed and calm. There are various reasons why a dog may feel worried or stressed. Some causes of a worried dog are nothing to worry about, while others require a correct diagnosis and treatment. A visit to the veterinarian can help rule out any underlying health issues and identify what is making your dog worried. Once a cause is identified, your veterinarian can provide some helpful tips to get your dog feeling like themselves again. 

The post Why Does My Dog Look Worried? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

But while toting small sticks is mostly harmless, oftentimes carrying, chewing on, and playing fetch with large sticks can be dangerous for your pet. 

In this article, we’ll go over why dogs are attracted to sticks and whether or not playing with them is a safe activity. 

Why Do Dogs Like Sticks?

Dog breeds such as Golden/Labrador Retrievers, Pointers, and Setters are predisposed or bred to carry objects in their mouths, as they were heavily relied upon during times of hunting. “Seeking out a stick and then chewing on it can be a way to carry out that natural behavior,” says Dr. Michelle Lugones, veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Society. 

Many dogs find fetching a stick entertaining, especially if their parents make the game part of playtime, adds Dr. Lugones. And you have probably seen some dogs carry sticks that seem way too large for them. Why do dogs like big sticks like this? According to Dr. Lugones, “They may enjoy the challenge, not see that size as a challenge, or they may just like how the weight of that stick feels in their mouths.” 

Puppies especially enjoy picking up sticks for play. This is part of how they interact with their environment. “Puppies frequently use their mouths and noses to investigate their surroundings, which may lead them to discovering the appeal of sticks,” says Dr. Alison Gerken, a veterinarian who exclusively treats pets with behavior disorders at the San Francisco SPCA.  

Why Do Dogs Like to Chew on Sticks?

Canines like to chew on sticks for a variety of reasons. Wild and domesticated dogs gnaw on bones as part of their natural behavior. Dogs enjoy chewing sticks because they resemble bones and the texture is appealing to nibble on or carry around in their mouths, according to Dr. Lugones. 

Chewing on things, adds Dr. Gerken, also helps to remove plaque from teeth to keep them clean. “Chewing can also occur to alleviate tooth-related pain (such as from teething in puppies or dental disease in adults) as well as frustration, anxiety or boredom.” 

However, praising your dog when they carry a sizable stick, or laughing at how silly your pup looks with a stick in their mouth, may cause them to think this behavior is acceptable.  

Can Dogs Eat Sticks?

The fact is, chewing on and eating sticks can lead to problems. “Sticks can splinter into smaller pieces that can be swallowed. If these pieces are too large to pass through the gastrointestinal tract, a potentially life-threatening obstruction may develop,” says Dr. Gerken. 

A stick splintering during chewing can also result in an infection or mouth pain. Or the stick could impale the tongue or the roof of the mouth during chewing, causing injuries. Sticks can also become wedged between the teeth, causing oral infections. Oral injuries are often some of the most common problems that land dogs in the emergency room.

If your dog is regularly seeking out sticks to snack on, it may be a sign of a condition called pica, which is the compulsive ingestion of non-food items. “The cause of pica can be anything from malnutrition, underlying diseases, gastrointestinal parasites, to stress or boredom,” says Dr. Lugones. 

If your dog is showing signs of pica, bring them to the veterinarian for an examination and screening tests for any underlying issues. “If there isn’t a medical reason, they may discuss training and behavioral strategies to promote calmness, decrease stress, and prevent any further pica,” Dr. Lugones adds.  

Is It Safe for Dogs to Play with Sticks? 

While it may seem harmless to throw a stick for your dog to fetch or catch, Dr. Lugones says it can cause severe injury if the dog doesn’t land the catch or the fetch goes awry.  

“Injury to the mouth, throat, face, and teeth can occur and a dog could accidentally be impaled with a stick when they accidentally land part of their body onto it instead of catching or fetching it,” she warns. 

If your dog unintentionally runs into a stationary object, such as a gate or door with a large stick in their mouth, it could also cause damage, says Dr. Lugones. It may lead to lacerations or splinters in the mouth, throat, or face, neck injury, or fractured teeth. “These may sound outlandish, but veterinarians see and treat dogs in the emergency room for scenarios like these.”  

How to Stop a Dog From Eating Sticks

Because of the dangers of chewing sticks, Dr. Gerken recommends that pet parents avoid playing fetch or catch using sticks. This includes keeping your yard free of sticks as best you can, and monitoring your dog closely on walks without distractions, such as phone calls or social media browsing. 

“With so many other dog-friendly toys that can be chewed, fetched and carried, there is no need for pet parents to take the risks associated with permitting their dog to chew sticks,” states Dr. Gerken. She recommends carrying a treat pouch with your pooch’s favorite snack, or keeping a small toy handy when outside to distract them from going after a stick.

For dental-related chewing, it’s best to utilize dog chew toys or treats specifically designed for teething, or keeping teeth clean. Heavy duty toys, such as Kongs or West Paw’s Zogoflex, can provide your dog with enrichment and help with their chewing urges. 

If your pet is excessively going after sticks, and it is hard to remove all small branches from the yard, Dr. Gerken recommends training your dog to wear a basket muzzle (that is not made of fabric) to prevent them from reaching for sticks. 

“A basket muzzle allows a dog to pant, drink water and even accept treats, but prevents dogs from picking up items that they should not chew or ingest, including sticks. Muzzleupproject.com is a great resource for training dogs to wear muzzles.” 

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Hard to resist. But giving in to a begging dog can lead to real problems for you and your pooch. This can range from pesky, unwanted behaviors to medical issues like canine obesity stemming from eating too many table scraps and treats.

Fortunately, stopping a dog from begging isn’t complicated. It just takes a little patience and a few simple steps. Here’s what you need to know about dog begging.

Why Do Dogs Beg?

To figure out why dogs beg, it might be best to first ask—what do dogs beg for? In general, dogs beg for three things: food, toys, and attention/play.

In other words, dogs don’t beg to be annoying and they don’t do it for any complex, social, or evolutionary reasons. They do it “because they want something,” says certified animal behaviorist Yody Blass, owner and director of Companion Animal Behavior in Virginia. 

Blass says the old-school way of thinking about begging behaviors in dogs usually got around to theories about wolves, dominance, and submission, but there isn’t much backing up those theories these days. The truth, she says, is a little more basic: your dog begs because begging works.

“A big part of it is people letting it happen,” Blass says. “Over time, dogs learn what they can and can’t get away with.”

What Does Dog Begging Look Like?

Your dog is smart—and he knows how to game you when he wants something. That usually means he’s figured out that being adorable works. “If we have the goods and they want the goods, they’re going to be cute,” Blass says. “They know how to work us.”

The cute stuff is tough to resist but easy to spot—big, wet eyes, droopy ears, wagging tail, a gentle paw on your lap, maybe a pleading whimper.

But not all behaviors are cute and, left unchecked, dog begging behaviors at the dinner table can escalate to more nuisance or even assertive behaviors, such as:

• Yipping
• Barking
• Nipping 
• Jumping 
• Excessive pawing
• Grabbing food behind your back

Your dog’s breed and natural temperament likely play a role in what types of begging behaviors he exhibits, Blass says.

Keep in mind that not all begging is about food. Sometimes your dog begs because he wants to play. Sometimes he wants to go outside. Sometimes he just wants your attention. “Anything dogs want to do, they have their ways of begging for it,” says Phyllis Beasley, a certified professional dog trainer and owner of Praise Dog!Training in South Carolina.

What’s important to remember is something all dog parents occasionally forget—your dog can’t talk like a human. So he needs to get his message across however he can. 

If he’s begging for something other than food, he might stare at his leash waiting for a walk, or stand by the back door hoping to be let out. Sometimes he might boop you with his nose or try to get you to follow him. Pet parents don’t always interpret these as begging behaviors, Beasley says. 

But if staring or hovering or booping isn’t working, your dog might get vocal. “If a dog barks at you for something, we call that ‘demand barking,’” she says. “It’s not bad behavior, per se, it’s the dog communicating that he wants something. But it’s not the way to do it.”

How to Stop a Dog from Begging

The best way to curb demand barking or pushier dog begging behaviors is to teach your dog to sit for what he wants, Beasley says. “I call it the ‘Say please’ protocol.’”

The good news, she says, is that most dog parents usually teach their pups how to “sit.” For instance, you might teach your dog to sit in front of the fridge when he wants an ice cube (like Beasley’s German Shepherd does). 

But it’s important for pet parents to learn to recognize what their dog is saying by quietly sitting near something he wants and rewarding polite behavior. “We have a saying that behaviors that are rewarded are repeated,” Beasley says. “The key is consistency.”

When it comes to a dog begging for food, approaches you can try include feeding your dog first, feeding your dog in a different room, or blocking your dog’s access to where you eat. 

According to Yody Blass, three tried-and-true things dog parents can do are ignore, redirect, and invest in some basic training.

Ignoring is exactly what it sounds like. When you feel those big saucer eyes lock in on you, don’t engage. “[Dogs are] used to us giving in,” Blass says. “You need to make them wait—although that’s only going to work to a point.”

This is where redirecting comes in. Redirect the dog’s attention to something he would like besides your dinner—maybe a toy or a snuffle mat—in another part of the house. When he figures out that when you get something he also gets something he likes, but can only get it away from the table, you’ll be more likely to eat without “that look” keeping you company.

This, of course, will only happen if you put in some time training your dog to respect your cues, gestures, and hand signals, Blass says. But this is where a lot of dog families get frustrated. “I think a lot of people miss that training part,” she says. “You need to work on it every day for two or three minutes.”

And if all that is still not getting your dog to stop begging, she says, call a professional. “It’s helpful to have someone come in and work with you.”

Dog Begging: Other Tips and Advice

Whether your dog is begging for food, play, or a nice ice cube, stopping a dog from begging takes a little patience and a little practice. Remember that they don’t think they’re doing anything wrong, so punishing a dog for “bad” behavior won’t work, Beasley says.

Teaching basic cues like “leave it” or simply “no” can go a long way. They’re especially effective with hand or body gestures, since dogs are excellent at picking up nonverbal cues from people, Beasley says.

Her own German Shepherd, for instance, loves fetching a ball and would do it for hours. But when Beasley has had enough, she will gesture with her arms and say “Enough” and then completely disengage.

The bottom line is, your dog will react to the way you respond to begging. Whatever you reward, you reinforce, and if “bad” or unwanted behaviors are getting him what he wants, he will keep doing it as long as it works.

The post Dog Begging: Why They Do It and How to Stop It appeared first on Great Pet Care.

“This is highly unlikely to be something that happens because the dog is mad at you or trying to get back at you for something,” she says. “We know that animals share many of the same emotions that humans do, but there is minimal if any evidence to suggest that four-legged animals act out of spite or vengeance.”

Dogs can start peeing on beds for a variety of reasons, both medical and behavioral. Read on to find out what causes this behavior and get tips for how to best address the issue and clean up the mess.

Why Does My Dog Pee on My Bed?

“Dogs pee in the house for a variety of different reasons, ranging from separation anxiety to a fear of going outside to just never having been well housetrained,” Dr. Tynes says.

In order to stop your dog from peeing on your bed, you must understand why they are doing it. Before assuming your dog’s bed peeing is behavioral, it’s vital to have your dog checked out by a veterinarian to rule out a medical problem.

Some medical conditions in dogs that can cause peeing on things inside the house include:

• Bladder stones
• Cushing’s disease
• Diabetes
• Incontinence
• Kidney disease
• Spinal problems/nerve damage
• Urinary tract infections

“If an adult dog over the age of about 5 to 7 years suddenly starts peeing on the bed, I am going to lean more heavily toward the likelihood of an underlying medical problem, such as a urinary tract problem,” Dr. Tynes says. “If the behavior first occurs in a 2- to 3-year-old dog, I still want to rule out urinary tract disease, but the problem is more likely to be a primary behavior condition.”

Sometimes, you might think your dog is purposely peeing on your bed when what’s actually happening is out of their control. If your old dog is peeing on the bed or your dog pees on the bed at night, it could be involuntary urine leakage. 

“If a dog sleeps in the bed with you and is elderly and becomes incontinent, they could begin leaving urine on the bed because they leak urine while they sleep,” Dr. Tynes says. “Leaking urine while sleeping is a problem that is more common in female dogs.”

Senior dogs are also more likely to develop medical conditions that lead to increased urine output, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and Cushing’s disease. These conditions may make it more difficult for your senior dog to avoid urinating in bed. Other conditions, such as bladder stones, urinary tract tumors, and infections, may also be more common in senior dogs, for a variety of reasons.

In addition to medical causes, peeing on the bed can be a behavioral issue. Some behavioral conditions that can cause peeing on things inside the house include:

• Fear of going outside
• Poor housetraining
• Separation anxiety
• Urine marking

In a senior dog, cognitive dysfunction (dementia) can also lead to changes in urinary habits.

The reasons why a dog might choose to specifically pee on a bed versus elsewhere in the house can be tricky to reveal. Dr. Tynes says that dogs who have been punished in the past for having accidents in the house might be afraid to eliminate in the presence of their owner and instead search for a nice safe place to hide and do their business. 

“Many dogs will avoid urinating on a hard surface and try to find something absorbent instead,” she says. “This could be beds, rugs, clothing on the floor, or even furniture.”

Dog Peeing on Bed: How to Stop It

The first thing to do if your dog starts peeing on your bed is to schedule a visit with your veterinarian. A veterinary visit is especially essential in senior dogs, due to the likelihood of underlying medical conditions related to urinary changes. Your vet can check your dog over to look for a medical cause for the bed peeing. If the issue is due to a urinary tract infection, incontinence or another medical concern, your vet will prescribe medications to help your dog. 

If you or your vet suspect the behavior is due to urine marking, spaying or neutering your dog might help stop it. Urine marking, which is driven by hormones, is more common in unneutered male dogs. However, spayed or neutered dogs can also urine mark, something that is not related to territory marking or mating, but is believed to be associated with anxiety.

“Sites for urine marking are usually chosen because they are in a location that an animal feels is necessary to mark so that their own feelings of safety and security are increased,” Dr. Tynes says. “The anxiety might be due to changes in the composition of the home—new people, new animals, new items—that worry the pet and lead to the animal feeling the need to mark items in the home with their own scent.”

If your vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, your next step is to contact a qualified veterinary behaviorist who can attempt to determine the underlying cause of the urination in the house, whether that’s anxiety, fear, inadequate house training, or another cause.

To shed some light on what’s driving the bed peeing behavior, the behaviorist will ask you about other behaviors your dog might be exhibiting at home. 

“A dog with separation anxiety is likely to also be destructive,” Dr. Tynes says. “If an owner will set up a camera and capture some video of the dog while alone, you should also be able to see that the dog is acting anxious or distressed. Dogs with separation anxiety may also act distressed the moment they see their owner preparing to leave.”

In cases of inadequate housetraining or urine marking, you might notice your dog peeing in other places inside the house in addition to your bed. “It would be uncommon for them to only pee on the bed,” Dr. Tynes says.

There are some basic principles that can be applied to changing any unwanted behavior in dogs, Dr. Tynes says, including peeing on the bed. The first step is preventing the behavior from occurring by avoiding the situation that allows the behavior to occur. 

“In the case of peeing on the bed, close doors to the bedroom or keep the dog near you either by tethering or the use of some type of containment, such as an ex-pen or crate,” she says. “Second, reinforce the dog for the behavior you want to be repeated. In this case, take the dog outside frequently, wait for it to urinate, and then praise and reward the dog with a tiny treat.”

It can take some time to resolve inappropriate urination, so work closely with your behaviorist and pack your patience. With diligence, you can address the underlying cause and stop your dog from peeing on your bed. 

Cleaning Up After Your Dog Pees on the Bed

While you are working on resolving the behavior, it’s important to clean up properly when accidents happen. Using odor eliminating products to remove all traces of pee scent is a crucial step to prevent a dog from wanting to return to that spot to go again.

If your dog is peeing on your bedding, including blankets, sheets and comforter, wash these following the directions on the tag. If the pee has seeped into the mattress, you’ll want to clean that carefully as well.

“With urinary accidents, soak or blot the urine to get as much of the liquid out as possible,” Dr. Tynes says. “Clean with plain soap and water if safe for the surface. Some people have success with enzymatic cleaners for pet accidents.”

Remember: It’s Not Personal

People often think their dog is peeing on the bed on purpose to send a message of some kind. Try to remember that dogs don’t do things out of spite. Your dog is peeing on the bed for a reason, but it’s unlikely because they are mad at you. Instead, your dog’s peeing on the bed is likely an indication that something is wrong, and it’s up to you to work with your veterinarian to find and solve the problem.

“People often take an animal peeing on their bed or clothing as a personal affront,” Dr. Tyne says. “Most often, the animal chooses a site for elimination because it is a quiet, out-of-the-way spot where they feel safe and has a substrate under their feet that they like.”

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But is tail chasing in dogs cute, or is it a sign of something wrong? We spoke with veterinary behaviorists to get the facts about why dogs chase their tails and what you might need to keep an eye out for.

Is It Normal for Dogs to Chase Their Tails?

So, is tail chasing something dogs just do? The short answer is yes, but with a big caveat. Dr. Leanne Lilly, a veterinary behaviorist at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, says tail chasing in dogs can just be a form of play—but only if it’s brief and intermittent and, generally, if your pup is still young.

“Silly play tends to happen in younger animals,” adds Dr. Julia Albright, a veterinary behaviorist at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. “Puppies, up to 18 months.” 

Playful tail chasing in dogs is fairly easy to recognize, Dr. Lilly says. “If they take one or two jumps, catch it, then let it go,” she says, then it’s probably play. “But if you see a dog who chases his tail obsessively, to the exclusion of everything else, it’s time to get him to a vet.”   

Some breeds are more inclined than others to chase their tails, Dr. Lilly adds. Bull Terriers and German Shepherds, in particular, are known tail chasers. 

But again, normal, harmless, playful tail chasing in dogs is a brief catch-and-release. Frequent, obsessive, or even aggressive tail chasing and chewing is likely a sign of something more concerning.

Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails?

If your dog is whirling around in circles chasing his tail, this puzzling behavior likely raises a few questions, like: Why is my dog chasing his tail and biting it? Does he think it’s a toy? What could possibly be so interesting back there?

Let’s look at a couple possible emotional reasons and then some physical ones for dogs chasing their tails.

Stress

Wild dogs and wolves don’t typically chase their tails, Dr. Lilly says, but captive wolves (and some captive big cats, FYI) sometimes do. This points to one of the non-play reasons dogs might chase their tails: stress. 

“Dogs might do it as a coping mechanism,” Dr. Lilly says—something to fixate on when they are feeling anxious or frustrated.

Dr. Albright says that one of her three dogs loves to go for walks and gets frustrated when he can’t go out. Sometimes he goes after his tail. But his frustrated tail chasing looks different than a dog who might have a medical issue around back. “It’s not frantic,” she says, but it is clearly her dog working off some of his stress.

OCD

Just as some humans have OCD tics, Dr. Albright says, so do dogs, and tail chasing might be one of them. She says the behavior might start because of some kind of stressor, but continues when there isn’t anything presently stressing the dog out. This is where the tendencies of Bull Terriers and German Shepherds to chase might come into play. But it’s not wise to assume your dog is chasing his tail just because his breed is more prone to do that.

Pain, Discomfort, and Medical Issues

Dog tails are lively, complicated structures. They are, in fact, limbs made up of vertebrae, muscles, cartilage, and nerves, and that means dogs’ tails are as prone to injury, nerve damage, infection, and disease as any other part of their bodies. “Tail pain is a main cause of tail chasing,” Dr. Lilly says.

And if there is any kind of medical problem happening in your dog’s tail, he might try to catch and chew on it as a way of treating the issue. “A ton of medical issues can lead to tail chasing,” Dr. Albright says.

Some tail troubles in dogs can be fairly easy to address, such as:

• Fleas
• Hot spots (i.e., patches of raw, irritated skin)
• Anal gland irritation

Other reasons for tail chasing in dogs can be more serious, such as:

• Skin injury
• Tumors
• Arthritis
• Bone fractures or bone infections
• Spinal cord injury

And because dogs can’t just tell us what they’re feeling, some signs of tail trouble to watch out for include:

• Limp tail
• Pain when touched
• Swelling
• Kinks/bumps/bends in the tail

Dr. Lilly says that dogs obsessively chasing their tails or excessively spinning in one direction could be a sign of pain or discomfort on one side of the body, near the dog’s hind end. 

Excessive tail spinning also (though less frequently) could be a symptom of a deeper issue. “There’s always a small chance that a repetitive behavior is part of a seizure or other psychomotor disorder,” Dr. Lilly says. It’s why she says pet parents should default to going to a vet and not make assumptions.

How to Stop a Dog From Chasing Their Tail

The best way to stop dogs from chasing their tails is to find out why they’re chasing them in the first place.

Our experts stress that tail chasing lasting more than 10 seconds, or in dogs older than a year or two, should be addressed medically. “For any behavior that’s not normal, the vet is the best place to start,” Dr. Lilly says. “Always go to a vet first.”

In other words, don’t assume your pup is just acting up. Let your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist rule out more serious issues first. Once you do rule out medical trouble, there are steps pet parents can take to curb tail chasing in dogs:

Don’t: Encourage. There’s a chance your pup’s habitual tail chasing might actually be a way of seeking attention. If you laugh or in some other way reward your pup with attention when he whirls around chasing his backside, says Dr. Lilly, “it’s like yelling ‘ice cream’ at a kids’ party.” 

Do: Redirect. “Whenever we need a dog to be in a different place,” says Dr. Albright, “we redirect.” In the moment, mid-spin, she says, “call him away, calmly. Ask him to do other things.” If he does tricks, now would be a good time to break a few out. Or maybe take a walk, or play with a toy. And if he doesn’t know any tricks, well…maybe now you have a reason to teach him a couple.

Don’t: Redirect with food. Food rewards are a training tool for dogs. If you offer him treats in exchange for not spinning, he’ll probably figure out how to game you for post-spinny treats very quickly.

Definitely Don’t: Restrain. Dr. Albright says never try to physically stop or restrain your dog while he’s in the middle of chasing. It will just add to his stress and could make things worse.

Tail Chasing in Dogs: Other Advice

Tail chasing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. But it could happen because of the vacuum! In other words, stress reactions have precursors—something that signals that a behavior is about to start. 

Dr. Albright says the best thing pet parents can do is learn to recognize what triggers behaviors like spinning and tail chasing in dogs. And it could be anything—the vacuum cleaner, the mailman, loud garbage trucks, kids playing close by. Does your dog start chasing or spinning when these things show up in his space? Especially if he is blocked from seeing what’s causing him stress, or, conversely, feels he can’t get away from it?

Dr. Lilly says pet parents can work around these patterns once they recognize what triggers a bout of stressful tail chasing in dogs. If you know when the garbage truck shows up, for example, maybe leave on some music or another sound your pup likes as a way to drown out the noise of the truck. If you know what time a repeating stressor occurs, a food bowl with a timer could train your dog to think of the garbage truck or afternoon siren or mailman visit as time for a snack, Dr. Lilly says. Reassociation and avoidance, she says, go a long way.

The bottom line for dog parents is to pay attention to your pooch; to never assume behaviors like tail chasing are just your dog being weird; and to see a veterinary behaviorist or vet if your dog is chasing his tail a lot. 

That whole butt-sniffing thing, though—you’re just gonna have to live with that one.

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Why do female dogs hump, though? Here we outline what to know about this behavior, then follow up with expert-vetted tips on how pet parents can work to correct it. 

Though dog humping is considered normal, there are times when it can signal that something is amiss. It’s why we recommend contacting your veterinarian if you suspect something’s off or if the humping starts suddenly.

Do Girl Dogs Hump?

Dog humping isn’t a behavior reserved just for males. “While it is less commonly seen, female dogs may also hump,” says Dr. Mary R. Burch, director of AKC Family Dog. And though it’s more common in younger, unspayed dogs, “Female dogs may hump both before and after being spayed,” says Dr. Burch, who is a certified applied animal behaviorist.

While any dog can exhibit this behavior, studies show a strong link between smaller breeds and compulsive behaviors, including dog mounting.

Researchers shed some light on why this may be. For one, smaller dogs are usually more reactive and excitable than larger ones, and they tend to be products of overprotective pet parents. It can also be that we perceive similar behaviors differently depending on the dog’s size. “It may be more tolerated in smaller dogs because it is less disruptive,” says Dr. Valli Parthasarathy, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist with Synergy Behavior Solutions in Portland, Oregon.

Why Do Female Dogs Hump?

There isn’t one specific reason. A female dog who mounts another dog may be frustrated, emotionally aroused, engaging in play, trying to establish status, or even seeking attention,  says Dr. Parthasarathy. “They can hump other people or inanimate objects such as pillows for similar reasons, except for social standing.”

How Sex Hormones Play a Role in Female Dog Humping

Though it may seem surprising, female dog humping is not usually sexual in nature, veterinarians say. One classic study examining the link between hormones and behavior found that estrogen levels (the hormone vital to sex and reproduction) didn’t impact whether a female dog mounted another dog, says Dr. Parthasarathy. “However, female dogs would mount other female dogs who were actively in heat more frequently than when not in heat.”

Anxiety and Emotional Arousal

Anxiety is a top cause of female dog humping, veterinarians say. In one study looking at undesirable canine behavior, 65 percent of the dogs classified as anxious had a tendency to hump people. One view is that it’s a way to release energy caused by anxiety or excitement.

Play and Social Interaction

Mounting can be a way for dogs (including puppies) to play and socialize with each other. For dogs, play is an important way to display camaraderie and build relationships.

For Pleasure

Sometimes the answer to why do female dogs hump? is straightforward: Because it feels good. It can also be soothing. A female dog who humps an object before settling in for sleep is akin to thumb sucking in a human child.  

Dominance Theory

Dog mounting can be a way to establish dominance with other dogs. Of course, if a dog is humping an object – whether it’s the furniture or a favorite toy – the dominance theory doesn’t apply.

Compulsive Behaviors

A dog with a malady like canine compulsive disorder may engage in excessive and repetitive behaviors. Though compulsive disorders are not a common reason for female dog humping, it should still be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Inadequate Physical or Mental Stimulation

Though it’s not a common cause, a lack of mental stimulation or exercise can contribute to some dog humping behavior, says Dr. Parthasarathy. “But often humping has other root causes other than this.” In these cases, “Mental enrichment can help provide dogs a healthy outlet if lack of stimulation is playing a role.”

Medical Issues

What looks like dog mounting may actually be a way for a pup to relieve the pain or discomfort associated with a medical condition. Medical issues that may lead to dog humping include skin allergies caused by a flea infestation, vaginitis, or a urinary tract infection.

Sudden Humping: What Does It Mean?

While dog humping is considered normal, it can sometimes be a sign of something more serious, especially when it starts suddenly. When this happens, it’s recommended that you contact your veterinarian, as it usually indicates a medical condition.

Why Does My Female Dog Hump All of a Sudden?

“While humping can be from stress, excitement, or dominance, it can also be the sign of a medical condition such as an allergy, an infection, or a skin irritation if the dog is not fully housetrained (think of diaper rash),” says Dr. Burch.

New stressors or anything that increases pain or discomfort can increase anxiety, and thus lead to sudden humping, says Dr. Parthasarathy. Additionally, “If a particular dog is being mounted, that dog should be checked as well for any health changes.”

How to Stop a Female Dog From Humping

A humping dog who has received a clean bill of health from the veterinarian may benefit from behavior training. “Training and redirection are good ways to stop humping,” says Dr. Burch. In the study where 65 percent of anxious dogs exhibited mounting behavior, 72.3 percent improved after receiving such training.

First, determine what precedes the dog humping behavior, says Dr. Parthasarathy. “Who is present and when is it happening?” Then, if possible, work to avoid or prevent those situations. “This may mean taking a break from dog parks, reducing situations that trigger emotional arousal, or removing favored items that are being humped.”

Behavior therapy can also encourage dogs to practice behaviors aside from humping in these situations, Dr. Parthasarathy says. “If humping does occur, then calmly redirect the dog to do a different activity. Avoid scolding or punishing the dog for humping.”

If the dog is humping for attention, playing a backyard game where the dog has to retrieve a ball may help, says Dr. Burch. “Chasing and retrieving a ball are incompatible with humping.”

If you need help applying these techniques, ask your veterinarian for guidance. Or consider working with a certified dog behaviorist or certified dog trainer.

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We know that a dog with a loose body position and a mouth slightly open is usually happy, while one who’s still and licking his lips likely feels frightened or stressed. 

But what about a dog who’s tilting their head? It sort of looks like they are confused or curious—like a real-life version of Scooby Doo saying “Aroo?” 

We spoke with veterinary behavior experts to learn more about head tilting in dogs, including what the behavior means and what pet parents should do about it.

Dog Tilting Head: Is It Normal?

Whether head tilting in dogs is normal or abnormal depends on the individual dog and the context of the behavior.

“Some dogs offer head tilts more than others, but it’s not clear yet why,” says Ellen M. Lindell, VMD, DACVB, a board certified veterinary behaviorist at Veterinary Behavior Consultations in Asheville, North Carolina. 

That’s because the behavior hasn’t been researched too extensively. However, one recent study offers at least a loose suggestion that tilting behavior can be associated with dogs who are “gifted word learners.” (1)

The study looked at 40 breeds of dogs and tried to get them to memorize names of various toys and recall that information shortly thereafter. Seven of the dogs showed a strong ability to complete the tasks, while the others did not. Those seven dogs tilted their heads 43 percent of the time, while the other dogs only tilted their heads 2 percent of the time.

Lindell says more research will be needed to determine if this conclusion is strong and consistent enough to indicate that head tilting is truly associated with smarts, as well as if there are any breed-specific associations with the behavior. 

Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads? 

Perhaps the most familiar reason for dogs to tilt their heads is in response to auditory stimuli, says Amy Learn, VMD, DACVB, Chief of Clinical Behavioral Medicine at the Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Richmond, Virginia. “The action is thought to be when an animal is processing or responding to a sound or word that has some significance, meaning that they have already been taught to identify that object.” 

Learn adds that not all dogs are able to learn the label for certain objects and not all dogs who recognize certain words tilt their heads. Dogs may also tilt their heads when hearing a new sound for the very first time. 

Some dogs may tilt their head to the left, while others tilt to the right. This appears to be simply an individual preference of the dog, as long as response to stimuli is the reason for the head tilt.

Dog head tilting may also be an attempt to gain human attention. Though there is no evidence to suggest that dogs tilt their heads deliberately to look cuter, one study suggests a head tilt can increase their cuteness factor (2). In addition, positively reinforced behaviors tend to repeat over time. So if your dog tilts their head and you respond by laughing, praising, or giving a treat, this will encourage them to do it more often, Learn says. 

In other cases, dog head tilting could be a sign of an underlying medical issue. If your dog starts tilting their head for the first time out of nowhere, the behavior is most likely due to a health problem. This is especially likely in the case of senior dogs that develop a new head tilt.

“Any behavior that has never been seen and suddenly appears suggests potential for a medical component,” Lindell says. “New behavioral traits don’t suddenly appear once dogs are 1 ½ years old unless the stimulus is novel.” 

When Head Tilt in Dogs Indicates a Problem

When a medical issue is the cause of head tilting, the tilt will be persistent and may occur when the dog is still or moving, Lindell says. “The dog is not likely to be specifically engaged with a person or oriented toward a sound when experiencing a medical event,” she says.

Problematic head tilting may also occur when a dog is walking in a circle, Learn adds. Other signs that come with an illness-caused head tilt may include: 

• Head, ear, or neck pain
• Vomiting
• Abnormal eye movements
• Lowered head carriage or difficulty holding the head up
• Falling over
• Inability to stand

“Illnesses that cause head tilts usually involve inflammatory or infectious causes and may or may not be painful,” Learn says. The systems infected include the brain and brain stem, as well as vestibular system, or the inner ear. 

When it comes to ear-related triggers for head tilting, you may also notice your dog shaking their head. This is a very different behavior than head tilting, but Learn says they both can be associated with ear infections. 

If you notice any of these symptoms coming on suddenly, along with persistent head tilting, seek out immediate medical attention. Most tilt-related medical problems will require significant diagnostics and treatment, Learn says, and some may even be life-threatening.

A new head tilt in a senior dog isn’t always a serious concern, though. A head tilt in an older dog that is accompanied by abnormal eye movements and other signs could be caused by a benign condition called “old dog vestibular disease.” This condition, which affects senior dogs (as its name suggests), often results in a head tilt, circling, trouble balancing, and other clinical signs that are consistent with dizziness or vertigo. Distinguishing between vestibular disease and other, more serious, conditions requires the expertise of a veterinarian.

On the other hand, if your dog shows no signs of pain or arousal and is still when they give their head a quick tilt, it is likely behavior related, Lindell says. “A behavioral head tilt will be brief and usually accompanied by an expression that I’ll just call ‘curiosity.’” 

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But can we mere mortals compete with dogs? Of course not. Endlessly loyal, impossibly adorable, and famously sweet, man’s best friend is, well, the best. We’re not here to rub it in, simply to celebrate the majesty of our four-legged friends.

Why are dogs better than humans? The reasons are endless, but here are 20 that make us especially grateful to share our lives with our canine companions.

Dogs are always happy to see you.

Returning home after a weekend getaway? “OH MY GOODNESS YOU’RE HOME!” Returning home after a 10-minute errand?  “OH MY GOODNESS YOU’RE HOME!” We definitely don’t get that same reaction from our significant others, our family members, or friends. Just saying. 

They’re the world’s least picky eaters.

Nothing makes you appreciate a dog’s undiscerning palate like serving lunch to a toddler. Dogs have never made us carve grilled cheese sandwiches into dinosaurs, or demanded that chicken nuggets act out scenes from “Frozen” – and for that, we love them.

Dogs always know just what to say.

Technically, dogs can’t talk. But even so, they always seem to have the right “words” after a long day. In fact, studies have shown that dogs can evaluate human emotions, and they even attempt to comfort us when we’re distressed. Say it with us: WE’RE NOT WORTHY.

They’re delightful on social media.

There’s no cringe-worthy content, humble-brag posts, or thirst-trap selfies here. As Kings of the Internet, dogs understand exactly what the modern world needs: derp faces, puppy stretches, and head tilts.

Dogs don’t charge for therapy sessions.

We’d pay good money for their wise insights and unparalleled listening skills. But thankfully, dogs work pro-bono, and they’re always accepting new clients. 

They’re the first to forgive and forget.

To know a shelter dog is to truly know the meaning of forgiveness, faith, and fortitude. While we humans can have a hard time moving forward, dogs live in the moment – and are always ready to make more moments with the ones they love.

They don’t question your Netflix picks.

Go ahead, rewatch every single season of “The Great British Baking Show.” Your dog thinks it’s a great idea (as long as you share your lap).

They never cancel plans (or care when you cancel).

If you have a happy hour date with your pup, you know he’ll be there with a big goofy grin on his face. Change of plans? No problem – he totally gets it. 

Dogs never run political ads.

…Although maybe they should. Dogs have our vote, each and every time.

They’ll never try to sell you skincare products.

…Or essential oils, or leggings, or supplements. Unlike your high school classmates, dogs will never slide into your DMs with “business opportunities.” (Although honestly, we’d allow it – hit us up, #bosspups!)

They can keep a secret.

Ever notice how it’s never the dog who sells their story to the tabloids? When you can’t trust your nanny or your trainer or your dog walker, you can always trust your dog.

They’re the very definition of “loyal.”

Go ahead, look it up in the dictionary. Right next to “loyal,” there’s a picture of your dog patiently waiting by the door.  

Three words: puppy dog eyes.

Don’t even bother trying to resist – we’re scientifically smitten with “puppy dog eyes.” Research has shown that over time, dogs actually developed a muscle above their eyes to better communicate with humans. Swoon!

Two words: nose boops.

We don’t need scientists to tell us that nose boops are the best. You get a boop, you get a boop, you get a boop – everyone gets a boop!

They love your Sunday sweatpants.

Not the cute leggings, or the trendy joggers – the old, threadbare sweatpants with the ripped pocket. As long as you’re wearing it, your dog thinks it looks amazing.

Dogs are the perfect coworkers.

They never reply-all to emails, they never microwave fish, they never share vacation photos. If you’ve ever worked in a dog-friendly office, you know four-legged coworkers are far superior to humans. 

They’re all-star workout buddies.

Whether you’re jogging, hiking, or down-dogging, pups are always up for a fun workout. Need a recovery day? They’re totally not judging if you decide to snuggle up on the couch instead (unlike your gym friends).

They wear their hearts on their sleeves.

With dogs, there are no egos, no mind games, no “playing it cool.” Dogs live their truth: They love us, and they’re not afraid to show it.  

They don’t leave voicemails.

Even if dogs could leave long, rambling voicemails, they wouldn’t. They would send a concise and polite text, because it’s the 21^st century and they’re civilized animals.

Dogs appreciate the little things.

When was the last time you saw a human get excited over an old tennis ball? Or an ear scratch? Or a random piece of sidewalk pizza? Dogs innately understand what it takes most humans an entire lifetime to discover – it’s the little things that bring the greatest joy. Thanks for the reminder, Good Boys.

The post 20 Reasons Dogs Are Better Than Humans appeared first on Great Pet Care.

You probably already know which sounds drive your dog nuts, but what about sounds dogs love? Knowing which sounds positively affect our best pals can aid in creating comfortable environments for them – which ultimately benefits their wellbeing. 

While it’s important to keep in mind that every dog is different and individual preferences will vary, we’ve outlined some sounds for dogs we think your pup might enjoy.

Sounds for Dogs 101

Dogs have an acute sense of hearing that in some ways surpasses ours. One is the phenomenon of sounds only dogs can hear, like high-pitched dog whistles. “At very high pitches, a dog’s hearing is exponentially better (over a hundred times better) than a person’s hearing,” says Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club, based in New York City. ”The average adult person can’t hear sounds above 20,000 hertz. Dogs can hear high pitched sounds as high as 47,000-65,000 hertz.” 

They can also register softer sounds more acutely, Dr. Klein adds. “Dogs can hear sounds between -5 and -15 decibels, sounds not loud enough for human’s hearing.”

According to Dr. Klein, this supersonic hearing is partly a product of their heritage. “As we’ve learned from wolves, a distant relative, their predatory background required them to hear minute sounds of small animals like mice and other small animals to catch for survival as well as for protection,” he explains.

Canine evolution is just one aspect of how dogs internalize sound, though. Individual dogs likely react to noise largely based on associations made with past experiences, says Dr. Carley Faughn, senior strategist for lifesaving research at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, and a board-certified applied animal behaviorist. 

For example, when someone knocks at the door or rings the doorbell, “they might bark in excitement, jump playfully, and show loose body language if that sound typically follows someone entering the house that they enjoy spending time with,” she explains. On the other hand, “they might bark, charge the door, and growl if they experienced a prior negative association with this sound.”

In other words, a given sound can mean different things to different dogs.

Why Do Dogs Like Certain Sounds?

When it comes to dogs, sounds associated with pleasant experiences will typically cause them to react favorably. “Some common noises dogs like are things related to food, like the crinkle of a treat bag, rustling of a food bin, opening of a can, [or] noises their toys make and their owners’ voices,” says Dr. Ashley Barnes, medical director at Louisville Family Animal Hospital in Louisville, Colorado. 

Our dogs are individuals with personal preferences and varied histories, however, so their reactions to certain sounds will differ. “If a dog enjoys a certain sound, then they might tilt their head predictably in interest, they might show signs of excitement like barking and jumping playfully, or they might simply relax and fall asleep,” says Faughn. “Similar to humans, music, for example, can have different effects on different people and dogs.”

Differences in their bodies versus ours also play a role in how our best friends react to noise. We can hear sounds from all directions without having to move our head, neck, or ears, according to Dr. Klein, “whereas a dog will often lift an ear or cock their head to hear more clearly, especially some dogs with higher or unusually pitched sounds.” 

How Do Puppies Respond to Sounds?

Dr. Faughn explains that puppies react a bit differently to sound than adult dogs. “Most likely some sounds that puppies like might differ from adult dogs because they have not yet lived long enough to build associations – positive or negative – with certain sounds,” she says.

8 Sounds Dogs Love

Learning to differentiate between sounds dogs love and sounds that make dogs go crazy can give insight into what triggers those negative reactions, says Dr. Barnes. “People can also use sounds to aid in training as dogs tend to respond well to sounds that are associated with positive experiences.”  

Again, keep in mind that dogs are individuals, so it’s possible yours may not fall in love with all the sounds on our list. 

Certain Genres of Music

Though dogs can have personal music preferences like we do, they seem to gravitate to certain genres. Some research shows that dogs generally appear calmer while listening to classical tunes. Another study found that dogs have a preference for reggae and soft rock music genres. “Using evidence-based sensory stimulation, like playing reggae, can be a very useful tool especially in shelters where it can be stressful regardless of the design and enrichment provided,” says Dr. Faughn.

Dr. Faughn mentions the puppy programs at shelters and sanctuaries she’s overseen have used these music genres to create calmer environments. “And if the puppies are still nursing with their mom, then these sounds might relax her, which could in turn help the puppies to relax and begin building some positive associations with sounds around them.”

Squeaking Noises

Squeaking may not be a sound we’re especially fond of (it can be downright irritating!), but to a dog it could signal something pleasant is about to happen. While some dogs may not like the sound of a squeaker toy because it will startle them, “others will come running as soon as you open that new toy and squeak it,” says Dr. Faughn. It may be that dogs enjoy the reward of chewing down on a toy that elicits a sound, or that it satisfies their prey drive.

The Sound of Food Containers Opening

What dog doesn’t love sounds letting them know dinner is about to be served? “Plates and silverware clicking, as well as food cans or bags opening, will get your dog thinking there is about to be a tasty treat coming their way,” says Dr. Amber Karwacki, a partner doctor at Heart + Paw at their Callowhill, Philadelphia location. The behavior is similar to that of Pavlov’s dogs, who learned to equate an assistant’s approaching footsteps with food. 

Other Dogs’ Sounds

Dogs are social beings who thrive when they’re able to interact with people and other dogs. One of the ways they communicate is with vocalizations, like barking and howling. While barking can indicate fear, loneliness, or anxiety, it can also be a way for them to engage in positive experiences, like initiating play or creating strong bonds.

Your Soft Voice

The sound of your voice or that of a baby cooing can be calming to dogs, says Karwacki, “and a great way to get them to settle down.” Interestingly, dogs can differentiate between familiar voices and those of people they don’t know. They can also discern emotion, so keeping your voice soft and relaxed is essential.

Audiobooks

While your dog may prefer the familiarity of your voice, the sound of other humans talking can also be calming. “Anecdotally, I have observed dogs relax when calm audiobooks with a soothing human voice are played,” says Dr. Faughn. 

One study backs up this observation, finding that shelter dogs exposed to audiobooks benefited from their calming effects. In fact, the dogs studied spent more time in a relaxed state when exposed to audiobooks than to other controlled sounds, including classical and pop music, and specifically designed sounds for dogs.

Leash Sounds

“You might notice your dog getting very excited when they hear the sound of their leash, harness, treat bag, or other items that are associated with positive interactions such as going on a fun walk or enjoying a tasty treat,” says Dr. Faughn. 

Keep in mind that leash sounds may not elicit a positive response in dogs who’ve had prior negative experiences with them. For example, some dogs may equate a leash solely with getting in the car and driving to the veterinarian. 

White Noise

Veterinarians say dogs who react negatively to loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms can find refuge with white noise. And according to Klein, “White noise is said to be a good sound to have on near nursing puppies.”

White noise is effective because it serves as a distraction. It drowns out the sounds that annoy dogs so they can focus on the soothing hum.

How Good Dog Sounds Can Help

Knowing which sounds dogs love and which ones they dislike can help you create a more comfortable environment for them. For example, “You can play the comforting sounds when your puppy is by themselves,” says Dr. Karwacki. “With sounds that trigger a response, you can train your dog to relax and not react to the sounds so they learn to be calm no matter what they hear.” 

Here are a few guidelines to help you create a positive environment using sounds dogs love. 

Try Out Different Sounds

Test a couple of different reggae, soft rock, and soothing classical tunes to see if your dog has a preference, says Dr. Faughn. “This tool can be used when you see your dog expressing signs of stress, such as when you’re away from home. Audiobooks and music can go a long way to help our pets to relax in a variety of situations.” She also recommends trying out different dog toys with varying sounds to see which your dog prefers.  

Switch Up Your Music

By continuously playing the same music, you run the risk of your dog adapting to it, which can cancel any potential benefits, says Dr. Faughn. “Changing the music out regularly might help your dog to continue enjoying a rotation of music over time.”

Experiment with Puppy Sounds

Slowly and positively expose puppies to various sounds they’re likely to encounter throughout their lives, says Dr. Faughn. For example, “Pairing a noise like the garage door opening with a tasty treat and rewarding them, with verbal praise or other things they like, when they appear to notice a noise or sound that might be new to them.”

Avoid Sounds That Make Dogs Go Crazy

Because dogs have such sensitive hearing, certain sounds like vacuums, thunder, and fireworks will affect some more intensely, says Dr. Klein. Even mundane household sounds that we may take for granted (such as a beeping smoke detector or faulty microwave oven) can upset dogs.

While many reactions to sound are tied to a dog’s past experiences, they can also be a product of canine evolution. “A very loud noise can signal danger in the wild, so dogs (and people) are programmed to pay attention when this happens,” says Dr. Barnes.

Don’t Forget About Body Language

A final tip from Klein: try to understand why your dog is reacting to a certain sound by reading body language. This includes “carriage of head and neck, carriage and motion of tail to differentiate from welcoming, alarming, playful, territorial, or frightened.”

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Also referred to as the “frog leg” position, splooting is extremely cute. But you might wonder if this position is normal or if it could be a cause for concern.

Read on for a comprehensive overview of dog splooting, including what it is, why dogs do it, and if it’s ever a sign of discomfort or a joint issue.

What Is Dog Splooting?

You probably didn’t know this funny position had a name, but splooting is fairly common among dogs. Splooting refers to a dog (or other animal) lying on their belly on the ground, with their rear legs extended straight back and flat against the ground. 

Although the Corgi sploot may be the most recognizable, any breed of dog can sploot. In fact, splooting is not even unique to dogs. Cats, chipmunks, and squirrels do it, too. Splooting is also quite common in wild and domesticated rabbits.

Why Do Dogs Sploot?

The answer to the question of why dogs sploot is quite simple: because they like it! According to Dr. Peter Vogel, owner of the Animal Orthopedic Center in Anaheim, California, dogs lie in whatever position feels good to them. 

Lying in the sploot position simply may feel comfortable to your dog. The position can provide a good stretch, and if the weather is hot, splaying out completely flat against the cold ground can help a dog cool off.

“We see it pretty often in brachycephalic breeds as a way to cool down,” says Alison Creighton, a registered veterinary technician supervisor for VCA Animal Hospitals in Lakewood, Ohio. “Their shorter muzzles and smushed faces can make it more challenging for them to regulate their body temperature when they get hot.”

When Is Splooting Bad for Dogs?

Some pet owners worry that if their dog is lying in the sploot position it might mean they have hip or joint issues. As it turns out, splooting because of dog hip dysplasia or dog arthritis is an unfounded worry. If your pup sploots a lot, it could actually mean that their hips are healthy. Young puppies often enjoy lying in the sploot position, likely due to the greater flexibility in their hips. 

“It does not indicate a problem,” assures Dr. Vogel. “In fact, dogs with painful hips do not like their hips extended and would avoid laying stretched out.”

That said, if your dog develops a painful joint injury or condition, they may lie or sit differently than usual, and this can be a signal that something is not right. “Dogs with cruciate ligament ruptures tend to sit with the affected leg sticking out,” Dr. Vogel says. “Other symptoms are difficulty rising, difficulty sitting, sitting down on walks, and obvious limping.”

Creighton points out that you might see a dog with rear-end paralysis in the sploot position, but this is the result of dragging themselves along the ground. Aside from paralysis – which would be apparent to even a casual observer – splooting on its own does not usually indicate an injury or joint concern. However, if you see any of the other signs above, your dog might be in some pain.

Dog Splooting: What to Do If You’re Concerned

If, in addition to your dog splooting, you do notice signals of pain or discomfort (limping, difficulty standing up from a lying down position, reluctance to walk, sit, or stand, or sitting down during walks) it’s important to get your dog checked out by a veterinarian.

To prepare for your visit, write down the symptoms you’ve been noticing. If possible, take a video of your dog limping or struggling to rise from the ground.

“First, your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam,” Creighton explains. “This will include assessing the range or motion of your pet’s hips and joints. You may also notice your veterinarian lightly pushing each vertebra down your pet’s back. This is a noninvasive way to check for spinal arthritis.”

Your veterinarian might also recommend taking X-rays (radiographs) of your dog’s spine, hips, and/or knees. When taking X-rays to assess joints, it’s common for veterinarians to lightly sedate the pet. This might raise a bit of concern, but Creighton points out that there are some very good reasons to use sedation during X-rays.

“Sedating your pet for this process is your vet’s way to ensure that your pet is as comfortable and pain free as possible,” Creighton says. “To get the best possible images of your pet, it is very important for them to stay still. If they are experiencing joint pain, they will understandably want to resist doing this. There also can be a lot of stretching and joint manipulation to get proper images, which can be painful for pets with arthritis or a sudden injury.”

If an injury or joint disorder is causing your dog’s pain and discomfort, your veterinarian can recommend the proper treatment, which, depending on the issue, might include medication, surgery, physical therapy, joint supplements, and/or a therapeutic diet.

Keeping Dog Joints Healthy

According to Dr. Vogel, several supplements are good for joint health, though he cautions against using human formulations. Talk to your veterinarian about giving your dog joint health supplements, including glucosamine and chondroitin, and omega fatty acids.

Creighton reminds us that one of the most important factors in healthy joints is keeping your pet at a healthy weight. “Excess weight will put strain on your pet’s joints and can exacerbate arthritis and discomfort,” she says. “It can also increase the risk of acute injuries, such as cruciate tears.”

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Just like for humans, sleep is vital to the overall health and happiness of dogs as they age. Dogs are similar to people in that many important activities take place at the cellular level when they sleep, allowing their bodies to “recharge” for their awake daytime hours. Many senior dogs are dealing with ailments like arthritis or age-related conditions like heart or kidney disease. The extra stress of these diseases will cause them to feel like they need even more sleep to adequately feel rested and energetic for those awake hours.  

Changes in sleep patterns can actually be one of the first signs of health issues in some pets and can even contribute to them. Paying close attention to the amount of sleep or quality of sleep your dog gets can be helpful in picking up on illnesses and abnormalities sooner. Let’s discuss some important facts about sleep when it comes to our senior canine companions.

How Much Do Dogs Sleep?

Most people recognize that their dog sleeps a lot compared to them. From sleeping at random periods throughout the day to sleeping throughout the night, the amount of time that dogs sleep is significant.

Research has shown that the amount of time a dog will sleep per day ranges from about 7.7 to 16 hours, with the average being about 10 hours [1]. Dogs of different health levels and ages need different amounts of sleep. 

The amount of time a dog spends sleeping depends a lot on their age. Research has also shown that older dogs are a lot less active than younger dogs. So if you notice that an older dog sleeps a lot more than its younger counterpart, that is likely normal. Other factors that can influence how long a dog sleeps include size and sex.  

My Senior Dog Sleeps All Day: Should I Worry?

The exact amount of time a senior dog will sleep per day can vary greatly — even among senior dogs themselves. Here are a few things to look out for if you feel like your senior dog is sleeping a little too much.

Take Note Of Your Dog’s Sleep Schedule  

Understanding what a normal sleep schedule for your dog looks like as they get older is important to help alert you to when your pet is not feeling well. Abrupt changes in sleep schedules can be a sign that something is not right and may be an indicator that you need to see your veterinarian.  

When it comes to senior dogs, sleeping a lot is not generally a concern if it’s within reason for that dog. Extra sleep is usually OK for a senior dog if they are acting bright and normal during their awake hours.  

Keep An Eye On Your Dog While Awake

Paying attention to what a senior dog is doing during their normal waking hours can be helpful in assessing if their sleep behavior is a concern. In general, we want senior dogs to have normal appetites, water intake, exercise, and participation in family events that is reasonable for their age. A gradual decline in activity and energy levels over time is to be expected, but your pup should still appear happy and excited when awake. An abrupt shift or a pet that seems uncomfortable or uninterested in their normal activities should be considered a concerning change.

A departure from their normal sleep pattern could also indicate a change worth noting. This can include waking up during nighttime hours, restlessness, and a significant difference in duration/depth of sleep. If your dog is sleeping a lot and acting unwell when awake, it’s definitely a concern and reason to visit the veterinarian.  

Take Hearing Loss Into Consideration

Many senior dogs will seem to sleep “deeper” than they used to. This can be partially because a lot of senior dogs experience age-related hearing loss as they get older, which can make their sleep seem deeper because they’re not picking up on all of the noises that they used to. They may be harder to rouse from sleep but should appear normal after a brief period of adjustment once awake. If they cannot be woken from sleep or appear to be acting mentally dull or abnormal when they do wake up, this may be a concerning change.

Check Your Dog’s Breathing Rate

Normal dogs, regardless of age, will have a breathing rate that is less than 30 breaths per minute when they are asleep. It is important to let your veterinarian know if your dog has a sleeping respiratory rate above that, especially if they are older and have a history of heart or lung disease. When counting the sleeping respiratory rate in your dog, make sure they are fully asleep or have been resting inside in a cool environment for a period of time.

Sundown Syndrome in Dogs

It is estimated that greater than 60 percent of senior dogs over the age of 11 will have at least one sign of sundown syndrome, also known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). One of the first signs of sundown syndrome in dogs is changes in their sleeping pattern. The classic versions of this disease are either a dog who becomes active at night and sleeps all day, or a dog who appears confused and restless before bed. For many dogs, this may look like an older dog who wakes up randomly at night and tries to engage in normal daytime behaviors. 

It’s important to understand that this is different than an older dog who wakes up to use the bathroom or drink water, then goes back to sleep. That can be considered normal in an older dog, depending on the circumstances. In a dog with sundown syndrome, their nighttime activity develops into a pattern of pacing, restlessness, and appearing lost or concerned that is not remedied after providing a simple solution like a bathroom break or drink of water.

If you notice a change in your dog’s sleep pattern, it’s best to turn to a professional. Even though CCD is not a disease that can be cured, the sooner you alert your veterinarian, the sooner you can begin to intervene and manage the disease to improve quality of life for your senior dog. Your veterinarian will help you come up with a plan to help your dog sleep better at night and allow their brain to rest.

Restlessness at night can also be seen in older dogs with chronic pain. In one study, dogs with chronic pain related to arthritis had more restlessness at night, which improved once the pain was managed with medications [2].

How to Support Your Senior Dog’s Sleep Needs

Supporting your senior dog’s sleep needs is important in order to allow proper rest and recovery for their older bodies. To start, make sure your senior dog has a place to rest where they are comfortable and will not be disturbed. Many orthopedic dog beds have extra padding to help with arthritic joint comfort. 

When placing a dog bed in the home for a senior dog, make sure it is in a location that is easily accessible (especially for arthritic dogs) and consider having multiples if your pup seems to enjoy different areas of your house. The best dog bed is one that your pet will use. More padding is typically better, but keep in mind that climbing onto a larger bed can be more difficult for some older dogs. Consider adding rugs or extra traction around the bed to make it easier to get on and off.

Allowing a senior dog to have uninterrupted time to sleep is also important. If you have children or guests, let them know that your dog should not be bothered while sleeping. 

And again, pay attention to their sleep schedule and note any changes in it. If your senior dog seems restless or is getting up at night, let your veterinarian know so that they can screen for possible causes.  

Though doggy dementia does not have any one test to diagnose it, your veterinarian can help by ruling out other diseases that might influence your dog’s sleep schedule, such as diseases of chronic pain or metabolic disease. These conditions can also cause discomfort in older dogs. Your veterinarian may give your senior dog medication that could help them sleep at night or provide some comfort for arthritis.

Keeping your senior dog on a schedule can be beneficial, too. Having set times for walks, food, and “lights out” can help them understand what to expect and keep their sleep schedules regular. Just like people, senior dogs need appropriate exercise and mental stimulation every day to help encourage restful sleep at night.  

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The truth is, dogs generally sigh when they are happy, relaxed and – in some cases – dismayed at not getting that evening walk or favorite toy from under the couch. 

There are, however, some circumstances where dog sighing could indicate that something is amiss. This article will explain what a dog sigh sounds like, why they do it, and when to bring the dog to the veterinarian.  

Dog Sighs: What Do They Sound Like?

Dogs communicate with us through a variety of vocalizations and behavior, including moaning, grunting, whining, groaning and barking. However, sighing isn’t exactly a vocalization. 

Similar to humans, this behavior is a deep and audible long exhalation of breath. It is different from breathing because it’s not quiet and it’s not like panting, which is a series of short breaths. 

Sighing is similar to low-pitched moaning and dog grunting, which puppies and adult dogs do when they are relaxed and content, especially when they settle down on a nice, comfortable bed. The process of moaning, however, is not like sighing, because it involves the vocal cords. Grunting takes sighing a step further with a more forceful exhalation of air. A groan is a deep-throated sound, often emitted when the animal is in discomfort or pain. 

Dog sighing is also unlike dog whining, which is done nasally with their mouth closed, to communicate that they want something, or to express pain, fear or anxiety. 

Why Do Dogs Sigh?

You may wonder why dogs sigh before sleeping or on the car ride home after a fun outing at the park. The main reason dogs sigh is to express contentment and relaxation, says Dr. Amber Karwacki, partner doctor of Heart + Paw. “Dogs usually do not sigh when they are tired or bored.” 

In an adult dog, if the sigh is accompanied with other audible expressions such as a moan or a groan, Dr. Brian Evans, medical director at Dutch, says that it could be an indication that something else is happening. This is why it’s important to pay attention to certain cues to understand why your dog may be sighing. 

How to Interpret Your Dog’s Sighs

The best way to figure out why your dog may be sighing is by paying attention to body language. “A sigh by itself isn’t specific and only gets meaning based on the context of their body language,” explains Dr. Evans. 

Here’s a breakdown of how sighs go along with what other indicators tell us: 

1. You know you have a contented, happy dog when she sighs with her eyes closed, or in combination with laying down or being pet, says Dr. Evans.
   
2. If the dog’s eyes are wide open and alert, Dr. Evans states that the dog may be trying to communicate that she is disappointed she isn’t going for a walk or having the ball thrown at that moment. This is often accompanied by the dog sighing while looking at the object of her desire, like the front door or the ball. 

3. If the dog has a rigid body posture, ears back, or is panting in addition to sighing, it could indicate pain or discomfort, according to Dr. Karwacki. Your dog could be experiencing pain due to an upset stomach, joint pain, or another ailment. In this situation, it’s best to get the dog evaluated by a veterinarian to make sure there’s nothing more serious happening, including untreated pain.  

4. When the sigh turns into a groan when sitting down, Dr. Evans says, “that could indicate that the process of laying down isn’t comfortable for them and there could be some associated pain from a disease, like arthritis or hip dysplasia.” 

When Dog Sighing May Indicate a Problem

While a dog’s sighs are likely nothing to worry about, there are some instances when they could indicate an underlying condition. In some cases, the underlying condition could be very serious. Usually, these sighs are accompanied by signs of illness such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, groaning, and whining. 

Repeated sighing, according to Dr. Evans, “may be a sign they are actually struggling to breathe and need to be seen immediately by a veterinarian”. This type of sighing includes a whistling noise, indicating that inflammation or something else is obstructing the airway in the throat or nose. 

“I have seen dogs in heart failure look like they are sighing every two seconds and that is a very concerning sign,” adds Dr. Evans. It’s important to bring your dog to an emergency clinic if you notice excessive sighing. 

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As the public becomes more aware of autism, it’s only natural to ask: Can dogs be autistic, too? Given that we share other similarities with dogs, it’s not a stretch to wonder if that obsessive tail chasing and pacing might be signs of an autistic dog. 

With insights from veterinarians and behaviorists, we help answer this question. To make sure your dog receives a proper diagnosis and the best possible treatment, we recommend contacting your veterinarian if you notice any behaviors that seem unusual. 

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

The definition of autism has evolved considerably since it first came to light in the early 20^th century. Scientists originally theorized that it was a form of childhood schizophrenia, or that affected children were products of detached parenting. Though scientists are still learning about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), they believe that genes and environmental factors, like low birth weight and having older parents, play a big role. 

While autism spectrum disorder is different for every affected individual, some characteristics of autism may include difficulty with social interactions, an inclination to repeat behaviors, and a laser focus on specific interests. Other signs might include excessive anxiety, issues with impulse control, epilepsy, resistance to change, and sudden outbursts of aggression. 

Autism spectrum disorder is classified as both a neurological and developmental disorder that usually surfaces during a child’s first two years. About 75 percent of people with the disorder have a secondary diagnosis for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, or Tourette syndrome.

Research on Autistic Animals

Though the study of autism in dogs and other animals is fairly new, there have been several notable studies. 

In a 2016 study, researchers identified monkeys who displayed behaviors (like poor communication ability and repetition) similar to those in humans with autism. They also found that the genetic patterns of the monkeys exhibiting autistic-like behaviors correlated with those of humans with autism. 

In another often-cited 2011 study of Bull Terriers, a portion of the dogs displayed behaviors (most notably tail chasing, trance-like behavior, and irregular incidents of aggression) consistent with autism in humans. 

Can Dogs Have Autism?

Some dogs exhibit behaviors that follow a similar pattern to those in people with autism spectrum disorder. “Similar signs may include reluctance to make eye contact, repetitive behaviors, and lack of overall responsiveness to social interaction,” says Dr. Valli Parthasarathy, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist with Synergy Behavior Solutions in Portland, Oregon. Other behaviors can include poor impulse control, incessant staring, and outbursts of aggression.

The correlation isn’t just behavioral, though. “There are clearly many similarities between dog and human neurochemistry, and it is reasonable to consider that neurodivergent disorders can exist,” says Parthasarathy.

Dogs with autistic-like behaviors even share physical characteristics (like an arched palate and distinct ears) found in people with Fragile X Syndrome, a condition linked to autism.

Despite the behavioral, genetic, and physical similarities, veterinarians and behaviorists hesitate to apply the term autism to animals.

“In veterinary behavior, we try to avoid using human neuropsychological terms for disorders in non-human animals,” says Dr. Liz Stelow, chief of behavior service at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. “For instance, we refer to cognitive changes in aging dogs and cats as canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome and feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome. These processes may or may not be similar to Alzheimer’s or dementia, but we avoid the human terms.” 

Making a definitive diagnosis of autism in dogs is complicated by several other factors, Dr. Stelow says. For one, “Autism spectrum disorder in people refers to an assortment of neuropsychologic symptoms or developmental tendencies that lead to a range of specific diagnoses, like Asperger’s syndrome or pervasive developmental disorder,” she explains. “A canine diagnosis would need to be similarly nuanced.”

Additionally, she says the ASD diagnosis is centered on behaviors recorded in humans. For example, absent non-verbal interactions with other people, repetitive body movements, a high level of sensitivity to environmental stimuli, and shortfalls in social interaction. “These criteria are challenging to identify in dogs.” 

Autism in humans is also subject to a wide range of predisposing factors, says Dr. Stelow. “This makes it difficult to track any possible relationship to socially awkward dogs that display repetitive behaviors.”

Another reason for the hesitancy is the lack of available research on dogs with autism. “Both researchers and dog behaviorists have reported cases where a dog may display behaviors that are sometimes associated with autism in humans,” says Dr. Monique Udell, an animal behaviorist and director of the Human-Animal Interaction Lab at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. “For example, some studies have focused on repetitive behaviors, however there is not enough research in this area yet to say for sure if the underlying causes for these behaviors are similar, or if the behaviors just look similar.”

For now, “We don’t have the means to accurately diagnose it separately from the anxiety-based disorders we currently diagnose,” says Dr. Parthasarathy.

Research About Autism in Dogs

Unlike autism research in humans, the question of whether autism in dogs even exists is relatively new. “As our fondness and curiosity about dogs grows, we have also seen increased interest in understanding if dogs and humans share commonalities including different ways of experiencing the world, due to their genetics, development or lifetime experiences, that may influence their behavior,” says Dr. Udell.

One widely referenced 2011 study evaluated 333 Bull Terrier dogs, 145 of whom exhibited tail-chasing behaviors.

The research team distributed surveys to pet parents of the tail-chasing dogs to understand more about the behavior. They asked about factors like age of onset, known triggers, frequency and duration of the behavior, and how severely the behavior impacted the dogs’ ability to function. They also examined the dogs of both groups to compare physical and behavioral differences.

What they discovered were close ties between tail-chasing behavior and sex (males were at an 8 percent greater risk), trance-like behavior, and spontaneous aggression. 

“There is also genetic research that has found that genetic regions relevant to autism diagnosis in humans also appear to influence aspects of dog social behavior,” says Udell.

In one study from 2014, Bull Terriers with autistic-like symptoms had elevated levels of neurotensin (an amino acid that acts like neurotransmitter) when compared with the non-impacted dogs. This correlation is similar in human children.

“But again, more research is critical to understanding what this tells us about dog cognition and behavior,” says Dr. Udell. “What we can say for sure, is that there is growing scientific interest in whether dogs may be a useful model for studying autism as well as other developmental and neurological conditions, which will likely lead to better answers to these questions in the future.”

Behaviors That May Look Like Autism in Dogs

Can dogs have autism symptoms even though veterinarians and behaviorists are hesitant to offer a definitive diagnosis? Yes, and in fact, they’ve recorded several behaviors consistent with autism in humans. These include:

• Repetitive behaviors, like tail-chasing and pacing
• Entering a trance-like state
• Irregular incidents of aggression
• Anxiety
• Reluctance to make eye contact
• Poor impulse control

Several conditions can cause these symptoms. For example, signs of canine cognitive dysfunction, a degenerative disease likened to human dementia and that affects older dogs, include anxiety, aimless pacing, and decreased interaction.  

Fear and anxiety can cause a range of symptoms like aggression, pacing, and compulsive behaviors. And dogs with canine compulsive disorder (CCD) engage in repetitive behaviors like excessive self-grooming and tail-chasing.

A medical condition may also be responsible. “These clinical signs can have very different causes, including medical,” says Dr. Parthasarathy. “For example, if a dog is spinning compulsively, this can be related to neurologic pain, orthopedic pain, seizure disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, or various behavioral disorders.”

This is why consulting with a veterinary professional when you notice anything off with your dog is so important.

Understanding Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD)

Canine compulsive disorder is comparable to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), a chronic and potentially debilitating condition in humans marked by intrusive thoughts and a need to engage in repetitive behaviors.

Though nobody knows for sure whether dogs have intrusive, nonsensical thoughts that impact their ability to function, dogs with CCD do engage in repetitive behaviors like over-grooming, pacing, and frenetic tail chasing. 

These types of repetitive behaviors can also be present in humans with autism. Though more studies are needed, a gene (CDH2) that’s been linked to canine compulsive disorder, is also possibly linked to OCD and autism in humans.  

While any dog breed can develop CCD, some breeds, including Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers are at higher risk.

Symptoms of CCD in Dogs

Some of the more common compulsive behaviors dogs with canine compulsive disorder exhibit include 

• Continually circling a room
• Obsessive chewing
• Incessant tail chasing
• Teeth grinding
• Repetitively sucking or holding a piece of side skin (known as flanking)

There’s also a correlation between certain breeds and the types of compulsive behaviors each breed exhibits. For example, Bull Terriers tend to spin, chase their tails, and freeze. Border Collies stare at shadows. Dachshunds may self-mutilate. And Doberman Pinschers are known for flank sucking.

Managing CCD in Dogs

Treatment options for dogs with canine compulsive disorder exist, so no pup has to needlessly suffer. “Dogs who are showing unwanted behaviors can have behavioral training and management specific to those behaviors,” says Dr. Parthasarathy. “Medications may be indicated based on the extent and severity of clinical signs.” 

To treat CCD, veterinarians prescribe medications used to treat OCD in humans. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine and tricyclic anti-depressants like clomipramine. Some veterinarians recommend products with pheromones as a complementary tool to help alleviate anxiety. 

We recommend speaking to your veterinarian about the best treatment option for your dog.

Autism in Dogs: The Bottom Line

There are definite behavioral, genetic, and physical similarities between humans with autism and dogs who display autistic-like behaviors. Given this evidence, can dogs be autistic? Because the research is still so new, veterinarians hesitate to assign this diagnosis to animals, including dogs. Autism is a human disorder and it remains difficult to compare and contrast between dog and human experiences. This status may change, of course, as scientists uncover new information. 

For now, treatments are available to help dogs suffering with compulsive behaviors, whether it’s a result of canine compulsive behavior, canine cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, or a medical condition.

“There are many similarities between dog and human brains and behavior, but there are differences as well. While I think that further research on conditions such as autism is a worthwhile thing, I also would encourage veterinarians and clients not to become too focused on that as the only reason for their dogs’ behavior,” says Dr. Parthasarathy.

Your veterinarian is in the best position to offer a proper diagnosis and prescribe treatment that will enhance your dog’s life. 

References

• Autism fact sheet. (n.d.).  National Autism Association. Retrieved from https://nationalautismassociation.org/resources/autism-fact-sheet/
• Autism Explained: The History. (2015, April). Developmental Disabilities Service Organization. Retrieved from https://ddso.org/history-of-autism-pt2/
• Autism Spectrum Disorder. (2022, March). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd
• Sharma, S., Gonda, X., etal. (2018, May 12). Autism Spectrum Disorder: Classification, diagnosis and therapy. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. In National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29763648/#:~:text=Abstract,specified%20(PDD%2DNOS)
• Yoshida, K., Yasuhiro, G, etal. (2016, September). Single-neuron and genetic correlates of autistic behavior in macaque. ScienceAdvances. American Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved from https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1600558
• Moon-Fanelli, A., Dodman, N., etal. (2011, April). Characteristics of compulsive tail chasing and associated risk factors in Bull Terriers. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. In National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21453176/
• Are Some Dogs Autistic? (2018, July). Your Dog. Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.tuftsyourdog.com/dogtrainingandbehavior/are-some-dogs-autistic/
• Tsilioni, I., Dodman, N., etal. (2014, October). Elevated serum neurotensin and CRH levels in children with autistic spectrum disorders and tail-chasing Bull Terriers with a phenotype similar to autism. Translational Psychiatry. In National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5190146/
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. (2019, October). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd#:~:text=Obsessive%2DCompulsive%20Disorder-,Overview,to%20repeat%20over%20and%20over
• Moon-Fanelli, A. (2011). Genetic Underpinnings of Anomalous Canine Behaviors. Tufts’ Canine and Feline Breeding and Genetics Conference, 2011. In VIN: Veterinary Information Network. Retrieved from https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=5101834&pid=11340&
• Ogata, N. (2015). Canine Compulsive Disorder. World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings, 2015. In VIN: Veterinary Information Network. Retrieved from https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=14365&catId=73675&id=7259303 

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Some pups, however, bark a lot. In fact, excessive barking is a common reason why dogs are surrendered to animal shelters. 

If your dog won’t stop barking, you might be asking: Do dogs get tired of barking? And more importantly, is it possible to curb this behavior? We interviewed veterinarians and dog trainers to help answer these questions. 

Since incessant barking can be a sign of an underlying medical or behavioral condition, we recommend getting guidance from your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer. 

Why Do Dogs Bark?

Barking is the main form of communication for dogs. Some scientists theorize the behavior evolved into a dominant feature when dogs began congregating near food left by humans. Barking at threats and competitors allowed the dogs to stand their ground and claim the food.  

Modern dogs also bark at real and perceived threats. Dogs “may let out a deep, loud bark to ward off the potential threat of an intruder, even when the intruder is a friendly neighbor walking toward their car,” says Bradley Phifer, a certified dog trainer and executive director of Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).

Dogs also bark when they feel fear, hunger, boredom, or loneliness. “They may bark when they’re scared, like when it thunders or when they hear fireworks. They may bark when they are distressed about being left alone,” says Laura Hills, a certified dog trainer and owner of The Dogs’ Spot, based in North Kansas, Missouri. 

Barking can also signal contentment. “For example, dogs will often bark as a sign of excitement when greeting someone they know and love,” Phifer says. 

It’s important to note, however, that barking can sometimes indicate a medical or behavioral issue. “They may be more prone to barking if they don’t feel well because they may have less tolerance for things going on around them,” explains Hills.

Different Types of Barks

Scientists have identified different categories of barking, says Dr. Valli Parthasarathy, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist with Synergy Behavior Solutions in Portland, Oregon. 

In referencing a 2004 study, she says dogs who were confronted with an environmental disturbance (like a ringing doorbell) exhibited barking that sounded harsher and lower-toned. Play or isolation, on the other hand, elicited higher-pitched barks. 

“This is a very simplistic explanation but with the idea that yes, there do appear to be different barks associated with different situations,” she says. “I often see similar patterns clinically as well.”

Do Dogs Get Tired of Barking?

Even if it seems like your dog just won’t stop barking, dogs will eventually stop if they become physically exhausted or if their needs are being met. 

Everything dogs do (including barking) is done for a reason, Hills adds. “If they are doing it because they feel threatened, they are likely to experience some effects of adrenaline, which can give them an extra boost of energy, which can last a while,” she explains. “I imagine that the energy used may tire a dog out in the long run, but the dog might be energized in the moment.”

Reinforcing a dog’s barking – or any behavior – only incentivizes and causes more of it. “For example, if a dog is barking at a person from the yard and the person continues walking, in the dog’s mind they have chased them off and the barking is likely to continue,” says Dr. Parthasarathy. “Internal factors such as anxiety levels can also play a role in perpetuating barking.”

Dogs who realize barking will not have their intended outcome or whose needs are being met will stop barking, says Phifer.

How Long Can a Dog Bark? Genetics Offers Some Answers

If you’d like to adopt a dog but are averse to frequent barking, learn more about the breed you’re considering. Some dog breeds, including Beagles, Icelandic Sheepdogs, and Norwegian Elkhounds are notorious talkers, says Phifer. 

“Within the breed, there will be individuals who are more or less talkative, but it is important to note that barking is a predisposition before bringing one of these dogs into your home,” he explains. “Therefore, owners will spend more time managing individuals of these breeds and training them to be quiet to prevent the barking from becoming problematic.”

The type of job a dog was bred for can also contribute to excessive barking. “For example, a dog such as a hound that has been bred to vocalize while hunting will be likely to be more vocal,” says Dr. Parthasarathy.

On the flipside, some breeds, like Borzois and Whippets aren’t big barkers. Basenjis don’t bark at all (they howl, scream, and even yodel) which can be attributed to an anatomical difference in the larynx.  

How to Stop a Dog From Barking

Just as there isn’t one cause for barking, there also isn’t a universal solution, says Hills. “Meeting dogs’ needs, proactively practicing using environmental management, and teaching dogs what we’d like them to do in situations where they are likely to bark, are all pieces of the puzzle.”

The following are some ideas to consider.

Book an Exam With your Veterinarian 

Excessive barking can sometimes indicate an underlying medical or behavioral condition. “This would be a great time for a veterinary visit to ensure that the pet is not experiencing a new medical problem that could contribute to a behavioral change, like changes in vision or hearing,” says Dr. Walt Burghardt, a board-certified staff veterinary behaviorist at BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. In some cases, he says the veterinarian may recommend consulting with a veterinary behavior specialist. 

Scan Your Environment

Is there anything in your dog’s environment that might be prompting excessive barking? For example, “If there is something obviously new or different like other animals in adjacent homes or domestic or wild animals roaming in the neighborhood, or even changes in human routines,” says Dr. Burghardt. 

Then look for ways to avoid or prevent the barking, says Parthasarathy. “For example, if the dog is barking through a chain link fence at people walking by, consider putting something up on the fence to block the view, or preventing the dog access to that part of the fence.”

Then find ways to replace the behavior, says Parthasarathy. “For example, if the dog is barking when the neighbors come home from work, can they be given a long-lasting interactive toy just before that time so that they are occupied with that rather than barking?” 

Provide Adequate Enrichment

Meeting a dog’s physical, mental, and emotional needs is key to helping dogs bark less, says Hills. “Normal healthy dogs need physical (aerobic) exercise. If they don’t get enough, they may use their excess energy in ways we wish they wouldn’t.”

Playing fetch or other games and sports like agility, flyball, treibball, and scent work are other options, she says. As are dog toys. “You can also feed your dog from a food puzzle. There are lots of do-it-yourself ones like placing dog food and/or treats in a muffin tin and placing tennis balls over the top,” says Hills. “There are a lot of commercially made toys, too. Having a variety of toys that are rotated can prevent boredom.”

In the case of anxiety-provoking sounds like thunder and fireworks, Hills says a white noise machine or calming music might help.

Ask Your Veterinarian About Supplements 

A dog with a behavior problem like anxiety may benefit from a calming pheromone or dietary supplement (provided it’s supported with data), says Dr. Burghardt. “But more severely affected animals may need prescription medications and a comprehensive behavioral plan from their veterinarian or behavior specialist to get long-term relief.”

How Not to Respond if Your Dog Won’t Stop Barking

Verbal and physical reprimands, as well as anti-bark devices like electronic and shock collars are not recommended, says Dr. Parthasarathy. “Causing physical discomfort may stop the barking but in the long term will likely increase anxiety and doesn’t address the underlying reasons for the barking.”

Continue to use positive reinforcement training, make sure they are getting enough mental and physical stimulation, and redirect your dog from the cause of barking to something like an interactive toy or game. Not only will these things help cut down on your dog’s barking, but they will help you and your dog build a strong bond. 

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A common concern that plagues new puppy parents is noticing their sweet puppy breathing fast while sleeping. Is this normal? Should you be worried? 

Read on to learn more about puppy respiration, why your puppy might be breathing fast while sleeping, whether or not you should be concerned, and what you should do if you notice fast puppy breathing during sleep.

Understanding Puppy Respiration

Before we can say that a puppy is breathing “too fast,” it is important to know what the normal respiration for a puppy should be. The normal respiratory rate for a puppy at rest is between 15-40 breaths per minute. This is higher than an adult dog, which is between 10-30 breaths per minute while resting. 

Puppies take more breaths at rest than adult dogs because they are growing and require more oxygen to fuel their quick metabolism and cellular growth. 

The best way to evaluate your puppy’s breathing rate is while they are sleeping. This is not the same as lying down – they need to truly be asleep. That way, you know they aren’t breathing quickly because they just finished playing, are excited, are hot, etc. 

To figure out your puppy’s breathing rate, set a timer for 60 seconds and count the number of times their chest rises and falls as they take breaths while asleep. 

Why Is My Puppy Breathing Fast While Sleeping?

If your puppy’s breathing rate is between 15-40 breaths per minute, the rate is considered normal and you have nothing to worry about.

However, if your puppy’s breathing rate is above the average range, there are a couple reasons why this may be happening. Some are completely harmless, while others may require a discussion with your veterinarian.

Normal Causes of Fast Puppy Breathing

Here are some normal reasons your puppy is breathing fast while sleeping:

Recent exercise or play. The most common reason a puppy will be breathing quickly while resting is from a recent play session. If your puppy just finished wrestling a new toy, chasing you around the living room, or jumping on other pets, they need more oxygen than normal to release all that built up carbon dioxide and replenish their cells. This is a normal and unconcerning cause of fast puppy breathing. If this is why your puppy is breathing quickly, their respiratory rate will begin to slow down as they rest – usually within the first 10-15 minutes. 

Temperature. If your puppy is sleeping outside on a warm day, if they are resting near a heat source like a heating pad, if it’s warm inside their enclosure, or if they just finished playing outside on a warm day, they may simply be breathing quickly to lose heat. Panting or quick breathing is the most effective way for dogs to lose heat. 

If you suspect this is why your puppy is breathing too quickly, steps should be taken to cool them down, as puppies are extra susceptible to heat stroke.Turn down the heat, remove the heating pad, aim a fan towards them, and/or bring them into the air conditioning to help cool them down. Always make sure they have plenty of water. 

Dreaming. Perhaps the cutest reason for a puppy breathing fast while sleeping is dreaming. Yes, puppies dream just like we do! These types of dreams occur during REM sleep, and other physiologic changes are noticed too, such as an increase in heart rate. Puppies who are breathing fast due to a dream will usually also show other signs of a vivid dream like twitching and even whimpering or howling. There is no need to wake your puppy up if you notice these signs, but an easy way to make sure they are simply dreaming is to nudge them awake and see if the fast breathing stops.

Fear or anxiety. Puppies can have raised stress levels when they first enter a new home, and they may experience a little anxiety after being separated from their mother and litter mates. Emotions like stress, anxiety, and fear will cause an increase in cortisol, which is the hormone responsible for the fight or flight response. This hormone will raise the heart rate, which results in a subsequent elevation in breathing rates. Typically, the stress response will subside once a puppy is deeply asleep, and in time, your puppy will be used to their new home and family. 

Abnormal Causes of Fast Puppy Breathing

Now that we’ve covered the normal reasons a puppy will breath fast while sleeping, let’s discuss some reasons that could be cause for concern:

Pain. Puppies are as clumsy as they are adorable, and sadly, they are known to hurt themselves from time to time. They can also accidently be dropped, kicked, or stepped on due to their small size. If your puppy is in pain, they’ll breathe more quickly. Usually, you’ll notice a limp or perhaps a swollen area to help key you in that your puppy is in pain. If this is the suspected cause, your pet should be seen by a veterinarian so they can receive safe, effective pain medication along with any other treatments your puppy may need.

Heart disease. Occasionally, puppies are born with congenital heart defects. Inside the uterus, your puppy’s heart is one large pump with open holes between the four different chambers. At birth, these holes should close so that blood can now be diverted to the lungs or to the rest of the body. If one of these holes fails to close, it can lead to a murmur and insufficient heart beat in the affected puppy. Puppies can also have abnormally narrow vessels or leaky/weak heart valves. 

An insufficient heart beat can result in blood not oxygenating well, which will require a faster heartbeat and also a faster respiratory rate in an attempt to gain more oxygen. Puppies with a congenital heart defect will usually be weaker, tire easily, and will always have a higher respiratory rate than normal. These defects can be deadly, and a visit to the veterinarian is critical. 

Lung disease. Puppies have weaker immune systems than adult dogs. Therefore, they are susceptible to airway infections and diseases like pneumonia, influenza, kennel cough, and more. These diseases impede the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs. Subsequently, puppies with lung disease have to breathe faster to make up for the reduced oxygen intake they receive with each breath. The worse these infections become, the harder it will be for your puppy to take enough oxygen. 

Puppies with lung disease will usually also show other signs of illness like lethargy, coughing, nasal discharge, and a reduced appetite. They should see a veterinarian for treatment right away as the sooner the illness is identified, the better the prognosis is. 

Anemia. Red blood cells are needed to carry oxygen around the body and distribute it as needed. If a puppy has low red blood cells, also known as anemia, they will need to work harder to circulate the red blood cells they do have around the body faster. This causes the heart and lungs to work harder than usual and you will see a rise in your puppy’s respiratory rate. 

By far and away the most common cause of anemia in puppies is parasites. Both internal parasites like hookworms, and external parasites like fleas, can cause serious blood loss in puppies. Other diseases, like Parvovirus infection, can cause severe anemia in puppies. Anemia for any reason can be deadly in puppies if left untreated. Anemic puppies will often have pale gums, are constantly cold, and are often weak and lethargic. 

Severe dehydration (hypovolemia). Another component of blood that is important for transporting oxygen is volume. A large part of blood is water. If puppy’s become too dehydrated, there isn’t enough volume in the blood to adequately circulate the red blood cells and distribute oxygen. 

Puppies can easily become dehydrated from illness, heat, too much play, etc. A puppy with vomiting and/or diarrhea can become severely dehydrated within 1-2 days. Always make sure your puppy has access to fresh drinking water and never withhold water from puppies. They need 3-4 times the amount of water that adult dogs need. Any puppy with vomiting or diarrhea should see a veterinarian immediately. 

Diaphragmatic hernia. Another congenital abnormality puppies can be born with is a type of diaphragmatic hernia called a peritoneal-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH). This happens when the diaphragm, which separates the abdomens from the lungs, does not develop properly. Abdominal organs, like the liver and small intestine, can slip through the defect in the diaphragm and compress the lungs of affected puppies. This results in rapid breathing that usually does not resolve with time. This condition can be life threatening. 

Should your puppy be diagnosed with a medical condition, a pet insurance policy from Spot Pet Insurance can be very helpful. You should make medical decisions for your pup based on what they need and not on financial limitations. Consider customizing a plan that works for you and your puppy now and throughout their life.

Puppy Breathing Fast: Is it Normal?

The majority of time, a puppy breathing fast while sleeping is normal and nothing to worry about. This is especially true if the rapid breathing only lasts a few minutes and is infrequent. Likely, they just finished a good play session right before flopping down for a nap, or maybe they are experiencing a vivid puppy dream. 

However, there are some cases, as discussed above, that are worrisome and require a visit to the veterinarian. If your puppy’s fast breathing does not resolve or you notice other troubling symptoms, make sure to contact your vet. 

What to Do If Your Puppy is Breathing Fast While Sleeping

If you notice your puppy breathing fast while sleeping, there is no need to act immediately. 

First, make sure they are truly sleeping and not simply lying down, then count the number of times they take a breath in 60 seconds. If the number is above 40, continue to monitor them to see if it slows down after 10 minutes or so. Their breathing rate should slow down if your puppy was playing or they were anxious before taking their snooze. Also watch for any other signs that might indicate they are dreaming, like twitching and making little noises. 

If the respiratory rate stays high even after they have been sleeping for 10-15 minutes, and you don’t notice any other signs of dreaming, it could indicate that something more serious is going on beneath the surface. At this point, it’s a good idea to make sure they aren’t too warm, especially if it’s warm where they are resting, and make sure they have plenty of access to water. Check their gums to make sure they are nice and pink.

If you notice pale gums, or any other signs of illness such as lethargy, weakness, a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, a bloated abdomen, fleas, limping, etc. your puppy should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. It is not advised to wait longer than a day for a veterinary appointment, as illness and disease can progress quickly in puppies, so take them to the emergency clinic if necessary. 

To summarize, the next time you notice your puppy breathing fast while sleeping, know that it is likely nothing to be concerned about, especially if they aren’t showing any other signs of illness. Give your sweet pup a good inspection, and always contact a veterinarian if you notice anything abnormal just in case. The sooner an issue is found, the easier it will be to treat and the better the chance your puppy will have for a full recovery.

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But, mealtime isn’t always so simple. Sometimes, a dog just won’t eat, which can be confusing and worrisome for pet parents, who may wonder if their dog is sick or simply displeased with what’s on the menu.

Recipes developed for picky eaters can help tantalize the tastebuds of even the most discriminating dogs. But it’s just as important to get to the bottom of what’s causing your pet’s picky behavior.

That’s why we talked to veterinarian Dr. Bryce Zietz, DVM, to discover the most common causes of poor appetite and picky eating in dogs…and, more importantly, what to do about it.

Why is My Dog Not Eating?

When your dog stops eating, it’s easy to assume the worst. But, according to Zietz, dogs may seem selective about their food for a wide variety of reasons. For example, “They may not like certain flavors of foods, or they may have something painful in their mouth that makes them avoid chewing.” 

So how can pet parents tell what’s behind their dog’s poor appetite? It’s always a good idea to consult your veterinarian if you’re concerned about your dog’s pickiness. There are many reasons why a dog might stop eating, and a thorough veterinary evaluation can help diagnose the problem best. 

Here, Zietz outlined four of the most common causes of poor or picky eating in dogs, along with some warning signs to watch out for:

1. Stress

Stress can play a role in your dog’s reluctance to eat. Sometimes, if a dog’s anxiety level is high enough, “all other drives (including hunger) are deprioritized to make sure they are ready to react to a perceived threat,” explains Zietz.

Every dog is different, and some are more susceptible to stressors than others. So, if your dog isn’t eating, first look to see if there’s anything that could be causing them undue stress, such as being left alone, a new member of the family, or a change in environment. Even something simple, like a new food bowl or routine, might be enough to put your dog off their food.   

2. Pain

If your dog is not eating, look for additional signs, such as excessive drooling or behavioral changes that could indicate pain, suggests Zeitz. 

What could be mistaken for pickiness may be a sign of a problem so severe, that “they do not want to suffer through the pain in order to eat,” he says.

Take a look inside your dog’s mouth to ensure they don’t have any obvious foreign objects sticking inside the gums or any sores or masses, suggests Zeitz. However, it may be difficult for the untrained eye to see something like a tooth fracture, in which case a dental exam is needed. 

3. Illness

In addition to mouth pain, there are many illnesses and infections that may cause pain or other side effects so debilitating, that they could interfere with your dog’s appetite, says Zeitz. 

These could range from nausea due to digestive disorders or dietary indiscretions to more serious illnesses like kidney or liver disease. Allergies and food sensitivities can also trigger intestinal distress that could cause a dog not to eat.

Because these causes of poor appetite are so varied (and easy to misinterpret), it’s important to consult with a veterinarian for proper testing and diagnosis if your dog’s picky eating or refusal to eat is accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or weight loss. 

4. Pickiness

If your dog isn’t eating but is acting normal and your veterinarian has ruled out all the above causes, you may simply have a picky eater on your hands. 

Some dogs (like people) are more particular about their food. Your pet might be bored with their current diet or may have developed an aversion to the way their food tastes, looks, or feels. 

Regardless of the reason, finding a solution for picky eating is just as important as resolving the other causes of poor appetite in dogs, to ensure your pet gets the balanced nutrition they need to thrive.

Picky Dog Not Eating Food: How to Help

Having a picky eater for a dog isn’t something most pet parents are excited about. However, the good news is that there are plenty of methods that can help get your fussy eater back on track and enjoying mealtime again.

Here are some top tactics to try:

Switch up your picky dog’s diet. Sometimes, all it takes for a picky eater is a change in diet. Zeitz recommends switching to a different brand or type of food to pique your picky eater’s palate. However, be sure to transition slowly, gradually adding more and more of the new food over the course of a full week. Switching from one food directly to another too quickly could cause issues like digestive upset and diarrhea.

One option is to look at formulas specifically designed to appeal to picky eaters.

Appeal to all the senses.  Pet parents can try this at home by adding toppers to perk up a dog’s standard fare. Or warm your dog’s food up to make it more aromatic and enticing. “Generally, the more it smells, the more they want it,” says Zeitz.  

For any dietary changes, make sure to incorporate them gradually, over the course of one week, to avoid potential stomach issues that can arise from switching too fast.

Make mealtime fun. Use puzzle feeders or treat toys to make eating more fun and stimulating. If your dog has to work harder for their meal, it can help combat food boredom. Plus, the rhythmic act of licking to reach the food in a difficult-to-get toy may help reduce stress. 

How Long Can a Dog Go Without Eating?

It’s important to address picky eating habits quickly to avoid health issues that can arise from persistent poor nutrition. However, how quickly you need to act depends on your dog’s age or stage of life and overall health. Check with your vet if you have any questions or concerns.  

Healthy Adult Dog Won’t Eat

For most adult dogs, if you’ve tried the tactics above for a week and your dog is still not eating well or consistently, then it’s time for a visit to your veterinarian. 

But if you have a puppy, senior dog, or a dog of any age with a known health condition, a week is too long to wait. Contact your veterinarian about your dog’s picky eating as soon as possible. 

Puppy Won’t Eat

Puppies have fewer fat reserves than adult dogs and cannot survive long without food. If your puppy has not eaten in more than 12 hours, “they should be examined in person by your veterinarian to make sure they don’t have any other health concerns or infectious diseases that are common among puppies,” recommends Zeitz. 

Puppies also don’t have the capacity to regulate their glucose as older dogs do, so going without food for longer period could lead to low blood sugar. 

Senior Dog Won’t Eat

While senior dogs have larger fat reserves that enable them to handle longer periods of time without food, the same rule applies, according to Zeitz. 

“The longer dogs go without food, the more work their bodies do to compensate using alternative methods of glucose production (more energy intense),” says Zeitz. This is why we can see senior dogs or those with health issues losing body weight and even muscle quickly after short periods of poor or picky eating. 

The veterinarian will most likely do a blood test to gather information about the inner workings of your pet, says Zeitz. In some cases, this is followed up with an ultrasound or x-ray. However, it may not always be necessary. 

Dog Picky Eater: Tips for Success

The bottom line is if you have a healthy dog who’s refusing to eat food, it’s perfectly fine to try to entice them to eat, once you’ve ruled out other causes of poor appetite, such as stress, pain, or illness. If, after a week of trying, flavorful toppers, puzzle feeders, and even dog food for picky eaters won’t do the trick, consult with your veterinarian to see if further testing or treatment are necessary to restore your pup’s appetite and good health.

The post 4 Reasons Your Dog is a Picky Eater (and How to Help) appeared first on Great Pet Care.

According to veterinarians, this behavior is usually nothing to worry about.

“It is super common for dogs to eat grass,” says Dr. Katie Pagán, a partner doctor at Heart + Paw in Fells Point in Maryland. “Most dogs do end up eating grass at one point in their lives.”

Dogs Eating Grass: How Common Is It?

According to one recent study, nearly 90 percent of all surveyed pet parents said that their dogs had eaten grass or other green plants during their lifetimes, and 68 percent of the dogs ate plants daily or weekly. 

Dogs of any age will eat grass, but puppies seem more interested in it. This is likely out of curiosity, says Dr. Megan McCarthy, a veterinarian at the Best Friends Animal Society Lifesaving Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

“Puppies, similar to toddlers, tend to put more objects in their mouths and may be eating grass due to boredom or teething/chewing behavior,” she adds.

Most puppies eventually grow out of this playful behavior, although they might continue eating grass occasionally or even routinely as adults. 

Research doesn’t necessarily indicate that certain dog breeds eat more grass than others. Yet Dr. Pagán says she commonly finds this behavior in Labrador Retrievers: “Those guys eat everything!”

In most cases, grass consumption is nothing to worry about and is part of normal dog behavior. Yet, Dr. McCarthy says “moderation is key.”

So, in general, dogs eat grass, and it’s usually not bad for them. But why do they eat it in the first place?

Why Does My Dog Eat Grass?

If you notice your dog frantically eating grass in your yard, you might scratch your head and wonder: why on earth does my dog want grass when she has other food available? A common belief is that dogs eat grass when they have an upset stomach, which is true –  sometimes.  

According to Dr. McCarthy, grass can induce vomiting, which, in turn, helps a dog feel a little better if they are experiencing nausea. However, a study found that only 25 percent of surveyed dogs will vomit after eating grass, and only 10 percent of pet owners noticed signs of illness in their pets before their dogs ate grass.

In other situations, dogs may eat grass simply because they like it.

Veterinarians say that dog grass eating could be for pleasure, taste, or even a habit borne out of boredom and anxiety. It could also be an instinct since wolves and other wild dogs regularly consume grass. It’s even possible that a dog will eat grass to get attention from his or her pet parent, says Dr. McCarthy. 

Grass might be a strange snack choice, but it’s not necessarily unhealthy. It can provide a source of fiber, and even help dogs “bulk up [their] feces and help aid digestion,” says Dr. McCarthy. 

Another study by researchers at the University of New England found that dogs tend to eat grass more often before a kibble meal and less often after kibble, suggesting that dogs consider grass a food source. 

But a dog’s grass-eating habit doesn’t necessarily indicate that something is missing from a dog’s diet, says Dr. McCarthy.

“As long as the dog is on a well-balanced commercial diet, I would not change anything or add any supplements,” says Dr. McCarthy.

In rare cases, grass eating might signify a medical condition called pica, which is the consumption of non-food items and could mean that your dog has a mineral or nutrient deficiency. But Dr. McCarthy says that “true pica is rare,” and that as long as your dog eats a balanced diet, he or she shouldn’t be deficient in anything.

What to Do If Your Dog Is Eating Grass

In most cases, you don’t need to stop your dog from eating grass. But pet parents should ensure their dogs aren’t eating twigs, litter, or anything else found in the grass.

“Twigs and plastic can get lodged in the gastrointestinal, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and oftentimes they need to be surgically removed,” says Dr. Pagán.

Dr. McCarthy’s view is similar: “Eating things like twigs or sticks can cause wounds in the mouth or blockages in the stomach or intestines. Likewise, plastic or other foreign material can cause stomach upset or blockages. Make sure to pick up any other materials and make sure your dog is under supervision outside to prevent them [from] ingesting these things.”

It’s also essential not to allow your dog to eat cocoa mulch, which is toxic to dogs and can cause gastrointestinal issues, seizures, or even death. Other backyard dangers for dogs include pesticide sprays, certain fertilizers, and even different types of plants and flowers such as azaleas, oleanders, and tulips. If in doubt, contact your vet or consult the Pet Poison Hotline.

Another danger lurking in the grass is parasites like hookworms and roundworms, which your dog may accidentally ingest, especially if they are also consuming feces-laden soil along with the grass. While parasitic infections can lead to serious health problems if left untreated, Dr. McCarthy says these infections are easy to prevent with routine deworming treatments. For instance, most monthly heartworm preventatives also keep your pet dewormed.

As for leaves, it’s generally OK for dogs to eat these, as long as they’re not from a tree or bush considered to be poisonous. Consuming leaves in leaf piles is not a good idea, however, as those leaves could be contaminated with bacteria or fungus.  It’s also normal for dogs — especially puppies — to deliberately eat leaves.

“[Eating leaves] often seems to be out of more playful behavior, puppy behavior, or curiosity,” says Dr. McCarthy.

While grass is usually benign, if you notice your dog eating excessive amounts, it might be best to stop them, so they don’t develop an upset stomach or diarrhea. According to Dr. McCarthy, you can also tell if a dog has overeaten grass or have another medical issue if they vomit it several times throughout the day, refuse to eat, experience constipation, or have diarrhea with grass mixed in it. It’s of particular concern if you find large amounts of grass in their vomit or feces, she says.

“A dog should be taken to their vet if vomiting, diarrhea, or inappetence lasts longer than 24 hours, and should be taken to a vet right away if [there are] any concerns for bloat,” she added. “Bloat is a life-threatening condition, and signs include a distended or bloated appearing abdomen, panting, pacing, and retching with no material brought up.”

How to Stop a Dog From Eating Grass

If you think your dog is eating more grass than he or she should, there are some things you can do to help. The best thing, in most cases, is just to take their mind away from it.

“You can distract them and try to divert their attention to something else,” says Dr. McCarthy. “You can use a leash to lead them away from the grassy area and distract them with toys or a short leash walk.”

Bitter apple spray, a product used to prevent a dog from biting, chewing or licking, may work temporarily. However, Dr. McCarthy says this isn’t a long-term solution since the spray doesn’t stay on surfaces for long.

Dr. Pagán says that some pet parents, especially those who have Labrador Retrievers, have even resorted to “grazing muzzles” or “basket muzzles” if their dogs can’t kick their grass habit. However, she only recommends these for dogs who have had “multiple foreign body surgeries from eating things they shouldn’t be [eating].”

“I usually end up diagnosing these dogs with pica,” Dr. Pagán said. “[Basket muzzles] should only be used in a situation where your veterinarian recommends it.”

But in most cases, as long as your dog isn’t exhibiting any other sickness behaviors, grass eating is not a problem, and you won’t need to take any action to stop this behavior. If there is a problem, consult a veterinarian to figure out the best solution for your dog.

Dog Eating Grass FAQs

Is it okay for dogs to eat grass?

In most cases, yes. It’s normal for a dog to eat grass occasionally or even routinely. However, excessive grass eating may lead to gastrointestinal issues or indicate an underlying medical issue. In rare cases, a dog’s grass-eating habit may indicate pica, the consumption of non-food items, but this is unlikely. If in doubt, consult a veterinarian.

Is grass good for dogs?

Grass can be good for dogs. Dogs are omnivores who eat plants and animals, and grass can add fiber to their diets. One study found that dogs tend to eat grass before kibble, suggesting they consider it a food source. However, too much grass can have the opposite effect, causing gastrointestinal issues. Dr. Megan McCarthy, a Best Friends Animal Society veterinarian says that “moderation is key.”

Why do dogs eat grass and vomit?

Grass can irritate the stomach and induce vomiting, which can help a dog with an upset stomach feel a little better. However, one study found that less than 25 percent of surveyed pet parents noticed that their dog vomited after eating grass, which suggests that dogs don’t automatically vomit after consuming grass.

The post Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Dogs are revered for their ability to interact with their human pack. People and dogs also look at one another and gaze into each other’s eyes. Science says this is a sign of understanding and affection between the two. That’s pretty amazing, right? 

Science has proven that dogs love us, but how can pet parents know when our precious pups just aren’t getting enough affection? The signs may be subtle, but dogs talk through actions, movements, body posture, and vocalizations. 

Here are 15 signs your dog isn’t getting enough love.

She Chews Things She Shouldn’t

Puppies chew during teething and periods of boredom, but adult dogs may feel anxious, bored, or like they are not getting enough love if they chew inappropriate things. 

Consider this example: You work all day whether from home or in the office, and your dog is alone. She spends her day waiting for you, listening for your familiar footsteps. In your absence, she may chew on your stuff – the couch, clothes, shoes, or any number of household items. 

Dogs use their mouths to explore the world from the time they are born. If your dog’s chewing is anxiety or boredom related, show her love in a few ways.

What to Do

Have someone stop by to check on her, take her for a walk, and play together. Dogs who aren’t mentally stimulated will resort to other activities, and chewing is one of them. 

Provide your dog with plenty of love, attention, and exercise before you leave the home. Check in on her with a puppy cam from your phone. Give her some chew toys that are safe to gnaw on in your absence.

She Goes Potty In The House

Dogs do not pee or poop in the house to get even with you. Dogs are not vengeful by nature, even if they pee on your bed or poop in a spare bedroom. 

Perhaps you came home and found urine or poop on a carpet. You shout at your dog, ask her what she did, and she cowers away. She isn’t acting guilty. She’s upset with your tone or voice. She hasn’t seen you all day, and the first thing you do on returning home is to raise your voice.

Dogs relieve themselves to express a variety of emotions, but revenge is not one of them. She may feel sad, depressed, or alone. She marks her territory by peeing on it, just like her wolf ancestors did in the wild. She smells your scent and she marks her territory. 

This may also indicate that your dog has a health issue, such as a urinary tract infection, or kidney stones, so reprimanding your dog may not be the solution she needs.  

What to Do

Instead of getting upset with household accidents, make sure your dog has plenty of opportunities to relieve herself throughout the day and keep up with regular vet visits to rule out medical issues. Above all – don’t leave your pup alone for inordinate periods of time. And always use positive reinforcement when housetraining. 

She Starts Barking More Than Usual

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, but your dog may bark more if she feels ignored. We all get busy and sometimes we forget to spend special one-on-one time with our dogs. Life gets in the way. 

Dogs don’t understand we have a lot going on in life. Their world revolves around yours. Dogs communicate in many ways, and barking is one of them. Your dog may simply be doing this as a way to get your attention.

What to Do

If your previously quiet or less talkative dog suddenly starts barking, something’s up. Take a look at your schedule and the things you do in the course of a day. Are you accidentally forgetting to take her for long walks, pet her, play together, or simply sit in silence and chill? 

Her bark might be telling you it’s time for some TLC.

She Sleeps A Lot

Mental stimulation is as essential to a dog’s longevity and overall well-being as exercise. Some dogs may simply be tired, and if this is the case, it’s okay. It might also be time for the veterinarian to do an overall assessment to rule out any underlying medical issues.

Most adult dogs require between 8 and 13-½ hours of sleep each day. The rest of the time they eat, play, explore, walk, engage, chill, and spend time with you and others they encounter. It’s up to you to meet your dog’s enrichment needs. 

What to Do

Bored dogs will sleep because they have nothing else to do. Mental stimulation toys, doggie board games, and keeping her active are all wonderful ways to show love and lift her spirits. You can even try different types of activities like scent work, agility training, or scheduling play dates with other pups. Keeping your dog active and her mind engaged is a great way to bond.  

She’s Packing On Extra Weight

A dog’s heart is not through her stomach. Some dogs, depending on the breed or previous history, may act as if they are hungry 24/7/365. 

And while treating a dog may seem like an act of love, not staying on top of your dog’s dietary needs or allowing her to gain weight is actually the opposite. It’s easy to take shortcuts and stop measuring your dog’s food or give her extra snacks as a way to keep her busy while you work. But not paying attention to how much you’re feeding your dog may cause some serious harm. 

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention says that pet obesity remains a serious health threat. During a recent survey, 59.5 percent of dogs were classified as overweight or obese. If that doesn’t convince you, the American Veterinary Medical Association says that overweight and obese dogs live shorter lives. 

What to Do

Start a log of all the food your dog eats in a day. Buy a notebook or keep a log on your phone. Anytime someone feeds her, you log it in – the quantity, item, time, etc. After a week or two, take a peek at the list. How many treats is she getting? Is her food being measured? Does she get table scraps or lunch meat with her pills hidden inside?

Calories add up fast. Show your dog you love her by feeding her the right amount, giving her mental and physical exercise, and talking to your veterinarian about her ideal weight. Your vet can also give you tips on cutting back portions and measuring calories. 

Learn how much exercise a dog needs and give her more one-on-one time instead of extra treats. Substitute fatty treats for healthy fruits and vegetables with your veterinarian’s guidance.

You Can’t Remember The Last Time You Took A Day Off Together

Whether it’s a picnic, a hike, a day trip, or a fun outing at the park, dogs love spending dedicated time with their human pack. 

Ask yourself when you last devoted a day to your dog. Having done this many times in my life, I have zero regrets when I think back to the dogs I’ve loved and lost. Our day trips stand out in my heart and mind.

If you can’t remember the last time you spent a day pampering your dog, it’s time to act. Your pup will appreciate the quality time together. 

What to Do

Whether you live in a cold climate or experience warmer weather year-round, there’s always something you and your dog can do together for a day. Whether she’s a puppy or a senior, if dogs could talk they’d ask for more time with you.

Here are a few ideas for a doggy day spent together: 

1. Indoor picnic
2. Visit a pet-friendly winery or brewery
3. Get together with friends at a local dog park
4. Explore a new city together.
5. Visit a pet-friendly beach
6. Go pet supply store hopping.
7. Take a boat ride
8. Throw your dog a “just because” party and invite some of her doggy friends
9. Play interactive games together like doggy puzzles
10. Refreshen her trick training skills and reward her with a long walk 

Your Dog Hasn’t Had a Bath or Grooming Session In a While

Love means more than spending time together and playing games. Being a responsible pet parent also means giving your dog regular baths and/or grooming sessions or having a professional do it. 

Dogs who smell, or feel itchy, grimy, or dirty may act withdrawn or uncomfortable. You may think your dog seems aloof, but maybe her nails are too long. 

What to Do

Most dogs don’t care if they missed a week or two or three when it comes to bathing. But dogs who are long overdue for a nail trim, haircut, or bath really need you to step up and help them feel better. Love and bath are both four-letter words all dogs should have in their lives. 

She Follows You Around

Some dogs follow you around because it’s just who they are as a species. Their pack and animal mentality comes into play here. 

But other dogs will often follow their humans around because they want something, and that something is likely you! They may want attention, dinner, a play session, or they are trying to communicate another need. 

What to Do

Although there are many reasons dogs follow people around, she might simply want more attention and love. Have you been out all day? Did you just get back from vacation? Is she alone more often than not? She’s adoring you and silently telling you to show her the love – so stop what you’re doing and oblige!

You Haven’t Made Eye Contact in a While

The eyes are the windows to the soul. If your dog has ever stared at you for a period of time, you know they are trying to get your attention. But if you’ve been too busy or distracted – and spend more time looking at your phone than in your dog’s eye – you’re pup may be feeling pushed aside.

What to Do

When your dog looks at you and you look back, those happy hormones kick in and everyone feels better. Those ‘puppy dog eyes’ will melt even the busiest and most distracted hearts.

Back away from the computer, PlayStation, laptop, or phone and spend some quality time bonding with your dog. 

She Doesn’t Respond To Your Voice or Cues

If your dog is emotionally indifferent to you, she may not be feeling the love you have for her. She still knows you care and are kind to her, but dogs who are ignored or not feeling love, may do any of the following:

• Ignore you when you ask her to do something (sit, stay, recall commands)
• Won’t play with you
• Leaves the room when you enter
• Won’t engage in eye contact with you
• Appears irritated or annoyed in your presence

What to Do

If your dog isn’t communicating with you or responding to your cues, something is off and you need to work on building your bond. Start slow and do little things to show affection like gently rubbing her ears, playing a game of fetch, or enticing her with some high-value treats. Consider signing up for a training class, so that you can spend time together interacting and learning. With time, your bond will grow. 

You Don’t Recognize Her Body Language Cues

Sure, kisses, hugs, and being coddled like a baby may be ways you think you’re expressing love, but not all dogs like this kind of affection. And it’s up to you to recognize when your dog is uncomfortable. 

Dogs express their emotions through different body language cues. If you can’t read them or know what your dog means, you might not be paying enough attention. 

What to Do

Read up on dog body language and study your own pup. If your dog appears nervous, anxious, or wants to get away when you kiss, hug, or crowd her, then stop. Dogs like to initiate behaviors, and if they give you a smooch, that’s wonderful. If they want to be held in your arms and enjoy it, keep it up. 

Love means knowing what your dog likes and doesn’t like. Strengthen your bond by doing more of the things she enjoys and avoiding the stuff she doesn’t.

She Doesn’t Get To Enjoy Her Walks

It’s finally time for a walk and you tell your dog to “stop it,” “move on,” or “let’s go.” If you find yourself impatient on your dog’s daily walks, it’s time for a reset. 

Rushing walks and not allowing your dog to sniff and enjoy the stroll is detrimental. Whose walk is it anyway? Trust us – those other things in your life can wait a few more minutes. 

What to Do

Take a lead from your dog and allow her to sniff, explore, and engage on her walk. Love means sharing and giving freely of your time. Plan walks during less busy times of the day so that you both can enjoy the experience and not feel rushed. 

You Deluge Her With Commands 

She’s a dog, not a member of the military in boot camp. I’ve wanted to say that to pet parents over the years who treat their dogs like soldiers. 

Dogs should have fun, and they look to their human pack to guide and provide the way to a happy, healthy life. People who constantly tell their dogs to do something, perform, act a certain way, or give them too many commands are setting themselves up for failure. 

What to Do

Dogs don’t love being treated like soldiers. They do want to please us. They do want to be with us and have structure. But they don’t need to be performing and learning all the time. Training your dog should be a fun and interactive way to bond. If it begins to feel like work, it’s time to take a step back. Love means slowing down, enjoying life, and simply being together.

She Hides From You

In addition to being a sign of medical illness or not feeling well, your dog may hide if she feels sad, scared, or upset. 

Is there anything lately you might have said or done to make her run off and hide somewhere in the house? Did you raise your voice? Lose your temper? 

What to Do

This can usually be rectified by understanding what you did and then showering her with fun, attention, and things that she enjoys. And don’t underestimate the power of apologizing to your dog. If you acted in a way you shouldn’t have, own up to it and say you’re sorry. While your dog might not understand your words, she can probably pick up on the meaning.

She Isn’t Wagging Her Tail For You

Dogs say a lot through their body language. Usually a wagging tail or wagging nubby means happiness. If your dog raises or tail or completely stops wagging, something is wrong.

A dog with her tail between her legs is scared. A dog with a raised tail not wagging may be alerting to something. A dog who doesn’t wag in your presence at all may just not be feeling the love.

What to Do

Time to turn that frown upside down and help get her mojo back! Greet your pup with an excited and happy tone and get down on her level to pet her and appreciate her. Engage her in regular games and playtime so that she starts to associate you with fun. That tail will be wagging again in no time. 

The post 15 Signs Your Dog Isn’t Getting Enough Love appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Let’s take a closer look at why some dogs seem to fart more than others, what causes gas in dogs, when dog farts are a cause for concern, and more importantly, what pet parents can do about this smelly situation. 

Dog Farts: What They Are and Why They Happen 

After a dog eats, the bacteria in the gut breaks down the food. During this process, gas is released. When excessive amounts of gas form in the stomach or intestinal tract, that gas has to go somewhere! Gas is either released through burps (eructation) or through the other end (flatus or flatulence). Intestinal gas is mostly composed of gases that are odorless, including nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane. The problem is any gas that stinks, such as ammonia or hydrogen sulfide. Inadequately digested protein also contributes to the rotten smell of dog farts.

A small amount of daily farting is normal for dogs. However, if you feel like you have to leave the room every time your dog passes gas, you notice a distinct uptick in the number of farts your dog lets fly each day, or your dog is passing gas and having problems with vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in appetite, then something might be wrong. 

Why Does My Dog Fart So Much? 

There are many reasons why a dog could develop excessive gassiness, and they range from medical to food related to behavioral. 

Some of the more common causes of gassiness in dogs include:

Excessive Air Swallowing (Aerophagia)

Dogs that swallow excessive amounts of air while they eat fart more than other dogs. Dogs that may have an increased incidence of aerophagia include brachycephalic dogs (flat-faced, short-nosed dogs like Bulldogs, Pugs, etc.), dogs that are gluttons or competitive eaters, nervous dogs, dogs with respiratory conditions, and dogs that are fed right after exercise.  

Abrupt Food Changes

Suddenly changing dog food can upset the balance of gut flora and lead to increased flatulence.

Poorly Digested Foods

Food that is not properly digested is available for fermentation by gut bacteria, which results in, you guessed it, dog farts. Ingredients that are slowly absorbed, such as whole grains, beans, and peas, and spices can also contribute to gas. 

Fiber-Containing Foods

Diets high in fermentable fiber and containing inulin, psyllium, oat bran, or pectin may cause excessive gas due to decreased digestibility of fiber and increased fermentation within the GI tract. 

Inappropriate or Spoiled Foods

Dietary indiscretion (i.e., getting into the garbage) or food that has been contaminated with bacteria or fungus can cause gas in dogs. 

Disease Conditions

Intestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, imbalances in gut bacteria, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal parasites like hookworms or giardia, adverse food reactions (food allergies), cancer, infections with Salmonella or Campylobacteria, and viruses that attack the digestive tract can all cause excessive gas. 

Sedentary Lifestyle

An older study reported that pet owners detected a higher incidence of flatulence in sedentary dogs. 

Lactose Intolerance

Adult dogs lack the enzyme necessary to digest milk products, and consuming dairy products like cheese may cause flatulence. 

Dog Gas: When to Worry

While dog farts themselves aren’t life threatening (except to human noses!), they can sometimes indicate a disease process that needs intervention. As noted above, several different intestinal disorders can lead to excessive flatulence, and in these cases, excessive gas should not be ignored. 

If dog farting is accompanied by the following warning signs, seek veterinary assistance:

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Difficulty defecating (constipation)
• Abdominal bloating or pain 
• Loss of energy
• Respiratory problems, such as coughing, sneezing, excessive panting, wheezing, etc. 

You should also contact your veterinarian if your dog has excessive, out-of-character farting that doesn’t resolve with home remedies.

Dog Farting a Lot: What to Do

If you notice excessive gas in your dog, then it is always a good idea to get a veterinary check-up. Your veterinarian will conduct a physical exam and may recommend some laboratory tests to determine the cause of your dog’s flatulence. It can be helpful to bring a stool sample with you. 

If your dog has a clean bill of health from your veterinarian, there are several home remedies that you can try to help reduce gas in your dog, such as:

Exercise. Exercise increases intestinal movement, so encourage your dog to have an active lifestyle. Depending on your dog’s breed, age, and overall health status, this may include taking your dog for twice daily brisk walks, playing games of fetch, or getting your dog involved in agility training. This will help expel excessive gas and promote regular bowel movements. 

Frequent, small meals. Feed small meals three to four times a day in a quiet environment, away from other pets or children. 

Food puzzles. If you have a dog that bolts (gulps) their food, try using a food puzzle or spread their food out on a cookie sheet to slow down eating. 

Digestible diet. Slowly transition to a food that is highly digestible, with low fiber and fat concentration. Therapeutic intestinal foods and therapeutic hypoallergenic foods are a good choice for dogs that have food allergies or digestive issues (both require a prescription card from your vet). You could also try an over-the-counter limited-ingredient food that uses protein sources your dog has not eaten before, like alligator, rabbit, or venison. If you want to cook for your dog, ask your veterinarian about a balanced, home-cooked diet that will reduce gas. 

Supplements. Supplement your dog with a high-quality probiotic daily to balance gut flora. You can also try feeding dog food and treats that contain zinc acetate and Yucca schidigera to reduce dog gas. 

Simethicone. Simethicone (brand name Gas-X) works by decreasing the surface tension of intestinal gas bubbles, making small bubbles into big bubbles that are more easily eliminated. It does not decrease gas formation, but it aids in elimination.

To help prevent dog gas, do not feed your dog table scraps and make sure they can’t get into the garbage or eat other things they shouldn’t, including poop. You should also avoid feeding your dog any dairy products or abruptly changing their dog food.

The post Why Do Dogs Fart So Much? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Why Is My Dog Snoring? 

Snoring happens when air movement through the nose, mouth and throat is partially obstructed in the airways. The air vibrates tissues in the throat, which wobble and give off a characteristic snoring sound. This is more likely to happen during sleep, when muscles that hold these tissues out of the way relax, allowing them to flop into the airway. 

Dogs who snore usually have abnormal anatomy or swelling in their mouth or throat, causing the snoring sound, although sometimes their snoring will be just due to sleeping in a strange position.

Is Dog Snoring Normal?

One study showed that 58 percent of pet parents of dogs with breathing problems like snoring thought their dogs were normal. Although dog snoring is relatively common, snoring shouldn’t be ignored as it’s often a sign of an underlying problem. While the underlying problem may not always be serious, it’s best to get dog snoring investigated in case it’s a sign of something more concerning.

In some breeds, snoring is extremely common. Brachycephalic, or “short-snouted” breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs often make snoring noises all the time. This is because their short skull cannot easily contain all of their mouth and throat tissues, causing a lot of tissue to protrude into the airway. This is called Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). 

The same study showed that snoring affected 93 percent of dogs with BOAS, with over half snoring “almost constantly.” Although many people would say that these dogs’ snuffling and snorting sounds are “normal for the breed,” it’s still a problem and should be investigated.

Why Do Dogs Snore So Loudly?

Do you think your dog snores louder than any dog you’ve heard? The volume of a dog’s snore is due to two things:

• The speed of the air they’re breathing in
• The amount of tissue that’s causing the obstruction

Bigger dogs are likely to have a bigger snore, but this doesn’t always hold true—small dogs with very obstructed airways will snore loudly, too. 

Despite this, it’s pretty standard for dogs to sound like they’re snoring quite loudly for their size and louder snores are more common in dogs with narrower airways, so a loud snore is more concerning than a quiet one.

What Causes Snoring in Dogs? 

If you’ve noticed your dog’s snoring, you’re right to be concerned. There’s always a cause, some of which are more serious than others. Let’s have a look at the common causes of snoring in dogs:

Body Position

One of the milder causes of snoring in dogs, positional snoring only happens when your dog is in a specific position, like on their back. Their tongue or soft tissues flop over their airway, causing the snore. If your dog only ever snores when deep asleep in an unusual position, this is likely the cause. Thankfully, positional snoring is not a concern as long as your dog doesn’t suffer from sleep apnea.

Dog Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when normal breathing stops during sleep. Affected animals will stop breathing for several seconds and then suddenly wake, often with a snort. Luckily, sleep apnea in dogs is rare. 

BOAS

As previously mentioned, Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a condition affecting short-snouted dogs. Repeated breeding for shorter snouts has resulted in dogs with smaller nostrils and shorter skulls but normal-length soft palates. The soft palate dangles into the throat, causing the snuffling, snorting and snoring sounds so common in these breeds. A lifetime of breathing past this partial obstruction can cause other parts of the throat to swell or change, further reducing the airway. 

BOAS is more likely to be the cause of snoring if you have one of the following breeds:

• Pug
• French Bulldog
• English Bulldog
• Pomeranian
• Boston Terrier
• Lhasa Apso
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Pekingese
• Shih Tsu

Obesity

Obesity is another cause of snoring, as excess fat can build up around the mouth and throat tissues, causing them to protrude into the airways and disrupt air movement. Obesity in dogs can occur alongside other causes of snoring and worsen it.

Allergies

Your dog might start snoring if the nasal passages are inflamed due to an allergy. Snoring is unlikely to be the only symptom of allergies in dogs, but it might be seen alongside other signs. These might include itching, licking the feet, ear infections or sneezing. 

Respiratory Disease

Any disease of the airways, such as kennel cough, can cause the throat to become inflamed and cause snoring. Snoring won’t be the only symptom of the disease – you’ll likely see coughing or sneezing as well.

When Should I Worry About My Dog’s Snoring?

Discussing your dog’s snoring with your veterinarian is always best before trying dog snoring remedies at home. If your dog suddenly starts snoring and it isn’t related to only one sleeping position, you should book a check-up in the next week. You should book an appointment even sooner if your dog has started snoring while awake. 

If your snoring dog is a brachycephalic breed, you should book an appointment with your vet in the next few weeks to have them assessed for BOAS. Some things can be done to help dogs with BOAS, so it’s worth having the assessment performed.

If your senior dog has started snoring, they also need a check-up. Old age isn’t a cause of snoring alone and suggests there’s something else happening you should investigate.

If your dog is snoring only occasionally or at particular times of the year, you don’t need to bring them to the vet until their next routine check-up. However, if you notice them deteriorate, you should move the appointment forward. Signs that your dog needs an urgent veterinary appointment include:

• Fast breathing (more than 40 breaths in a minute when sleeping) or continuous panting
• Struggling to breathe (increased effort, ribs moving more than usual)
• Blue-tinged lips or tongue
• Snoring accompanied by coughing or collapse

How Do I Stop My Dog From Snoring? 

If your dog’s snoring is keeping you awake at night, you might be hoping for some snoring remedies for dogs. You should first consult your vet – they’ll advise surgery, a diet plan, or medications if appropriate.

At home, you may wish to try changing your dog’s bed. Take note of which positions cause your dog to snore and see if there’s a bed that prevents your dog from sleeping in those positions. For instance, you might want a dog bed with raised sides for your dog to rest their head on. Some people also suggest using a humidifier – although it won’t stop your dog from snoring, it might make their snore a little quieter. 

Related Conditions 

• BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome)
• Obesity

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In this article, we’ll decode nail and paw biting in dogs, why they do it, when it’s a problem, and what pet parents can and should do about it.

Dogs Chewing Paws and Nails: Is it Normal?

Occasional brief sessions of paw licking and chewing are normal dog grooming behaviors. Most dogs will lick and chew their feet to clean themselves, especially after walks or play sessions outside. Some dogs may also exhibit this behavior as part of their nightly routine while they settle into bed or throughout the day while they are relaxing. 

However, if your dog has suddenly started licking or chewing in a way they never have before, such as much longer than normal or more aggressively than usual, it can be a sign that something is wrong. It’s also a cause for concern if your dog is incessantly licking, biting, or chewing at their feet. 

Typical grooming sessions don’t last much longer than five to 10 minutes maximum, and your dog should never leave themselves with raw or red paws afterward. It’s abnormal for your dog to stay up all night obsessing with their paws or to stop on walks or play sessions to bite or chew their paws. These scenarios are a good reason to inspect your dog’s feet and schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. 

Why Do Dogs Chew Their Paws and Nails?

There are many reasons dogs bite and chew their nails. Abnormal reasons for paw licking and chewing include:

Allergies

Dogs with allergies usually have red, itchy skin and paws. Allergies are the most common reason dogs bite, chew, and lick at their feet frequently and repeatedly. 

Dogs with both environmental allergies and food allergies will often develop red, inflamed feet (along with other areas of their body), and they may start to lose fur in these places. Despite popular belief, environmental allergies are much more common than food allergies in dogs. Only about 10 percent of dogs suffering from allergies have a true food allergy. 

The inflammation in their paws is itchy and uncomfortable, so allergic dogs will bite, chew, and lick at their paws and nails to relieve the discomfort. These dogs will usually be gnawing on all four paws instead of just one. Allergies become progressively worse with time, so a dog may start just a little itchy and become more uncomfortable over time. 

Over-the-counter antihistamines are unfortunately not very effective in most dogs with allergies. Apoquel is a commonly prescribed oral medicine for allergic itch in dogs that provides fast, effective relief. Your veterinarian can work with you to help identify, alleviate, and manage your dog’s allergies. 

Injuries

Paw and nail injuries are relatively common. Our dogs don’t wear protective shoes like we do and are liable to hurt themselves while out and about in the world. Your dog may have irritated or cut their paw by stepping on something sharp or walking on a hot or rough surface, like gravel.

Dogs sometimes step on acorns, rocks, or other small objects that become lodged between their toes. Their nails can sometimes become torn, ingrown, or even broken during rough play or even on leisurely strolls.

If your dog is licking or chewing their paw due to an injury, they will typically be focused on one foot in particular, and it will have started abruptly. Dogs with an injury to their paw may or may not limp, depending on their pain tolerance and the location of the wound. The sudden, persistent paw chewing will usually be a new behavior for them and will last much longer than regular grooming sessions. 

Carefully check the top and bottom of your dog’s paw, and look between the toes, too. Minor scrapes or irritations are likely to heal with some simple, at-home first aid, but a veterinarian should examine cuts, wounds, or nail injuries. In most cases, paw injuries are not serious, and with proper wound care, antibiotics and pain medications, your dog will recover just fine.

Some dogs are very protective of their feet and may not allow you to examine their paws yourself. In these cases, it’s best to go to the veterinarian sooner rather than later so a professional can help check for any potentially painful or serious problems.

Parasites

Parasites, like fleas or mange, can cause our dogs to bite and chew frantically and constantly. Bites from these parasites leave the skin red and inflamed. Dogs with flea or mite infestations will often bite all four feet and will usually be red and itchy on other spots of their body as well. Ticks can also cause an itching sensation. If a tick attaches to your dog’s paw or between their toes, your dog may chew at it to stop the itch and remove the tick.

These pests can be challenging to find, so just because you don’t see any parasites doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Your veterinary team can employ specialized techniques and tests like skin scraping to determine if parasites are causing your pet to tear their feet apart.

Pain

A common reason our pets lick themselves is to alleviate pain. Dogs experiencing pain in or near their paw will regularly lick the area. This is often seen in dogs with arthritis but can occur with any painful condition involving the leg or paw. 

Dogs licking their feet due to pain will often focus on the specific paw that is uncomfortable instead of all four feet. In most cases of joint pain or arthritis, there will be no obvious redness or swelling noticeable on the outside of the paws unless they lick the area raw. Your veterinarian can take radiographs (or X-rays) of your dog’s lower legs and paws to confirm this cause of persistent paw licking. 

Paw Pad Disorders

Cracked, dry, or damaged paws can be painful and cause constant paw licking or chewing by our canines. Certain autoimmune disorders, like pemphigus, can cause painful lesions on the paw pads. In these cases, dogs are likely to bite all four paws. Other issues, like paw pad corns often seen in Greyhounds, lead our dogs to bite or chew the area incessantly and are usually limited to just one paw. 

Treatment for these conditions will depend on the underlying cause. If your veterinarian is concerned about an autoimmune disorder, a biopsy may be needed. Corns often need to be surgically removed. Over-the-counter paw balm is usually an effective remedy for dry or cracked paws. 

Infections

Bacterial and yeast infections of paw pads, nail beds, and/or skin on their feet can be another cause of consistent foot nibbling by our dogs. These infections can be secondary to paw chewing for another reason, like allergies or an injury.  

Infections can be localized to one paw or occur on all four paws. The affected paws will usually be red, hairless, and swollen. Infected nails will often turn dark brown near the base of the nail, and pus can sometimes be seen from the nailbed. 

A combination of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory medications are usually needed in cases of infection. Additionally, your veterinarian will often need to determine what led to the development of the infection to begin with and decide whether the infection was the cause of the licking or vice versa. 

Anxiety

Overly anxious pets repeatedly lick or bite their paws and nails to self-soothe. It can help distract them from their anxious thoughts and gives them something to fixate on. Anxious dogs usually lick their front paws. The paws typically do not have any signs of redness or outward irritation. 

Dogs develop anxiety for many reasons. By working with your veterinarian, a trainer, and maybe even a canine behaviorist, you can find the best way to relieve your pet’s stress. 

Boredom

Lastly, if you and your veterinarian have ruled out other, more problematic causes of incessant paw licking, the reason may be boredom. Bored dogs will lick, bite, and chew their paws and nails to occupy their mind. Try increasing playtime with your dog to burn some of that energy and reincorporate training sessions to satisfy their mental drive. Providing food puzzles, safe chew treats, or motorized toys can help keep their attention away from their feet. 

Dog Chewing Paws and Nails: When to Worry

Every dog is different. Familiarizing yourself with your dog’s everyday habits and their typical amount of paw licking or chewing can help you recognize when something is out of sorts. 

Although dogs are expected to lick or chew their feet occasionally, sudden onset or constant licking or chewing is different. Dogs should never bite or chew their paws so vigorously that they leave their feet red, raw, or damaged. 

Your veterinarian should address paw or nail biting, chewing, or licking if it’s beyond the realm of normal behavior or if you aren’t sure whether it’s happening too much. A veterinary visit is necessary if the behavior is accompanied by limping, bleeding, swelling, redness, hair loss, pain, sores, or signs of infection like odor or drainage. 

How to Stop Dogs From Chewing Paws and Nails

Stopping your dog from chewing on their nails and paws relies heavily on determining and managing the cause of the behavior. Any parasites and infections must be treated, allergies must be managed, injuries should be doctored, pain should be addressed and boredom or anxiety must be mitigated. 

For example, if your dog is chewing their paws like crazy and your veterinarian suspects allergies are to blame, they may prescribe a medicine for allergic itch, such as Apoquel.

Applying an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) or similar dog-cone alternative is a good short-term measure to stop your pet from licking their paws while you are waiting for a veterinary visit. Your veterinarian may also advise an e-collar at the start of treatment to keep your pet from causing further damage or a delay in healing. 

Wrapping your pet’s paws to stop biting and chewing is usually not a good idea. Many pets will simply rip off the bandaging, and some will even eat it, which can lead to intestinal obstruction. If the bandage is applied too tightly, it can cut off circulation to the paw and cause tissue death. Additionally, infections can take root if the bandage is left on too long or becomes wet or dirty, and further complications develop. 

The best way to stop your dog from chewing their paws and nails is to work with your veterinary team to determine and treat the cause.

The post Dog Chewing Paws and Nails: Reasons and How to Help appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Experts estimate that separation anxiety affects about 20 percent of dogs. Despite being common, the condition is serious—and seriously misunderstood. While many associate separation anxiety with extreme destruction and red-flag behavior, the truth is that the disorder can manifest in a number of ways. And even if your dog isn’t frantically chewing through the door, they could be experiencing severe stress when left alone. 

Take the quiz below to find out if your dog may be exhibiting signs of separation anxiety.

The post Quiz: Does My Dog Have Separation Anxiety? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

If your dog has been hyperventilating due to heat exposure and hasn’t stopped panting despite attempts to cool her off, seek veterinary attention immediately. She could be suffering from heat stroke which can be life-threatening. If she’s panting uncontrollably for no apparent reason, call your veterinarian to figure out next steps. 

Otherwise? Read on to learn why dogs hyperventilate, what to do when it happens, and how to help prevent it. 

Can Dogs Hyperventilate? 

“Dogs do not tend to hyperventilate the way humans do,” says Dr. Leni Kaplan, a veterinarian at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Most documented cases of hyperventilation in dogs occur when they’re under anesthesia due to pain or complications. 

That said, dogs can heavily pant or breathe rapidly—which we often casually refer to as hyperventilation. 

“Sometimes, it can sound raspy or congested depending on the cause, but typically it just looks like the dog is taking quick, short breaths,” says Dr. Laura Robinson, lead veterinary advisor to Pawp. 

Why Is My Dog Hyperventilating?

It’s normal for a pup to pant after vigorous exercise like a long game of fetch, a walk outside on a hot day, or stressful situations like a visit to the veterinarian’s office, night full of fireworks, or long car ride. 

A dog with separation anxiety may breathe heavily while you’re gone. 

And certain dog breeds with flat faces like Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, and Pugs are prone to breathing problems like frequent panting. 

But “dogs don’t usually hyperventilate except for normal panting unless there is a medical problem, often a serious medical problem,” says Dr. Lucas White, a veterinarian at Sunset Veterinary Clinic in Edmond, Oklahoma. 

This could happen for a slew of different reasons such as: 

• Heat stroke
• Pain
• Heart issues such as heart murmur or congestive heart failure
• Respiratory problems such as distemper, pneumonia, or lung cancer 
• Exposure to toxins like chocolate
• Neurological issues like seizures
• Cushing’s disease
• Side effect of medication such as prednisone

Dog Hyperventilating Signs

Depending on the cause, a hyperventilating dog may also show additional symptoms of concern. 

These may include: 

• Pacing or reluctance to settle down  
• Lethargy or unresponsiveness  
• Shaking, tremors, or seizures  
• Drooling
• Vocalizations like crying or howling 
• Limping 
• Licking or biting a certain area 
• Coughing 
• Purple or pale gums 
• Excessive thirst and urination 

How to Stop a Dog from Hyperventilating

The key to stopping hyperventilation is identifying and treating the source of the problem. If your dog seems to be breathing quickly due to a clear cause—like the sight of grooming tools—her breathing should calm down within 15 to 20 minutes once the trigger has been removed.  

If your dog hasn’t stopped panting or is hyperventilating in her sleep or for no readily apparent reason, seek veterinary attention ASAP. 

Dog Hyperventilating: Prevention

Because hyperventilation in dogs can be caused by so many conditions, it’s not always avoidable. However, there are some steps you can take to protect your dog from common problems at the root of heavy breathing. 

“Preventing situations that contribute to dogs’ being hyperstimulated, anxious, or overheating is the best step pet parents can take to help their dogs,” says Dr. Kaplan. 

For example, if seeing other dogs on a leash sets your pup off, consult with a trainer to ease her into a healthier reaction. Positive reinforcement (read: plenty of dog treats) can help dogs learn to build confidence and feel calm in situations that may otherwise make them super anxious. 

To prevent overheating, limit outdoor activities on hot and humid days, stick to shady and breezy areas as much as possible, always keep a fresh supply of water available, and never leave your dog inside a car alone—not even for a short period of time. 

When rapid breathing is related to anxiety, a multi-modal approach including regular exercise and play, training, supplements, and possibly prescription medications is often necessary, says Dr. Kaplan. In this case, it’s best to schedule a consultation with your veterinarian to determine the best plan of action for your pet. 

The post Dog Hyperventilating: Why it Happens and How to Help appeared first on Great Pet Care.

This behavior is known as dog “zoomies,” according to Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of San Diego Humane Society. “Zoomies are how [dogs] release pent-up energy,” he says. “Dogs never appear happier than when they are doing zoomies!”

What Are Dog Zoomies?

Although we call these short bursts of energy “zoomies,” the official term is frenetic random activity periods or FRAPs. These sudden bouts of energy are different than traditional canine playtime, too. Dogs experiencing zoomies tend to dart back and forth quickly and may try to get you or another animal to join the fun. 

“Zoomies are more frantic and repetitive in nature than regular play,” Weitzman says. “They can come on when your dog is happy and excited, or they can also be a way for dogs to release nervous energy, like after a bath or going to the vet.” 

Although the dog zoomies can happen at any time, they are prevalent after walks, bath time or grooming, Weitzman says.

Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies?

Zoomies are typical when dogs have an abundance of physical or mental energy to burn, according to Jill A. Goldman, certified applied animal behaviorist and founder of DJG Animal Behavior Services. And dogs of all ages and breeds can get the zoomies.

“All dogs can have these kinds of behavior patterns,” Goldman says. “Whether all dogs need to display these behavior patterns may vary.” 

Goldman says that the behavior can be more common in younger dogs and high-energy breeds (that’s why your senior Chihuahua may experience zoomies less often than a 1-year-old Border Collie). But even older dogs can zoom if they need to release energy, Weitzman says.

Your reaction to the behavior may also play a role in their frequency. “It’s naturally reinforced because it feels good, but if we think it’s funny and give a little bit of enthusiastic reinforcement (whether it’s intentional or not), it can also influence how often the dog displays the zoomies,” Goldman says.

Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies After a Bath?

Does your dog race around the house at top speed as soon as he gets out of the tub? It’s not the scent of shampoo getting him excited. 

“Most dogs don’t love bath time, so zoomies after a bath usually mean your dog is releasing some nervous energy,” says Weitzman. “They could also be trying to dry off.”

Zoomies can also be seen after a grooming appointment. The stress of standing on a grooming table and being handled by a stranger are key reasons dogs may leave the groomer with a lot of nervous energy to burn, Goldman says. 

Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies After a Walk?

It’s also normal for your dog to have a furious burst of energy after a walk. 

“Dogs have an exceptional sense of smell and they take in a tremendous amount of stimuli when they sniff around,” says Weitzman. “Even though they burn a lot of energy on the walk, they have so much excitement from everything they just saw and smelled zoomies are how they release it.” 

If your dog routinely gets the zoomies after a walk, you may not be giving him enough exercise. 

“If you’ve ever been to an aerobics class, the first 15 minutes are a warm-up,” Goldman says. So if you’re giving your dog a 15 or 20-minute walk, it’s essentially a warm up that can trigger zoomies when they come back inside.

Are Dog Zoomies Normal?

In a word, yes. Weitzman notes that zoomies are not a behavior pet parents should be worried about. “Zoomies are a very normal part of dog behavior,” he says.

Keeping Dogs Safe During Zoomies

The zoomies can come on suddenly, which means your dog is just as likely to race around the living room as the backyard. The quick movements, fast pace, and intermittent jumping can cause injuries from slipping on hardwood floors or crashing into the hard edge of the fireplace. 

To encourage zoomies and keep your dog safe, Weitzman suggests opening a door to a yard or creating more open space for them to run during their behavior. 

Indoors or outdoors, it’s also important to remove your dog’s leash (as long as your dog is in a safe area). Goldman warns that a leash could get caught on something during an episode of the zoomies, causing injuries.

How to Stop Dog Zoomies

Since zoomies are a normal dog behavior, there’s no need to stop your dog from their solo play sessions unless it’s inconvenient or unsafe. 

If you’re in a small apartment where there isn’t enough space for your dog to race around without injuring themselves or others—or if their zoom sessions annoy the downstairs neighbors—you may need to put the brakes on.

“If you don’t have a yard, leash your dog and take him for a walk or a run,” Weitzman says. “Any activity that will help your dog release the energy he’s feeling will help him to relax.”

Otherwise, just sit back and enjoy the show. “It’s a healthy expression for the dog and one of the most entertaining things to watch,” he adds. “Enjoy it.”

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We’ve all seen dogs eating grass when out for a walk, and watching dogs interact at the dog park or on a hiking trail often leads to displays of quirky behaviors. However, many of these weird dog behaviors aren’t to entertain us (or your dog, for that matter). There is usually a physiological reason dogs do these things. And they may even signal something is going on internally with your pup that needs to be examined further. 

Why is My Dog Acting Weird? 

Paying attention to a dog’s behavior is invaluable. We gain a lot of information by watching our dog’s routines, habits, and daily patterns. And knowing what is normal behavior for our dogs helps us understand when our dogs are acting weird or out of character. 

Dogs may suddenly start to act weird for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, the cause is related to a change in their environment or routine, a new stress trigger, or the onset of an illness or injury. 

One of the key ways to tell the difference between a strange behavior that’s just quirky and something that could point to a health or behavioral issue is how repetitive or obsessive the behavior is. For example, if your dog is constantly eating their own poop or has an ever-present head tilt, these may be signs that something is wrong and your dog should be seen by a veterinarian. 

6 Weird Dog Behaviors Explained

To decode your dog’s behavior, let’s dive deeper into some of these quirky, funny, and strange things your dog may be doing. This will give you a better idea of why your pup is acting weird and if you need to be concerned.

Why Do Dogs and Puppies Eat Grass? 

We’ve all seen it—dogs eating grass. Whether it’s your own dog mowing your fresh spring lawn or seeing a dog casually grazing the wild grasses on the edge of the trail, this behavior is not uncommon.

Many people believe that dogs with an upset stomach will eat grass to make themselves vomit. This is true to some extent. In a survey of more than 1,500 dogs, 79 percent were documented to eat grass at least monthly. Only 9 percent of the dogs appeared ill prior to eating plants and about 22 percent regularly vomited afterward (1). If your dog is constantly eating grass to make themselves vomit, make sure to have them examined by your veterinarian to find out why they feel nauseous. 

Dogs and puppies may also choose to eat grass due to an imbalance in their gut bacteria. They may instinctually munch on grass to help bridge any nutritional gaps. If this behavior bothers you, you can look into offering your dog probiotics as a way to improve their gut health. But as long as your dog is not constantly vomiting after eating grass, it’s okay to let them eat a little bit of the green stuff. That being said, if dogs are eating a lot of grass, they can be more prone to intestinal obstruction, and it’s important to take them to your veterinarian to figure out why they are consuming such a large amount.

Finally, some dogs simply seem to enjoy eating grass. Many dogs who eat grass do not have any underlying health disorders.

Why Do Dogs Lick Their Paws? 

Another weird dog behavior is when a dog licks their paws. Licking for dogs has many self-soothing properties due to the endorphins (aka feel-good hormones) that are released. However, if your pup is excessively licking their paws, this could indicate there may be a health condition or behavioral problem occurring. So, how do you know the difference? 

Many dogs will lick their paws after going for a walk, playing, or eating—when they stop and take a rest. This type of licking is considered a normal behavior. 

But if you’re noticing that your dog or puppy is constantly licking, chewing, or nibbling at their paws or nails, there may be something bothering them. The most common cause is an environmental allergen from grasses or pollens that causes inflammation in the body and makes the paws itchy. 

You should check for any excessive redness between the paw pads and toes, look for any foreign bodies (like grass seeds or rocks) that may be stuck in the paw pad, and if you see any of these, make sure to take your dog to the veterinarian to get assessed. 

Also, some dogs will lick if there is pain present from conditions like osteoarthritis (which is more common in aging dogs), a cut, or an interdigital cyst. If your dog is licking excessively enough to create a sore, red skin or a skin infection, make sure to take them to the veterinarian to rule out underlying health conditions.  

Why Do Dogs Sniff Butts?

Even though dog butt sniffing seems like a gross behavior, this is a normal way that dogs introduce themselves and get to know each other. Dogs have anal glands that are scent markers. Each dog has their own smell that is constantly changing depending on their emotions. This ancestral behavior of sniffing butts allows dogs to know whether the dog they’re sniffing is friendly, scared, anxious, and if they are male or female. 

When you see your dog sniffing another dog’s backend, make sure to allow this to happen (as long as both dogs are comfortable with the interaction). This is a normal behavior that helps your dog get important information about their canine friends. 

Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies? 

Have you ever seen a dog get a crazy, wild look in their eyes and then just take off running with a burst of energy? This is what we call the zoomies and it’s a completely normal behavior for dogs. 

Zoomies are actually a sign that your dog is feeling great, full of energy, and is really happy. Dogs tend to get the zoomies after bath time when they feel fresh and clean, when you get home from work and they’re really excited to see you, or even right before a walk. Embrace the zoomies, since this means your dog is super joyful at that moment in time. 

Just make sure when your dog gets this burst of energy that you protect them from crashing into you or other objects in the environment that could cause harm. Also, watch for slippery floors during zoomie time, which could lead to wipeouts and injury.

Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads? 

Watching your dog tilt their head when you’re speaking is quite comical and heartwarming. However, researchers are at a loss to explain why dogs exhibit this behavior. 

One of the theories is that dogs who tilt their heads are more sensitive than others and more attached to their owners. Dogs also have a good sense of hearing and this behavior may help them clue in to certain words that are being said. For example, many dogs who tilt their heads will only do it for certain high-value words like “dinner” or “walk.” 

Most of the time, dog head tilting is not something to worry about. However, if your dog is frequently tilting their head or has a constant head tilt, this can indicate a medical issue. Your dog may feel dizzy or unbalanced which can happen with disorders of the vestibular system, like vertigo. There are numerous causes for this condition ranging from ear infections, grass seeds stuck in the ear, toxic reactions to drugs, or a brain disease. 

If head tilting is something that your dog does frequently or suddenly, go to the veterinarian for a complete physical exam and to check your dog’s ear canal. 

Why Do Dogs Yawn? 

While yawning may seem like a strange canine behavior, it’s actually something that all dogs do. You may notice a dog yawning as they are getting ready to take a nap or go to bed. We assume that yawning means that our dogs are tired or bored, but the research shows yawns have a bigger function for our dogs. 

Yawning can actually help with stimulating the nervous system. Due to this function, you may notice yawning occurs more with transition phases like waking up, falling asleep, or going from being bored to more alert. 

Yawning also has an emotional function for dogs and can be an indicator of stress. This is one of the many reasons why assessing these quirky or seemingly strange behaviors can help us identify what our dogs are thinking and communicating with us so we can avoid conflict. 

For example, if your child is hugging your dog and the dog starts yawning, this is a stress signal that shows the dog is uncomfortable. In these instances, pet parents should stop the behavior or interaction that is causing stress and give the dog some space.  

When Weird Dog Behaviors Aren’t So Weird

In conclusion, whether dogs are yawning, sniffing butts, eating grass, or displaying other quirky and sometimes funny actions, these behaviors have physiological and emotional reasons behind them. 

When you start to learn why the behaviors are happening, it allows you to gain a better understanding of your dog and connect to them on a deeper level.

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This odd appetite for soil—while unappealing to us humans—is a common behavior canines exhibit, especially in puppyhood. 

Your dog may be eating dirt and digging simply because he smells something tasty. However, if he consumes large quantities or if the behavior seems obsessive, it could be cause for concern. 

Keep reading to find out why dogs eat dirt and tips to help them curb this messy habit. 

Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt?

Dogs eat dirt for a variety of reasons ranging from nutritional deficiencies and behavioral issues to medical conditions such as anemia, gastrointestinal problems, or liver disease.

Dirt eating is a form of pica, which refers to the ingestion of non-food items. There are many reasons why your dog may be seeking a picnic in the public park that includes dirt, grass, sticks, stones, mulch, and bark. The reasons behind it, according to Dr. Erin Keefe of Small Door Veterinary in New York City, could be nutritional, behavioral, or medical. 

If the dog is “repeatedly eating dirt, consuming large quantities, or eating it frantically,” Keefe says there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.  

Nutritional Deficiencies

If there are deficiencies of certain minerals in your dog’s food, he may choose to find them in the soil. For some, it may be a lack of vitamin B12 and for others it may be an iron deficiency that could lead to anemia. 

Behavioral Issues

Stress, boredom, or obsessive compulsive disorder are likely behavioral causes of dirt consumption. Consider your dog’s lifestyle and observe whether your canine companion is getting enough exercise, is displaying fear or anxiety about his environment, or showing signs of other compulsive behaviors (such as obsessive licking or pacing). 

Health Issues 

Medical conditions, such as anemia (lack of iron or low red blood cell count), gastrointestinal problems, or liver disease can also lead to ingestion of dirt.  

Why Is My Dog Eating Dirt and Throwing Up?

Dogs’ bodies are built in such a way that whenever they ingest anything inedible, they will attempt to remove the unwanted material via vomiting. 

“Sometimes eating dirt and other non-food items is a sign of gastrointestinal discomfort and dogs ingest this material in an attempt to find some relief,” explains Keefe. 

She adds that ingestion of a small amount of dirt and a single episode of vomiting may not warrant veterinary care. However, pet parents need to get the dog examined by a veterinarian if the dog “repeatedly vomits or gags without bringing anything up, has diarrhea, seems in discomfort, or is lethargic.”  

Why Do Puppies Eat Dirt?

Puppies are naturally curious beings that love nothing more than to roll around in the grass and dig for goodies. “They are more likely to accidentally ingest dirt as they’re exploring the world,” says Keefe. 

However, if you see the puppy eating dirt repeatedly, have him examined by a veterinarian to rule out any of the underlying issues listed above. 

“It’s also important to discourage them from this behavior, so that it does not become a habit into adulthood,” recommends Keefe. Try redirecting your puppy away from the dirt with a toy, treat, or interactive game and use positive reinforcement when your puppy stays out of the dirt pile. 

Don’t scold, yell, or punish your puppy for eating dirt as this can create conflict in your relationship and negative associations with the outdoors or your backyard down the road. 

Dog Eating Dirt Risks

Eating dirt can pose a number of problems for your pooch. Taking in large quantities could cause life-threatening gastrointestinal impaction or blockage, which could require emergency surgery, according to Keefe. 

In addition, dirt may contain dangerous materials that could harm your dog. Pesticides or fertilizers may be toxic, small rocks could cause damage to your dog’s teeth, and in severe cases cause choking or intestinal blockage. Sharp sticks could puncture their mouth, throat, or intestinal tract. There is also a risk of your pet ingesting intestinal parasite eggs or other infectious organisms in contaminated soil.

How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Dirt

According to Dr. Ellen M. Lindell of Veterinary Behavior Consultations, PC, it is important to learn the reason for the behavior before working on a treatment plan and giving recommendations. “The diagnosis drives the treatment.” 

As there are several reasons why your dog may be interested in eating dirt, there are various ways to address and stop the behavior. 

Medical Conditions 

“If your pet’s dirt eating is caused by an underlying medical issue, it is important to treat this first,” recommends Keefe. Typically, baseline blood work will screen for anemia, and check organ function to determine kidney or liver disease. Once a diagnosis is made, your veterinarian will tailor a treatment plan to your dog, which should stop the dirt-eating behavior.  

Nutritional Imbalance 

If you have either recently changed the dog’s food or feed him a home-cooked meal, and the dog is exhibiting dirt eating, Keefe recommends speaking to your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist. Diagnostic tests can determine if your dog is suffering from a nutrient deficiency, at which point the veterinarian may prescribe a specific diet or supplements. 

As a preventative measure, Keefe recommends feeding the pet a nutritionally complete, AAFCO-approved diet “that is certified as suitable for their size and life-stage.” Look for the AAFCO statement on the dog food bag or label to ensure the food is properly balanced.  

Insufficient Enrichment 

In a situation where there is a lack of mental stimulation or boredom causing dirt eating, Lindell recommends that pet parents provide enrichment that the dog prefers. “That can be food, toys, social play with the owner or other dogs.” 

Keefe suggests increasing the amount of daily exercise and playtime for the dog. “You can also provide interactive toys, such as food puzzle toys to provide mental stimulation, especially when they are home alone for longer periods of time.” 

If the dog is acting out of frustration or compulsive behaviors, Lindell recommends providing the dog access to “satisfying alternative behaviors such as creating search-and-find food containers in the dirt area.” 

Training may also help deter your dog from digging and eating dirt. When you notice your dog heading to a corner of your yard, Lindell recommends using a leash to prevent the dog from easily accessing the ground. However, she suggests not trying to ‘correct’ by jerking a leash or scolding. “You can train a ‘leave it’ using reward-based methods.”  

Training and playtime outside are important because, “the yard does not become the snack bar but represents a place to enjoy social activity,” according to Lindell. 

Stress 

“Stress can also be a contributing factor in the development of behavioral issues,” adds Keefe. Some stress triggers in your dog’s life may include changes in their routine or environment, especially with pet parents returning to offices after a prolonged period at home. These dogs can benefit from having a “safe space” in the home to retreat where they feel comfortable. 

Some natural therapies and products may also help relieve anxiety. Keefe recommends pheromone collars or anxiety wraps. Calming treats or supplements may also help reduce stress in dogs. For severe stress and anxiety issues, Keefe suggests enlisting “the help of a behavioral specialist who can assist with techniques such as desensitization and counterconditioning.”

When to Seek Medical Attention 

If your dog occasionally consumes small amounts of dirt and does not have any other symptoms to indicate an underlying issue, it is not likely a cause for concern. 

But it’s important to pay attention to the frequency of your dog’s dirt-eating behavior and the amount your dog consumes. “If the dirt eating occurs more often, large amounts are ingested, or you notice any other concerning symptoms such as gastrointestinal or behavioral changes,” pet parents should seek medical attention, says Keefe. 

Additionally, if your dog suddenly decides to chow down on dirt, it could be a red flag and should be discussed with your veterinarian. “A sudden onset may indicate a new underlying issue that needs treatment,” adds Keefe.

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Dog car anxiety is a common problem that can be scary and upsetting for both of you. If it leads your pup to bother you when you’re behind the wheel, it can lead to dangerous driving conditions, too. 

Thankfully, training and coping tools can help your pup enjoy (or at least tolerate) extended time on the road. Here’s everything you need to know about dog car anxiety including what it looks like, why it happens, and how to ease your little one’s nerves for a smoother ride.  

Symptoms of Dog Car Anxiety

If your dog only seems stressed out when you’re about to get into the car or during a drive, that’s a pretty good sign that you’re dealing with car anxiety, says Dr. Katherine A. Houpt, a veterinarian and James Law Professor Emeritus of Behavior Medicine at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Telltale signs of car-related anxiety in dogs include: 

• Whining, panting, or excessive drooling 
• Barking
• Pacing or trying to hide 
• Yawning 
• Lip-smacking
• Vomiting 
• Having accidents in the car  
• Aggression such as self-harm or biting others 

If this sounds familiar, it helps to begin by learning what’s at the root of your dog’s anxiety.

Dog Anxiety in the Car: Why it Happens

In many cases, the reason your pup is so nervous in the car is simple: “Most dogs have car anxiety because they are not exposed to traveling in the car enough,” says Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian based in Texas. 

Other times, they’ve got a problem with the destination. “Some dogs have learned that a car ride means a trip to the veterinarian or groomer—which many dogs hate,” adds Dr. Ochoa. If your pup dreads veterinary appointments or having her nails trimmed, she could see your car as her personal taxi to the bad place. 

Other negative associations could also be at play, adds Dr. Houpt, such as traumatic memories of a scary car accident or—for rescues—being abandoned outside a car. 

If what looks like car anxiety begins a few minutes or hours into the drive, queasiness from motion sickness may also be to blame. 

How to Help Dogs With Car Anxiety

To determine the best dog car anxiety treatment for your little one, start by considering the severity of the situation. Are your lives deeply disrupted or is this a minor inconvenience? 

If you’re afraid of having a car accident due to your dog’s behavior or she’s so jumpy you have to take frequent stops to have her “run off” excess energy, it’s time to consult with a veterinarian for professional help, says Dr. Houpt.  

Depending on your pup’s symptoms, your veterinarian may advise that you start with lifestyle changes and behavioral training or suggest you come in to rule out related health issues like motion sickness. 

Should they confirm a diagnosis, they can prescribe the most effective treatments available such as an anti-nausea medication like maropitant citrate (Cerenia) for motion sickness or a dog-friendly sedative for travel like trazodone (Desyrel, Oleptro) or diazepam (Valium, Diastat, E Pam Tab, Meval, Vivol).

Once your pup’s gotten a clean bill of health, follow these tips to help ease car anxiety before your big trip.   

Use Dog-Friendly Restraints 

If you haven’t already, invest in a comfortable crate, car carrier, or doggy seatbelt to make your dog feel more secure and keep both of you safe. 

Create Positive Associations 

Teach your dog that the car equals treats. Use food to gradually ease your dog closer to the car by feeding her outside your vehicle, at the foot of the car, and—eventually—in the backseat, suggests Dr. Houpt. 

Pair these sessions with trick training, meals, and quality bonding time. In dog training-speak, this process helps desensitize her to your car with counter-conditioning by replacing negative associations with more positive ones. 

Take Joy Rides 

After your dog has adjusted to the idea of getting into the car, slowly begin to introduce her to going out on rides. Start your engine and give positive reinforcement like treats and praise, then begin to take small trips to fun places like the dog park or her favorite neighbor’s house. 

Keep Your Dog Comfortable

During drives, cover basic creature comforts to ease your dog’s nerves. Turn up the A/C on hot days, don’t play music too loud, avoid yelling or startling your dog, and never leave her in the car unattended. Heat stroke and hypothermia can happen fast, and they’re not worth the risk. 

Make Regular Pit Stops

As far as breaks for the bathroom, water, and meals go, stick to your dog’s usual schedule as much as possible, says Dr. Houpt. If you typically feed her at 5 p.m. sharp, schedule a dinner break at that time during a road trip too. 

Consider Calming Supplements

“You can also try anti-anxiety supplements before travel,” says Dr. Ochoa. While more research is needed on some over-the-counter remedies, they could help your dog stay calm. It’s a good idea to discuss supplements with your veterinarian. 

Be Patient and Don’t Push

It can take time for dogs to adjust, so remember it’s okay to take a step back if she panics and continue gradually moving forward until your dog feels fully comfortable in the car. 

The post Dog Car Anxiety: How to Make Trips Stress Free appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Dog shaking is common and there are myriad causes and ways to tame the trembling. So, if you’re wondering why your dog shakes and how to help, let’s dig in.  

Dog Shaking: Some Common Causes

There is no single reason dogs might shake, tremble or twitch, according to Dr. Jami-Lyn Derse, veterinarian and founder of Veterinary Housecall Care. Commonly, dog shaking is related to: 

• Fear
• Anxiety
• Excitement
• Medical conditions
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Pain
• Dreaming

“You can’t just look at a dog shaking and know the reason,” Derse says. “You have to look at the whole clinical picture.”

Derse advises pet parents to play detective. Does your dog only shake in his sleep? Is he shaking his leg or does his whole body tremble? What situations seem to trigger shaking or make it worse? Paying attention to the specifics allows you to provide valuable information to your vet that can help with a diagnosis.

Why Does My Dog Shake in His Sleep?

It’s common for dogs to move and shake in their sleep while they are dreaming. Your dog might be conjuring up chasing a squirrel, running free through the woods, or jumping up on the table to snatch a tasty treat. The vivid dreams may cause your Labrador’s legs to twitch or your Boxer’s entire body to shake. As long as your dog is only shaking in his sleep, Derse believes the movements can be chalked up to happy dreams.

Why Does My Dog Shake His Head?

Ear infections are among the most common reasons dogs shake their heads. In addition to frequent head shaking, Derse suggests looking for symptoms like odor, discharge, excessive scratching, hair loss around the ears and not wanting to be touched on the ears.

Bacterial and yeast infections can affect any breed but floppy-eared breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Brittany Spaniels and West Highland Terriers are more prone to getting ear infections.

If your dog is shaking his head and you notice other symptoms like odor, scratching or discharge, make an appointment with your veterinarian to get your dog’s ears checked. 

Why Does My Dog’s Leg Shake?

If your dog’s legs shake or he struggles to walk, pain could be the culprit. “Pain is one of the biggest reasons dogs shake. The pain causes them to tense up and holding all of that tension causes them to shake,” Derse says. “Many owners don’t realize that shaking is one of the clinical signs of pain.”

Pain that causes shaking legs could be due to anything from osteoarthritis to injuries. It may be accompanied by other symptoms such as whining or whimpering, growling or snapping, panting and shaking or lack of appetite. 

If you suspect your dog’s legs are shaking due to pain, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Why Does My Dog Shake in the Car?

Some dogs love to ride in cars, sticking their heads out the window to feel the cool air whipping through their fur, while others spend the entire ride trembling in the backseat. If your normally easygoing pup turns into a shaking mess in the car, Derse notes that anxiety could be to blame.

Excitement could also cause your dog to shake in the car, especially if he associates car rides with trips to his favorite places like the dog park, hiking trails, or the beach. 

“Some dogs get so excited that they can’t contain it and they start shaking,” Derse says.

If your dog is shaking in the car due to stress or anxiety, there are calming aids that can help including calming vests or supplements. 

Why Does My Dog Shake When I Pet Him?

Touch and petting can elicit both a fear or pleasure response in dogs. Look for other clues and body language to determine whether your dog is shaking from excitement or fear. Does he tuck his tail and try to hide when you attempt to pet him or wag his tail, put his front paws in your lap and nudge you with his nose to beg for more?

Understanding behavioral cues can help you understand your dog’s response. If it’s fear-based, working with a veterinarian, trainer, or behaviorist can help create a positive association with being petted.

Do Dogs Shiver When It’s Cold?

A dog shivering is rarely due to feeling cold. “Pet owners see their dog shaking, assume it’s cold, and put a sweater or blanket on them,” Derse says. “It rarely happens that dogs shake because they’re cold.”

However, it is possible. Dogs may shiver when their body temperature is low. A Chihuahua left outdoors in sub-zero temperatures will start to shiver but a Saint Bernard might not have the same response. Look for other signs such as whining or whimpering, clamoring to get indoors or raising their paws off the ground to keep from touching cold pavement to determine if frigid temps are causing your dog to tremble.

Medical Causes of Dog Shaking

There are certain medical reasons dogs shake, including: 

Distemper

Distemper is a contagious virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Distemper is more common in puppies and unvaccinated dogs and symptoms include fever, coughing, vomiting, muscle twitches and convulsions.

Generalized Tremor Syndrome

As the name suggests, body tremors are the most common sign of the disorder, which is caused by inflammation in the myelin substance that covers the brain and spinal cord.

Epilepsy

The disorder causes repeated episodes of seizures. It’s often an “idiopathic” disorder, which means there is no known cause that can be identified despite extensive testing. However, liver disease, brain tumors, and kidney failure can also cause seizures that cause the entire body to shake.

Toxic Exposures

Certain medications, rodent poison, insecticides and even certain foods, including xylitol (the artificial sweetener), caffeine and chocolate can cause tremors in dogs.

Dog Trembling: When to See a Vet

You could search online for “why is my dog shaking” or “dog shaking uncontrollably” to try to determine the cause, but Derse suggests calling your veterinarian instead.

“I would much rather see a dog and tell the pet parent that it’s not a big deal than wait and leave something untreated,” she says.

With the help of a full physical exam, your vet can provide an accurate diagnosis and offer treatment options, which may range from medication, calming products, or behavior modification to help your dog stop shaking.

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Calming Down a Dog: General Guidelines 

Dog anxiety can manifest in many ways, from extreme behavior to withdrawal. In some cases—like when a dog is suffering from separation anxiety—the behavior that results is hard to miss. But in other scenarios stress can cause a dog to shut down and withdraw in ways that might not be as obvious. Keep in mind that a quiet dog isn’t necessarily always a happy dog.

The first step in learning how to calm a dog down with anxiety is recognizing the body language that signifies your dog is stressed or anxious. Once a dog tips over into a “fight or flight” response bringing about positive behavioral change is more challenging. Picking up on the early stages of canine distress will make it easier for you to work with your dog and will prevent your dog’s discomfort from escalating. 

In addition to the hard-to-miss behaviors, a dog in need of calming support might:

• Tremble
• Hunch over
• Freeze in place
• Move in slowly
• Repeatedly lick lips
• Yawn frequently
• Hide
• Pant heavily or suddenly stop panting despite temperature or activity level

There’s an outdated dog calming tip that suggested pet parents should avoid comforting a distressed dog because it might reinforce the dog’s fear and accidentally encourage the behavior. It’s simply not true. 

Fearful reactions are involuntary emotional responses—your dog has no control over them so acknowledging them won’t make them worse. Being there for your dog during times of stress and offering comfort will help your dog understand that he can turn to you for support when he’s feeling anxious.

How to Calm Down a Dog With Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a stress response that a dog exhibits when the person (or people) that the dog is bonded to is away from home. The key to figuring out how to calm a dog down with separation anxiety requires permanently changing his perception of what being alone means. 

Dogs suffering from severe separation anxiety can benefit from instructor-led sessions that utilize a training technique called systematic desensitization, which is a very gradual process of slowly getting your dog used to being left alone using small, incremental steps.  

Dogs experiencing milder forms of separation distress might benefit from the following tips:

Desensitizing pre-departure cues. These include attempting to desensitize your dog to actions like grabbing the keys or putting on a jacket.

Mental and physical stimulation. Engaging your dog’s body and brain prior to leaving the house by playing training or scenting games that will make him more likely to rest.

A useful distraction. Leave treat-stuffable, interactive toys for your dog to enjoy when you leave.

How to Calm Down a Scared Dog

Because fear in dogs can have many causes, the first step in figuring out how to calm down a scared dog is determining the reason for the fear. Once you understand what is causing the fear, you can desensitize the trigger in gradual training sessions. 

It’s important to let fearful dogs set the pace for interactions. Pushing dogs beyond their comfort zone can lead to regressions. To calm down a scared dog:

Identify all triggers: Is your dog scared of every loud noise outside your window, or just trucks? Do all men in hats make him nervous, or just bearded men in hats? The better you are at determining what’s scaring your dog, the more effectively you can deal with the issue.

Introduce the trigger at a distance: If your pup is afraid of bearded men in hats, have a bearded, hat-wearing man stand at a distance at which your dog can see him, but not close enough that his presence will trigger a fear response in your dog.

Pair the trigger with treats: The goal of the exercise is to change your dog’s perception of the trigger that is causing fear. An easy way to do it is associate the scary thing with something good: treats! Feed your dog high-value goodies like cheese or hot dogs while the trigger is in the distance, and stop feeding them when the person steps out of sight.

Gradually decrease the distance: Once seeing the trigger in the distance evokes an excited response from your dog—like he gives a little tail wag—begin doing trials with the trigger a little closer. Gradually reduce the distance in ongoing sessions.

How to Calm Down a Dog During Fireworks or Storms

When considering how to calm a dog down during fireworks and storms it’s important to remember that the booming sounds can make a dog feel vulnerable. Thunderstorms and fireworks are common canine fears. 

Both are scary, but storms have the added challenges of being unpredictable (making it hard for you to be prepared), plus the changes in the barometric pressure that might lead to increased static electricity can exacerbate fear responses in dogs. Luckily, fireworks are a bit more predictable and pet parents can generally prepare a bit more for these events. 

The following tips can help soothe your dog fireworks and storms:

Get dogs used to the sounds. Get your dog more comfortable with the noise by playing a recording of fireworks or storm sounds at a low volume and pairing it with treats. 

Use a compression vest. Using a “swaddling” garment can help your dog feel more secure during storms or fireworks.

Keep your dog occupied. Giving your dog something to do, like a treat-filled puzzle toy, might help him focus on something other than the noise outside.

Muffle the sounds. A white noise machine might be enough to cover outdoor booming. 

Give your dog a chill spot. Some dogs seek out the bathroom during storms, so make it more comfortable for him by putting his bed there with some water and toys.

How to Calm Down a Dog in the Car

Some dogs love to hop in the car and go for an adventure but they show their excitement by being out-of-control passengers. Not only is a rowdy dog a distraction for the driver, it’s also dangerous for your pup. On the other hand, some dogs become anxious and stressed by car rides and may pant, shake, and whine excessively. They might also try to pace around or jump up to look out the window if unrestrained, which can lead to injury. 

You can help your dog learn to be a safer passenger with the following tips:

Work on manners getting in and out of the car. Instead of letting your dog torpedo into the car, ask for a polite sit before you allow him to jump out, and get a sit and “wait” prior to taking him out of the car.

Start with short trips. Instead of going for a long ride right out of the gate, try going for a quick drive around the block. This way, it ends before your dog works up to a fever pitch if they get overexcited or it helps anxious dogs get used to being in the car and returning home without the stress of a long trip. 

Use the right kind of restraint. Not only is a free range dog in the back seat dangerous, it can also encourage dashing from window to window. Invest in a crash-tested car restraint that can keep your dog safe and comfortable. 

Consider anti-car sickness remedies. Some overeager passengers might be acting out due to discomfort (drooling and heavy panting are hints), so try an over-the-counter remedy to help him feel more comfortable.

The post How to Calm a Dog Down: Methods to Try appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Puppies typically open their eyes approximately 10 to 14 days after birth, sometimes one eye at a time, so it’s important to be patient.  

Keep reading to learn about when a puppy’s eyes develop, what to do during those first few days, and how to look out for any potential problems.

Puppy Eyes: How Do They Develop?

“Eye development for…canines is a late-stage process as their gestation is very short,” says Dr. Carol Osborne of Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic in Ohio. In humans, the gestation is around 9 months as opposed to a dog’s 60 days. 

At birth, a puppy’s eyes and their central nervous system—and thereby their optical nerves—are still developing. The eyelids remain shut to shield bright light and dust/dirt from entering the eye until development is complete.

Even after puppies open their eyes, their eyesight doesn’t fully develop until about 8 weeks of age.

When Do Puppies Open Their Eyes?

“A puppy’s eyes open at about 2 weeks, or 14 days of age,” says Dr. Osborne. During the transition period between when they first open their eyes to gaining full eyesight (at around 8 weeks old), you’ll likely see gray-blue hued eyeballs. 

Keep in mind that not all newborn puppies in the same litter open their eyes at the same time. Puppies of different breeds and sizes typically open their eyes halfway through their second week of life, but each individual pup develops at their own pace. Eye development, the weaning period, and behavioral development are among the main reasons why shelters and rescues adopt out puppies at two months old.  

Do not attempt to open a puppy’s eyes during the first few weeks of life—let nature take its course and allow for them to open on their own. If your pup’s eyes don’t open on their own, or if you notice any swelling or bulging underneath the eyelids or unusual discharge from the eyes, bring the puppy to a veterinarian. 

What Can Puppies See?

When puppies first open their eyes, the world is a blurry place, according to Osborne. “They are only able to detect shapes and movement.” At this stage, they can only identify other puppies and their mother. 

Caregivers may test the puppy’s eyesight by carefully tossing a cotton ball in the air to observe the puppy’s visual response. If the pup follows the motion of the hand and the ball going up and down, she can see.   

A puppy’s vision gradually becomes more acute as they get closer to the 2-month mark but, during the transition period, they are sensitive to bright light. It’s vital to keep them in a dimly lit space away from sunlight. 

Caring for Newborn Puppy Eyes

Typically, a mother dog cares for a puppy’s eyes. Osborne suggests “monitoring the mom and her litter several times each day” to be sure the mother is taking good care of her litter. If the mother is not present, Osborne recommends very gently wiping away any discharge with a warm, moist cloth or cotton ball. 

“Should a discharge and/or anything occur that looks abnormal before or after a puppy’s eyes open, contact your veterinarian and address it immediately to try to protect the puppy’s eyes and ensure normal vision,” she recommends. The first sign of something amiss is crusty build-up around the eyes. 

Potential Puppy Eye Problems

Fortunately, eye problems in puppies less common than eye problems in kittens but it is important to monitor your puppy’s eyes throughout development. 

According to Osborne, eye infections from bacterial contamination, viral issues, and eye injuries can generally be eliminated by keeping a tidy environment for the puppies. It also helps if the mother is up to date on her vaccinations.  

Puppies can be born with congenital defects in their eyes. Some of these may affect their vision while others make the eye look different but have no impact on function. Occasionally, puppies are born blind. As they grow these dogs can have a relatively normal life in the right home but may require additional attention and nurturing as puppies. 

Trauma such as scratches from other puppies are common. If a puppy is rubbing or scratching at her eye or is unable to keep the eye fully open she should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Scratches can cause cuts on the surface of the eye, called corneal ulcers, that require medication. 

Many dog breeds are known to carry genetic eye problems including Pit Bulls, Labradors, Irish Setters, Australian Shepherds, French Bulldogs, American Bulldogs, and others. If you purchase your puppy from a breeder, make sure that the parents passed their Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) examination for any relevant diseases.

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With insights from veterinarians, we’ve outlined some of the reasons—both innocuous and potentially serious—why your dog may be circling or spinning. We recommend contacting your veterinarian for guidance, especially if this behavior has started abruptly, persists, or worsens. 

Dog Walking in Circles: When It’s Normal

Sometimes this behavior is instinctual and harmless. Here are a few of the most common benign reasons for a dog walking in circles.

Why Do Dogs Walk in Circles Before Lying Down?

It’s a relatively common behavior in the natural world. “Many canids, and in fact many animals, including cats, foxes, and some rodents may engage in this behavior,” says Dr. M. Leanne Lilly, a board certified veterinary behaviorist and clinical professor at the Ohio State University in Columbus.

While nobody can say with certainty why dogs do this, it’s thought to be a remnant of primitive behavior, says Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club, based in New York City. “Dogs are making sure their area is safe and comfortable for them to lie down before rest or sleep.” 

Why Do Dogs Walk in Circles Before They Poop?

A dog walking in circles before getting ready to poop may be searching for just the right spot, says Lilly. There are good reasons for this. “It is a vulnerable position to put themselves in, so they may be assessing footing, the best place to leave a message, and safety all in one go.”

Can the Earth’s Magnetic Field Cause a Dog to Walk in Circles?

One study found it possible that dogs align themselves with the Earth’s magnetic field, so theoretically they may be circling to face a certain direction. “When the magnetic fields were calm, the dogs oriented themselves north to south, but when the fields were erratic the north-south behavior was no longer observed,” Lilly explains. It’s still speculation at this point, since no one has been able to successfully replicate this study, “Though a citizen study using this for scientific literacy failed to find this same finding earlier this year,” she says.  

Other Harmless Reasons for Circling Behavior in Dogs

In addition to the reasons above, there are some other common reasons you might notice your dog walking in circles:

Scent: Dogs are finely attuned to different scents, including those that originate from their own bodies. “They may briefly spin or circle to sniff or smell at their own rump, which if short and self-limiting, can be just because of a smell,” says Lilly. “My last dog used to jump up and turn to smell her own rump anytime she passed gas.”

Entertainment: Circling can be a way to alleviate boredom or to simply have fun. “Dogs can circle or spin (a faster form of circling) recreationally, a lot like kids. Dogs can and do seek out excitement in their lives,” says Dr. Walt Burghardt, a board certified staff veterinary behaviorist at BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

Medical Reasons for Dogs Walking in Circles

A dog walking in circles can sometimes indicate an underlying medical or behavioral issue, so it’s essential to contact your veterinarian if something seems out of the ordinary. 

When an illness is responsible for a dog walking in circles, “there are usually other dispositional signs that a dog is unwell,” says Burghardt. Depending on the underlying conditions, other signs may include:

• Confusion
• Falling to one side
• Panting
• Blindness
• Wobbling
• Standing in a corner
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of housetraining
• Head shaking, scratching at ears, odor from ears
• Abnormal, rapid eye movement
• Head tilted to one side

The following are some medical reasons why dogs walk in circles.

Ear Conditions

If a dog walks in circles and is disoriented or displays other signs like nausea, vomiting, and weakness, an inner ear condition like vestibular disease may be responsible. Middle ear and inner ear conditions like vestibular disease are frequent culprits, says Burghardt, “especially in ear infection-prone dogs and older patients.” Vestibular disease, which is a condition that affects a dog’s balance and is often confused for a stroke, can be peripheral or central, and is called ‘old dog vestibular disease.’ This condition, while dramatic, requires supporting the dog, and often resolves spontaneously over time.

Canine Compulsive Disorders

Dogs unable to find healthy outlets for their fear and anxiety might instead rely on a number of displacement behaviors, one of which is circling or spinning, says Burghardt.  

Some breeds, like Bull Terriers and German Shepherds are thought to be more genetically predisposed to developing canine compulsive disorders. “Terriers, especially Bull Terriers may be more likely to display a behavioral problem with spinning or tail-chasing,” explains Burghardt. “This type of behavior, called compulsive behavior, needs to be fully evaluated and usually needs behavioral, medical, and environmental treatment to help control.” 

Neurological Conditions

Trauma, tumors, and infections are examples of neurological conditions that might cause a dog to walk in circles, says Lilly. “Any neurological disease could cause circling, whether that’s in the front of the brain, or if there is a spinal cord problem causing weakness in one side of the body. The dog may naturally drift in very loose circles toward the weak side when not directly attending to things on the opposite side of its body.” 

Central vestibular disease can be caused by antibiotics, including amikacin, gentamicin, neomycin, and tobramycin, as well as hypothyroidism, head trauma, tumors, and infections.

Pain and Discomfort

Anal gland disease flea allergy dermatitis, and lower spinal pain, for example can cause a dog to circle tightly, “Or attempting to lick, chew, or bite at the tail or rump,” says Lilly.  

Brain Disease

There are several inflammatory brain diseases that could cause circling behavior, such as Pug dog encephalitis. Pug dog encephalitis is a serious disease that causes inflammation and death of the brain tissue. Pugs are genetically prone—about 1.2 percent will develop it—but other small breeds, including Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers are not immune. Other signs of this disease include blindness, seizures, and behavioral changes. 

Why is My Dog Walking in Circles? 

While only a veterinarian can make a diagnosis, a little observation on your part may provide some clues. Noticing what precedes the behavior, the time of day it occurs, and how long it lasts are some things to watch for, says Lilly.

“If it’s minor, predictable, and is not interfering with any other behaviors (such as circling four to five times before defecating), tell your vet at your dog’s next annual exam and make sure they evaluate your dog’s whole body.” 

Dogs who walk in circles before defecating may have trouble or pain when posturing. This would most likely be a concern if the dog is walking in more and more circles over time and is older.

If it’s a sudden or new behavior, interrupting your dog’s ability to eat, sleep, play and rest, is combined with other clinical signs, or is the only way she can walk, then seek veterinary care as soon as possible, she says.

What to Do if Your Dog Keeps Walking in Circles

There are two main factors to watch for that may indicate that the circling is serious, and that you should contact your veterinarian.

The Behavior is Persistent. “Especially if there is any other indication that a pet might not be feeling well or is causing itself injury. These are clear signals that your pet should see their attending veterinarian to start the diagnostic process,” says Burghardt.

The Behavior Develops Abruptly. Circling that develops abruptly or that quickly gets worse, oftentimes indicates an issue, says Burghardt. “In these cases, a veterinary visit is recommended as soon as practical. When these behaviors are associated with disorientation, seizures or collapse an emergency visit is usually the best option.”

Getting Ready to Talk to Your Veterinarian 

Be ready to answer questions your veterinarian might have, recommends Lilly. These include questions about eating, drinking and resting patterns, when the behavior occurs and how often, the length of time it lasts, and whether the dog responds when you call her name.

Veterinarians also say it helps for them to see a video of your dog walking in circles. “Getting one or more short clips of the behaviors of concern can often help your veterinarian or veterinary specialist to help sort things out,” offers Burkhardt.

Dog Walking in Circles: Diagnosis and Treatment

What can you expect when you take your pup in for the diagnostic exam?

Diagnosing a Dog Walking in Circles

There are no specific tests for circling or spinning, says Burghardt. “However, your veterinarian will often start with a complete physical and neurological examination and laboratory screening tailored to your individual pet.”

The exam might include an orthopedic evaluation, spinal pain evaluation, and reflex testing, says Lilly. “Some dogs may need advanced imaging (MRI) as that’s our best [way of] evaluating the brain, spinal cord and surrounding fluid and tissue.”

Treating a Dog Walking in Circles

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. For example: “For problems that involve distress or appear to be compulsive in nature, a combination of anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications with environmental enrichment and targeted training to teach more productive behaviors often help,” explains Burghardt. “Follow-up for behavioral cases often involves periodic owner-conducted assessments of the degree of improvement seen in their pet.”

Compulsive disorders are a diagnosis of exclusion, says Lilly. “We have to rule everything out first, including pain.” Your veterinarian will be able to walk you through treatment for your dog if needed. The cause of circling, once determined, can often be resolved with the help of professionals, so do not hesitate to reach out to your local veterinarian.

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This pattern repeats again and again, every few minutes. As the night wears on, your annoyance turns to concern and you begin to worry about what could be causing this behavior. 

Read on to learn more about why dogs shake their heads, and what you can do to help. 

Why Do Dogs Shake Their Heads?

Dogs shake their heads for a variety of reasons, and it isn’t always an abnormal behavior. In some contexts, head shaking is completely predictable and expected. Many dogs shake their heads when they first wake up, just like we tend to stretch when we get out of bed. 

Dogs also tend to shake their heads when they’re playing with a toy or excited. Some dogs even do a full-body shake, starting at the head and extending all the way along the body to the tail. They might also shake their heads if they get wet from a bath or from swimming. An occasional shake of the head is nothing to be concerned about. 

Excessive head shaking, however, often has an underlying medical cause. If your dog is repeatedly and frequently shaking their head, especially if this is a change from their normal behavior, it’s important to determine the cause of their abnormal head shaking. 

Why Does My Dog Keep Shaking His Head? 5 Potential Reasons

The most common cause of abnormal head shaking in dogs is inflammation of the ears, called otitis. There are several potential causes of otitis, each of which differ in their treatment and long-term management. Let’s explore them further.

Ear Infection

Ear infections are a relatively common problem in dogs. They occur when bacteria or yeast (which are always present in the environment) proliferate to an excessive level within the ear canal. Infection can occur in the inner, middle, or external ear canal, although infections of the external ear canal (otitis externa) are the most common in dogs. Factors that may predispose a dog to develop otitis externa include excessive moisture in the ear canal, allergies, and endocrine disease (such as hypothyroidism). 

Ear Mites

Ear mites can cause inflammation of the ears, but they are actually relatively uncommon in adult dogs. They are more common in puppies, especially those housed in a crowded situation that promotes close contact with other dogs. Ear mites are microscopic parasites that live within the ear canal, causing severe irritation and discomfort for affected dogs. 

Foreign Body

Foreign objects, such as grass seeds, occasionally find their way into a dog’s ear canal. If this occurs, they may cause significant irritation and inflammation, causing a dog to shake their head and show other signs of discomfort.

Ear Trauma

Any wound to the ear can cause irritation and head shaking. Trauma can have an external source (such as a bite wound from another dog), or it may be caused by self-trauma (a dog that scratches their ear and causes an injury with their toenail).

Allergic Otitis 

If a dog is shaking their head with no ear infection or other visible abnormalities, allergies may be to blame. Many dogs are allergic to inhaled allergens, such as tree pollen, weeds, grasses, mold, etc. Other dogs are allergic to proteins within their food, such as beef or chicken. Both types of allergies can lead to inflammation within the ear canals. 

Other Causes of Dog Head Shaking

While ear infections, ear mites, foreign bodies, ear trauma, and allergic otitis are certainly the most common causes of head shaking in dogs, there can be other causes. 

Any disease that affects the ear, including rare autoimmune disorders and generalized skin issues, can lead to shaking of the head. 

In rare cases, your dog’s head shaking may even have a cause other than ear or skin disease. Determining the cause of your dog’s head shaking requires a thorough veterinary workup. 

What to Do if Your Dog Keeps Shaking His Head

A new onset of persistent head shaking in a dog should prompt a visit to the veterinarian. You don’t necessarily need to rush to the emergency veterinarian right away, because a single episode of head shaking could have a mild cause (like an insect bite). If the head shaking persists, however, you will want to have your dog examined within the next one to two days. 

A dog that shakes their head forcefully and for a prolonged period of time can actually damage their ear. Blood vessels in the ear can burst, filling the pinna (ear flap) with blood and resulting in a condition called an aural hematoma (ear hematoma), which is a blood blister. The pinnae can also become damaged by the force with which they hit your dog’s head and neck, leading to scabs and wounds on the ears. 

If your dog’s head shaking is caused by an ear infection, early treatment is more effective and will lead to more rapid resolution. Delaying treatment will not only prolong your dog’s discomfort, it could also make your dog’s ear infection more challenging and expensive to treat. 

Dog Shaking Head: Diagnosis and Treatment

Your veterinarian will likely begin by performing a thorough physical exam, looking for any other signs of illness or disease. Next, your veterinarian will focus on your dog’s ears. They will thoroughly examine your dog’s pinnae (external ear flaps), looking for wounds, inflammation, and other abnormalities. Next, they will perform an otoscopic exam, in which an otoscope (an instrument designed to permit evaluation of the ear canal) is used to provide a magnified view of your dog’s ear canals and ear drum. The otoscopic exam will allow your veterinarian to look for inflammation of the ear canals, debris in the ear canals, and any abnormalities associated with the eardrum. 

If your veterinarian sees any evidence of otitis or otherwise suspects a condition affecting your dog’s ears, an ear cytology will likely be recommended. This test involves removing a small sample of debris from the ear canal with a cotton swab, and then examining that debris under the microscope. An ear cytology can tell your veterinarian whether your dog has ear mites, a bacterial infection, or a yeast infection within the ears. If inflammatory cells are found in the absence of an infection, this can suggest the presence of allergic inflammation. 

Once your veterinarian has determined the cause of your dog’s ear inflammation, treatment will be prescribed. Most ear infections are treated with prescription ear cleaners and topical medications. Oral medications may also be prescribed, especially in dogs with underlying allergies. 

Some topical medications are applied by a veterinarian in the veterinary clinic. This alleviates the hassle of you having you medicate your dog’s ears at home, but requires you to return for follow-up treatments every one to two weeks until the infection has resolved. Other treatments are designed to be administered by a dog’s owner at home, once or twice daily. Your veterinarian will talk to about which treatment is best for your dog, and give you instructions for completing your dog’s course of treatment. If necessary, a veterinary technician may demonstrate how to clean and medicate your dog’s ears. A recheck appointment will likely be scheduled, so your veterinarian can ensure that the infection has resolved. 

If your dog’s otoscopic exam and ear cytology do not show any evidence of otitis, your veterinarian will talk to you about further recommended testing to determine the cause of your dog’s head shaking.

Related Conditions

• Otitis externa
• Ear mites
• Aural/ear hematoma

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There’s an obvious “ick” factor that comes from walking through the puddle of drool your dog left on the floor but it’s also just, well, weird. Or is it?

“Licking the floor can be totally normal,” says Dr. Sara L. Bennett, clinical assistant professor of veterinary behavior at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dog Licking: What’s Normal?

Dogs use their tongues for eating and grooming—lapping up kibble from the bottom of a bowl, taking a quick tongue bath, or offering up wet kisses are all normal behaviors, according to Bennett. However, habitual licking might be the sign of an issue.

“In the right context, licking is considered a normal behavior,” she adds. 

To determine whether licking is a normal behavior, Bennett looks at where the licking occurs. In areas where there might be food scraps—think near their food bowls after supper or around the kitchen island—dogs might lick the floor to see if something tasty has fallen. 

Frequency, intensity, and duration matter, too. Bennett notes that dogs that are licking the floor—or furniture, themselves, people, the air—nonstop without a specific reason could be a sign that something more serious is going on. In these cases, excessive licking of surfaces (or ELS), may be diagnosed.

“When it becomes more habitual—it’s happening multiple times a day in areas where there’s no food present…it lasts more than a couple of minutes and the behavior can’t be interrupted [by calling the dog or offering a treat], it starts to fall into the ‘abnormal’ category and we have to do some detective work to figure out why.”

Why Is My Dog Licking the Floor?

When it comes to deciphering the reasons your dog keeps licking the floor, there are a few common causes including:

• Food
• Upset stomach
• Stress
• Cushing’s Disease

Food

One of the biggest reasons your dog licks the floor? It may taste really good, says Bennett. A few drops of spilled coffee, a bit of bacon grease, a few scraps of spaghetti sauce can send your dog into a floor-licking frenzy to make sure every last drop is devoured.

“If you spill some food on the floor, of course your dog is going to be motivated to lick it up,” Bennett says.

When your dog is frantically licking the floor near the stove, your meal prep area, or the spot where she eats her kibble, Bennett says it’s likely nothing more than a desire to make sure every crumb is consumed. 

As long as there aren’t scraps of foods that are toxic to dogs on the floor, it’s ok to let your dog serve as a four-legged vacuum.

Upset Stomach

Tummy troubles are among the most common reasons your dog’s licker may be working overtime. In fact, one study found that 73 percent of dogs that displayed ELS were diagnosed with gastrointestinal issues ranging from irritable bowel syndrome and pancreatitis to giardia. 

“The hypothesis is that it’s a behavioral reaction to feeling sick to their stomachs,” Bennett explains.

It seems that the constant mouth and tongue movements your dog uses to lick the floor (and other surfaces) increases saliva production, which buffers against the acid in the stomach, according to Bennett. Or, perhaps the saliva provides added lubrication to make it easier to vomit, she adds. 

When tummy upset is to blame, your dog may be licking the floor and vomiting, licking the floor and eating grass, or licking the floor and panting. Your vet can run tests to determine the source of the tummy upset. Treating the problem should help control the behavior (and feel better).

Stress

Like all repetitive behaviors, a dog constantly licking the floor could be a sign of an obsessive disorder or stress.

“Repetitive floor licking can be a ‘displacement behavior’ and might be a signal that your dog is experiencing anxiety,” explains Dana Emerson, a veterinary technician and Karen Pryor Academy-certified trainer with the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center.

Emerson suggests looking at recent changes to the environment (like a move or new pet) that may be making your dog feel anxious or determining whether there are certain triggers that are associated with licking the floor such as thunderstorms, beeps, buzzers, or loud noises.

Understanding the trigger can help address the stressor and keep your dog from constantly licking the floor.

Cushing’s Disease

Increased levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, can trigger chronic stress, leading to a diagnosis of Cushing’s disease, Bennett says. The hallmark signs of this disease include increased thirst, urination, appetite, excessive panting, low energy levels, hair loss, and frequent skin infections. 

Not all dogs with Cushing’s disease constantly lick the floor (or other surfaces), Bennett notes. “The chronic stress state works against the normal mechanisms of keeping the GI tract healthy,” and that stomach upset could cause excessive licking behaviors. 

Your vet can do blood work to get a definitive diagnosis and medications can help manage the disease. 

What to Do if Your Dog Keeps Licking the Floor

Remember, licking the floor can be a totally normal behavior, especially if your dog is lapping at the linoleum while you’re making dinner or dishing up her kibble—but if the behavior starts suddenly, increases in frequency or intensity, or happens when there is no food around, it could be a sign something is wrong.

“Talk to your vet,” Bennett advises. “They can do the detective work to get to the cause and come up with a treatment plan.”

Dog Licking the Floor: Diagnosis and Treatment

A comprehensive physical exam is often the starting point for determining why your dog is suddenly licking the floor. 

Your vet will be on the lookout for physical symptoms such as bloating, hunched back, weakness, fever, hair loss, and skin infections that could be signs of illnesses like pancreatitis or Cushing’s disease. You’ll also be asked questions about recent changes in environment or behavior like vomiting, eating grass, diarrhea, or loss of appetite.

Depending on their findings during the physical exam, your vet may recommend blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound, or fecal samples to get more information for a definitive diagnosis. When excessively licking the floor is linked to a gastrointestinal issue or Cushing’s disease, medication may be prescribed to treat the illness.

If there are no signs of a physical illness, your vet may suggest consulting with a behaviorist to determine if stress or a compulsive disorder could be to blame.

With medical or behavioral treatment, your dog can go from obsessively licking the floor to only tasting the tile when food has fallen.

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It doesn’t matter if the change is due to a new job, going back to school, divorce, or the end of a global pandemic. If your daily circumstance is changing, it’s likely your dog will feel the impact of it as well.

Do Dogs Get Lonely?

We like to think that our dogs are nonstop happiness on four paws, but the reality is that dogs experience a variety of emotions. Dogs have the same emotional complexity as human toddlers, which means that they are capable of happiness, sadness, jealousy, anger, and yes, loneliness. 

Dogs evolved to be by our side, whether on the hunt, in the field, or by the fire, so it makes sense that they crave our companionship. Add to that the fact that we’re their sole providers of food, exercise, and access to the world, and it’s no wonder that our dogs have a drive to stay close to us. 

Being left alone, especially when it’s something a dog hasn’t experienced in a while, can absolutely lead to a dog experiencing loneliness.

9 Signs of Loneliness in Dogs

The following behaviors are potential lonely dog symptoms that might manifest individually, or in a combination of behaviors. Some responses might be an indication of an underlying health problem, like skipping meals, so consider a veterinary check-up to rule out illness if you notice these signs.

General Depression

Believe it or not, dogs can suffer from depression. It’s likely that lonely dogs also feel depressed. The behaviors that indicate dog loneliness are closely related to depressive behaviors, like withdrawal and lethargy.

Pacing

If your dog paces or shows other signs of pre-departure stress as you prepare to leave the house, this could be a sign of isolation distress or separation anxiety.

Destructiveness

Dogs that are home alone might find ways to keep themselves occupied like chewing up pillows, shoes, and remotes.

Clinginess

You might find that your dog wants to be by your side more than usual, even waking up from a sound sleep to follow if you leave the room.

Change in Play Style

Lonely dogs might be less interested in playing the games they used to love. 

Sleep Changes

Dogs that feel lonely might sleep more than usual, or might choose to sleep in unusual spots, like in a closet.

Not Eating

A lonely dog might not have an appetite and could even skip treats. Not eating can also be a sign of many medical conditions, so make sure to discuss this with your veterinarian if you notice it. 

Vocalization

Dogs use their voice to communicate, and a lonely dog might bark, whine, or cry when left alone.

Overall Behavior Shifts

It can be challenging to characterize the exact changes in a dog experiencing loneliness other than the fact that they just seem different from the way they normally act.

How to Prevent Loneliness in Dogs

Pet parents who know that they have a major schedule shift on the horizon, like going back to the office after working from home for an extended period, can help their dogs adjust in a variety of ways. 

Practice your new routine. Dog parents should help their canine companion prepare by practicing their upcoming schedule. Go through an abbreviated version of your typical departure routine (get dressed, pack a lunch, grab your bag) then leave the house for 30 minutes to an hour. Continue this preparation and departure process in the weeks prior to going back, gradually increasing the length of time you’re away from the house. Continue to throw a few short-duration departures as well to make it easy on your dog. 

Keep your dog active. Increasing your pup’s exercise regime can help put a dent in dog loneliness as well, but it helps to be creative. Sure, your dog will probably welcome more walks, but engaging your dog’s brain can help tire him out and make being left alone less stressful. 

Trick training and dog brain games like “hide the toy” will wear out your dog and can make alone time less fraught.

Try interactive toys. Invest in busy toys to give your dog when you have to leave him home alone. Hard rubber toys that can be stuffed with goodies are an excellent way to give your dog something to focus on while you’re gone. Give your dog an opportunity to practice with the toy while you’re home (this also ensures that your dog can’t destroy it and accidentally swallow pieces of the toy), then when it’s time to leave him alone pack the toy full of treats so that it’s tougher for your dog to get the goodies out and will keep him busier longer. 

Consider a dog daycare. Some lonely dogs might benefit from going to a well-run dog daycare a few times per week, although this option isn’t a fit for every dog. Make sure that your dog enjoys the excitement of group play, and that the daycare is reputable. 

Final Thoughts on Lonely Dog Syndrome

Do dogs need companions? While it might be tempting to add a second dog to your household to “cure” your dog’s loneliness, the success of this solution isn’t guaranteed. Adding a second dog requires an honest evaluation of your resident dog to determine if they’re a fit for a sibling (keep in mind that some dogs like being an “only child”) and if so, finding a buddy that’s the right fit for your household and lifestyle. 

Finally, keep in mind that dogs exhibiting behaviors associated with loneliness might be suffering from an undiagnosed health issue, so scheduling a wellness check can help to rule out any more serious problems.

The post 9 Signs of Loneliness in Dogs appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Dog scooting is a sign that your canine companion is experiencing discomfort and it’s often related to anal gland problems, allergies, or irritation. 

“Scooting is when a dog drags their bottom along the floor while in a seated position. This is a dog’s way of saying something isn’t right with their butt,” says Dr. Rachel Barrack of Animal Acupuncture in NYC. “It could be itchy or painful. It could be indicative of something mildly concerning or a sign of a more serious medical issue.”

To get to the bottom (pun intended) of your dog’s scooting, we asked veterinarians why dogs scoot, what causes this behavior, and what pet parents can do to help get their dogs some relief. 

Why Do Dogs Scoot On Their Butt? 

As previously mentioned, dogs scoot their butts on the floor or carpet if they are experiencing discomfort. 

“Scooting is most commonly caused by anal gland problems, and the action of scooting is typically the dog’s attempt to relieve soreness,” says Dr. Shawna Garner, U.S. lead veterinarian at on-demand video consultation platform, FirstVet.

A dog’s anal glands are located below their tails. They are two small sacs located near the anal opening. These glands release a scent and send signals to other animals. “Each time a dog defecates, a small amount of the scent is emptied from the sac,” explains Garner. “When these glands become irritated, or inflamed, the scent liquid is trapped inside the glands and dogs may try to relieve the pain by scooting.”

If you suspect impacted or irritated anal glands are to blame for your dog’s scooting, look out for other symptoms, too. “Chewing or licking at the bottom, thighs, tail base, or groin are all symptomatic behaviors,” says Garner. “You may also notice a strong fishy odor, usually around the bottom.”

But anal gland problems aren’t the only reason dogs may scoot their butts. According to Barrack, other causes of dog scooting include:

• General irritation (often seen after grooming) 
• Allergies 
• Parasites (especially tapeworms) 
• Neoplasia (an abnormal growth of cells)

What Should You Do If You See Your Dog Scooting?

“If you see your dog scooting, lift up their tail and check for anything that might be causing the irritation. Unless you see an obvious and easily fixed cause (such as a piece of stick or poop stuck to their fur), get them checked out by a vet,” says Dr. Victoria Strong, a veterinarian, lecturer, and content writer. “Don’t leave it too long. Left untreated, blocked anal glands can develop into more serious issues such as infections and anal gland abscesses.”

Pet parents should not try to express or empty their dog’s anal glands at home or by taking a dog to the groomer, says Barrack. “This can cause trauma and more harm,” she says. 

In fact, dogs should not regularly have their anal glands expressed as part of professional grooming services. “Normal dogs do not require frequent manual anal gland expression as they do this on their own when they defecate,” Barrack explains. 

How Your Vet Will Treat Dog Scooting

If your dog’s butt dragging is caused by anal gland problems, your veterinarian will likely empty your dog’s glands after a thorough physical exam, says Garner. 

“In persistent cases, an anti-inflammatory may be prescribed to prevent swelling arising, and anal gland infections will require a course of antibiotics,” she adds. “In the most severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the anal glands. But this is a serious procedure and comes with significant risk, so it is important to discuss these risks with a vet before deciding on the best course of action for your pet.”

If your veterinarian treats your dog’s anal glands, your canine companion may start feeling relief rather quickly and the scooting should stop. “Relief from emptying the anal glands can be almost instantaneous,” says Strong. “In some dogs it might take up to 24 hours for the irritation to settle.” 

Even the healthiest dogs may encounter issues with anal glands from time to time. Should your dog have anal sac issues related to scooting, a policy from a pet health insurance company like Lemonade may be helpful. Depending on the plan you choose, treatment costs for accidents illnesses, and preventative care are covered at 70 to 90 percent.

Home Remedies for Dog Scooting

If your dog is already scooting and showing signs of discomfort, it’s always a good idea to visit your veterinarian for a thorough exam, proper diagnosis, and effective treatment plan. 

However, there are some things that pet parents can do to help prevent scooting and anal gland problems from occurring.

Feed a high quality diet

“Feeding your dog a good quality, well-balanced diet can help prevent scooting by ensuring their stools are firm enough to squeeze and empty the anal glands as they pass through the rectum,” says Strong. “A good diet will also help you prevent obesity, which increases the risk of anal gland problem in dogs.” 

Don’t skip parasite protection

Since parasites such as tapeworms can cause dog scooting, it’s important to keep your dog on a parasite control product, such as Interceptor Plus, that protects against tapeworm infection. Interceptor Plus is a monthly chew for dogs that protects against five major worms, including tapeworm and heartworm disease.

One way a dog can get tapeworms is by ingesting an infected flea while grooming themselves, so flea and tick protection, such as Credelio, is also important.

You can achieve 360 degree protection for your pup by using both a monthly dewormer for dogs and tick and flea medicine.

Consider a fiber supplement 

Adding fiber to your dog’s diet can help prevent some digestive issues and anal gland problems. “Adding fiber to your dog’s diet can help to maintain their digestive health, firm up their stools, and prevent their anal glands from becoming inflamed,” says Garner. “There are commercially available fiber supplements, or you could add dry [unsweetened] bran flakes, oats, or cooked brown rice to their meal.” Plain canned pumpkin for dog scooting is also a good option many dog owners take.  

The post Dog Scooting: Why it Happens and How to Stop It appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Rest assured, however, that as an attentive and caring pet parent, you can detect even the most subtle signs that your dog is in pain—if you know what to look for. Read on to learn about common signs of pain in dogs, what steps to take if you suspect your dog is painful, and how to manage pain in dogs.

Do Dogs Feel Pain?

Dogs feel pain in the same way that humans do, and often for many of the same reasons.  Common sources of pain in dogs include injuries like cuts and burns, infections like abscesses or ear infections, and chronic disease, like arthritis or dental disease. Dogs can also experience pain following surgical procedures. Essentially, anything that would cause pain to a human is also going to cause pain in dogs. 

8 Signs a Dog Is in Pain

Pain in dogs is often detected by changes in behavioral and/or physical changes. Dogs in pain may display one or more of the following signs:

Vocalizing

Whining and whimpering are commonly associated with pain in dogs. Dogs who experience a sudden, sharp pain will often let out a loud yelp. Other noises a painful dog might produce include howling, groaning, and grunting. Remember, just because your dog isn’t making any noise, does not mean that they aren’t painful. 

Self Protection

Dogs in pain will often protect the painful area or their entire body if the pain is widespread.  This looks like hiding, limping, or not putting weight on a limb. A painful dog may also try to protect an injured limb by lying on it or placing it in an abnormal position while sitting or lying down.  

Reduced Activity Level

Painful dogs may be reluctant to go on walks or run and play like they normally do, so pet owners may notice a decline in their normal level of activity. In some cases, a dog in pain may refuse to move completely. They may have trouble settling down and appear restless, constantly getting up and down or walking in circles. Some dogs may shake and tremble, especially when encouraged to walk or move.

Reduction in Eating and Drinking

A dog in pain may be so distracted by their discomfort that they are less willing to eat.  Depending on how uncomfortable they are, some dogs will completely refuse to eat anything.  Painful dogs may also drink less for the same reason. Standing and walking to the food and water bowls could also be challenging for a dog in pain. 

Changes in Daily Habits

A change in a dog’s daily habits could indicate that they are in pain or discomfort. One example is a dog who is well house trained suddenly having accidents in the house. Another sign of discomfort is a change in their usual sleep patterns. Additionally, if your dog normally rushes to the door when you come home but you’ve noticed that they aren’t greeting you as they normally do, that may also be a clue that they may be experiencing pain. Basically, if you notice an alteration in your dog’s daily routine, you should investigate, as they could be in pain or unwell.

Compulsive Licking or Chewing

Repeatedly licking, biting, chewing, or scratching at a specific body part is a hint that the area in question is problematic for that dog. For example, older dogs with arthritic joints may sit and lick at the skin over a painful joint in an attempt to soothe the internal ache. Unfortunately, some dogs will persistently lick, chew, bite, or scratch at an area until they’ve left a large wound, causing additional pain and discomfort.  

Uncharacteristic Aggression

Normally friendly and cheerful dogs may uncharacteristically display signs of aggression when they are in pain. The change in behavior is either because they are afraid you will touch the painful area, or because the pain is making them irritable. Alternatively, dogs who are normally aggressive might suddenly become docile and quiet when they would otherwise be barking.  

Abnormal Facial Expression and Posture

Flattened ears, a grimacing mouth, and wide, dilated pupils are all indications of pain in a dog.  Painful dogs may also assume a hunched posture with their tail tucked between their legs. It’s also common for uncomfortable dogs to pant excessively, even if they are in a cold room or haven’t been exercising. 

Dog in Pain: Next Steps

If you suspect your dog is in pain, you should always take your dog to the veterinarian. Even if the source of the pain is transient, like a joint sprain, you will at least be able to take home pain relieving medications so that your dog does not unnecessarily suffer in silence. It is important to properly identify the source or origin of the pain so that it can be addressed before it worsens.  Nobody is better able to do this than a trained and experienced veterinarian. Pet owners often misdiagnose the source of their dogs pain when they attempt to identify it themselves. 

Until they can see a veterinarian, any dog displaying signs of pain should be put on rest to prevent worsening any potential injury or underlying disease process. Running, jumping, stairs, and unsupervised play should be stopped, and the pet should be limited to short leash walks only for the purpose of urinating and defecating. Provide your dog with soft, padded bedding, and a quiet, cool environment to help them rest and relax.   

Never administer pain medications to your dog without consulting a veterinarian first. Most over-the-counter human pain medications are toxic to dogs. While low doses of aspirin may be tolerated by your dog, recent studies have suggested that it is a relatively ineffective pain medication in dogs, and likely to result in vomiting, diarrhea, or other adverse effects.

Additionally, you should not give your dog any leftover medications from a previous injury or illness without first speaking with your pet’s veterinarian. Certain drugs cannot be given at the same time, and your veterinarian may be unable to prescribe a more helpful medication for your dog if you gave another medication first.

How to Manage Pain in Dogs

Whether the source of your dog’s pain is acute, like an injury, or chronic, like arthritis, there are several approaches to pain management. Your veterinarian may require diagnostics, like imaging or blood testing to determine the source of your dog’s pain and develop the most effective treatment protocol. If possible, your dog’s source of pain will be completely eliminated by treating and curing the underlying cause. In the case that your dog’s source of pain cannot be cured, there are many treatments and modifications that can be made to ensure your dog has a good quality of life.  

Depending on the source of your dog’s pain, your veterinarian may recommend pain relief medications, surgery, specialized splints/braces, physical therapy, laser therapy, regenerative treatments, hot or cold packs, acupuncture, chiropractic, supplements, or a combination thereof. 

Once treatment is initiated for your dog, you should constantly assess their response and progress. Work with your veterinarian to tailor the treatment plan until it best meets the needs of you and your dog to achieve the best results.

Nobody likes to see their dog in pain, but thankfully, it can be well managed and even dogs with chronic pain can live long and happy lives. 

The post 8 Signs Your Dog Might Be In Pain  appeared first on Great Pet Care.

With the privilege of sharing time with an aging dog comes the special task of caring for these furry angels, helping them live long and live well. Recognizing dog behavior changes that come with age can help you adjust your lifestyle, home, and care routines to give your senior dog the best life possible.

Understanding Aging in Dogs

First, it is important to debunk a very common myth: 7 human years do NOT equal one dog year. While dogs do age faster than humans because their metabolism is faster than humans, a 10 year old dog is not necessarily the equivalent of a 70 year old human. 

Dogs reach maturity faster, and become the equivalent of a 15-20 year old human by the end of their first year, depending on their size, and then their aging process slows down. Dog cells turn over faster, and their genetic programming causes them to age faster than humans, which is why they don’t last quite as long as we do. 

How fast dogs age is dependent on what size and breed they are. Small breed dogs tend to reach maturity faster and live longer, large and giant breeds take longer to reach maturity (it is just more body to grow) and they do not live as long as small breed dogs.

When it comes to signs of aging, senior dogs age almost exactly the same way humans do. Their joints ache the same way ours do, they develop hip problems, their bones thin out, their muscle mass decreases, their digestive tracts lose efficiency in digestion, they develop hormonal disorders, and they definitely can develop dementia.

Dog Behavior Changes That Come With Aging

Even though dogs age the same way we do, we may not recognize the signs that our dog is getting older, and may need some additional support. Senior dog behavior changes can provide subtle clues that tell us our friend needs help. These are ones to watch for.

Sleeping More and Decreased Energy

One of most common signs of advanced age in dogs is excessive tiredness. This results in your dog sleeping more than average, lagging behind on walks, or losing interest in activities that used to thrill him, like fetch or tug. 

Several medical conditions seen in older pets, including hypothyroidism and heart disease, can cause a dog to be more tired than usual. Osteoarthritis can also put a hitch in your dog’s giddy-up, and cause your dog to slow down and play less just because it hurts too much. 

Weight Loss

As a dog ages, it can be harder for that dog to maintain lean muscle mass. We know that in humans, muscle mass starts declining after age 30, and the same happens in our aging dogs. Dogs can also lose weight due to any number of medical conditions that are commonly seen in older dogs, including cancer, kidney or liver disease, or diabetes.

Sudden Personality Changes

Dogs may get more grouchy as they get older because of a number of reasons. Pain is a very common reason for increased irritation in older dogs—they don’t want to be touched because it just hurts. Dementia can also cause dogs to be more irritable because they are confused about what is going on. Dementia can also cause dog pacing at night, panting and whining, and just strange behavior, like staring or barking at walls. Senior dog anxiety at night is also a common sign reported by dog lovers. 

Trouble Getting Around

Osteoarthritis is very common in older dogs. Approximately 20 percent of dogs over the age of 1 in North America have arthritis, and the incidence is much higher in older and bigger dogs. 

Signs of osteoarthritis in older dogs can include difficulty or reluctance to climb stairs or jump into the car, lagging behind on walks, decreased interest in play, sleeping more, difficulty getting up, and difficulty sleeping. 

Loss of Potty Training

Urinating or defecating in the house in a previously house trained dog could be one of the dog behavior changes that signifies aging. Just like humans, dogs can lose tone in the muscles that control urination and defecation as they age. Or they can be confused from dementia and not know they are going potty in the house. 

A medical condition like Cushing’s disease or kidney disease can also cause dogs to have to go more often, leading to household accidents. If you notice this problem, talk to your vet about solutions. 

How to Help Your Dog Age Better

There are many ways to help your dog age better and potentially even avoid disease! Here are some easy-to-follow tips for helping your dog feel better during his or her golden years:

Maintain a Healthy Diet

One of the most important things you can do is make sure your dog is supported with high quality nutrition. If you feed your dog the right amount of good food, keep your dog at an ideal body weight (not sure, ask your vet!), then you will prevent many diseases (and save a bunch of money on vet bills)

When it comes to nutrition, it is virtually impossible to get every macro and micronutrient that a dog needs into every kibble. Furthermore, older dogs may have decreased digestive capabilities, and may not be absorbing everything they need from their food. Giving your older dog a good quality nutritional supplement is a great idea to ensure complete nutrition.

Explore Joint Supplements

If your dog is slowing down or showing signs of joint pain, using a veterinarian-formulated joint supplement can help slow down joint disease and reduce inflammation. Make sure to discuss the best options for your dog and lifestyle by speaking to your veterinarian.  

Keep Your Dog Busy

Keep your dog active, both mentally and physically. Play with and exercise your dog every day. Give your dog food puzzles to solve, and train your dog in new behaviors. This will benefit your dog’s cardiovascular disease, hormones, musculoskeletal system, cognition, general happiness, and more.

Consider An Orthopedic Bed

Older dogs often have achy joints and bodies that need extra rest. Furthermore, they may not be sleeping as well because they are sore. Providing your dog with a high quality orthopedic dog bed has been shown to improve the lives of older and support your dog’s overall health and wellness. 

While aging is a foregone conclusion, decreased vitality and wellness in you or your dog’s advanced years is not. With proper attention and care and a little advanced planning, your grey muzzle can live well into their golden years and beyond.

The post 5 Dog Behavior Changes to Watch for in Aging Pets appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Dogs are visual communicators when it comes to broad cues, and tail wagging is one of the ways they can “speak” to others. Their vision is movement oriented, so the tail can play a big role in how they communicate with other pets and their owners. Some dog tails have even adapted over time to be fluffier or feature brighter colors to enhance tail wagging communication.

Learning to brush up on dog tail facts will help you better understand your dog’s body language and ultimately help you communicate better with your canine companion. Let’s cover everything you need to know about your pup’s tail. 

Dog Tail Anatomy: Understanding the Basics

Besides conveying happiness or other visual cues, dogs use their tails for balancing purposes and other athletic movements. The tail is essentially a continuation of the spine, with many of the same features.

What is a Dog’s Tail Made Of?

Dog tails are made of vertebrae, muscles, cartilage, and nerves. There are anywhere between 6 and 23 caudal vertebrae in a dog’s tail, with an average number of 20 vertebrae. 

A dog’s tail also consists of muscles that attach to the vertebrae that help to control the conscious movement of the tail. It is also innervated by nerves to help control the movement of the tail, ranging from 4 to 7 paired nerves.

Do Dogs Have Bones in Their Tails?

Yes, dogs do have bones in their tails. The vertebrae mentioned above is what we refer to as the bones in a dog’s tail. The tail has between 6 and 23 vertebrae composing it, but each dog breed can have many different variations. 

Between the vertebral bodies is cartilage, a flexible connective tissue, which helps cushion moving surfaces of joints, such as between the tail bones. This helps with the fluid movement when a dog wags their tail or curls it between their legs when they are scared.

Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails? 

Dogs generally wag their tails to communicate with other dogs on how they’re feeling as they approach one another. The wag of a dog’s tail may signal that they are:

• Happy
• Aggressive or agitated
• Curious
• Submissive or scared

While a dog’s tail can provide clues about whether they are happy or not to see you, it can be very difficult to know what a dog is thinking by looking at their tail alone. It is important to consider the dog’s overall body posture when evaluating their emotional state. Generally, a dog is considered relaxed and happy if they approach you with a relaxed, wagging tail that moves loosely from side to side or around like a helicopter. It’s important to interpret what a dog’s tail wag means in context. If you are unsure, let the dog decide to come to you instead of approaching them.

Aggression can be represented by dogs raising their tails to an upward or a curved position. The high tail position conveys “bigness” and dominance, and when the tail is raised, the scent markers (anal glands) can be released easier into the area.

Curious dogs tend to hold their tails in a neutral position or horizontal position straight out from their body.

Submissive or scared dogs lower their tail from a neutral position. They want to be perceived as unthreatening, so they make themselves seem smaller. If the tail is tucked under, they are fearful, and this prevents any of their scent from escaping into the area so they can go relatively undetected.  

Can Dogs Control Their Tails?

Dogs do have the ability to control their tail through muscle, but it can be somewhat involuntary like a laugh, smile, or frown in humans. We can control our mouths and voices, but sometimes it seems involuntary when a laugh escapes!

Nerves innervate the tail, and muscles attach to the caudal vertebrae to help with the conscious movement of the tail. This helps to convey what the dog is portraying to the outside world.

Dogs also control and use their tails as part of balancing or during agility exercises.  

Why Do Dogs Chew Their Tails?

Dogs chew their tails for a variety of reasons ranging from fleas and allergies to pain and injuries. If a dog is chewing their tail, it could be caused by one of the following conditions:

• Fleas
• Hot spot
• Anal gland irritation
• Neurologic issue
• Pain 

Fleas tend to congregate around the tail base, and usually the telltale sign is frantically turning around and biting that area.  The skin could appear red or inflamed, and you may see flea dirt or even fleas when parting the hair around the tail base.

Hot spots are another reason that your dog could be itching their tail base. Some dogs have folds (Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shar Peis) around their tail base that can trap moisture and create a yeast and bacteria haven that turns into a hot spot. The dogs will do anything to itch and scratch that area.

If your dog has full anal glands, they may scoot on their butts on the ground or carpet, since full anal glands creates an itchy and uncomfortable feeling. Some will even try to lick and scratch that area but won’t be able to reach the rectum, so they get their tail instead! If they scoot a lot on their butt, they can create irritation underneath their tails, which can turn into a hot spot.

Nerve damage or degeneration can cause pain, tingling, or an uncomfortable feeling leading into the tail. Dogs will lick to soothe or bite if they feel tingling or uncomfortableness.

If trauma or pain is the cause, many dogs will lick to soothe the pain. Dogs can get their tails caught in doors, stepped on, hurt in fights, or bit or stung by insects (like bees), all which can cause tail pain and inflammation.

Dog Tail Language: Cues and Communication Guidelines

A dog’s tail plays a key role in body language communication. Here are some tail signs to look for that will help you understand how your dog is feeling.

Free, Loose Tail Wagging

When a dog is freely wagging their tail, they are relaxed and happy. They might be excited about greeting someone, ready to go for a walk, or realizing they’ve arrived at their favorite spot. This type of tail wag is loose and easy. It looks effortless and signals that your dog is zen and content about whatever is happening. 

Tucked Tail

If a dog’s tail is tucked, they are nervous and scared. They are trying to remain small and undetected by any threat. If they have done something naughty, and know they are about to get in trouble, many dogs will sense this and tuck their tails in order to convey they are not a threat, and will hopefully go unnoticed.

Tail Standing Straight Up

If the tail is standing up straight or seemingly the dog is trying to look bigger, this could be used as a threat. They are showing they are ready to defend or fight, and want to be an alpha in the situation by exposing their scent glands when lifting their tail.

Dog Tail Speed: What to Watch For

The speed in which dogs wag their tails can also communicate a lot. If they are wagging their tail very fast with a little bit of hip wiggling, it can indicate the increased level of excitement when greeting their pet parent or favorite friend.  

If a dog is a little more tentative when approaching someone new, but they want to appear friendly, they may wag their tail a little more slowly. They want to convey friendliness, but still have their guard up a bit. 

The post Dog Tail Facts: Info on Wagging, Chewing, and More appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Coprophagia is not unique to dogs and is observed as a natural or even necessary behavior in many animals. Rabbits and rodents, for example, must eat their own poop in order to obtain many essential nutrients [1]. In other young animals, including horses, eating their mother’s poop helps to establish their normal gut microbiome—the good bacteria that lives in the intestines and is essential for health [2]. 

In this article, we will explore why dogs eat poop, when to be worried about it, and what you can do about this gross behavior. 

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? 

More often than not, eating poop is a normal behavior in dogs. After all, poop is stinky and dogs seem to love stinky things. 

Eating poop also serves a purpose in some cases. For example, mother dogs need to stimulate newborn puppies to defecate and urinate by licking them and will ingest their poop as a consequence. Mother dogs will also eat their pup’s poop in an effort to keep their dens or living areas clean. Most puppies will also go through a phase of eating poop.

Sometimes, coprophagia can be a sign of disease in dogs. Dogs with diseases that prevent their bodies from digesting and absorbing nutrients will sometimes eat their own poop. This is likely the body’s attempt to get more nutrients. 

One such disease is called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), which occurs most commonly in German Shepherds. In this disease the pancreas does not produce the enzymes that the body needs to properly digest foods. Common symptoms include large, voluminous soft stools, excessive hunger, and weight loss. 

Another more commonly occurring digestive disease that may cause coprophagia is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD the intestines are abnormally inflamed and this leads to decreased absorption of nutrients from the diet. Symptoms of IBD are similar to those of EPI. Certain bacterial and parasitic infections can also lead to dogs eating poop. 

Dogs with diseases or those receiving medications that cause excessive hunger may also be caught munching on poo. Cushing’s disease, a disease in which the body produces too much cortisol (stress hormone) will commonly make dogs very hungry. Similarly, dogs on steroid medications, such as prednisone, may also eat poop due to increased hunger. Phenobarbital, a common seizure medication, will often increase appetite as well. Diabetes can also make dogs hungry enough to eat poop. 

Dogs that eat poop may also have a disorder called pica. Dogs with pica eat non-food items like dirt, sticks, rocks, and sometimes poop. Pica has a variety of causes including psychological and medical issues. Anemia will commonly cause pica so it is important for dogs with pica to undergo blood tests. Pica and coprophagia can also be due to psychological disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder and separation anxiety. 

In other cases, a lack of environmental stimulation can be to blame. Some dogs will eat poop because they are bored. If dogs do not get enough physical and mental exercise, they may develop inappropriate behaviors, such as ingesting their own feces. This can be easily addressed by providing them with more interaction, toys, and exercise.

Similarly, some dogs will eat feces because they can. Feces left in their yard may be the most interesting thing they get to smell all day, so they consume it.

Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop? 

Some dogs are notorious for raiding the cat litter box and, much to our disgust, feasting on cat poop. For poop-eating pups, it seems that cat poop is extra delicious. 

Cats are obligate carnivores whereas dogs are omnivores. For this reason, cat food typically contains more meat and protein than dog food. This is likely why cat food is pretty tasty to most dogs and their poop may have similar tastes. 

Cat poop is also readily accessible inside the house so it may be easier to get to than dog poop outside. 

Why Do Puppies Eat Poop? 

Puppies explore their new and exciting worlds with their mouths. When puppies eat poop it is likely just a part of this normal exploratory behavior. It has also been hypothesized that puppies may eat their own and other animals’ poop in order to establish healthy gut microbiomes [3]. 

How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop 

It is important to train your dog not to eat poop as soon as the behavior first starts because the longer that a behavior occurs the more it is reinforced and the harder it will be to extinguish. Follow these steps to help stop your dog from eating poop.

Remove Access

The first step is to remove your dog’s access to poop as much as possible. As soon as your dog poops make sure to pick it up. If you are crate-training your dog, make sure the crate is only large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. If the crate is too large, he may poop in it and eat the evidence.  

If you have a cat at home, consider placing litter boxes on a countertop that your cat can reach but your dog can’t, or use a baby gate to prevent your dog access to the litter box. 

Redirect Attention

Next, as soon as you notice that your dog is sniffing or showing interest in poop, redirect his attention to a toy or treat and reward your dog as soon as he leaves the poop alone. You can also work on training your dog to perform a command such as leave it, look or sit every time he goes for poop. Make sure to immediately reward your dog with a very tasty treat as soon as he performs the command. 

Don’t Punish Your Dog

It is important never to scold your dog or chase him when he is eating poop. This will likely just make him scarf down the poop more quickly. It may also lead to fear and anxiety, or may inadvertently reward the behavior. He may associate eating poop with a fun game of chase! 

Check Your Dog’s Diet and Activity Level

If your dog is eating poop, make sure that he is eating a food that is nutritionally complete and balanced as malnutrition may be a factor. It is also important to make sure that your dog receives plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation with toys. Dogs that are bored or unstimulated are more likely to be coprophagic. 

Try Supplements or Powders

There are certain chews, treats, powders, and supplements that you can give dogs that are designed to improve digestive health or are supposed to make their poop taste bad. These will only work if all the pets in the household are given these products until the dog stops eating poop consistently. However, these products won’t work for all dogs. 

Talk to Your Veterinarian

If eating poop has become an ongoing issue for your dog, especially if he has any other abnormal symptoms or behaviors, it is very important to have him evaluated by your veterinarian. 

Your veterinarian will rule out medical causes of coprophagia by performing a physical exam, fecal tests and blood tests. 

If medical issues have been excluded, you have tried training techniques, and you still cannot stop your dog from eating poop, your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary behaviorist to help treat a suspected behavioral disorder. 

The post Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Let’s take a closer look at what hackles are, how they work, what it means when they are raised, and what pet parents can do if they notice raised hackles on their pups.

What are Hackles?

Hackles are the group of hairs that stand up along a dogs neck and back caused by a fear response or to show dominance over another animal. 

Dogs aren’t the only species that have hackles. Birds have hackles around their necks and erect their feathers when they are asserting dominance. Roosters have brightly colored hackles, or erectile plumage, to be more visually loud. Cats have hackles along their backs and tails. This is the typical image we see of the “Halloween” cat with arched back and fur standing up to make them look larger. We see this often when the cats are fearful or feel threatened.  

What is Piloerection?

Piloerection is the bristling or raising of hairs. A dog’s hackles that stand up along their backs have a specialized muscle called arrector pili muscles that cause piloerection. 

Piloerection is due to a reflexive trigger of the sympathetic nervous system—the fight or flight response. When an event triggers the nervous system, such as contact with another animal, the sound of a doorbell, the dog’s nervous system goes on high alert. The arrector pili muscles contract around the hair follicles to make the hairs stand up and the dog appear larger. This is a visual warning to other animals that the dog is ready to fight and defend his territory.

Piloerection can happen in humans, too. Ever get a nervous, excited, or chilling feeling and goosebumps appear? Your sympathetic nervous system causes the tiny muscles in the skin to contract, raising the hair follicles, creating your hairs to stand straight up. This is our sympathetic nervous system triggering us to get ready for a fight or flight response.

Dog Breeds With Pronounced Hackles

Dogs with longer hair tend to have a more pronounced effect when hackles rise, especially when the hair is longer around the neck region.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks look like their hackles are always raised. However, this perception is just due to the growth of their hair in a forward motion along their backs.

Some dogs, such as Poodles or Poodle mixes (Labradoodle, Bernedoodle, Goldendoodle) have less pronounced hackles due to their curly coat. It harder to decipher raised hair follicles versus the normal hair around the arrector pili muscles.

Dogs With Raised Hackles: What Does It Mean?

Raised hackles in dogs mean they are on high alert. They can result from fear, dominance, surprise, insecurity, or uneasiness about a situation. The nervous system automatically causes piloerection along the neck and back. 

When you see raised hackles on a dog, be aware of what the trigger is. Sometimes it could be the ringing of the doorbell, other times it might be meeting a new dog or person.

Some younger dogs raise their hackles more often because they are still getting to know their environment. Their sense of security might be a little less solid than an older dog who is more confident. 

By having the hairs along their neck and back stand up, dogs appear larger to whatever threat they are reacting to. Dog communication research shows that hackles are more of a visual cue to their trigger that they are big, dominant, and ready to defend themselves if necessary.

Although rare, some report raised dog hackles without any stimulation by an outside trigger. Dogs with neurologic diseases can have “malfunctioning” autonomic nerves, causing the arrector pili muscles to contract when not stimulated.  

What if a Dog’s Hackles Are Up When Playing?

Sometimes dog hackles can be raised during times of play.  Overstimulation, excitement, and surprise can cause piloerection. Ensuring that the dog isn’t showing other signs of aggression is key to having safe playtime. 

What Should You Do If Your Dog Hackles Are Raised?

Most of the time, pet parents don’t need to do anything in particular if they notice that a dog’s hackles are raised. 

When new dogs meet each other, or a dog enters a new environment, some pups will show raised hackles. It’s similar to “stranger danger” mode. Once they sniff and get to know the other dog or environment they are in, they will likely relax. Why do your dog’s hairs stand up while barking? It’s the same reason: Dogs sometimes want to appear bigger and tougher, just in case they need to defend or fight for their territory.  

Most of the time, after the initial sniffing and introductions, the dog will relax and therefore their nervous system will, too. The arrector pili muscles will relax, and the hair will go back to their normal position. Dogs who were socialized early are less likely to develop this fear response later in life.

If your dog’s hackles are raised for an extended period of time, or if they are barking, growling, in a rigid position, or not listening to your commands, it’s time to separate them from the inciting cause (other dogs, people, animals). This situation could escalate into aggression, which could be harmful to you or other people and pets.

Be careful when you intervene with a potentially aggressive situation, as you do not want to put yourself in harm’s way. By knowing your own dog’s cues for escalation, you can prevent potential problems. 

The post All About Dog Hackles appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Noise phobias in dogs are actually pretty common. Based on a recent study, an estimated 39 percent of dogs show some symptoms of noise fearfulness (1). Noise phobias are also commonly seen together with other behavioral disorders such as separation anxiety and general anxiety disorder. 

Read below to find out why a fear of loud noises is so common in dogs, how to recognize noise phobias in your pooch, the most common sounds that scare dogs, and what you can do to help your frightened pup. 

Understanding Noise Phobias In Dogs

Noise phobias in dogs are abnormal, intense reactions to one or more sounds. Some of the most common examples include fireworks and thunder. What causes some dogs to develop noise phobias while others have no reactions to loud sounds is not yet completely understood, but environmental and genetic factors are thought to play a role. 

Dogs that were poorly socialized as puppies are thought to be at an increased risk for noise phobias. Puppies have what is called a “critical socialization period” which ends at about 12 to 14 weeks of age. This means that if puppies aren’t exposed to certain sounds, sights, animals, or places in a positive manner by that age, they may develop an abnormal fear response to those things when introduced to them later in life. 

Traumatic events can also lead to a fear of certain noises in dogs. For example, a dog that is left at home with a chirping smoke alarm all day or with a noisy construction project going on next door, may associate these noises with separation, fear, and loneliness. These events can traumatize a dog and induce a severe reaction to those noises and similar noises in the future. 

Dogs do have much more sensitive hearing than humans and this may be partially to blame for their noise reactivity. A sound that is loud to us is experienced at a much higher volume by our dogs. Dogs can also hear sounds at higher frequencies or pitches than humans. We humans can only hear at frequencies up to 20,000 Hz, while dogs can hear frequencies up to 45,000 Hz (2). This means that sounds and noises that are at very high pitches aren’t even detected by the human ear but are heard loud and clear by our canine companions. 

Certain breeds of dogs are overrepresented when it comes to noise phobias, strongly suggesting that there is an inherited component to this condition. It is thought that German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, and Border Collies are genetically prone to these phobias. 

Recognizing Noise Phobias in Dogs 

The following behaviors may be displayed in noise phobic dogs when they hear sounds that scare them: 

• Trembling or shaking
• Pacing
• Panting 
• Hyperalertness 
• Whining 
• Barking
• Drooling
• Hiding 
• Attempting to escape 
• Destructive behaviors
• Urinating or defecating indoors

More subtle dog body language that pet parents should look out for includes pinned back ears, stiffened body position and dilated pupils. 

In dogs with severe cases of noise phobias, they may cause severe harm to their teeth, nails, and other body parts when attempting to escape the noise. 

12 Noises That Scare Dogs

Knowing which noises commonly scare dogs can help you manage your pup’s fear. Here are some noises that may frighten your dog:

Thunderstorms

Thunder noise is one of the most common scary sounds for dogs. But besides the loud booms that are caused by thunderstorms, changes in barometric pressure, the smell of rain, and the appearance of storm clouds may all be involved in causing the fear that is induced by storms. 

Fireworks

Fireworks are likely the most common loud noises that scare dogs. Why is this? Likely because fireworks are really loud and their sounds are random and unpredictable. 

Gun Shots 

Gun shots are very loud to human ears, which is why hearing protection is recommended at a shooting range. For dogs, who hear things at higher intensity, gun shots are extremely bothersome.    

Buses and Trash Trucks 

Dogs probably hate the sounds of these vehicles because they are loud but they also create a variety of high pitched noises such as beeping and screeching. 

Vacuum Cleaners 

Some dogs cower when pet parents go to clean their carpets. Vacuum cleaners are really loud but they also move around your dog’s territory, likely adding to the fear they cause. 

Skateboard Wheels On Pavement 

Skateboards can frighten dogs not only because they are loud but because they make erratic noises as they pass over bumps and as the skateboarder performs jumps and other tricks. A skateboard passing a dog may also initiate the dog’s chase instinct and cause the dog to run and bark after the skateboarder.

Crying Babies 

A wailing infant can sure produce loud and often high pitched noises that some dogs hate.

Construction Noises 

 Jack hammers thwacking, tractors beeping as they move in reverse and hammers banging away make construction zones especially scary for dogs with noise phobias.  

Car Alarms

Car alarms are so loud that they often cause windows and door frames to rattle and may rattle your pup into a frenzy as well. 

Sirens

The loud and oscillating high pitched noises caused by sirens from fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars are frightening to many dogs. 

Jet Airplanes

If you live close to an airport you may notice that your dog behaves fearfully every time a plane flies overhead. This may be especially true if your dog was in a rural area as a puppy and never conditioned to hearing this loud scary noise. 

Air Conditioners or Furnaces 

The sound of an air conditioner or furnace turning on can send some dogs jumping. This is likely due to the sudden nature of this sound, causing them to startle.  

Calming Noises For Dogs 

Certain noises may have the opposite effect on dogs and may help to calm or soothe them when scary noises are going on around them. 

Classical music has been shown to ease anxiety symptoms in dogs in loud shelter environments (3). Playing a sound machine with the sounds of waterfalls or white noise can also help to drown out fireworks or thunder. Pet parents can also find CDs or playlists online that were specifically developed to produce calming effects in dogs. 

In dogs showing symptoms of fear and anxiety, people speaking around them should speak in low and slow tones. 

How To Help Your Dog Overcome Noise Phobias 

Besides playing calming sounds or turning on a sound machine or TV to mask offending noises, there are a few key things that you can try to help your dog with a noise phobia. 

The most important thing to do is to recognize aversions to noises early on and address them right away. Fears intensify the more times that a dog hears that scary noise and eventually the fear can turn into a true phobia. Once a dog has a phobia to one noise, a phobia to other noises will likely occur if the issue is not addressed promptly. 

Pet parents should try to avoid exposing their dog to the sounds that scare them as much as possible. This can be achieved by taking your dog to doggie daycare while you have a construction project going on at home or going to an area where fireworks are banned during the holidays. 

However, avoidance will not always be an option, so you should also work on some training. You can try desensitizing your dog to the sounds he is fearful of by playing a recording of the sound, starting off with a very low volume and gradually increasing the intensity of the sound as tolerated by your dog. This must be done very carefully and using positive reinforcement such as a treat or toy to reward your dog when he is not responding to the sound. Doing too much too soon or ignoring your dog’s body language can make the fear worse. 

Pet parents can also train their dogs to relax in a safe haven, such as a bathroom or closet with a comfy bed so that their pet has a quiet place to retreat to when they are scared.  

Ignoring your dog when he is behaving fearfully and consistently rewarding him as soon as he calms down or starts playing with a toy is another effective training technique. 

 There are various products, such as noise cancelling headphones for dogs, compression garments, and calming pheromones that may be helpful in calming some dogs. 

As always, it is best to have your dog examined by your veterinarian when any fearful behavior develops. Your vet will want to run lab work to make sure there isn’t an underlying health condition, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease that may be contributing to the abnormal behavior. Your veterinarian can also consult you on supplements or medications that may be useful in managing noise phobias. 

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Even after centuries, no one has exact answers. But researchers have been uncovering more and more likelihoods. In fact, a growing number of colleges and universities now house labs and centers devoted to studying canine cognition. Their work, along with that of other experts in psychology, neuroscience and biology, has been giving us more glimpses into what exactly goes on inside a dog’s mind.

Do Dogs Have Thoughts? 

Yes, dogs “absolutely” have thoughts, says Dr. Emily Bray, a postdoctoral scholar in the Arizona Canine Cognition Center. “The fun part is trying to figure out what they’re thinking without being able to just ask them directly,” she adds.

Dogs’ thoughts—and their brains in general—aren’t exactly like ours. At the most basic level, there’s the size: A large dog’s brain is about as big as a lemon; a human’s is roughly the size of two clenched fists (1). Even taking body mass into account, a dog’s brain is proportionally smaller than a human’s.

Another difference lies in the frontal lobes. As the largest section of our brains, the frontal lobes are involved in problem-solving, memory, language, judgement, and impulse control, among other functions. And as it turns out, our frontal lobes take up significantly more brain real estate than dogs’ do—about a third of the human brain and just 10 percent in dogs (2). This could partly explain why your dog simply can’t control himself around those grilled hot dogs you left on the counter. Remembering this frontal lobe disparity may help you begin to understand some of your dog’s thoughts and behaviors.

But there are similarities between dog and human cognition, too, some of which may have evolved in dogs specifically because of their relationship to (and dependence on) us. Finger-pointing, for instance. 

Human babies begin to understand pointing before they’re even a year old. “Whether you watched your mom point to a bird or you point to your favorite toy, you were beginning to build core communication skills,” says Dr. Brian Hare, co-director of the Duke Canine Cognition Center and author of the new book, Survival of the Friendliest. It turns out dogs get it, too. “When you point to something, dogs know that you are trying to help them in some way—like finding a ball,” Hare says.

In studies that involve dogs following a human’s point in order to find food, “intriguingly, dogs are much better at this task than apes, our closest living relatives,” Bray says. “One hypothesis that has been put forward is that these social skills were selected for during the process of domestication.” 

“Even more amazingly,” Bray says, “dogs show evidence for fast-mapping—learning the meaning of a word by principles of deduction—previously only documented in our own species.”

And in another similarity to humans, as dogs age, their brains undergo changes that impact executive function, including memory and inhibitory control (3).

How Do Dogs Think?

“Thinking for dogs would probably not look like thinking for humans,” says Molly Byrne, a Ph.D student in the Canine Cognition Center at Boston College. “We have many structures that help us interpret the ideas and thoughts we have, and dogs do not have access to all of these structures, or in some cases, just use different structures.” 

Internal monologue, for instance. Dogs can learn many words in human language—Byrne says some know up to 2,000 human words and can even use basic grammatical structures—but none of that reflects how dogs interact with each other, so it’s probably not the way they actually process their own thoughts.

So what language do dogs think in? Are they hearing barks the way we think in human words? According to Byrne, this is a common idea among pet parents—but it’s also unlikely. Barks between dogs are more about pitch and intensity than communicating specific words, she says.

Rather than thinking in a word-based language as we do, it’s more likely that a dog’s thoughts are rooted in several senses—chief among them, smell. Proportionally, a much larger portion of a dog’s brain is devoted to analyzing smells than a human’s is (4).

“Given what we know about the way that dogs process sensory information,” Byrne says, “I would expect their thoughts to include concepts formed from their primary sensory modes—maybe thinking in smells, images, or even some sorts of sounds.”

What Do Dogs Think About?

Dogs spend much of their day snoozing, but in the hours they’re awake, they probably spend time thinking about some of the same things that a 2- or 3-year-old child would: “Solving problems, what’s for dinner, what’s that over there?” Hare says.

“But as to what proportion of time dogs spend thinking about which subjects, no one knows,” he adds. “It’s probably safe to assume both dogs and small children are more mindful than adults—focused on the present, rather than what happened or what might happen.”

In general, Bray says dogs probably think about all the staples in their lives, from food and play to other dogs and their pet parents. Like humans, how much time they spend pondering a specific focus “depends on the dog and their individual preferences and experiences,” she notes.

What Do Dogs Think About When They Are Alone?

Some dogs simply curl up and go to sleep when their owners are away. Others may get stressed or even turn destructive—sometimes due to separation anxiety, other times just boredom. 

As for what’s on their minds, it’s hard to pinpoint. “Some dogs experience distress when they are left alone, but it is hard to know if they are actually thinking about the person they wish they were with or just experiencing their own loneliness,” Byrne says. “More research would be needed to tell what the focus of these behaviors is.”

How to Tell What Your Dog is Thinking

You’ll never know exactly what’s happening inside that furry head, but you may be able to get pretty close. It’s as simple as careful observation mixed with context clues and some thinking of your own. 

To start, Bray suggests learning about dogs’ body language. Master those visual clues, and you’ll have a clearer idea of what your dog is thinking and feeling when he’s yawning without being tired (often a sign of fear or anxiety) or baring his teeth (usually a sign of aggression), among other behaviors.

Beyond body language, “if you want to know what your dog is thinking about, pay close attention to what your dog pays attention to,” Byrne says. If your pup takes a long sniff around a telephone pole and then pees on it, he is probably taking in the scents of other dogs before leaving his own mark—and Byrne says he may be thinking about those other dogs he can smell. 

Quietly observing your dog’s movements and actions can often reveal what’s on his mind. If you go into the kitchen and open the fridge, you’re probably thinking about food or feeling hungry. Now apply that to your dog and his dish or the cabinet where you store his food.

But it’s not only about these obvious connections. Byrne says dogs may also think about things they can’t see or aren’t doing themselves—like when he sniffs you after you come home and, most likely, is trying to figure out as much about your day as he can.

If your dog comes up and nudges your hand to be pet, “it is reasonable that they are thinking about you and their relationship with you,” Byrne says. “Or maybe they have an itch behind the ear they are trying to scratch.”

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Even original research on dogs and color vision were flawed, according to Dr. Wendy Townsend, veterinary ophthalmologist and associate professor at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. 

“The behavioral studies were not well designed, so we ended up thinking dogs were picking up on shapes and brightness, not color,” Townsend explains. “Now we have better behavioral tests that control for things like shape and brightness and give us a true picture of whether dogs can see color.”

The Mechanics of Dog Color Vision

Both dogs and humans have similar structures in their eyes. Dr. Emily Conway, a veterinary ophthalmologist with VCA Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists in Ohio, explains that dog eyes contain the following parts that make vision possible:

• Cornea, a clear, curved covering that protects the eye.
• Pupil, the black dot in the center of the eye.
• Iris, the colored area of the eye surrounding the pupil which controls the amount of light that enters the eye.
• Lens, which sits behind the iris and focuses light onto the retina. This gets thicker to focus on objects that are close and thinner to see objects that are in the distance.
• Retina, which houses the photoreceptors (cells that sense light and act like film in a camera), capturing an image and sending it to the brain via the optic nerve. 

The photoreceptors in the retina are made up of both rods and cones. The rods are responsible for peripheral vision and work best in dim light and for night vision. Dogs have more rods than humans, giving them superior night vision. Cones are responsible for central vision and function best in bright light. The cones also detect color. 

There is one major difference between dog vision and human vision when it comes to photoreceptors, Conway says. Humans are “trichromatic” and have three kinds of cones to perceive while dogs are “dichromatic” and only have two sets of cones—and this is the reason that we experience color differently from our four-legged friends.

Understanding Color Blindness

The cone cells have different sensitivities to light wavelengths. In humans, each of the three types of cones perceives different colors across the color spectrum: The blue light spectrum, green light spectrum, and red light spectrum. Your brain interprets the signals from the cone cells to determine the color of an object.

The cones were designed to work together so you can perceive all of the colors across the spectrum. Color blindness in humans occurs when one or more of the cone cells are missing or faulty, affecting how you perceive color.

In someone who is red-green colorblind—the most common type of colorblindness, according to the National Eye Institute—it is difficult to tell the difference between red and green. Depending on the type of red-green colorblindness, green might look more like red; or red might look more like green; or you might be unable to tell the difference between two colors, seeing them both in shades of grey.  

Are Dogs Color Blind? 

Several studies have explored how dogs perceive color—or whether dogs can see color at all—and determined that our four-legged companions have two sets of cones that allow them to see colors on the blue and yellow spectrums but not colors on the red or green spectrum. Research confirms that dogs are red-green colorblind.

 In one study, dogs were shown an animated silhouette of a black cat moving across a white screen and later shown several silhouettes of different shades of red cats on green backgrounds. The results showed that dogs were able to see the black cats but had low-to-no responses to the red cats on green backgrounds, leading researchers to declare that dogs experience red-green colorblindness (1).

“We can’t ask them or get inside their brain to see what they see, which makes it a little tricky,” Conway says. “But looking at their retinas through [the microscope], we think that colors on the red-green spectrum appear as shades of grey or brown.” 

Do Dogs See in Black and White?

It’s a long-held (and inaccurate) belief that dogs don’t see color. Dogs see colors on the blue to violet and yellow spectrums as well as black, white, and grey. So dogs don’t just see in black and white. Their vision allows them to see other tones and varieties—just not as many as humans.

“Dogs are better able to discriminate between shades of grey,” Townsend says. “The advantage [to seeing multiple shades of grey] is that dogs can break camouflage and find things that are hiding.”

What Colors Do Dogs See?

Now that you know dogs can see a range of colors and that they don’t just experience the world in black and white, let’s take a deeper dive into some specific colors and explain if and how dogs see them. 

Can Dogs See Red?

Dogs do not see red. When a toy is pure red, it will appear grey to dogs. However, if red objects have yellow or bluish undertones, dogs will see them as muted versions of that color, Townsend notes.  

Can Dogs See Orange and Pink?

Because orange and pink are on the red color spectrum, dogs cannot see these colors. 

Can Dogs See Green?

Dogs are red-green color blind and cannot see green. Similar to their perception of red, objects that are pure green will appear grey to dogs. If those items have undertones of yellow or blue, which dogs can see, the object may appear as a muted tone.

Can Dogs See Blue?

The cones in a dog’s eyes are set up to allow dogs to see the color blue. Dogs can see all shades of blue.

Can Dogs See Yellow?

Just like blue, dogs can see all shades of yellow.

Are There Calming Colors for Dogs?

There is no evidence that dogs prefer certain colors or that shades of one color are more calming than another, says Conway. 

A green ball sitting in a patch of grass might be harder to see while a yellow ball in the same patch of grass stands out—but as long as there is a ball to play with, most dogs will be happy with either color. 

Conway notes that her dog favors a squeaky green pickle wearing a red Santa hat and seems unconcerned that it appears as shades of grey.

“There are not a lot of reasons for dogs to have to distinguish between different colors,” Townsend adds. “There don’t appear to be any disadvantages to dogs from being red-green colorblind.”

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But if your dog sleeps all day long, you might start to wonder, Why do dogs sleep so much? And how much sleep do dogs actually need? 

Read on to learn everything you need to know about why dogs sleep so much and when you should worry about your particularly drowsy dog, with expert insight from veterinarians. 

Understanding Dog Sleep Patterns 

While you likely take far fewer naps than your dog, the pattern of a dog’s sleep cycle is actually very similar to ours, says Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer of the American Kennel Club (AKC). Like us, dogs get the majority of their deep, restorative sleep from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. In a full sleep cycle, our bodies and minds downshift from wakefulness to drowsiness, light sleep (or non-REM sleep), followed by a final phase known as REM sleep (or rapid eye movement sleep), the deep sleep during which our eyelids flicker and we dream (1). 

The main difference between our sleeping habits and our dog’s sleeping habits is pretty noticeable: Dogs tend to sleep in short bursts throughout the day while our average sleep cycle clocks in at about seven to nine hours at night with a slow roll into REM sleep. 

But research shows that dogs can flick in and out of deep sleep within just 20 minutes. Your pup is also more likely to abruptly wake up after a period of deep sleep while you’re still fumbling around in that blurry, confused state known as “sleep inertia.” Scientists hypothesize this may happen because your pup’s ancestors were highly alert to their surroundings and often needed to wake up quickly (1).

If you’ve ever watched your dog sleeping and wondered if they actually dream, the cuteness is real: Those flickering eyelids and twitchy legs are an indication that your dog is deep in REM sleep, and studies show their brain waves look just like ours when we’re dreaming (1). 

How Many Hours a Day Do Dogs Sleep? 

The average, healthy dog spends about half of their day (8 to 14 hours) sleeping, another 20 percent of their day awake-but-lounging, and about 30 percent of their day active (1, 2).

However, just how much sleep your dog needs can vary based on their age, size, and breed, says Dr. Rachel Barrack, a veterinarian and owner of Animal Acupuncture based in New York City. 

For instance, if your elderly dog is slowing down, you’ve likely wondered, Why do old dogs sleep so much? Older dogs are tired out faster from day-to-day living simply due to the natural aging process.  

While the specifics have yet to be studied, large-breed dogs may also sleep more compared to smaller-breed dogs and working-breed dogs, which tend to be more alert and energetic, says Barrack. 

How Much Do Puppies Sleep? 

While very young puppies spend much of their waking hours learning and exploring, like babies and children they tucker out fast and need about 18 to 20 hours of sleep a day, says Klein. 

Much like our little ones, puppies sleep a lot because they are physically and mentally growing at such a rapid pace, explains Dr. Kristi Flynn, an assistant professor in the department of veterinary clinical services at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Tempted to hold your puppy to a strict “sleep schedule” in the hopes that they won’t have an accident at night? It’s normal for young puppies to need to go out at odd hours until they’re older and able to physically hold their bladder for longer, says Klein. As such, it’s fine to establish a morning and evening routine with your dog to work on house training, but don’t hold it against them if they can’t quite stick to it, as they’re still developing. 

Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much? 

Since little research has been done on the science of dog sleep, we don’t know exactly why dogs sleep so much (2). While their canine relatives like arctic foxes and gray wolves are most active at night, it may be that domestic dogs sleep at night (as well as off and on during the day) as an adaptation to life with their human companions, per a 2020 review in Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences.

Otherwise, dogs sleep so much for the same reasons we do: They’re getting the restorative rest their bodies and minds need to function optimally, processing and storing away memories, and learning impressive new words and tricks like “sit” and “lie down.” 

Is My Dog Sleeping Because of Boredom?

All dogs naturally need lots of sleep, but environmental factors like how much time your pup spends exercising or, conversely, time deprived of playtime with pet parents and friends, can cause a shift in dog sleeping habits (3).

For example, one study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that dogs kept in a barren research facility slept about 20 percent more often than dogs who were provided with environmental enrichment in a modern facility. 

If your dog has a clean bill of health but has taken to all-day snooze fests, weaving more exercise and social interaction into their day with midday walks, toys, and doggy daycare can help you ensure they aren’t sleeping out of sheer boredom (3).

Abnormal Dog Sleep Habits 

If you’ve ruled out boredom as a factor but you’re still concerned your dog may be sleeping more than he normally does, it may be time for a veterinary visit. A change in sleep habits could indicate a deeper health issue. 

Here, a few abnormal and potentially worrisome sleep habits to look out for: 

Your dog sleeps all day. An extra-drowsy dog may be suffering from depression, diabetes, an out-of-whack thyroid, or hearing loss. 

His sleep schedule is off. Is your elderly dog wandering around at night all of a sudden, having accidents, and out of sorts? A change in an older dog’s sleeping patterns could be a sign of canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), which causes behavior changes similar to “sundowning” due to dementia in people, says. Flynn. 

Your dog has trouble breathing or snores in his sleep. Sleep-disordered breathing can cause loud snoring and daytime drowsiness, especially in short-nosed and toy dog breeds such as English bulldogs, Boston terriers, Pekinese, and pugs, says Barrack. 

He suddenly passes out in the middle of the day. If your puppy falls asleep mid-play or mealtime, he may have canine narcolepsy, a rare neurological disorder that can be inherited by breeds such as Doberman pinschers and Labrador retrievers. Symptoms often first appear in young pups (1).

He literally chases rabbits in his sleep. If your dog begins twitching in his sleep and then pops up and starts running, barking, or attacking, he may have REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, a sleep disorder that can cause extreme or violent physical activity during sleep (1). 

Here’s when to worry: “Any noticeable change in a dog’s routine or behavior, whether it’s a change in thirst, urination, appetite, behavior, or sleep, warrants a discussion with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical cause,” says Klein. 

Remember: You know your dog better than anyone else, and if you suspect something’s wrong with his sleep health, experts agree—the sooner you can get your pup checked out, the better. Otherwise? Let sleeping dogs lie. 

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Dogs also experience panic attacks. Although some dogs may develop a panic disorder, most canine anxiety attacks are associated with particular trigger situations.

What is a Panic Attack?

Humans suffering from a panic attack may feel sudden and intense fear or anxiety in addition to physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, chills or heat sensations and dizziness.

Panic attacks may be associated with particular triggers or stressors or come on unexpectedly for no obvious reason. People diagnosed with depression, other anxiety or psychiatric disorders or who have experienced major stressors or life changes may be more prone to having panic attacks (2).

Can Dogs Have Panic Attacks?

Dogs also appear to experience panic attacks. Although dogs cannot tell us what they are feeling, we can extrapolate by observing their body language and behavior. Dogs suffering from a panic attack show signs indicative of fear and anxiety and physiologic changes associated with the flight-or-fight response. 

It may be difficult to differentiate between a fearful or anxious dog and one that is having a panic attack. 

Fear may be an understandable and adaptive response to a perceived threat. For example, a dog that trembles, growls and refuses to stand still when his nails are trimmed may be considered fearful in that situation. 

But, a panic attack involves a much more severe, disruptive and disproportionate reaction. For instance, if we use the example above, a dog that cowers, screams, urinates and runs out of the room as soon as he sees the nail clippers may be experiencing a panic attack.

Causes of Panic Attacks in Dogs

For most dogs, panic attacks are a clinical sign of a larger behavioral problem. Any experience that causes a dog to be fearful or anxious can trigger a panic attack.   

Trigger situations vary from dog-to-dog but common causes of panic attacks in susceptible dogs include:

• Being left alone or separated from people in dogs diagnosed with separation anxiety.
• Hearing specific sounds (e.g. fireworks, thunder, alarms) in dogs diagnosed with noise aversion or noise phobia.
• Exposure to a specific situation or environment (e.g. car rides, veterinary clinic) in dogs diagnosed with situational anxiety.

Some dogs may appear to experience panic attacks out of the blue and unrelated to a specific situation. In some cases, we are unable to detect the trigger that causes the dog to panic. Because dogs perceive the world differently and have a much more acute sense of hearing and smell compared to humans, we may not recognize the trigger that the dog is responding to—for example an ultrasonic noise or the scent of another animal.  

Alternatively, some extremely anxious dogs are in a constant state of vigilance and distress. For these dogs with generalized anxiety, even mild stressors easily trigger a panic attack. Furthermore, dogs with generalized anxiety may react to many different triggers and not just one making it seem as though panic attacks occur for no particular reason.

Just as people often mistake a panic attack for a heart attack or vice versa, medical conditions in dogs may look similar to panic attacks. For instance, an irregular heart rhythm or sudden spike in blood pressure may cause dogs to show signs of fear or agitation, pant, or feel dizzy or weak. Before a seizure occurs, dogs may become nervous or restless, seek out attention or try to hide. 

If your dog appears to have a panic attack, have your dog examined by a veterinarian to determine if there is a physical cause for this change in behavior. 

Signs of a Dog Panic Attack

Dogs experiencing panic attacks show both behavioral and physical signs of fear and anxiety including:

• Pacing
• Hiding
• Escape behavior
• Pinned-back ears
• Tucked tails
• Trembling
• Barking or whining
• Dilated pupils

Similar to people, dogs experiencing a panic attack may also have an elevated heart rate and may sweat, leaving wet paw prints on the ground. If their fear is severe enough, some dogs may experience stomach upset and they may vomit or have an accident in the house. 

What to Do If Your Dog is Having a Panic Attack

If you believe your dog is having a panic attack, there are a few steps you can take to help calm your dog down. Try the following tips to help your dog recover and relax.

Stay calm. Take a deep breath. Remaining calm and collected is the best thing you can do for your dog. Your fear, frustration or anger may make your dog more anxious. 

Remove your dog from the situation. Whenever possible, identify the cause of your dog’s panic attack and end it or remove your dog from the situation. For example, if your dog has separation anxiety, return home. Dogs that panic at the vet office should have their appointment rescheduled for a later date. This is NOT a “failure” for you or your dog. Instead, think of these experiences as trial runs. Regroup and formulate a plan for the next time.

Give your dog space and time to calm down. Some dogs need a long time to calm down. Move your dog to a safe location where he cannot injure himself or others. A quiet, dark room may help. Dogs with firework or thunderstorm phobias may do best in an insulated room such as a walk-in closet where the noise is muffled. 

While some dogs prefer to be alone, other dogs may enjoy being massaged, talked to in a soothing voice or even taken on a walk. If your dog is calm enough to focus on another activity, engaging him in play or practicing some fun, easy training exercises for yummy treats may distract him and keep his mind occupied.

Try anti-anxiety products and medications. For milder panic attacks, playing calming background music, using pheromone sprays or diffusers, and offering over-the-counter anti-anxiety supplements may help decrease both the intensity and the duration of the episodes.  

Consult with your veterinarian regarding which products are safe and effective. Similar to people who suffer from panic attacks, fast-acting pharmaceutical medication may be best if your dog’s panic attacks are severe or frequent. These medications can only be prescribed by your vet.  

What to Do Following a Dog Panic Attack

After the panic attack is over maintain a journal of your dog’s panic attacks, noting the date and time, situation that triggered the attack (if known), the duration and the relative intensity of the attack (mild, moderate, severe).  

These notes will help you and your veterinarian determine the best course of action, including whether anti-anxiety medication or professional help are needed. Recording every panic attack that occurs helps verify if your dog’s anxiety is improving over time. 

How to Prevent Dog Panic Attacks

Understanding what is causing your dog’s panic attacks and fear responses can help you predict when they may happen and step in before your dog starts to panic.  

Use your journal to determine situations that may trigger your dog’s panic attacks so you can avoid them. For example, if your dog suffers from separation anxiety, enrolling your dog in daycare or having a dog walker take him on a hike may reduce the amount of time he spends alone. If your dog panics during thunderstorms, keep an eye on the weather forecast so you know when it’s going to rain.

Catch early signs of fear and redirect your dog’s focus. Your dog may show subtle signs of fear or anxiety, such as whining, pacing, panting or hypervigilance before panic fully sets in. When you first notice signs of fear, immediately remove your dog from the situation and engage him in an activity he enjoys such as going on a walk, playing, going on a car ride, or getting treats.

It is never too early to consult with your vet or a positive-reinforcement trainer about your dog’s behavior. Your vet or trainer can work with you and your dog to implement a behavior modification plan to address the underlying cause of your dog’s panic attacks.  This may include the use of anti-anxiety medications or supplements to prevent panic attacks or treat them if they occur.

The best way to prevent panic attacks is to make sure they don’t occur in the first place.  As soon as you adopt a dog, begin pairing potentially scary situations such as being home alone, thunderstorms, fireworks, veterinary visits, nail trims, etc. with something your dog enjoys, such as an extra delicious treat, game of fetch or a new squeaker toy. 

Think of these positive associations as “vaccinating” your dog against future panic attacks.

References Cited in This Article:

1. National Institute of Mental Health. 2017. Panic disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/panic-disorder.shtml.  Accessed June 2020.
2. Mayo Clinic. Panic attacks and panic disorder.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/panic-attacks/symptoms-causes/syc-20376021#:~:text=A%20panic%20attack%20is%20a,heart%20attack%20or%20even%20dying. Accessed June 2020.

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Couple this panic with the potential damage caused by dogs feeling anxious and you have a unique (and possibly demanding) training scenario.

There are degrees to separation anxiety severity, and pet parents with dogs that have milder cases can help them learn to cope with being alone through gentle training and behavioral modification.

Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Challenging Behaviors

For many dogs suffering from separation anxiety it’s not just being alone that evokes a nervous response, it’s also the rituals that pet parents go through prior to leaving that amp up their discomfort. 

Dogs with separation anxiety learn the “pre-departure cues” that signal their person is heading out for the day, like packing a work bag or purse, putting on a specific type of shoes or grabbing the car keys. These daily rituals signal departure and trigger the beginning of the stress sequence, like panting and pacing.

Once the pet parent has left for the day, dogs typically exhibit any or all of the following behaviors associated with separation anxiety: 

Refusal to eat: Pet parents might think that a tasty peanut butter bone will occupy their dog while home alone, but dogs suffering from intense separation anxiety usually refuse to eat.

Pacing: Dogs that are panicked when their person leaves will be unable to settle down and might walk back and forth, circle or seem restless and unable to settle down.

Accidents: Dogs that are normally house trained will eliminate inside, including stress-induced diarrhea. 

Drooling: Pet parents might discover puddles of drool throughout the house as well as a dog with a wet chin and chest.

Vocalization: Many dogs vocalize briefly when their person leaves but dogs with separation anxiety will often bark, howl, or cry the entire time they’re home alone.

Destruction: Dogs experiencing separation anxiety might chew up household items like remotes and pillows or resort to more large-scale destruction like tearing through drywall.

Escape: Crated dogs with separation issues can self-injure while attempting to get out, and dogs free in the house might focus their efforts around doors and windows to escape confinement.  

It’s important to note that some behaviors blamed on separation anxiety might be caused by other training challenges or underlying health problems. For example, puddles and piles in the house might be due to incomplete house training or a gastrointestinal problem and excessive drool can be caused by a broken tooth up an upset stomach. Speak with your veterinarian to rule out any medical problems before starting separation anxiety training practices.

Dog Separation Anxiety Training: The Basics

Behavioral modification for separation anxiety addresses it in two ways—it helps the dog learn to be less dependent on the pet parent and encourages him to learn to relax when left alone. 

This process can be especially challenging because once training has begun, pet parents should avoid prolonged absences to prevent regressions. That means households should try to take shifts so that the dog isn’t left alone during the training process or pet parents should consider hiring a dog sitter or dog daycare to help while the dog adapts. 

Making progress in separation anxiety training requires dedication, patience, creativity and most importantly, time. In severe cases the initial steps of successful separation anxiety training can be measured in durations as short as seconds apart from the pet parent, which means behavioral rehab will come slowly.

Training Tips for Dogs With Separation Anxiety

Training dogs with separation anxiety requires patience and traditional dog training techniques should be altered to allow your dog time to adjust and get comfortable on his own. Use the following tools and tips when training dogs who have issues with separation. 

Keep arrivals and departures calm. When leaving your dog remember to keep your goodbyes low key and do the same when you return. While this step alone won’t address longstanding separation anxiety, it can help to prevent an escalation of stress at departure time and can make your return seem like less of a notable event. 

Carve out plenty of playtime. While a walk around the block is a fine place to start chipping away at pre-departure tension, it’s not enough to put a dent in the energy levels of most dogs. Consistent, pant-inducing exercise that includes both body and mind components can help to decrease some of the stress of being alone. Brain games in particular are excellent for tiring out dogs, so make sure to include activities like “find it” “hide and seek” or other scenting games prior to leaving for the day.

Use treat-dispensing toys. Utilizing a toy with departure time can help dogs cope with milder cases of separation distress. However, it’ll take more than just a single biscuit stuffed inside to keep your dog focused. Treat dispensing toys should be packed so that it takes your dog time and effort to de-stuff them. 

Using a variety of stuffers, like different sized treats interspersed with softer goodies like cheese or peanut butter, and then freezing the toy can help slow down expert unpackers. Leaving a variety of stuffed activity toys spread throughout the house can add a “treasure hunt” element to being alone.

Behavior Modification for Dogs With Separation Anxiety

Unfortunately, the most effective way to do dog separation anxiety training is also the most challenging. This requires using behavioral modification to break down the departure process into small, tolerable intervals in order to shift your dog’s understanding of what it means to be alone.

Review and Adjust Pre-Departure Cues

Pet parents should first understand all of the pre-departure cues that are triggering their dog (which requires an understanding of canine body language) and defuse them one at a time. 

If your dog reacts when you pack your lunch, try going through the process on a day you don’t have to go to work and then eating it at the kitchen table. The same goes for grabbing your keys and bag—try to imitate the process of collecting them then put them back down and do something else.

Systematic Desensitization: A Gradual Process

Of course, the primary issue is helping your dog feel comfortable when you actually leave, which requires using a method called systematic desensitization. 

The training process starts with pet parents disappearing from view (usually ducking out of a room and not actually leaving the house) for a few seconds and returning before the dog exhibits stress signals. Since the dog needs to remain calm his responses dictate the speed of the training program, which might initially require departures of just a few seconds each. 

The goal is to gradually increase the length of time you are out of sight while your dog remains stable—until he’s calm and confident enough to try a real-life brief departure. 

Training a Dog With Separation Anxiety: When to Get Help

Longstanding separation anxiety can be difficult to treat without assistance from a dog trainer or behaviorist. Pet parents should consider seeking qualified help if:

• The dog is injuring himself when left alone
• The dog’s quality of life is at risk
• The pet parent is overwhelmed by the dog’s behavior or doesn’t feel equipped to handle the training process
• Outside complaints about the dog’s behavior are escalating 

A dog trainer who specializes in separation anxiety cases can provide support and guidance, and in severe cases, a certified veterinary behaviorist can step in for additional direction and necessary medication or recommendations for calming products to work in conjunction with relaxation protocols.

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One morning, Mrs. Henderson noticed a drastic change in Scout’s behavior. It began as they left the house, when he seemed timid and afraid to walk past the garbage bins that had been placed out overnight. Next, he started barking as a child rode past on a tricycle and it took several moments for Mrs. Henderson to calm him down. Lastly, he approached strangers hesitantly, as if dipping his toes in the water.

What was wrong with Scout? Mrs. Henderson was worried that he might be sick. She called Scout’s trainer who explained that Scout was not sick—he was simply entering his second fear period.  

What are Fear Periods in Dogs?

Puppy fear periods or fear stages are normal milestones in puppy development, and all puppies go through them. During these times, puppies are extremely sensitive to traumatic experiences, and scary incidents that occur during these stages will imprint deeply into a young dog’s mind, affecting behavior for the rest of their life. Therefore, it is important for puppy owners to anticipate the onset of a fear period and avoid any negative or alarming events during a puppy fear stage.  

Puppies will experience two different fear periods before reaching adulthood. Each fear period will last roughly 2-3 weeks.  

The first fear period occurs relatively early in a dog’s life, when puppies are between 8-11 weeks old. The second fear period, which also lasts roughly 2-3 weeks, will occur less predictably between the ages of 6-14 months.  

A dog’s individual rate of sexual maturity and growth align with the onset of the second fear period. For example, a Chihuahua, who will be physically mature much sooner than a Great Dane, will likely experience their second fear period closer to six months, while it could happen in the Great Dane closer to the 14-month mark.

Are Fear Periods Normal for Puppy Development?

Several critical developmental periods occur during puppy maturity, and puppy fear stages are among them. As previously mentioned, fear periods in young dogs are normal, and all dogs of all breeds and sizes will undergo them.  

It is believed that these periods of fear in adolescent dogs will provide them with their “fight or flight” instincts. In other words, they are learning what they are supposed to be afraid of and subsequently avoid for survival purposes.   

During puppy fear stages, a single intimidating or painful experience will have a lifelong impact on the way your dog responds to that stimulus. This phenomenon—referred to as single-event learning—means that it takes only one negative incident with a particular trigger to cause an intense, permanent emotional response to that trigger in the future, regardless of the circumstances.  

From a survival standpoint, this learning style makes a lot of sense: puppies do not need to encounter life-threatening situations more than once to learn that they should be avoided.  

However, in today’s world, where our canine companions are typically well cared for, sheltered, and protected, these stages are not as necessary as they would have been in the wild. We can now use these stages to our advantage, to help the fearful puppy overcome his alarm and build trust in your relationship, which can prevent behavioral issues later in life.  

Characteristics of Fear Periods in Young Dogs

The first fear period coincides with the age that puppies are being separated from their mother and introduced to their new owners and homes. This is the time new owners will manage a puppy’s environment the most carefully and provide ample stimulation and socialization. New owners are also still familiarizing themselves with their puppy and might not notice any changes in their behavior. Therefore, the first fear period often passes unnoticed. 

The second fear period in dogs is often more pronounced and confusing for pet parents. Suddenly, their bold and adventurous canine companion becomes timid and hesitant. Their behavior towards familiar, or even unfamiliar, situations might change extremely, such as Mrs. Henderson’s experience with her adolescent dog, Scout.  

Fear behaviors vary widely between dogs, from cowering underneath the bed to suddenly snapping at other dogs or humans. It’s important to realize that a dog’s aggressive behavior is often fear driven, especially when these behaviors are uncommon for a specific pet.  

Whining, barking, or excessive panting are also telltale signs that a puppy is fearful or stressed.  Freezing in place, refusing to come out from a secure place, or trying to run away can also be signs of distress or alarm and may accompany a fear period.

How to Help your Puppy Through a Fear Period

Dogs often pass through the puppy fear stages without any necessary care, however, a pet parent’s response to an adolescent dog’s fear can help prevent lasting behavioral issues. Here are some tips for helping your dog through a fear period.

Stay calm. Firstly, do not panic or react dramatically when a puppy exhibits fearful behavior. Instead, speak in a normal, relaxed tone of voice, showing your young dog that you are not scared or concerned. Avoid speaking in soothing tones and overly comforting the pup, as that can reinforce the behavior. 

Avoid the trigger or fearful situation. Do not force your fearful puppy into a situation that makes him uncomfortable, as this will likely cause him to become more afraid. The more frightened your dog becomes, the harder it will be to wind him down. In contrast, calmly move away from the trigger at a typical pace and find an area to loosen up.   

Redirect the focus on something that your dog enjoys. Practicing commands such as sit, stay, and shake can help your dog concentrate and forget about the fearful trigger.  A favorite toy can also be a great distraction, as well as playing frisbee or fetch if your pet enjoys those activities.

Supervise socialization. Creating and facilitating enjoyable socialization experiences is important for all puppies, but can be extra beneficial during these times. It is important to supervise your puppy diligently while playing with new dogs, and avoid contact with other dogs whose behavior is unpredictable. Bring puppies hungry to social events with humans, such as veterinary visits, and bring their favorite treat along. This will make them more likely to accept treats from strangers and break through their fear.  

Despite our best efforts, we cannot protect our pets from everything. We are unable to predict every incident that will occur in this world, nor how our puppies will react to them. However, what we can do is recognize the onset of a fear period and react accordingly with positive behaviors to help our dogs adapt.  

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Figuring out what might be causing these behaviors can require a bit of investigation, according to Dr. Tessa King, veterinarian with Compassion 4 Paws in Edmunds, Washington.

“You need to be a detective and look for clues,” she adds. “Keeping a journal to look for patterns can help the vet figure out what might be causing behaviors like panting and restlessness.”

Why Do Dogs Pant?

Panting is a normal behavior. Dogs sweat a little through their paw pads but they largely depend on panting to expel hot air from their lungs and draw in cool air to cool down, notes veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lore Haug of Texas Veterinary Behavior Service in Sugar Land, Texas. 

While it’s normal for dogs to pant after a long walk or in sweltering temperatures, panting during rest (or in a temperature-controlled home) could be a sign of other issues such as discomfort or pain. Certain medications, including steroids, opioids and thyroid medications can cause increased panting; and overweight dogs are also more prone to rapid breathing. Anxiety is another common cause of panting. 

“Just like we use breathing exercises [in yoga and meditation] to tap into our anti-fight or flight response, dogs do the same thing,” Haug says. “Panting can help dogs relax and distract them from discomfort.” 

Haug looks for physical cues to determine why a dog won’t stop panting. A dog that is anxious tends to have his mouth open, lips pulled back and tongue in his mouth while a dog panting due to heat usually has his tongue hanging out of its mouth.

Dogs may pant for a combination of reasons, including pain and anxiety or weight issues and medication side effects. 

Monitoring your dog’s behavior to determine whether it is related to temperature or only happens during certain situations (like thunderstorms) may help explain why your dog won’t stop panting. A physical exam can also help your veterinarian determine the root cause of chronic panting.

Why is My Dog Panting and Restless?

Panting may be accompanied by restlessness. Similar to panting, restlessness can be attributed to multiple potential causes. 

“A significant portion of dogs start to pace when they become anxious,” Haug says. “Dogs might be restless because they are trying to escape a storm or feel agitated by something in their environment like an unfamiliar noise in the house or a dog barking down the street; pacing helps dissipate their arousal.”

Research published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that general fearfulness, noise sensitivity and separation anxiety were the most common reasons for dogs to exhibit anxious behaviors.

If panting and pacing are caused by anxiety, dogs may also have other symptoms, including trembling, whining, barking, increased drooling and, in extreme cases, loss of bladder control. Anxious dogs can also be clingy, looking to their owners for extra comfort and attention.

Dogs with injuries or painful conditions such as arthritis are also prone to panting and restlessness: The struggle to find a comfortable position to rest leads to pacing and the pain causes panting. 

In older dogs, King also cites cognitive issues as a key reason that dogs exhibit symptoms like panting and restlessness. Cognitive issues like Canine Cognitive Disorder or “doggie dementia” can lead dogs to become confused about their surroundings, causing anxiety.

Why is My Dog Panting All Night?

The incidence of Canine Cognitive Disorder increases with age. One study found that dogs over 16 years old experienced the highest rates of this dementia-like disease but symptoms started in dogs as young as 10 years old.

Dogs with canine cognitive disorder often experience disturbances in their sleep/wake cycles and may be up—and pacing around the house—all night. Calming soft chew treats or hemp oil could help ease the symptoms and give your pup a good night’s rest. 

Your house is also quieter at night, making it easier for your dog to tune into sounds in the environment that could trigger anxious behaviors like panting and restlessness. 

What to Do if Your Dog is Panting and Restless

If you lie awake at night thinking, “Why is my dog panting and restless?” schedule an appointment with the vet to get a diagnosis. Determining the cause can help your veterinarian come up with the best treatment. 

“Your veterinarian can help you manage the medical and behavioral issues and get your pet some relief,” King says.

Common treatments range from anxiety-reducing wraps and behavior modification exercises to calming supplements and prescription medications. 

Wraps provide comforting pressure (similar to swaddling a baby) and they work for short-term anxiety-producing situations such as thunderstorms. Supplements with active ingredients such as L-theanine, chamomile, valerian and milk proteins can ease anxiety—but Haug advises purchasing veterinary-grade supplements to ensure their quality. In more serious cases, prescription medications may be required. 

Hemp oil is also popular. Cannabidiol, the natural compound found in hemp has no psychoactive properties and is reported to have calming properties. 

Seeking treatment is important, Haug says. 

“Chronic anxiety can be detrimental to their health, and even if it’s episodic, it can shorten their lifespans,” she adds. “If left untreated, the severity can increase dramatically.”

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If you’ve noticed your pup seems afraid during nighttime walks, cries or howls at the door when you put her to bed, or bounces off of the walls when she *should* be going to sleep, you might wonder: Can dogs be afraid of the dark, too? And if not, why is my dog freaking out at night?

Read on for the answers, with insight from experts in dog behavior. 

Can Dogs Be Afraid of the Dark? 

“Are dogs afraid of the dark?” is an ever-Googleable question, but it’s rare that dogs actually have a standalone fear of the dark. Chances are, your veterinarian won’t diagnose your pup with “nyctophobia,” even if it might seem like darkness is the problem. 

Why? For one, dogs can see better in the dark than we can, says Dr. Mary R. Burch, a certified applied animal behaviorist and the director of the American Kennel Club (AKC) Family Dog Program. That’s because their eyes have more rods, or light-sensitive cells, than ours do.

Although dogs don’t experience darkness the same way we do, certain factors could still cause a dog to feel afraid in the dark. For instance, a dog with failing eyesight might find herself bumping into furniture or bushes at night, which could make her feel confused and anxious when it gets dark outside. Even bad memories from puppyhood linked to darkness or the nighttime could cause your dog to begin behaving strangely when that triggering time comes around again, says Emma Bowdrey, an ISCP-trained (International School for Canine Psychology) dog trainer based in Prague. 

While there’s not a great deal of data related to dogs and darkness-induced anxiety, dog breeds that are typically more susceptible to anxiety might be more likely to get anxious at nighttime, says Dr. Burch. These include toy breeds such as Italian Greyhounds, Chihuahuas, and Yorkshire Terriers as well as Bichon Frises, Border Collies, and German Shepherds. 

Reasons Why Dogs May Seem Afraid of the Dark

All dogs are different and how they process information can vary. So, it’s important to consider your dog’s behavior, health and home life to figure out why exactly she gets anxious in the dark.  

Here are a few possible reasons why your dog may appear to have a fear of the dark: 

Her eyesight gets worse at night. Sometimes, getting older can contribute to anxiety. If your dog seems to stumble around or even become more aggressive at night, she may have poor eyesight—which tends to affect dogs even more in the dark, says Bowdrey. Because a fear of the dark is such a rarity, it’s key to rule out eyesight problems before you assume your dog has a purely behavioral issue, she says. 

Being separated from you stresses her out. Got a clingy pup who follows you everywhere? Your dog may get anxious at night when you tell her to get in her crate or bed due to separation-related anxiety rather than a fear of the dark, says Dr. Burch. 

She’s had some rough nights in her past. Certain experiences can lead a dog to associate darkness with bad things like being attacked by another dog when the rest of the family has gone to bed or hearing loud and terrifying fireworks during a nighttime walk, says Bowdrey. 

Then, there’s also evolutionary history to take into account. Since dogs once needed to be on guard from predators who could sneak up in the darkness, being alert at night is sort of the smart thing to do, says Dr. Burch. 

Why Is My Dog Freaking Out At Night? 

Of course, there’s a difference between a healthy dose of alertness and a total freakout. A seriously anxious dog is painful to watch, as she may whine, bark, tremble, or even drool excessively or lick at herself compulsively—just as you should be settling into bed. 

Ultimately, reasons for these concerning behaviors can range vastly, Dr. Burch and Bowdrey agree. The problem could be as simple as your pup needing more exercise during the day so she’s tired out and ready to settle down come bedtime. However, she could also have underlying health or behavioral problems at the root of her darkness-related fears. 

If your dog is unable to relax at night—and you’ve tried increasing daily exercise—it’s a good idea to visit your veterinarian to rule out a medical cause. If your dog comes back with a clean bill of health, consulting a behaviorist or dog trainer may help you adjust your pup’s routine so that you can both get a good night’s sleep.

What to Do If Your Dog Seems to Be Afraid of the Dark 

Dog phobias are no fun. So, if you suspect darkness is stressing out your pup, here’s how to get her the relief she needs:  

Try a dog night light. If you believe the cause of your dog’s anxious behavior is related to darkness, it’s very easy to test this theory, says Dr. Burch. Simply leave your pup with a dog night light to see if it helps. 

Keep your pup close. Got a dog who barks like the house is burning down every time you leave them alone in a dark room? If possible, allow her to settle down closer to you—like on a dog bed in your bedroom. This may help calm her down, says Dr. Burch. 

Schedule play time before bed. Set aside some time for a walk, run, game of tug-o’-war, or whatever other activity you know will wear out your dog so that she’s not so high-energy at night. 

Try calming products. There are a wide variety of calming product available to help ease your dog’s anxiety. These include everything from calming beds and sprays to hemp oil products and anti-anxiety chews. Ask your veterinarian or dog trainer for advice on picking the right product for your pup. 

Ask for professional help. If you can’t figure out what’s getting under your pup’s skin, call your veterinarian and consider asking them for a referral to a veterinary behaviorist. They’ll help identify and treat exactly what’s causing your dog’s apparent fear of the dark.  

If nighttime freakouts have you worn out and low on sleep, know that dog phobias (no matter the cause!) can be treated with training, medication, and calming remedies. Even if your dog isn’t actually afraid of the dark, no pup should have to suffer through nighttime anxiety, so be sure to seek out help if your dog needs it.

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If your dog burps occasionally, it’s usually nothing to worry about. But if your dog is very gassy, it’s time to get to the bottom of what’s causing this issue.

Do Dogs Burp?

Dogs burp just like humans do, and they do this to let excess air out of their stomachs. This excess air most commonly gets into the stomach when it is swallowed. Dogs that gulp their food down will often burp to release air that has been accidently swallowed with the food. 

It’s more common for dogs to burp if they are flat-faced. Breeds such as Boxers, Pugs, and Bulldogs burp often, as their snout length means they’re much more likely to swallow air. 

There are other causes of burping in dogs, such as gastrointestinal upset, but this is less common.

Why Do Dogs Burp?

Dogs can burp for a number of reasons, both due to certain behaviors or underlying illnesses. Knowing why your dog is burping can help you evaluate whether or not their excess gas is harmful or innocuous. Here are the most common reasons why dogs burp.

Behavioral-related causes of dog burping

Dogs that have swallowed air will burp in order to remove it from their stomach. Air can be swallowed when dogs eat too quickly—usually if they’re hungry, greedy, or when there are other pets in the house that they worry may steal their food. Dogs of certain breeds are more prone to this sort of burping. Labradors, for instance, are very prone to gulping their food down. If your dog burps after eating, it’s probably normal.

Diet can sometimes be to blame for dog burping. Dogs that have an alkaline diet will produce gas when it meets the stomach acid, resulting in increased burping. Kibbles of certain shapes may increase burping if more food is swallowed when they eat. For instance, doughnut-shaped kibble will increase air ingestion. Burping is also likely if a poor-quality diet is fed, or if the diet doesn’t agree with a dog for some reason (if a dog is allergic to one of the ingredients). 

Dogs that have a tendency to dig through the trash or garbage can may also experience gastrointestinal upset and burping. These dogs may go from burping, to burping up liquid, to vomiting, and sometimes on to pancreatitis, vomiting, diarrhea or problems with a blockage. If you notice your dog burping and you suspect your dog is scavenging through the kitchen trash can, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye out for other problems that indicate something more serious.

Dog burping caused by illnesses

Some illnesses can also cause dog burping. Gastric-dilation-volvulus (GDV), sometimes called bloat, is a life-threatening illness where the stomach fills with air but is unable to expel it due to a twist that blocks off the gut. Excessive burping and non-productive vomiting are early signs of GDV. GDV is more common in deep-chested dogs and will usually occur if dogs eat too quickly, too much, or exercise too soon after eating. 

Less serious illnesses can cause dog burping too. Any imbalance or upset in the gastrointestinal tract can cause burping—and sometimes these burps can smell terrible! This is because, instead of swallowing air, air is being produced in the stomach and the first part of the gut. Air rises, so this eventually escapes as a burp. This can smell like rotten eggs, a previous meal, or even fishy, depending on what is being carried in the breath. 

Dog burping that smells like rotten eggs—also known as sulfur burps—is more common with some medications or after a protein-heavy meal. Dogs fed raw food are more likely to have sulfur burps, as sulfur is produced as part of the digestion of protein. Fishy burps usually indicate that your dog has bad teeth or has been licking their anal glands. 

Dog Burping: When to Be Concerned 

If your dog burps once or twice after each meal, it’s probably nothing to worry about. You could always try to improve matters by slowing your dog’s eating using a treat ball feeder or a food bowl specially designed to stop dogs from eating too fast. Eating more slowly not only reduces burps; it also helps to provide mental stimulation and increases satiety (the feeling of being full).

Here are some scenarios when your dog’s burping may point to something more serious.

When dog burping begins suddenly and frequently

If it’s just once or twice, and the dog is otherwise well, it’s not an emergency, but it could be a sign of gastrointestinal problems to come. Pet parents should watch their dog closely for further issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If your dog keeps burping after each meal and seems very gassy, but is otherwise well, it might be worth considering if diet might be to blame. If it continues to be a problem, your veterinarian can help you to investigate. 

When dog burping leads to vomiting

If your dog burps a lot and vomits as a result—even if the vomiting is unproductive—it’s a good idea to call the veterinarian for advice as soon as possible in case GDV is a possibility. Other signs that increase the likelihood of burping being a problem include lethargy, abdominal pain, different-colored gums and a fast breathing rate—which could signal an emergency. Call your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs.  

When your dog’s breath smells particularly bad

Unusually smell breath might warrant booking a non-urgent visit to the vet. They can help you to investigate for other gastrointestinal problems and discuss the diet that your dog is on. If your dog’s burp smells like rotten eggs after starting a new medication, it’s probably nothing to worry about, but your vet will happily check for you.

It can be scary to sit in a veterinary office or emergency room and wonder what’s happening to your dog. Depending on what tests your veterinarian performs, costs can quickly escalate. Having a pet health insurance policy, such as one from Lemonade, can act as your second best friend in a time of need to help defray costs.

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Most dog owners have experienced some variation of this scenario at some point or another, and, for some, it may even be a daily occurrence. But why do dogs follow you everywhere? And is this behavior normal? Read below to find out. 

What Does It Mean When Your Dog Follows You Everywhere?

Dogs were first domesticated at least 15,000 years ago (1). They went from being wolves living in packs to dogs living in packs with humans. One of the biggest reasons that humans bred dogs was for companionship. 

For this reason it is easy to see why your dog might follow you everywhere. Humans and dogs have a mutually beneficial relationship, each providing the other with companionship. Humans also provide dogs with food, shelter, and safety.  

Some breeds of dogs, like terrier breeds, are more independent and may be less prone to following their owners. While other breeds are “velcro dogs,” sticking like glue to their pet parents. Toy breeds, such as Chihuahuas, were mostly bred to be our little friends. They tend to bond very closely with one person and will likely follow in their human parents’ footsteps. 

Herding dogs, including Border Collies and Labrador Retrievers, were bred to follow human orders to perform specific jobs. For this reason, they may also follow their owner’s every move. 

If you brought home your dog before the age of about 12 weeks, he most likely imprinted on you, seeing you as a parent-type figure. Puppies will typically follow their two-legged parents very closely and may do so less once they mature and become more confident in different situations. 

Why Does My Dog Follow Me Everywhere? 

Besides having tasty treats in your pockets, your dog may be following you around for the following reasons: 

It’s Time For Dinner or a Walk

Dogs remember their daily routines and if you always feed your pup at the same time of day or go for a walk at seven in the morning every morning, he will get excited around those times and will likely follow your every move in anticipation of his reward. 

They Want Attention

A dog often follows his humans around because he received attention or some other form of reward in return for this behavior. If following their pet parent around leads to treats, play time, or pets, dogs will remember and perform the behavior more frequently. 

Most people will find this behavior endearing. However, if shadowing behavior becomes excessive it may become annoying and can be dangerous to you or your dog if the behavior causes you to trip.

They’re Afraid

Many dogs are scared of certain noises, like fireworks or thunderstorms, and may cling to their pet parents during these times. Our dogs see us as their protectors and staying near to us helps to calm them and make them feel safe.  

They’re Bored

If your dog is laying around all day with nothing exciting to do, he may focus more on you and tend to follow you around more—especially if that is the only action going on around him. 

They’re Trying To Tell You Something 

If your dog suddenly follows you everywhere, try following him back and see if he is trying to lead you somewhere, like outside to go to the bathroom or to an empty water bowl. He just might be trying to get you to notice something.  

Your dog may also begin following you around to tell you he doesn’t feel well or is sick. 

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a very common behavioral disorder, with one study finding a prevalence of 17 percent in a large population of dogs (2). Dogs with separation anxiety tend to follow their pet parents excessively and feel frantic or they panic when left alone. When pet parents make a big deal about arriving home and leaving the house, this can worsen anxiety behaviors. 

Why Do Dogs Follow You to the Bathroom? 

Any of the above reasons may cause your dog to follow you into the bathroom. Dogs also have an excellent sense of smell, so they may find the odors coming from bathrooms intriguing. An unpleasant smell for us is likely an intriguing smell for our dogs. 

Plus, bathrooms tend to have open garbage cans filled with tissues and other waste products that dogs enjoy sniffing through and tearing up. If you notice your dog going through the bathroom garbage, add a lid or keep the door closed!

Why Does My Elderly Dog Follow Me Everywhere? 

As dogs become old or geriatric, it‘s common for them to develop symptoms of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), also known as “doggie dementia.” CDS is caused by a degeneration of the brain. Common symptoms include disorientation, change in sleep-wake cycles, and anxiety behaviors. This may be a reason your old dog suddenly acts more clingy. 

Elderly dogs are more prone to developing illnesses and chronic conditions. Therefore, any new behavior could also be the signal of a medical problem. 

How to Stop Your Dog From Following You Everywhere 

Most of the time your dog’s shadowing behavior is nothing to worry about. However, if this behavior becomes excessive, you can try strategies at home to limit your dog’s clingy behavior. 

Increase Your Dog’s Exercise

You can help decrease how much your dog follows you around by making sure he receives plenty of daily exercise. A tired dog is a calm dog. Many dogs will follow their owners around due to boredom. Providing your dog with food-filled toys, treat dispensers, and puzzle toys helps stimulate his brain and alleviate boredom. This will also distract his energy away from you. 

Stop Reinforcing the Behavior

Another thing that pet parents should do is evaluate if they are reinforcing their pup’s behavior. Are you staring at your dog and petting him when he is following you around? This is reinforcing his behavior because you are rewarding the behavior with your attention. 

Instead, try ignoring the undesired behavior and reward your dog by giving him a treat or scratches when he settles down onto his bed or takes his attention off of you to play with a toy. 

Do not scold your dog for following you around. This can lead to fear and may also reinforce the behavior as a result of you giving your dog attention when the behavior is performed. 

Consult Your Vet

If your dog is normally pretty independent, but all of a sudden becomes excessively clingy, it’s time for a trip to your veterinarian. While an increase in shadowing behavior may be due to a behavioral or environmental issue, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. 

A veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam and run laboratory tests to rule out a serious problem. If no medical issues are detected, and you’d like to give your dog more independence, your veterinarian may be able to recommend a trainer or behavior specialist who can help you address or modify your dog’s following behaviors. 

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Dogs lick for a wide variety of reasons, including communication, and licking is usually a normal behavior for them. Dogs love to explore with their mouths and tongues. However, if any licking behavior becomes persistent or excessive, it may be the sign of a medical or a behavioral disorder. 

The following article will explore the reasons behind why dogs lick things in general and, more specifically, why dogs lick their lips. 

Why Do Dogs Lick So Much? 

Dogs are first introduced to licking behavior by their mothers. As soon as puppies are born, their mothers must lick them to stimulate them to urinate and defecate, as well as to groom them. Dogs learn this behavior and will lick each other or their humans as part of normal social interactions. Licking can also be soothing to dogs. 

Unlike humans, dogs do not have hands that they can use to touch, feel, and explore the world. Instead, dogs use their noses as well as their tongues to explore and learn more about their environments. 

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and if something smells good or pungent, including smells we find disgusting, it will often prompt a dog to lick that object. Your dog may lick your feet because they are stinky. Dogs may also lick things because they taste good to them, such as another dog’s mouth after they’ve recently eaten. 

For some dogs, licking can be an attention-seeking behavior that we unknowingly reinforce. Dogs are very in tune with their owners. If you gave your puppy attention every time they gave you kisses because it was adorable (who can resist puppy breath?), they learned to continue this behavior into adulthood in order to receive attention. 

But not all licking behavior is for attention or a normal part of exploration. A common reason that may cause a dog to excessively lick themselves is allergies. Allergies cause a dog to feel itchy and they will excessively groom to try to alleviate the itch. Dogs may also lick their lips or objects obsessively if they are nervous, stressed, or bored. 

Reasons Dogs Lick Their Lips 

Dogs often lick their lips as part of a normal communication with a strange dog or a human to let them know that they are not a threat to the stranger and to receive feedback that the stranger is also not a threat to the dog (1). 

Besides licking their lips as part of normal communication and greeting others, dogs also lick their lips for the following reasons: 

Hunger

When dogs feel hungry or they smell something delicious, like hamburgers on the grill, they will lick their lips. 

After Eating 

After finishing a meal—when there is still food in their mouth or on their lips—you might notice your dog licking their lips more than normal. 

Fear, Anxiety, or Stress 

When dogs feel threatened or uncomfortable, they will lick their lips. Studies showed that when a dog experienced aggressive behavior from another dog, they would lick their lips. This, in turn, would decrease that aggressive behavior in the aggressor dog (1). Dogs too will display lip licking toward humans when they are scared or uncomfortable, in the hopes that the human will not become aggressive toward them. 

Dogs may also lick their lips when you pet them as a signal that they are nervous or stressed by the behavior. Other dog body language signs of fear, anxiety, and stress include avoiding direct eye contact, a tense body posture, crouching down, pinned ears and a tucked tail. If you see any of these body language signs in a dog, it’s best to stop the behavior, give them some space, avert your eyes, and let them come to you. 

Ongoing anxiety can also lead to chronic behaviors such as lip licking. Anxiety behaviors can be reduced by giving your dog adequate exercise, providing them with interactive toys, ignoring anxious behaviors, and rewarding calm behaviors. Your veterinarian can help diagnose anxiety in your dog and may prescribe anxiety medications if the issue is severe. 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Yes, dogs can develop OCD just like people can, and excessive lip licking can be a symptom. OCD behaviors will typically first occur at or around the age of adolescence. Dogs with OCD will not usually stop when asked to stop the behavior and will do it even when their owners are not around. If you are concerned that your dog has OCD, they should be evaluated by a veterinarian, who may then refer your dog to a veterinary behaviorist, as this can be a difficult condition to treat. 

Nausea 

Similarly to humans, when dogs feel nauseous they will start to produce excess saliva and this in turn will cause them to lick their lips. Other clues that can tell you nausea is the reason for lip licking are loss of appetite, eating grass, or vomiting. If these symptoms are severe or last longer than a day or so, you should take your dog to see the veterinarian. 

Any disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract including inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, food allergies, pancreatitis and intestinal cancers can cause a dog to lick their lips. 

Dental or Oral Issues

Dog lip licking may be due to an issue inside of the mouth. Periodontal disease, an inflammatory condition of the gums and the tissues supporting the teeth, is present in some form in most adult dogs. As dogs age, if they do not receive regular oral care, this disease may progress and lead to pain, infection, and tooth loss. This will often lead to lip licking when the disease is advanced. 

Tumors in the mouth and foreign objects stuck in the mouth may also lead to lip licking. If you notice lip licking suddenly in your dog, make sure you take a good look in their mouth and take them to the vet if the behavior continues and is frequent.

Seizures

Partial or focal seizures in dogs are seizures that only affect a portion of the brain and may only cause subtle symptoms such as lip licking. If your dog suddenly develops lip licking, especially if your dog acts strange before and/or after the behavior begins, this may be a symptom of seizures and your dog should be taken to see a vet as soon as possible. 

Cognitive Dysfunction 

Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is a disorder similar to dementia in humans and may cause a dog to lick their lips. It occurs in old and geriatric dogs and is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning your veterinarian will diagnose this condition only when other causes of lip licking are excluded. Other symptoms of CDS include house soiling, change in sleep-wake cycles, pacing, vocalization and confusion. 

Why Do Dogs Smack Their Lips? 

While lip smacking may be a bit louder and more annoying than lip licking, the causes of lip licking and lip smacking are not usually very different. 

If a dog were to have severe mouth pain or something else really disturbing happening, the response may be more exaggerated and lead to lip smacking instead of lip licking.

Excessive Lip Licking In Dogs 

Occasional lip licking can be normal dog behavior. But a dog’s licking is considered excessive if it interrupts you or your dog’s day-to-day routine or quality of life. 

If your dog licks their lips without stopping for longer than a minute at a time, this would be considered excessive. If the lick lipping wakes you or them up in the middle of the night, the behavior is excessive. 

You should not scold or punish your dog when they licks their lips. Punishment can increase anxiety and it gives the dog attention, so it can inadvertently reinforce the behavior.

If you think your dog’s lip licking is due to a behavioral issue and not due to a medical issue, you can try some things at home to help decrease or eliminate the behavior. You can try distracting your dog with a food-filled toy when you see the behavior. You can also ignore the behavior by looking away or leaving the room when the behavior occurs. Getting your dog enough exercise may also help control lip-licking behavior.

If your dog suffers from anxiety, however, avoid hyper-focusing on reducing lip licking. In these scenarios, lip licking is normal dog body language conveying that they’re anxious. Instead, focus on reducing your pet’s anxiety, not on reducing the lip-licking itself.

If the behavior occurs despite trying the above suggestions, it’s time to take your pup to the veterinarian. 

When To Be Concerned About Dog Lip Licking

Excessive lip licking often has a medical cause. You should take your dog to the vet if excessive lip licking occurs suddenly and there is no apparent cause for the behavior. This is especially important if your pet is older or you notice any other abnormal symptoms such as a change in appetite, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss. 

Before taking your dog to see a veterinarian, it is very helpful to take several videos recording the abnormal behavior. This can help your veterinarian tremendously in reaching a diagnosis. 

During a veterinary appointment, the doctor will do a thorough physical examination. They will look in your dog’s mouth and palpate (feel) the abdomen. Blood, urine, and fecal tests also should be performed. If the tests do not show any abnormalities, the problem is likely behavioral and your veterinarian may recommend working with a behaviorist or trainer. 

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In fact, fear aggression is one of the most common causes of aggression in dogs (5) (6) and may also play a role in other types of aggressive behavior, such as owner-directed aggression or possessive and territorial aggression (7). 

Fear aggression in dogs is a treatable problem if we understand why the dog is aggressive and commit to a behavior modification plan that decreases the dog’s anxiety. 

What Is Fear Aggression?

Fear aggression in dogs is a form of self-defense and may be expressed toward people, other animals or even objects. When a dog feels threatened, they may use body language or behaviors to drive the threat away, increasing the distance between themselves and the threat. 

A frightened dog may freeze, flee and/or fight. For example, a dog may freeze, falsely giving the impression that he’s tolerating petting from a stranger, when in fact, he’s petrified. Once the stranger turns to leave, the fearful dog may take the opportunity to lunge and snap, before running away to hide. All three behaviors—freezing, fighting and fleeing—occur because the dog is scared.

In some situations, fear aggression may be a normal behavior. For example, if a sleeping dog was suddenly woken up by an unfamiliar dog, barking and growling is an understandable response to the intrusion. A dog might show a similar response if a human family member or visitor tries to give them a pet while sleeping. This response may cause the dog’s owner to become upset. However, in both cases, the dog responded aggressively because they were fearful when disturbed, regardless of who woke them. 

Recognizing that fear plays a role is essential to treating fear aggressive behavior.

Causes of Fear Aggression in Dogs

Any experience that causes fear in dogs may also cause fear aggression. Common situations include:

Interactions with people or other animals. Both familiar and unfamiliar people—particularly if they are invading a dog’s personal space—can cause a dog to become fearful and aggressive. Bending over the dog, reaching toward him, hugging or petting may cause the dog to feel trapped and uncomfortable, similar to a person who receives unwanted attention from a stranger. 

Being approached in confined spaces. Approaching a dog who is under a bed or table or in a dog crate may also elicit fear, especially if the dog retreated there to hide. Dogs may also feel trapped when they are approached while on the couch or in small or narrow spaces (such as hallways or between items of furniture) may also react out of fear, since it is harder to avoid confrontation.

People that look or act different. People wearing clothing or carrying objects that alter their appearance (hats, sunglasses, bags), or appear or behave in an unfamiliar way (wearing a uniform or costume, limping, dancing) may cause a fear reaction in dogs.

Fast, sudden or unexpected movements and sounds. People moving quickly or unexpectedly (visitors standing up or exiting/entering a room, joggers, skateboarders) or making loud noises (cheering) as well as objects that do the same (trash trucks, lawn mowers, vacuums) may also trigger fear or fear aggression.

Environments or situations that have been scary in the past. If a dog had a negative experience at a veterinary office or a grooming appointment, it may cause them to be fearful when visiting. 

Similar to people, some dogs are more fearful or aggressive than others. This may be due to their genetics (8) or inadequate or inappropriate socialization at an early age (9). 

Learning also plays a role in the development of fear aggression. Previous traumatic experiences may establish negative associations. For example, if a dog was attacked by another dog on a walk, they may start to bark aggressively at all dogs seen on walks. Fear-aggressive dogs may learn that growling or snapping successfully prevents a scary experience, such as a nail trim, from happening. If this is the case, the dog is more likely to growl the next time their owner approaches with the nail clippers. 

However, punishing a dog for showing fear-aggressive behavior or forcing them to submit to the experience will often make the dog’s fear aggression worse (10). The best way to stop fear aggression is to alleviate the dog’s fear in that situation. 

As with all behavioral problems, physical illness—especially those that cause pain or discomfort—must be ruled out or treated before assuming the dog’s behavior is due solely to a psychological cause. If your dog exhibits sudden aggression, take your dog to the veterinarian for a check up immediately.

Signs of Fear Aggression in Dogs

Before fear aggressive dogs growl, snap or bite, they often exhibit early warning signs that they are uncomfortable. If you catch these early signs, fear aggression can be prevented. 

Signs of fear that may happen before aggressive behaviors in dogs could include:

Specific body language cues. These cues include a lowered or tucked tail, ears pulled back, wide eyes with large pupils (“whale eye”), wrinkled brow, tense face or body, crouched positioning or making themselves small.

Movement: Movements that may indicate fear include trembling, panting, avoiding contact or hiding, standing still or freezing, pacing or agitation.

Focus: A fearful dog might stare intently at the threat (hypervigilance) or avoid eye contact (darting glances).

Disinterest. Fearful dogs might not take treats or participate in enjoyable activities like play 

Dogs may also exhibit “displacement behaviors” such as lip licking, scratching or sniffing. Displacement behaviors are normal behaviors that are out of context for the situation. This is similar to a person tapping their foot or playing with their hair when they are nervous. You may see these behaviors prior to or in addition to the signs above. 

It’s important to note that a wagging tail does not necessarily mean that the dog is friendly. Aggressive or nervous dogs may also wag their tail. Generally speaking, a happy dog will have a wiggly backend and looser tail wagging in a wide, sweeping arc. An aggressive dog’s wag is narrower and his tail and body will be stiffer. 

If the dog is barking aggressively, snarling (lip curl), growling, snapping or nipping they have already reached their limit. Stop interacting with the dog and leave the situation. Just because a dog has not yet escalated to biting does not mean that they won’t bite in the future. 

Tips for Overcoming Fear Aggression in Dogs

Dealing with and overcoming fear aggression in dogs involves a few key steps. 

Keep your cool. Do not punish your dog when he is aggressive. Keep in mind that your dog is aggressive because he is scared. Yelling, hitting or pinning your dog to the ground will make him more fearful and increase the likelihood of aggression. 

Learn your dog’s language. Watch your dog’s body language and behavior closely to recognize early signs of fear and anxiety. If he is worried, remove him from the situation before he becomes aggressive.

Know your dog’s likes and dislikes. Set your dog up to be successful by actively preventing situations that your dog finds threatening. For example, if your dog is nervous around new people, confine him to another room with a treat or toy when you have visitors. 

Create positive associations. If you cannot avoid stressful situations or can’t predict how your dog might react, create a positive association with the situation by pairing it with something your dog enjoys such as treats, toys or play.

Communicate with each other. Teaching basic obedience skills such as “sit,” “down,” “come” and “stay” enables you and your dog to understand and communicate with each other. You can use the cues to redirect your dog to perform a calm, acceptable behavior that can be rewarded.

Reduce fear. Over-the-counter products including supplements, pheromone products, body wraps, and calming music may reduce your dog’s fear or anxiety. Choose products that have been scientifically tested to ensure they are safe and effective. Talk to your veterinarian to determine which products would work best for your dog.

Seek professional help as soon as possible. Do not wait for your dog’s behavior to resolve on its own. Fear aggression is unlikely to improve with time. Consult with your veterinarian to rule out physical causes for aggression. Your vet may be able to recommend over-the-counter anti-anxiety products, provide a behavior modification plan or refer you to a positive-reinforcement trainer in your area. 

Additionally the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior lists veterinarians and non-veterinary behaviorists who treat dogs with fear aggression.

Canine fear aggression is a treatable, but serious emotional illness that impacts the welfare and quality of life of you and your dog. Understanding that your dog is acting out of fear, catching early signs of anxiety and working with a behavioral professional to implement a behavior modification plan tailored to your dog will improve the odds of successfully overcoming fear aggression in your dog.

References Cited in This Article

1. ASPCA. Shelter Intake and Surrender. Retrieved from https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender. 
2. Lambert, K., Coe, J., Niel, L., Dewey, C., & Sargeant, J. M. (2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the proportion of dogs surrendered for dog-related and owner-related reasons. Preventive veterinary medicine, 118(1), 148-160.
3. Salman, M. D., Hutchison, J., Ruch-Gallie, R., Kogan, L., New Jr, J. C., Kass, P. H., & Scarlett, J. M. (2000). Behavioral reasons for relinquishment of dogs and cats to 12 shelters. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 3(2), 93-106.
4. Segurson, S. A., Serpell, J. A., & Hart, B. L. (2005). Evaluation of a behavioral assessment questionnaire for use in the characterization of behavioral problems of dogs relinquished to animal shelters. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 227(11), 1755-1761.
5. ABBASZADEH, H. M., NEKOUEI, J. O., & SHOJAEI, T. A. (2013). Prevalence of different aggression types and assessment of related determinants in a population of Iranian domestic dogs.
6. Fatjo, J., Amat, M., Mariotti, V. M., de la Torre, J. L. R., & Manteca, X. (2007). Analysis of 1040 cases of canine aggression in a referral practice in Spain. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 2(5), 158-165.
7. Lindell E. L. (2018). Aggression/Canine: Fear Based or Defensive. In: Horwitz, D. F. (Ed.). Blackwell’s five-minute veterinary consult clinical companion: canine and feline behavior. John Wiley & Sons. 24-34.
8. Houpt, K. A. (2007). Genetics of canine behavior. Acta Veterinaria Brno, 76(3), 431-444.
9. American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. (2008). AVSAB Position Statement on Puppy Socialization. https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf
10. American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. (2008). The Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals. Retrieved from https://www.sfanimalcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Why-We-Dont-Punish.pdf

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Read on to learn more about what might cause dogs to sneeze, what’s considered excessive, and how to help if your dog keeps sneezing.

Dog Sneezing: Why It Happens

To understand dog sneezes, we first have to take a look at what happens inside your dog’s nose. A dog’s sense of smell is his most powerful sense. Dogs’ nasal passages are larger and better developed than those of humans, and scientists estimate their sense of smell is anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times better than ours (1).

Sneezing is a built-in reflex designed to protect dogs’ highly sensitive snouts from unwanted or harmful material. “A sneeze is triggered when an irritant enters a dog’s nose or pharynx — where the nasal passages meet the throat,” explains Dr. Lori Teller, clinical associate professor of telehealth at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “Dogs forcefully expel air through the nose to clear the respiratory tract of foreign particles.” 

As with humans, dog sneezes are likely to create a little “spray” in the moment. Unfortunately, dogs can’t cover their noses—so it’s a good thing they’re so darn cute when they sneeze!

Causes of Dog Sneezing

Just like people, dogs may sneeze for a variety of reasons. “In most cases, sneezing is a normal bodily function dogs use to clear their airways,” says Dr. Rachel Barrack, an integrative veterinarian and founder of Animal Acupuncture. “But if your dog is sneezing continuously, or if sneezing is occurring in combination with other symptoms of illness or discomfort, you should see your primary care veterinarian.”

A runny nose, itchiness, pawing at the snout, coughing, or changes in energy or appetite can be warning signs of something more serious, adds Barrack.

Let’s explore some of the most common causes of sneezing in dogs. 

Environmental Factors

Temporary bouts of sneezing can be brought on by environmental triggers like dry air, perfume, dust, or chemicals. These sneezing episodes generally resolve quickly on their own once the irritant is no longer in the dog’s environment or the dog is removed from the trigger (2).

Foreign Bodies

As active sniffers, it’s not uncommon for a dog to inhale a small object or particle: dust, pollen, a blade of grass, a foxtail, a hair, or a burr. In most cases, a few sneezes will do the job to clear the offending object from the nose, and the episode will pass quickly.  

However, foreign bodies that get stuck need veterinary intervention. “If there is something stuck in the nasal passage, dogs will rub their noses or heads against furniture or the ground, or repeatedly paw at their faces,” says Dr. Barrack. “This can sometimes lead to a more severe infection if the rubbing causes the object to become lodged more deeply in the nasal canal.”

If the sneezing or rubbing behavior continues for more than a few hours, says Barrack, or if it is causing any kind of discharge, call your primary care veterinarian (or an emergency veterinarian, if your primary care veterinarian’s office is closed). 

A note about foxtails: These tall, reed-like weeds are common in the American west and are particularly treacherous for dogs. “They dry out in the summer and spread small, hair-like spikes that can be carried quite a distance by the wind and wildlife,” says Dr. Michele Drake of the Drake Center for Veterinary Medicine. “If a dog inhales one of the fibers, they can very easily become lodged in dogs’ nasal passages and will cause them to sneeze uncontrollably and paw or rub at their snouts.” 

If you suspect your dog has come into contact with foxtail fibers, it’s important to contact the veterinarian for help immediately, since it can often require surgery to remove them. 

Nasal Mites

Nasal mites are tiny parasites that your dog can catch from other dogs. These tiny pests can be difficult to spot in and around your dog’s nose. Their presence becomes apparent as they reproduce and cause irritation in the nasal lining (3).   

Although these parasites are uncommon, frequent sneezing accompanied by a runny nose or bloody discharge can indicate the presence of nasal mites. Your veterinarian can diagnose nasal mites and prescribe medication.

A Cold or Virus

Sneezing alone is not a red flag for illness. But when accompanied by a loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, coughing, or runny eyes or nose, your pup may have a cold or virus. 

“Always take your dog to the veterinarian if they have any combination of these symptoms since these signs can indicate a viral or bacterial infection that will only resolve with medication,” recommends Dr. Teller.

Kennel cough and canine influenza are especially contagious and can lead to pneumonia. Until your veterinarian has confirmed a diagnosis, it’s best to keep your dog away from other animals if you think your dog may be sick.

Allergies

“Although sneezing can be a symptom of allergies in dogs, it is not the most common,” says Dr. Jamie Richardson, medical chief of staff at Small Door Veterinary. “Allergy-related sneezing will appear with other, more dramatic symptoms—itchiness or chronic ear infections being the most common.” 

If you suspect your dog’s sneezing fit is the result of allergies, Richardson suggests consulting your veterinarian to identify specific allergic triggers and devise a treatment plan.

Dental Disease

Untreated dental issues may cause inflammation of the nose (known as rhinitis). The roots of a dog’s teeth reach all the way to the thin wall of tissue that separates the nose from the oral cavity. An abscessed tooth or gum disease may extend into the nasal passages, leading to inflammation and sneezing (4).

Tumors

Nasal tumors are not common, but they can develop in older dogs. Persistent sneezing is one symptom of a tumor, but there are usually other troubling symptoms, like labored breathing, swelling of the nose or face, or colored discharge (like pus and blood) from the dog’s nose (5).

Fungus

Fungus is everywhere in our environment. Just as humans can sometimes contract fungal infections, so can dogs. 

According to Dr. Joseph Taboada, professor of small animal internal medicine at Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, and Blastomycoses are the three fungal infections most likely to result in a nasal or sinus infection.

Why Do Dogs Sneeze When Playing?

Dogs frequently sneeze when they play. These “play sneezes” are shallower and shorter than a “true” sneeze that originates from deep in the respiratory tract, says Dr. Karyn L. Collier, medical director for wellness medicine at Saint Francis Veterinary of South Jersey. Play sneezes sound more like a sharp snuffle. 

They are a normal, safe behavior signaling friendliness and fun, and is no cause for concern.

Dr. Collier explains that play-sneezing may be a form of body language dogs use to express that they’re having a great time playing. During rougher play sessions, they might sneeze to signal that this wrestling is all in good fun, and in no way aggressive or hostile. 

It’s also possible that the increased activity and facial expressions of a happy, excited pooch change the way air moves through the nasal passages. “When dogs are excited or playing, they might wrinkle their noses, curl their lips, or breathe more heavily,” says Dr. Sara Ochoa, a small animal and exotic veterinarian. “This can affect airflow or change the rhythm of their breathing or cause them to stir up dirt or dust.” 

Play sneezing can translate to other exciting moments in your dog’s life. Many dogs will sneeze several times when you come home after work, when guests come to the door, or before a much-anticipated ride in the car. It’s a common and adorable canine quirk.

What Is Reverse Sneezing?

A reverse sneeze is a respiratory spasm, similar to a regular sneeze. But instead of forcing air out, a reverse sneeze causes dogs to suck in air rapidly and repeatedly through the mouth while pulling the head back and curling the lips inward.  

Reverse sneezing can look and sound quite alarming, like a cross between a honk and a gag. It may look as though your dog is loudly gasping for air. But, like a regular sneeze, most reverse sneezes are relatively common and usually benign. Usually, this happens in response to a tickle in the back of a dog’s throat. 

“Irritation or inflammation in the front part of the nasal passage leads to sneezing; but if the trigger is further back, closer to the throat, dogs will usually ‘reverse sneeze’ instead,” explains Dr. Lori Teller, clinical associate professor of telehealth at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. 

Excessive Sneezing in Dogs: Is it a Cause for Concern?

A couple of sneezes a day or a passing sneezing episode from your dog aren’t a cause for concern, assures Dr. Teller. However, she says, if you notice any of the additional symptoms below, check with your veterinarian to make sure there isn’t something more serious going on. 

• Pawing at the snout
• Rubbing the snout on the ground or furniture
• Discharge (mucus, blood or pus)
• Watery eyes
• Itching (body, ears or paws)
• Labored breathing
• Bluish gums
• Lethargy
• Change in appetite
• Swelling around the snout

If your dog seems ill, keep him away from other pets until your veterinarian can confirm he is not contagious, reminds Dr. Teller.

To understand what’s causing your dog to sneeze, a veterinarian will do a complete physical exam. “They will listen to your dog’s lungs to see if the condition is spreading to the lower airway from the upper airway,” says Dr. Kristiina Ruotsalo, a veterinary pathologist. “They’ll examine the dog’s teeth and gums to rule out dental problems. They’ll use a small flashlight to look inside your dog’s nose for mites, tumors, or foreign bodies that may be causing the sneezing.”  

She explains that sedation is sometimes needed to see more deeply into the nasal passage. It’s also possible that your veterinarian will order blood work if an infection or illness is suspected.  

If allergies are to blame for your dog’s sneezing, your vet may recommend medication or a diet change to see if symptoms subside.

What to Do If Your Dog Is Sneezing

As a pet parent, you know your dog best. If your dog starts sneezing, keep an eye out for other symptoms or behaviors such as rubbing or pawing. Mild sneezing episodes will usually pass on their own. You can try giving your dog water to clear anything from the back of the throat and to reset their breathing if they’re overexcited.

“If you think something may be irritating your dog’s nose, use a small flashlight to get a better look,” suggests Dr. Ochoa. “Saline drops can sometimes help to moisten dry nasal passages and rinse away irritants. Bring your dog to the veterinarian if you see any mites or an object that can’t be removed or worked out safely on its own.”

If you suspect allergies, an antihistamine can help, says Dr. Lynn Buzhardt, a veterinary consultant and practice partner at The Animal Center—but she warns against giving your dog any medications without consulting your veterinarian first. 

“It’s unwise to assume that drugs are safe just because they can be purchased without a prescription. Human and canine doses are different, so you need to ask about the correct amount to administer, and you’ll want to make sure the medication is compatible with your dog’s medical history.”  

Both Drs. Ochoa and Buzhardt recommend consulting a veterinarian if your dog is sneezing for a prolonged period or if other symptoms are present.

The post Why Do Dogs Sneeze? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Although stress is not a pleasant emotion, the ability to experience stress indicates that your body is functioning normally, and all animals will experience stress from time-to-time. However, if levels of stress remain unchecked and elevated for prolonged periods, dogs can develop anxiety disorders, and, subsequently, undesirable behaviors. In addition, high levels of stress in dogs over an extended time can suppress the immune system and lead to a decrease in overall health and quality of life. 

By learning to identify stress in dogs, you can not only understand when your dog is feeling anxious, but also register and avoid triggers of anxiety in your pet. Using this information, you can implement calming techniques to combat and eliminate rising levels of stress.  

Let’s look at common stressors in dogs, recognizing stress in your dog, and how to calm your dog when they are feeling anxious.

Common Stress Triggers in Dogs

Any situation, surrounding, object, or being that disrupts the body’s normal state of functioning can trigger stress. 

Stress triggers can be broken down into three main categories: 

• Environmental
• Social
• Physical

Dogs may experience stress when exposed to one or all of the types of stressors. Below are some of the most common stress triggers in dogs:

Loud Noises

The most common environmental stress triggers in dogs are noise related. Dogs have extremely sensitive hearing. They can hear a much wider range and detect much quieter noises than humans can. Therefore, loud and abrupt noises can be quite shocking, especially to a dog hearing them for the first time.  

This canine stress trigger is amplified if the loud noises continue to sound over a period of time, as opposed to just a single loud blast or bang. This is why fireworks and thunderstorms can make our furry companions so fretful. Each crack of thunder or boom of the fireworks causes additional stress, such that the level of stress continues to climb until your dog is so wound up it will take them hours, if not days, to recover. 

Unfamiliar Scents

Unfamiliar scents are another common environmental stress trigger in dogs. Just as canines have incredible hearing, their sense of smell is also remarkable. Their incredible noses allow them to detect the scent of a novel human or animal in their environment long after they have gone. As territorial creatures, this can be unsettling for them. 

Additionally, their sharp sense of smell allows dogs to detect stress pheromones from other animals, even cats and humans. This can be particularly problematic at a veterinary clinic, where many animals visit and experience stress at some level.

New Places

It’s also quite common for dogs to feel stressed in a new environment.  Changes to their routine surroundings, such as moving to a new home, trying a new dog park, or staying at a new boarding facility can leave pets feeling quite uneasy. Car rides also fall under this category, as the inside of the car itself can be a new place, and the car is continually moving through changing settings with unfamiliar scents, making it difficult to adjust.  

Meeting New People

A common social stress trigger includes meeting new humans or pets. Although some dogs are very social and enjoy meeting strangers, others may be more timid or territorial. This is a regular occurence in puppies who were not socialized properly, or dogs that were possibly abused in a past home.  

Separation

Separation from owners or housemates is another common social stress trigger. Dogs are pack animals, and their humans and housemates are their pack. Being separated from their perceived pack can trigger stress, and the longer the separation lasts, the higher the level of anxiety—which can lead to a very stressed-out dog.

Physical Discomfort

Hunger, thirst, and illness or pain are physical stress triggers.  Physical discomfort triggers stress in dogs, just as it does in humans.  

Tips for Recognizing Stress in Dogs

There are many signs and symptoms to indicate a dog is stressed. Before beginning to look for signs of stress in your dog, it is important to learn your dog’s normal body language and establish a baseline for comparison.  

A relaxed dog will have a soft face and body, ears half way down their head and forward. They might be softly panting or breathing through their nose. Their tail will be held at the same level as their body and might be gently wagging. They will happily accept yummy treats when offered.   

But signals of anxiety in dogs are different. Here are ways to recognize the most common signs of a stressed dog:

Vocalization

Whining is a frequent indicator of stress in dogs. Dogs whine when they are uncomfortable, and many will whine throughout the duration of a stressful event. Atypical barking, such as barking at nothing in particular or relentless barking, is also a sign of stress in dogs.

Panting

Dogs will pant to release heat but also when they are overly excited or stressed, just as humans might hyperventilate if they become overwhelmed. If your dog is panting vigorously, but hasn’t been exercising or playing, it’s a good indication that they are stressed. 

Shaking

Full body tremors are an easy-to-spot sign of a dog experiencing stress. A stress trigger will kick on the body’s “flight or fight” response, and the adrenaline rush will cause a dog to shake all over in anticipation.  

Pacing

The inability to sit still or stand in one place is a sign of stress in dogs, just as it is in humans.  Dogs will frequently pace around an exam room while waiting for the veterinarian or walk in circles around the couch at home if left alone.  

Hiding or Escaping

Dogs will often hide behind their owners in a stressful situation, or perhaps slink under a table or cower behind a chair. Some will even try to chew off a leash and run if necessary to avoid the stressful situation. Dogs dealing with separation anxiety might try to escape by chewing through a door or their kennel to find their way back to their pack. 

Aggressive Behavior

Even the friendliest dog might act aggressively when they are feeling stressed or anxious.  Usually, they will give a soft growl as a warning, telling whomever is approaching that they are feeling nervous or threatened. If the growl is ignored, they may try to snap or bite uncharacteristically.  

Destructive Behavior

Eating the couch, tearing up the carpet, shredding their bedding, or scratching up a door are ordinary signs of stress in dogs, as chewing can be a self-soothing mechanism and an outlet for dogs feeling anxious. Damage to the interior of doors or windows can be coupled with escape behavior.

Yawning

Repeatedly yawning, or yawns that seem prolonged or drawn out, can be a sign of a dog in stress. Although it’s unclear exactly why a stressed dog yawns, it is believed to have calming effects. If a dog is yawning without the other typical signs of being sleepy, it’s likely a stressed-dog yawn.  

Drooling or Licking

Licking is another self soothing technique for dogs. By licking themselves, they can avoid the situation and maintain their focus elsewhere. Drooling excessively also occurs when dogs are stressed. Dogs who are salivating profusely when there’s no food around mat be nauseous or stressed. 

Abnormal Eye or Ear Position 

When a dog pulls their eyelids back enough that the whites of their eyes are showing, they are definitely stressed or fearful. Pulling their ears back and flat against their head is another sign that they feel threatened or anxious.  

Tense Lips

Relaxed dogs have soft lips and sometimes even seem to smile, but a stressed-out dog will often have tense lips that are pulled back. Some stressed dogs will even lift their lips, showing their teeth, as a warning that they feel unsafe and anxious. 

Abnormal Posture

The all-too-familiar tail tucked between the legs is a clear sign that you are dealing with a stressed out dog. Uneasy pups might also curl tightly into a fetal position or crouch low to the ground. Other dogs may become extremely tense and rigid, yet remain standing, commonly referred to as “fear freezing.” 

Diarrhea 

Very commonly, stressed dogs will develop diarrhea. Sometimes the diarrhea will also contain blood or mucous and can be an alarming finding for pet owners. This is a condition veterinarians call stress colitis. It is a common phenomenon, although we are not quite sure why stress leads to inflammation of the large intestine.  

Accidents Inside the House

While there are many reasons a potty-trained pet might begin to have accidents in the house, stress is a frequent cause. Just like some humans, dogs can be nervous urinators, and when they are extremely stressed or scared, they might even lose control of their bowels. The old saying “scared the crap out of me,” applies to our canine companions as well!

Shedding

Dogs who become stressed or overly excited will “blow their coat,” or begin shedding an abnormal amount. Veterinary exam rooms are often filled with hair after each patient leaves. If you find yourself having to sweep or vacuum more than usual, you might be dealing with a stressed-out dog.

Decreased Appetite

Dogs are often very food-motivated creatures, which is why treats make an excellent training tool. Refusal of food by a dog known to “eat anything” can be a sign that your dog is feeling stressed.  

Of course, there are many other conditions in which a pet might refuse food, so be sure to contact your veterinarian if your dog’s inappetance persists. 

How to Help a Dog Deal With Stress

The most important task when comforting a stressed dog is remembering to stay calm yourself!  Dogs can sense your stress, and might feel that their reaction is justified if you are stressed as well.

Besides staying calm, here are some tips for reducing your dog’s stress:

Remove the Stress Trigger

Start by removing your pet from the stress trigger (or vice versa) as soon as signs of stress are identified. The sooner the source of stress is eliminated, the easier it will be to bring your dog back to baseline level of calm.  

Stress is an unconscious emotion—your dog did not choose to become stressed, so they might not be able to consciously listen to you until their stress levels begin to decline. Seek out a calm, quiet place for your dog to begin settling down.  

Don’t Over Comfort

Avoid overly comforting a stressed dog and behave normally. Extra petting or treats can serve as positive reinforcement, leading to an increase in this behavior in the future. Instead, help your dog refocus and return to a more conscious state of mind by going through commands they already know such as “sit” and “down” and rewarding them generously when they listen.

Help Your Dog Get More Exercise

To prevent stress triggers from affecting your pet, increasing exercise is a great first step. Pets who are not exercised sufficiently can have pent-up energy and become wound up quickly in stressful situations. Additionally, endorphins released during exercise can have the same stress-relieving benefits that they do in humans.  

Try Slow, Controlled Behavior Training

Increased training along with slow and controlled exposure to the stress trigger can help desensitize your dog to the source of stress. The more “happy” experiences your dog has in association with the stress trigger, the less likely they will be affected by it in the future.

Consider Calming Products

Lastly, there are many supplements that can be added safely to a dog’s diet that have a calming effect and calming products that can help pets de-stress if they have a stressful episode. Talk to your veterinarian if you are interested in any calming supplements or products. For particularly anxious dogs, your veterinarian may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication to help keep your dog calm. 

Talk to Your Veterinarian

Of course, the most essential tool for helping a dog who consistently experiences high stress levels is to work with your veterinarian. Together, you can rule out any medical causes of stress, choose the correct calming supplements and aids, and add in any prescription medications if deemed necessary. The medicines for stress are not always a sedative, and are often not needed long term. Think of them as a bridge until your pet adjusts to a change in the environment, such as a new baby or added pet.

Remember, completely eliminating all stress from a dog’s life is impossible, but with patience and time, you can easily improve your dog’s quality of life by recognizing and managing their stress.

The post 16 Ways to Recognize Stress in Dogs appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Understanding canine body language is an important part of pet parenthood. Learn to decode your pup’s visual cues, and you’ll instantly recognize when he’s happy, scared, curious, or angry. Here’s how to know exactly what your dog is telling you, no words necessary.

Canine Communication: How Dogs Communicate

While dogs have some vocal ability, the range of sounds they can produce is relatively limited. A few sounds are specific, like a growl, but “most are more generalized,” says Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a veterinary behaviorist and professor at Texas A&M University. As a result, a dog’s body language and body positioning are crucial and instinctual signals in the canine world.

“They use the communication tools that are available to them,” says certified dog behavior consultant Michelle Mullins, noting that while body language tends to come second for humans, “with dogs, what they’re feeling and what their body is saying is exactly the same thing.”

According to veterinary behaviorist Dr. Melissa Bain, a professor of clinical animal behavior service at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, visual communication is especially important for dogs because it can be switched on or off instantly based on the outcome of an interaction. Imagine one dog standing still and stiff, tail held high, intently staring at another dog. If that second dog looks away, lowers its body posture, and even leaves the area, the first dog will quickly halt its signaling. Each dog has “spoken,” and now their conversation is over.

Now, let’s learn to decode what our dog’s body language looks like and means.

Happy Dog Body Language

Mullins says a happy dog is generally loose all over. He’s not holding tension in his muscles or his mouth and his eyes will be relaxed and a bit squinty.

Look for the following signs to indicate a dog is happy and relaxed:

• Mouth is slightly open
• Eyes are soft, with no hard staring
• Ears are in a neutral position
• Sometimes a dog’s tail is loosely wagging with a light back and forth motion

This looseness in a dog’s body likely echoes the relaxed, loose feeling your dog has about the interaction that is happening.

You may also see a slight lowering of the head and ears, and your dog may even lay down and roll over. According to Beaver, these visuals mirror the same signs of submission that some dogs and puppies give to more dominant ones.

Frightened Dog Body Language

When they’re scared, dogs may cower, lean away, or even try to hide under or behind things—all signs that they are trying to avoid a person or dog who is approaching, according to Mullins.

Pet parents should also pay close attention to a dog’s eyes to look for signs of fear. Mullins explains that dog parents may also notice “whale” or “half-moon” eyes on their frightened dog, in which a large portion of the eye white is visible. “What that usually indicates is that he has his head slightly turned away from the thing that he’s afraid of, but his eyes are still looking at it,” Mullins explains.

Other signs of fear or anxiety in dogs, according to Bain, Beaver, and Mullins include:

• Lip licking
• Averting eye contact
• Lifting a front paw
• Yawning when not tired
• Holding perfectly still

Many of these body signs correlate with submissive behaviors.

Bain says it’s crucial to know the signals of fear in dogs, since most dog aggression is rooted in fear. Dogs will often show signs of being frightened before they move on to becoming aggressive due to their fear.

“This is the category that most people do not understand, and often put themselves at risk,” adds Beaver. “It is best to think of a fearful dog as aggressive and avoid interactions, rather than to continue an approach that escalates the fear.”

Aggressive Dog Body Language

Sometimes a fearful dog may escalate into an aggressive one. This transition often begins with a direct stare, eyes fully opened. Bain says that a dog’s stare in these situations is a confrontation behavior, seen not only in dogs, but across species. Beaver adds that it’s a crucial sign that things are amiss. “The stare is the first and most important threat a dog uses, and other signs follow as the likelihood of aggression increases,” she notes.

Unlike the loose body language of a happy dog, an aggressive dog is stiff: stiffened legs to help him appear taller and a stiff body in general.

Other aggressive canine body language signs include:

• A lip lifted into a snarl
• Bared teeth
• Barking or growling
• Snapping or biting
• A stiff and upright tail, which may wag slightly

Beaver says that for dogs, a vertical tail indicates a high position in social order. They may also experience piloerection—an involuntary bristling of hair on the back of their necks or down their backs. “That reaction is tied into their nervous system,” Mullins says. “It happens when they’re super-aroused, and we often see it when they’re feeling aggressive or extra-fearful.”

If you see any signs of aggression in your dog, consult a trainer or veterinary behaviorist for advice on how to de-escalate or stop aggressive behavior. This may include removing triggers of fear or aggression, behavior modification that includes positive reinforcement training, and helping dogs learn how to better socialize with humans and other dogs.

Dog Play: Body Language That Signals Fun

“I love the body signs for play,” Mullins says. That’s because, like play itself, much of dogs’ play body language is fun and silly.

“I’m looking for movements that seem really inefficient,” Mullins says, noting that a dog may be bouncy, with his feet even lifting off the ground. She also notes that much of the body language of a happy dog looks the same as a playful one.

Dogs that want to play, often indicate it with the following sings:

• Wiggly movements and body
• Open, relaxed mouth
• Fast and free movement
• Playful barks and growls (different in tone than aggressive barking/growling)

Bain adds that dogs that want to interact and have fun with other dogs or their pet parents often incorporate “play bows” into their behavior. This is when dogs push their front paws and legs down and stick their behinds up in the air. According to Mullins, that bow is a dog’s way of saying, “Hey, what I’m getting ready to do is just for fun. It’s just a joke. I don’t mean it.”

Why You Should Learn Dog Body Language

Beaver compares learning canine body language to learning sign language: “It allows us to better communicate and understand [each other],” she says.

While we may think our dogs know what we’re saying to them, “they truly understand very little—perhaps a few key words or tone of voice,” Beaver notes. Reading dog body language unlocks a deeper connection between dog and pet parent, and “there is greater pleasure when there is two-way understanding,” she says.

Learning your dog’s body language means you can identify how your dog is feeling in any situation—and respond appropriately. You’ll know when your pup is scared, when you need to defuse a possible confrontation, and when your dog is eager to play. The result is both a stronger dog-parent relationship and a generally better life for your pup.

But there is one caveat to mastering the art of dog body language. Each of our experts cautioned that any canine body language must be considered in context. Only you know your dog’s history and his individual quirks. “Anytime you talk about body language, you have to look at what else is going on around you,” Mullins says.

A dog licking his lips after treat time is probably not anxious, but rather trying to catch every morsel of peanut butter. A dog yawning before bedtime is probably sleepy, not scared. But a dog who’s staring intently at an unfamiliar dog, standing stiffly and baring his teeth? You’ll want to be ready for that one.

The post Dog Body Language Guide: How to Read Your Dog Like a Pro appeared first on Great Pet Care.

HOW TO SPOT IT: Why do dogs lick?

For a dog, licking is a form of communication. “Dogs use body language and gestures such as licking to convey information about their feelings and intent,” says Ruth Hegarty, M.S.E., certified dog trainer and behavior consultant. “Dogs licking each other usually have an affectionate intent. It can be a form of grooming which they will do with dogs they feel close to.”

Dog moms will lick their newly born puppies to clean them and to get them to begin breathing. Puppies may lick their mom to get her to regurgitate food. In other cases, some dogs will lick their own faces to appease another dog, essentially saying “I’m not a threat.” While dog licking behaviors are necessary and natural amongst the pack, it can become excessive and a sign of anxiety in some domestic dogs.

Being bored, stressed, in pain or itchy may cause dogs to excessively lick. “If a dog is obsessively licking a spot on their body it can be a sign of discomfort, such as itching or pain,” says Ruth. “This behavior can also include biting at the area as well as licking.”

She suggests a veterinarian be consulted in these cases. Other potential signals of pain and itching may include licking of the paws. Paw-licking may indicate a range of potential medical conditions, including allergies, a wound or even a form of neuropathy.

If painful or itchy conditions are ruled out, or your dog is licking something else (like you, the carpet, blankets or other surfaces), it could be boredom or anxiety. Changes in a routine or separation can trigger anxious licking and may take some professional help to address. However, sometimes small adjustments to your dog’s environment can help.

“Take a look at how [your dog] spends their day,” suggests Ruth. “Is your dog getting enough exercise? Mental stimulation?” She suggests adding in an extra walk or play session, considering ways to offer more mental stimulation or even taking a class together to keep your dog’s brain active.

THINGS TO CONSIDER: Could this be compulsive?

For extreme licking, a compulsive disorder may be a consideration. “A behavior that is difficult to interrupt may be more likely to be caused by a medical condition that causes distress than is a behavior that is easily interrupted,” writes Valarie V. Tynes, DVM, DACVB over at DVM360.

If your dog is interrupted from licking, she suggests you consider how long it takes them to return to the behavior again. “A dog that immediately returns to licking after a brief interruption may be in physiologic distress or demonstrating a compulsive disorder.”

Talking to your vet and/or dog behavior consultant will help you start to figure out what is happening. To prepare for that conversation, you’ll want to start documenting behavior. Dr. Tynes suggests thinking back to when the problem first began and any changes that may have happened around that time. You’ll also want to start recording when and for how long your dog licks, and their reaction if you try to stop the licking.

FIRST STEPS TO TAKE: Understanding why your dog is licking

There’s a fine line between an affectionate kiss-lick and constant licking of pillows, blankets, your feet and anything else they want to lick! Dogs can be telling you a whole host of things with their licking behavior and the first step is trying to understand what that may be:

I’m in pain. Anything a little different in your dog’s mouth could make them lick or drool. Pain in a joint, skin infection or nerve issues could trigger licking, too.

I’m itchy. A bug bite or allergies can create itchy skin for a dog, which they may deal with by licking instead of scratching in some cases. However, beware that a simple itch might become something more insidious in some dogs. Known as hot spots, dogs have a tendency to lick some spots raw in reaction to something small and itchy—like a scab or bug bite. Other dogs might chew or lick at their tails and hind-quarters when their anal glands are impacted.

My tummy hurts. A study done at the University of Montreal Veterinary Teaching Hospital examined dogs who excessively licked. Of the 19 dogs studied, 14 had gastrointestinal abnormalities identified by an exam, and treating the GI conditions resulted in decreased licking in many cases.

I’m hungry or thirsty. Licking an empty food bowl or lips could indicate your pup is ready for their next meal or a cool sip of water.

My feet feel weird. Peter Dobias is a veterinarian that takes a holistic approach to taking care of animals. In his 2014 article in the Innovative Veterinary Care Journal, he took a closer look at paw lickers. Though paw licking has often been written off as allergies, it didn’t seem to be the case for all dogs. Allergies or not, they still licked.

“I started to look closer at the patterns I was seeing, and began examining the neck and spine for discomfort, muscle spasm, inflammation and tightness,” Dr. Dobias writes. He discovered that front paw lickers tend to have discomfort in their neck while back paw lickers have issues in their lumbar spine.

I’m getting older. Older dogs may develop cognitive dysfunction, a condition associated with many repetitive behaviors, including licking. According to DVM360, “Dogs with cognitive dysfunction may display a variety of repetitive behaviors. But if the excessive licking behavior is a result of cognitive dysfunction, then treatment will be different than it is in dogs without cognitive impairment.”

I’m feeling compelled. As discussed above, some dogs will develop a compulsion to lick.

If you’re not sure what’s causing your dog’s licking, or if it becomes constant, it’s probably best to get to the root of it before it becomes a habit and more difficult to stop.

HOW TO GET HELP: Questions to ask veterinary and behavior professionals

If your dog is licking more than normal, your first step is to contact your veterinarian. Constant licking can be a sign of an underlying medical issue that you’ll want to rule out BEFORE consulting a behavior professional. If you’ve begun recording the licking instances, bring your log with you to have a more detailed conversation.

Things you might ask are:

• My dog is constantly licking [body part or object]. Is there a medical issue that could be causing this?
• Along with licking, I’ve also noticed that my dog is [name any new behaviors you’ve noticed]. Could these be related?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Help! My Dog Licks Everything from DVM360

Excessive Paw Licking in Dogs – It May Not Be Allergies from Innovative Veterinary Care

The post Why Is My Dog Constantly Licking? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Not all dogs display this howling behavior, and even ones that do don’t howl at emergency sirens all the time. But when dogs let out a howl, they seem to be answering a primal call encoded deep within their DNA.

Do We Know Why Dogs Howl at Sirens?

The truth is that researchers and animal behaviorists don’t know exactly why some dogs howl when a siren passes by. But there are plenty of theories. Are they trying to communicate with the sound? Does it hurt their ears?

While researchers don’t have definitive answers, they do believe that the root of the behavior likely lies within a dog’s genetic history.

Dogs and Howling: The Ancestry Connection

Wolves are often depicted with their head thrown back in a long howl—the behavior is almost synonymous with them. This unique form of communication serves a few purposes in the wolf community, from gathering the pack to location-finding.

A recent study out of Austria attempted to learn more about the specifics of why wolves howl (1). The study set out to determine if captive wolves could control howling vocalizations or if they were triggered by emotional stress. Researchers discovered that not only were howls voluntary, they were often a result of being separated from an important companion, like the pack leader or a preferred partner. This may be why modern-day dogs howl due to separation anxiety.

Surprisingly, one of the findings from the study suggests that howling is not necessarily tied to emotional stress. Scientists measured the cortisol in captive wolf saliva and discovered that the levels of stress didn’t correlate to the intensity of the howling.

Certified dog behavior consultant and dog trainer Pat Miller, owner of Peaceable Paws LCC, agrees that there’s probably a hardwired, instinctual element to domestic dogs howling. “I tend to buy into the theory that it harks back to wolves howling in packs and they enjoy it, especially because some dogs will also howl when other dogs howl,” she says. “If we want to be technical, we could say that dogs have a genetic propensity to be reinforced by the opportunity to howl along with others.”

Do All Dogs Howl at Sirens?

Not all dogs practice this behavior, though breeds as varied as Boston Terriers to Boxers start howling at fire trucks, ambulances, or police cars when they pass by. Hounds like Beagles, Coonhounds, Foxhounds, and Bloodhounds, are known for their distinctive howls, likely because they’ve been selectively bred to howl while on the hunt to let their handlers know where they are.

“Many of the Nordic breeds, such as Malamutes and Huskies, are also howlers,” Miller adds, “perhaps because they are believed to be closer to their wolf ancestry than some of our other breeds.”

Do Sirens Hurt a Dog’s Ears?

While dogs have much more sensitive hearing than ours, it’s unlikely that loud siren sounds hurt their ears.

Miller states that dogs generally don’t react to sirens in ways that suggest pain, especially if they respond by howling.

“Signs that a dog finds sirens aversive might include hiding, trembling, and running away from the sound, rather than staying in place and howling,” she says.

For many dogs, howling is a group sport, because when one begins the others join in. This also suggests that siren sounds aren’t painful, despite dogs’ sensitive hearing.

Other High-Pitched Sounds That Cause Dogs to Howl

It’s not just emergency sirens that can trigger a long, full-throated howl from the family dog. The internet is filled with videos of dogs howling along to pianos, reed instruments like flutes and saxophones, guitars and other high-pitched sounds like human singers.

Some dogs pick a single note and hold it, while others let their vocalizations slide along to match the instrument, a feat that suggests that dogs have a sense of pitch. If the sound becomes problematic or frequent, you can consult a dog trainer or behaviorist to get your dog to stop howling. But the occasional outburst at a siren or ambulance driving by shouldn’t be considered a behavior problem and is nothing to worry about.

Howling is yet another adorable canine habit that we dog owners might never completely understand, but it’s one we can all enjoy!

The post Why Do Dogs Howl at Sirens? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

A few years ago, psychologist Stanley Coren published his informal research data on dogs and hugs. After examining 250 online photos that popped up when he searched the words “hug dog,” Coren concluded that in roughly 82 percent of the photos, the dog being hugged displayed “at least one sign of discomfort, stress, or anxiety.” 

He urged pet parents to “save your hugs for your two-footed family members and lovers”—and dog behavioral experts agree. Here’s why.

Do Dogs Like Hugs From Humans?

While individual dogs vary in temperament (and tolerance), in general, the answer is: no, dogs do not enjoy being hugged. 

“Most dogs love being touched,” says Sylvia Koczerzuk, a certified dog trainer and dog behavior consultant, “but as far as traditional hugs the way humans hug each other? Dogs aren’t crazy about that.”

Koczerzuk notes that human-style hugs are “just not part of the canine language,” so by nature dogs are unsure or even afraid of them. To a dog, an arms-around-the-neck moment may feel more like a confrontation or rough play than affection. And the worst thing you can do, Koczerzuk says, is bend over to hug your dog while you are standing—then it can really feel like an aggressive act.

Certified dog behavior consultant Michelle Mullins says dogs’ general dislike of hugs transcends specific breeds or even individual temperament. While there are a small number of dogs who may seek out hugs from their owners, she says that even dogs who are tolerant when you approach them for a hug may not actually be enjoying the experience.  

“We’re doing something that for a dog can be perceived as very confrontational,” Mullins adds. “We’re coming all the way into their space, restraining them, and maybe looking at them eye-to-eye.”

Koczerzuk explains that pet parents are often surprised—and a little bit upset to hear this. “That is how we like to show affection,” she says. “But it’s just not a natural way that dogs interact with each other.”

How to Hug a Dog

With all of that being said, there are some dogs that actually don’t mind being hugged, says Mullins—as long as you go about it the right way. 

Step 1: Read Your Dog’s Body Language

Mullins says the first thing a pet parent should do is learn to read their dog’s body language. That way, you’ll know whether or not they’re enjoying a particular interaction. Mullins strongly advises leaving young children out of the equation. They often have a much harder time reading animals’ body language and understanding limits.

Dog body language that could signal discomfort or anxiety include:

• Turning their heads away or leaning their entire bodies away from us
• Pinning their ears back
• Stiffening up or going very still
• Licking lips
• Letting out a loud, exaggerated yawn that has nothing to do with sleepiness

If your dog is displaying any of these signs, it’s best not to initiate a hug. Mood matters, too. “Even if a dog has liked or not liked hugs before, their mood can affect how they’re feeling in a given moment,” Mullins says.

Once you’ve got your dog’s body language down pat, and he seems relaxed, you can move on to the next step. 

Step 2: Let Your Dog Come to You

Mullins’s next tip is to let your dog be the one to initiate things. If your pup comes over to you and leans in, you can try leaning back in to him. If your dog quickly leans back out, don’t proceed. 

Step 3: Loosely Wrap Your Arms Around Your Dog

But if your dog seems content, you can try wrapping your arms very loosely around his body—loosely enough that he can get up and leave anytime he wants. (And again, if you notice any of the distress signs outlined above, back off immediately.)

“I always say, let the dog make the choice,” Mullins notes. “That way you know they’re comfortable with the interaction.”

Reasons Some Dogs Don’t Like Hugs

In addition to feeling like a confrontation may be starting, a dog’s temperament and history may also dictate whether or not he likes to be hugged. 

A dog who had to tolerate excessive hugging while young and didn’t enjoy it is “probably going to get less tolerant of hugging or completely shut down” when it arises later in life, Mullins says. 

Past abuse or neglect may also contribute to a dog’s distaste for hugs, and early socialization can play a role too, according to Mullins. But most of all, she says, it’s about a dog’s individual personality and preferences.

Stay alert for your dog’s subtle body language cues, outlined above. Miss those cues, Mullins notes, and you risk your dog escalating things in an attempt to squash the situation. 

Other Ways to Show Dogs Affection

It’s not that dogs don’t like being touched. Koczerzuk suggests that pet parents show their love through shoulder and chest touches rather than hugs or head pets—“another type of touch that dogs are not typically comfortable with,” she says.

Koczerzuk says gentle massage is also “one of the greatest ways to introduce touch” with your pup. The most important thing is to make sure that you’re showing physical affection in a way that makes your individual dog feel happy and loved.  

Both Koczerzuk and Mullins also recommend training with positive reinforcement as one of the most affectionate things you can do for your dog. “You are communicating to them in a really positive way and they love it,” Koczerzuk adds. “You build trust that way as well.”

The post Do Dogs Like Hugs? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

We asked animal behaviorists, certified dog trainers, and veterinarians to offer their best advice on how to effectively build a bond with your dog at home. Dogs are individuals, and what works for one may not be suitable for another, so check with your veterinarian before starting any new program. 

Do Dogs Bond With Humans?

Ever since dogs were domesticated about 15,000 years ago, our bond with them has been unbreakable. When your dog greets you at the door with a wagging tail or curls up next to you because he senses you’re having a bad day, he is demonstrating that bond.

This bond is just as obvious when it’s been broken. “We see evidence in problems like separation anxiety, a dog’s dejection when being left with strangers, or relinquished to a shelter, and the sometimes overwhelming response some dogs show when they hear their owners’ voices after an absence,” says Dr. Liz Stelow, chief of service of Clinical Behavior Service at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at University of California, Davis.

These strong bonds don’t develop without effort on your part, however. “We do see stronger relationships between dogs and their pet parents when they are doing things together such as taking walks and doing training,” says Robin Bennett, a certified dog trainer and co-founder of The Dog Gurus.   

How to Bond With Your Dog: Tips and Advice

Bonding also requires an understanding of canine nature. Here are a few things experts would like you to consider. 

Dogs need to be respected as individuals. Bonding with a dog is like fostering a friendship with another person, says Stelow, who is board-certified in veterinary behavior. “It can’t be forced, but it can be encouraged in many of the same ways. Look for common interests and preferred activities, share quiet moments, engage in mutually acceptable affection, play interactive games, always be nice.”

Look at things through your dog’s eyes. “People tend to interact with every dog in the same way: they move toward them, lean over, look them in the eye, and thump them on the head. The truth is that many dogs are intimidated by the eye contact and head-thumping, and would prefer getting treats, walking together, and getting soft neck rubs,” offers Dr. Terri Bright, director of Behavior Services at MSPCA-Angell in Boston.

Get to know your dog’s body language. Try to understand what your dog wants to express before he expresses it, recommends Meredith Biehl, a certified dog trainer and owner of Thinking Dog Dog Training & Behavior Consulting in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. “The better you can read your dog and what he is trying to communicate to you, the better you can support your dog through situations and throughout life, thus improving your dog’s trust in you.”

Be consistent. Dogs thrive on predictability, says Bright. “If your dog can predict when a meal will come, when a neck rub is available, when play time occurs, they will be more likely to spend time near to a person.”

Quality is more important than quantity. Training sessions don’t have to be drawn out to be effective. “I like to train for very short periods several times a day. For instance, I take out five treat rewards and train until they’re gone. This is a great way to break up your at-home work day, as this is easily attainable between work tasks like reading emails, finished projects, and online meetings,” says Jenn Fiendish, a veterinary behavior technician who runs Happy Power Behavior and Training in Portland, Oregon.

Consider your dog’s temperament. Dogs with fear or anxiety issues don’t trust as easily, says Fiendish. “For these dogs, it’s best to move at a slower, more hands-off pace. Instead of forcing interactions like petting or snuggling, allow the dog to approach you at his own pace. Once your dog is near you, allow him to make the decision to stay or go.”

Think ahead (if your current schedule isn’t permanent). While many dogs will readjust to your old schedule with few issues, “There is a risk of some dogs developing behavior problems going from additional attention and time together to less,” says Biehl, who is also a certified trick dog instructor through Do More With Your Dog.

If you currently work from home, ensure your dogs still have alone time, recommends Stelow. “That way, when the owners [are] gone for hours at a time, the dogs won’t feel quite so unsettled.”

Best Ways to Bond With Your Dog at Home

Here are some fun ideas for bonding with your dog at home. Keep in mind that every pet (and person) will have his own preferences, so find something you enjoy doing together. 

Play Indoor Parkour

Parkour is a fun, low-impact, non-competitive sport in which a dog navigates physical obstacles. It’s similar to agility sports, but less structured. “Parkour teaches dogs to interact with objects in their environment by going around, putting two feet on, going in, jumping over, climbing under, and on various objects. While teaching the skills, reinforcement like treats, praise, toys, or petting are used to reward the dog for trying,” explains Biehl, who is a certified parkour instructor through the International Dog Parkour Association. The benefits? “A dog learns to be more confident while getting a great mental and physical workout.” 

While parkour has traditionally been an outdoor activity, the International Dog Parkour Association also has a program for indoor parkour that you can try at home.

Choose Enriching Toys

There’s a lot of variety when it comes to dog enrichment products, from chews and puzzles to food toys. “Learning what your dog likes and doesn’t like is key,” offers Dr. Carley Faughn, senior manager, behavioral rehabilitation and research at Best Friends Animal Society. “Kongs are great because you can stuff them with peanut butter, your dog’s kibble, small treats, canned dog food and then you can freeze them for later use.”

If using a new food puzzle, Faughn recommends observing how your dog reacts to it, and that it’s safe and enjoyable. If a particular puzzle isn’t working out, she suggests trying something new, like a different toy or higher value food item. “Some puzzles are very easy for dogs to solve, while others can be more challenging and cause frustration. We don’t want that, and if you notice frustration, then it’s okay to remove the puzzle but always give them something tasty anyway because they likely wanted the food but weren’t motivated to work that hard for it.”

Engage Your Dog’s Natural Stalking and Chasing Behaviors

One way to promote your dog’s natural stalking and chasing instincts is to use a flirt pole, which is essentially a giant cat toy wand for dogs that you can purchase or make at home, says Faughn. 

“This can simply be a fun game of swinging the pole around with a toy at the end and letting your dog catch it. Or, you can make it more advanced by adding rules to the game, such as teaching your dog to ‘drop it’ when asked and then ‘take it’ when asked. This can help your dog with impulse control, while building a fun relationship with you at the same time. You want your dog to catch the toy to decrease the likelihood of frustration.” 

Put Your Dog’s Nose to Work 

“This is one of my favorite games to implement with my dogs at home and in shelters, because it is so easy and taps into their natural scavenger and foraging abilities in their hunt for food,” says Faughn. There are various ways to approach this, she says. “The typical beginner way is to set up two to four boxes in a room, bait each box with a high-value, tasty, smelly treat, and then release your dog and say, ‘find it!’ The dog then searches for the smelly food you baited the boxes with and gets to enjoy using their brain and natural senses to problem solve. Initially, the boxes serve as visual identifiers for the dogs to explore and locate food.” 

When your dog achieves this level, you can make it more challenging, she says. “If you had four boxes baited, decrease it to three of the four boxes now having tasty treats. Eventually, you can take the boxes away completely and strategically place your high-value treats around your house or specific room.” 

Tap into the Power of Touch 

What dog wouldn’t appreciate a soft, gentle massage? Although the research on massage for dogs is scant, some veterinarians believe it’s associated with benefits like stress relief and lowered blood pressure. 

Use your fingertips to create soft, circular motions. “Have your dog relax and massage him gently. Most dogs love having their neck or chest massaged,” says Bennett. “You might find other favorite spots on your particular dog, such as the hindquarters or head or ears. Watch as your dog relaxes as you massage. You might relax too.”

Practice Basic Training

Bennett recommends choosing a simple behavior to teach your dog, then working with him five to six minutes each day using positive methods to build a stronger relationship. “As both of you learn, you will develop mutual trust and understanding and ultimately strengthen your bond,” she says 

Rewards reinforce behavior. If using treats as rewards, they don’t have to be giant-sized, says Fiendish. “I cut up all my rewards so that they’re around 1/8 of an inch. I can make one 1-inch treat into 8 treats. I want to reward my dog a lot but not make him fat.” 

Teach Your Dog New Tricks 

Tricks can take training to the next level. One simple trick Bennet recommends is the spin. “Take a treat and try to guide your dog in a circle. At first reward him with the treat if he goes a quarter turn, then half way, and then eventually all the way around,” she says. “Give this behavior a name—like spin or twirl—and keep practicing until your dog can do it without needing to be lured with the treat.”

Trick training exercises the dog’s mind and body, and helps strengthen your bond by increasing confidence and trust, says Fiendish, who also serves as executive director of the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians. Tricks are fun, too. “My little dog, Stitch, is the star of any place we go to with his willingness to perform, and I’m the proudest mom when he does.”

Let Your Dog Hear the Sound of Your Voice

Bonding with your dog can be as simple as talking to him. Reading aloud is frequently used to help shelter dogs build relationships with people while reducing their stress, says Faughn. “Your dog might not be stressed at home, but sometimes we all need a little help to take a deep breath. Reading aloud to your dog can help both of you. Our dogs tend to enjoy hearing familiar voices and this opportunity allows for that while giving you the opportunity to read something you enjoy.” 

Throughout the day, Fiendish asks her dog for advice about current projects. “He even attends online meetings so that he can assure that our company continues to run smoothly. He has his own area in my office and has even been promoted to Chief Barkerations Executive.” She says working at home has been excellent for the bond between her and her dog. 

Go Outside

Taking a walk with your dog around your neighborhood is a good bonding activity. Faughn puts walks into two categories. “I call free walks those in which I don’t have any training goals in mind,” she says. “Free walks allow the dog to sniff and explore, let them lead you but of course keep them out of trouble.” 

Training walks incorporate training such as working on commands like “sit” in new environments, she says. “Of course, allow your dog to sniff and enjoy the environment during training walks as well.”

Bonding With Your Dog: A Lifetime Goal 

Keep in mind that finding ways to bond with your dog is a permanent journey, and that training isn’t a one-and-done effort.

“Training throughout your dog’s life not only creates a more intelligent dog, it helps prevent behavioral problems like destructive behavior, nuisance behaviors, reactivity, and separation anxiety to name a few,” says Fiendish.

During times of high stress, there’s perhaps no greater source of comfort than your best friend. Any time you spend at home is an ideal time for bonding with your dog.

The post 9 Simple Ways to Bond With Your Dog at Home appeared first on Great Pet Care.

While dogs in those rescue photos and videos do seem sad and seeing them – cowering, tails tucked and heads down—might make you want to burst into tears, dogs do not shed emotional tears, according to Dr. Fiona Lee, veterinarian with Habitat Veterinary Hospital in Boise, Idaho.

“Dogs do not shed tears as a clinical sign of feeling sad,” Lee says.

Do Dogs Cry Tears?

Dogs have lacrimal glands, the glands in the eyes responsible for tear production, and they do produce tears. But epiphora—the medical term for tears or excessive eye watering—is often a symptom of a medical issue, not emotion, says Lee. 

A dog’s eyes may water (giving them the appearance of crying) due to decreased drainage through the tear ducts. Inflammation or pain can also trigger an increased production of tears. In other words, tears are a natural response to illness or injuries.

“Tears are the body’s natural way of cleaning the eye,” explains Lee. “Extra tears can ‘wash’ the eye free of debris, pollen, dust, and other irritants.”

Your veterinarian will take a closer look at your dog’s eyes to determine what might be causing them to water. In general, excessive tearing in only one eye could be a result of a blocked tear duct, an injury, or an irritant like dust or dirt while tearing in both eyes is often a sign of a systemic issue like an infection or allergies to pollen, dust mites or certain foods, according to Dr. Jerry Klein, chief veterinary officer for the American Kennel Club.  

The facial anatomies of Pugs, Boxers, Bulldogs and other short-nosed breeds might also make these dogs appear to “cry” more often. Many of these dogs have bulbous eyes with narrowed tear ducts and increased contact with the air—meaning they’re more irritated, and simultaneously less able to drain normally. Diseases like glaucoma or physical abnormalities such as inverted eyelids (entropion) or extra eyelash hairs (distichiasis) could also bring tears to your dog’s eyes. 

In addition to tear production, your dog might give you other clues that there is a medical issue, including excessive blinking, keeping eyes closed, yellow or green discharge, or pawing at their eye.  

“Any problem that is apparent with a dog’s eye deserves to be seen by a veterinarian,” says Klein.

Excessive tear production can also cause tear stains. The dark reddish-brown stains are more noticeable on dogs with lighter-colored fur and can often be removed with a combination of warm water and a saline solution. 

Do Dogs Cry When They Are Sad?

Since dogs do not produce tears as a sign of emotion, how do dogs cry for help? You need to rely on other cues to determine whether your dog is sad. 

“What we know about canine emotions are limited because [our dogs] can’t talk to us,” Lee says. “But, absolutely, dogs are capable of feeling happy and sad and scared and hurt; usually these feelings will manifest in more subtle ways.”

What Do Dogs Do When They Are Sad?

Decreased appetite, whining and whimpering, decreased energy levels, and lack of interest in toys and other favorite things are allpossible signs that your dog is feeling sad.. But Dr. Bonnie Beaver, veterinary behaviorist and professor at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine warns that even these behavior changes may not be signs of sadness.

The problem is just as likely to be a physical issue as an emotional one, Beaver adds. A dog with an upset stomach or injured paw might exhibit similar symptoms to a dog that has an emotional response to a change in schedule or a new addition to the family.  

If all possible medical causes are ruled out and dog depression is thought to be the cause of the behavior change, Beaver says your veterinarian may prescribe antidepressants. You can also try to boost their mood by taking them on a walk or a trip to the dog park, engaging in positive interactions like petting and games, and offering their favorite foods. 

Even though dogs don’t physically cry or release tears when they are sad, we know that they do feel sadness, so remember to talk to your veterinarian if you notice behavior changes.

“Changes in behavior might be a sign that something in their world is not right,” Beaver says. 

The post Can Dogs Cry? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Recent imaging studies show that dogs recognize our faces and that their brains react like ours when exposed to positive stimuli. Thanks to these studies, we now have scientific answers about how a dog’s brain works.

Here are 12 amazing dog brain facts to quench your curiosity and help you appreciate the intellect of your canine companion. 

1. A Dog’s Brain is the Size of a Tangerine

Brainpower is often associated with the size of the brain in relation to the body. A dog’s brain is about the size of a tangerine. That means it doesn’t have as many folds as the human brain or the capacity for higher thinking. 

The human brain-to-body ratio is 1:40. In dogs, it is 1:125 across all breeds, according to a study published in the Intelligence issue of Popular Science. This means that while dogs don’t have as much brain power as us, they have a lot more compared to other animals (the ratio for great white sharks is 1:2,550).                       

2. A Dog’s Cerebral Cortex Differs From a Human’s

The brains of both humans and dogs have some similarities, but some major structural and functional differences. The biggest variation relates to the makeup of the cerebral cortex, the largest part of the brain. 

Dr. Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist at Emory University, was the first to conduct fMRI scans to see inside a dog’s brain. An fMRI is a form of imaging that measures brain activity while the subject is active. 

In his book, “How Dogs Love Us: A Neuroscientist and His Adopted Dog Decode the Canine Brain,” Berns states: “The largest part of the brain—the cerebral cortex—is radically different in dogs and humans. Presumably, that is what makes us different from each other.”

3. Dogs Have Emotions—Just Like We Do

Humans and dogs have similar chemical changes and hormones in the brain. This includes the release of oxytocin. This release creates a sense of love and affection when a dog and a human look into each other’s eyes, according to a 2015 study.  

Just like us, they also feel excitement, fear, anger, distress, and pain. However, dogs are not capable of experiencing more complex feelings. What you may think of as a dog expressing guilt when caught doing something wrong is merely a feeling of fear as they wait for your reaction.  

4. Dogs Can Experience Depression

Because dogs experience emotions like us, they are also prone to experiencing depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). This is why anti-anxiety medications—like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—can help. 

Dr. Jill Sackman, veterinarian and owner of Animal Behavior Consultants of Michigan, who has a PhD in molecular and cellular biology, references a study where Prozac helped improve anxiety and depression symptoms in dogs. 

“Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter in the brain and appears in areas in the brain in dogs (and other animals) as it does in humans,” she says. “There are studies that show that when dogs are on Prozac they have an ‘optimistic’ bias.” 

5. Dogs Do Not Make Plans

Despite a dog’s ability to experience a wide range of feelings, including both happiness and sadness, Sackman says that dogs live in the moment and don’t let emotions get in the way. 

“They live rich emotional lives,” she says. “But we have no evidence that says that they plan any events in the future—skills that require the prefrontal cortical development that higher primates have.” 

6. A Dog’s Brain Is Wired to Respond Positively To Rewards

More research by Berns revealed that a dog’s brain lights up when exposed to hand signals associated with reward. The same area responds similarly in humans when exposed to positive stimuli. 

This all comes down to the caudate nucleus, part of the basal ganglia in the brain. This caudate nucleus plays a role in learning by storing and processing memories. It’s also rich in dopamine receptors—which are associated with the sensation of pleasure in both humans and dogs.

In an article Berns wrote for the Smithsonian Magazine, he mentions that the caudate nucleus (and the reward system) belongs to the ancient reptilian part of the brain that all mammals have, making it similar in both dogs and humans.  

7. A Dog’s Brain Is Dedicated to Analyzing Smells

Dogs have an incredibly powerful sense of smell, as proven by the large part of the brain dedicated to olfaction. It is because of this keen sense of smell, and association of scent with memories, that you’ll find dogs trained to sniff out bombs, drugs, and work on search and rescue teams.  

In his book, Berns explains the differences between how humans and dogs sense smell:

“Although the dog brain looks, at first glance, like a scaled-down version of the human brain, there is one area that is noticeably larger in the dog. The part of the brain concerned with smell, called the olfactory bulb, is huge in the dog brain,” he writes. “When the dog brain is viewed in the dorsal plane at the level of the eyes, the olfactory bulb looks like a rocket ship. There is no human equivalent of this part of the brain.” 

8. Dogs Can Recognize Human Faces

Dogs use more than smell to recognize their humans. Through evolution, their brains have developed to recognize human faces and understand emotional and visual cues, which they use to guide their own behaviors.  

According to a study conducted at the Institute of Neurobiology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, there’s a specific region in the brains of animals (specifically the bilateral temporal cortex) that is designed to recognize faces of the same species. But Laura Cuaya and her team found that dogs have a knack for recognizing human faces by studying brain scans. 

The scans showed an increase in activity (neural cells) in the temporal regions of the brain when presented with human faces rather than images of everyday objects.  

The study states: “Dogs are especially good at discriminating between two humans, even if they are both familiar to them, but also, they have a remarkable ability to pick up small but important signals in a human face.” 

9. Dogs Can Dream

Human and dog brains exhibit similar stages of electrical activity, leading to the conclusion that dogs can dream. In fact, it is safe to say that they dream about common activities they engage in daily, like chasing squirrels and barking at the mailperson.  

Neuroscientists Kenway Louie and Matthew Wilson of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), studied the activity of neurons in the rat hippocampus and suggest that rats’ brain functions seems to indicate dreaming. 

The hippocampus is important in forming and encoding memories, and because a dog’s brain is more complex than that of a rat, it’s reasonable to conclude that they dream as well. 

10. Dogs Are as Smart as a Two-Year-Old Child

Researchers, including author Dr. Stanley Coren, have conducted both language and mathematical tests intended to test skills in children have determined that dog intelligence is at the level of a toddler. Dogs can learn up to 165 words, the same as a two-year-old human, and they can outsmart a three or four-year old in math. 

“If we credit two-to four-year-old humans with consciousness and reasoning, then, in the absence of data to the contrary, it seems appropriate that we grant the same to dogs,” Coren writes in his book “How Dogs Think, Understanding the Canine Mind.”

Because dogs have the capacity and eagerness, it is important to use brain teaser exercises and puzzles to keep them mentally stimulated. Dr. Sackman says that these exercises can “teach them new skills, mentally enrich their lives, and increase engagement with their people”. 

11. Dogs Are Smarter Than Cats

A study published in the journal, Frontiers in Neuroanatomy in 2017, concluded that dogs are smarter than cats based on the amount of neurons present in their cerebral cortexes. Neurons are information processing units associated with intelligence—the higher their numbers, the higher the capacity of the animal to think, plan, and exhibit complex behavior. 

This study counted the neurons in the brains of a number of animals. Dogs have more than twice the number of neurons as cats (530 million vs. 250 million cortical neurons). Humans have 16 billion neurons. 

12. Dogs Might Experience Brain Freeze

It’s delightful seeing dogs slurping up the last bit of dog-friendly ice cream on a hot summer day, but there’s a likelihood that your dog could experience brain freeze. Brain freeze is a temporary headache that occurs when eating cold foods quickly.  

“‘Freeze brain’ is phenopalatine ganglioneuralgia (pain of the sphenopalatine nerve),” says Sackman. “Since dogs and humans have similar neural structures on the roof of their mouths it is reasonable to expect that they might have similar sensations when eating a cold/icy treat. But we don’t know for sure.”

While we know to stop eating when we experience brain freeze, dogs may not. To prevent tingling of the nerves, give your pup icy treats in small doses or mix them up with regular treats. 

The post 12 Amazing Dog Brain Facts appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Doubtful. Dogs are not humans and do not think like human beings.

First, remember dogs view poop differently. “Poop would be the last thing that came to [a dog’s] mind as an item of revenge,” writes faculty and enrollment coordinator at the Victoria Stilwell Academy, Christina Waggoner. “If they had opposable thumbs and theory of mind, they would be more likely place a nice poop specimen in a box, tie the box with a bow, wrap it in gold foil and present it to you as a gift. Happy Birthday!”

Simply put, dogs love poop. So if your dog is suddenly pooping in your Pradas, something else is going on.

HOW TO SPOT IT:  If it’s not revenge, then what is it?

We reached out to Irith Bloom, certified dog trainer, faculty at VSDTA, owner of The Sophisticated Dog and all-around animal behavior pro to get her thoughts on why a dog might start pooping where you’d rather they didn’t.

She suggests pet parents consider:

• Has there been a change in your dog’s routine?
  Dogs rely on their humans to keep them on a schedule. “For example, the dog parent may have changed jobs, or started a new class, so that the dog is no longer getting walks at the time he is used to,” Bloom said.
• Is there something about being outside that is causing your pup discomfort?
  “This can happen due to changes in weather (too hot, too cold, too wet, too windy, etc.),” says Irith. “It can also happen if something scary (to the dog) happens while the dog is outside.

“Any sudden alteration in behavior in a dog suggests that something has changed either in the dog’s body or in his environment,” Bloom told us. If the answer is no to the above,  an underlying medical issue could be at the root of the behavior. Yup, it’s time for a trip to the vet.

Waggoner reinforces how sudden behavioral changes should include a medical rule-out as a first step: “Always, always, always assume that there may be a medical reason behind sudden behavior changes. Any shelter worker can tell you that the saddest surrenders are those of dogs that ‘are stubborn and will not be house trained’ only to find a bladder stone, tumor, or infection was the cause of the behavior.”

Nikki Wardle of Intermountain Pet Hospital doesn’t think your dog is revenge pooping either. But notes it could indicate:

• your dog is anxious
• your dog isn’t getting enough mental stimulation and feels bored
• your dog may be energetic and need more physical activity

Anxiety, specifically separation anxiety is common. The AVMA says separation anxiety shows up in approximately 20% of dogs.

But why poop in the Pradas, specifically? Bloom points out that your dog may be attracted to your shoe because it smells like you: “Our scent may be comforting to the dog, so the dog goes and finds that scent when he wants to feel comfortable pooping.” 

THINGS TO CONSIDER: If your pup can’t think through revenge, then why are they acting guilty?

Pet parents sometimes say that the way their dog acted when the parent discovered the “misbehavior” was a clear sign of guilt. But science is saying otherwise.

According to Alexandra Horowitz from the psychology department at Barnard College, people have a tendency to see guilt in their dog when they believe the dog is guilty. Put simply—your dog sees you’re upset and responds in a way to appease you.

FIRST STEPS TO TAKE: How can I help my dog and save my shoes?

Remain calm.

The next time you come home to a mess in your shoe (or on the carpet, your bed etc.), Bloom suggests you remain calm. “Getting angry at best confuses the dog, and at worst teaches the dog that people are scary.”

Determine whether this is a pattern of behavior.

Instead, Bloom suggests you, “clean up the mess and then think about whether this is a pattern or a one-time thing.”

Create a plan to stop it from happening again.

“If it’s a one time thing, come up with a plan to prevent it happening again—e.g., put shoes away in a closed closet, or keep the dog out of the bedroom when he’s not supervised,” Bloom says. ”Also, review your housetraining routine.”

If, however, this is happening as part of a pattern, make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out other issues.

HOW TO GET HELP: Questions to ask veterinary and behavior professionals

You’ll want to get the conversation going fast with your vet if your dog has a sudden change in behavior. Things you might ask are:

1. My dog’s elimination patterns have changed. [Dog’s name] is going in the house now. Is there anything medical that could be causing this?
2. Along with pooping in my shoe, my dog has also been [name new behaviors you’ve noticed]. Are these two related?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Separation Anxiety from ASPCA

The post Why is My Dog Pooping In My Shoes? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

But why are they doing it and how can you make them stop? The first step is understanding what kind of bark you’re dealing with. 

HOW TO SPOT IT: Why does my dog bark so much?

Dogs bark for a number of reasons. In “Barking, Barking, Barking, Etc., Etc., Etc…,” Dog trainer Linda Michaels, MA, talks about how “dogs bark to repel intruders, for attention, during play, as an outlet for energy, or in separation distress.” While some dogs will bark because they’re bored or want attention when you leave, anxiety over being alone (also called separation anxiety) is an extremely common reason. It can also be the hardest to combat because of the underlying fear causing your dog to bark.

“To stop anxious barking, you must identify the source of the anxiety and either eliminate it (if possible) or train the dog to accept it,” notes TheSophisticatedDog.com, owned by dog trainer Irith Bloom. Bloom says that dogs with separation anxiety will continue to bark until your dog learns to be calm when left alone. This can be difficult to achieve on your own, so getting some specific tips from a trainer about your dog might be in order.

THINGS TO CONSIDER: How did my dog get separation anxiety?

Dogs with separation anxiety may have developed it because of their histories, suggests Jacque Lynn Schultz, a certified professional dog trainer. According to Schultz, these factors may include:

• Dogs that move to multiple homes with different families or dogs rescued from shelters
• Dogs that had “helicopter parents” who overprotected or babied them
• Dogs that received inadequate socialization as a puppy
• Dogs that were left alone
• Dogs who rarely ventured far, if at all, off their property or space

Schultz cites that these dogs are found “chewing, barking, house soiling and digging at doors or window sills” because of anxiety triggered by their parent leaving. 

Should I debark my dog or get a bark collar?

No. Debarking is NOT the solution, especially to anxious barking. Over on thebark.com, famed dog trainer Victoria Stilwell explains, “Debarking can cause immense anxiety, as it takes away an important part of the dog’s ability to communicate. I do recommend, however, that you take your dog to the veterinarian for a thorough medical check up, since any extreme behavior can be exacerbated by a medical condition.”

Another unfortunate tactic pet parents try for dogs that bark when left alone is putting a bark collar on their dog when they leave. However, for dogs with anxiety-related barking behaviors this can make the problem worse. “When dealing with anxious barking, it is absolutely critical to avoid using aversives (shock collars, etc.), since these will only increase the dog’s level of stress,” notes Irith Bloom on TheSophisticatedDog.com. (Read more about separation anxiety and why to avoid bark collars.)

FIRST STEPS TO TAKE: How can I help my dog and stop their barking?

1. As always when your dog is doing something funky, rule out medical reasons first. Changing a behavior that’s being caused by an underlying medical condition just doesn’t work without tackling the medical side as well. Even if your dog is barking because of anxiety, some hard-to-spot health and age-related conditions can increase anxiety in dogs, leading them to bark. (Learn more about age and health-related anxiety in pets here.)

2. Look for stress versus boredom. Irith Bloom suggests setting up a video camera or baby monitor to watch your dog while you’re away. Look for common signs of stress, like pacing and inability to settle, digging or chewing at entry and exit points, avoiding food, shaking, whining or peeing/pooping, or others. This is likely to be anxiety and it’s time to call a trainer. “If, on the other hand, your dog settles in to dig all the food out of the food toy, then takes a short nap, and finally heads over to chew on the couch contemplatively, he’s probably just bored.”

3. Add exercise and boredom busters for bored dogs. Ask for help with anxious dogs. If your dog is calm and bored, consider adding some additional exercise to his day to help tire him out. There’s a reason for the saying, “a tired dog is a good dog.” It’s true! At least when it comes to keeping dogs from getting bored. Food puzzles and things that will keep your dog’s mind active while you’re gone can also help deter a bored barker. If, however, your pup seems scared when you’re away, it’s time to call a professional. 

HOW TO GET HELP: Questions to ask veterinary and behavior professionals

Barking can become embarrassing for a pet parent. If you’re on the path to solving the problem, you may want to get the advice of your vet or certified dog behavior specialist.

Some things you may consider asking:

1. Are there any medical conditions that could be causing or intensifying my dog’s barking?
2. Is my dog bored, frustrated or scared when I leave them alone?
3. What can I do to help make sure my dog is tired before I leave the house?
4. What steps can I take to show my dog there’s nothing to be scared of when I leave?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Barking from Victoria Stilwell’s positively.com

Dog Language 101: Decoding Your Dog’s Bark from Pet Central

How to Stop Dog Barking from Dogster

The post Crying for Help: Why Dogs Bark When You Leave appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Unfortunately, stress around vet visits can spell trouble for many dogs and their people. The issue is so bad and common that many veterinary practices are seeking Fear Free certification, to help reduce stress and fear associated with veterinary care. You are not alone.

The human-dog bond can be so tight. In fact, a survey given by the Bayer Veterinary Care Usage showed that a little over one-quarter of pet parents report even thinking about going to the vet created stress. And we know that dogs can sense OUR stress and get stressed, too. Vicious cycle, much?

The stress of going to the vet can result in less healthcare for dogs due to avoidance or “missing” annual checkups and preventive care. It also decreases the likelihood of finding and treating any issues early on. Don’t worry, though, there’s lots of ways to help. 

HOW TO SPOT IT: How will I know if my dog is afraid of the vet?

Dogs give obvious tells when they don’t like going to the vet.

Board-certified veterinary behaviorist Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, notes that some of the signs to look for if you think your pet is experiencing stress are:

• licking lips
• flattened ears
• drooling
• tucking their tail
• cowering
• panting

At your vet’s clinic or hospital, Dr. Sung points to your dog hiding behind you or under a piece of furniture as a possible indicator of stress. Shaking is another sign of stress, according to Irith Bloom, trainer and owner of The Sophisticated Dog.

You could even see aggressiveness when a tech, veterinarian or other staff members approaches. “All of a sudden,” notes Dr. Sung’s article, “their previously tolerant and patient pet now is out of control lunging, scratching, vocalizing and may possibly try to bite the veterinary staff. The owner is embarrassed. Everyone, including the pet, is stressed and unhappy.” None of this is fun. Like, at all. For anyone.

THINGS TO CONSIDER: Is my dog simply scared of the vet or do they have fear aggression?

Is going to the vet a minor annoyance for your dog? Or does it put them into full-blown panic mode—biting and attacking those who approach?

Dogs, like humans, release stress hormones such as cortisol. “The hormones that are released when our pets are stressed during the veterinary clinic are the same hormones that are released when faced with a life-threatening situation,” says Dr. Sung. “These hormones also enhance our pets’ memories of those scary events.” The negative association becomes part of your dog’s biology. You know your dog is not going to die when in the care of the vet, BUT your dog does not know that. They are still on autopilot, trying to protect themselves.

Being afraid can be challenging. Fear aggression though, is a different beast altogether: “The root of most aggressive behavior is fear,” expert dog trainer Victoria Stilwell’s site Positively.com tells us. “Combine fear with a situation where a dog has not been raised and trained humanely and the result is often a disastrous cocktail of fear aggression. This is frequently made even worse by owners and trainers who employ punishment-based techniques on the fear-aggressive dog.”

Fear aggression is serious and will require professional help to learn how to manage. Vets, techs and other staff can help suggest techniques or ways to help, but a trainer who specializes in fear aggression can be your new best friend and help keep everyone safe—including your dog. It’s important to manage the behavior. Get an in-depth look at fear aggression on Positively.com.

FIRST STEPS TO TAKE: How can I make a trip to the vet smooth sailing for the both of us?  

1. Small changes can go a long way.
   Working with your veterinarian and the staff can go a long way in changing your entire visit. Busy waiting rooms that are filled with excited dogs or howling can amplify your dog’s fear, as pioneering animal behaviorist Sophia Yin, DVM, MS, talked about in her article “Dealing with Difficult Dogs at the Vet: 5 Tips That Don’t Involve Food or Training Time.” Discuss your dog’s fear with the practice ahead of time and how you both can help create a more relaxed environment for the visit.
2. Practice at home.
   Dog trainer Amy Bender suggests in her article “How to Stop Your Dog From Fearing the Veterinarian” that you help your dog get used to the way veterinarians check your dog over before and between visits. “Spend some time each day checking its ears, restraining it, looking at its teeth, and holding its paws. Be gentle and make sure your dog gets lots of praise and some treats during the practice exams.”
3. Walk into the vet confidently.
   Dr. Yin also stresses the importance of body language to communicate confidence to your dog in fearful situations. “Imagine you’re blind and you’re relying on someone to lead you, but that person walks you into a table or you can’t tell where that person is trying to go. You probably wouldn’t trust that person to lead you for long, let alone help you through a medical procedure.” Brush up on your confident dog-walking skills, then take your dog to the vet just to say hello and get a treat.
4. Stop in to say “hello” and nothing more.
   Amy Bender suggests stopping in regularly so the receptionist can give your pup treats, making walking in the door a fun—rather than fearful—activity that your dog looks forward to.
5. Know when your dog has had enough.
   Dr. Sung reminds people that it’s okay to end a vet visit if you know it’s too much stress for your dog. A shorter visit, but a positive one, is a win for everyone.

HOW TO GET HELP: Questions to ask veterinary and behavior professionals

Opening the line of communication with your veterinarian is so, so, SO important.

Some things you may want to talk with them about are:

1. What can I do to alleviate the stress my dog experiences when we come?
2. Is there anything I can give her to calm her down before we get here?
3. Do you do house calls―or do you know of any vets in the area who may?
4. Could acupuncture help my pup relax?
5. How can we make sure this visit is positive and fun for my dog?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

How to Take the Pet Out of Petrified from Fear Free Happy Homes

Acupuncture: Can It Help Reduce Pet Stress at the Vet from Fear Free Happy Homes

Find a Fear-Free Certified Veterinarian Who Can Work with You through fearfreepets.com

The post Why Doesn’t My Dog Like the Veterinarian? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

In fact, science says dogs take on our stress.

How we feel impacts our dog’s daily stress and hormones

You read that right—triggers from work, personal relationships, or just trying to do everything all the time can be picked up by your pup. Not only that, but this chronic stress may change their cortisol levels too. (You’ve probably heard about cortisol before—a hormone that’s related to stress.) So when you’re stressed out, you’re changing the chemical makeup of your dog!

Researchers from Linköping University in Sweden recently looked at 58 pet parents with either a Border collie or Shetland sheepdog. They were studying the cortisol levels in the hair of both the parent and dog.

What they found was pretty interesting—the researchers reported “dogs, to a great extent, mirror the stress level of their owners.”

Competitive dog/dog parent combos are even more synched

When humans work together to accomplish something, the duo start to vibe together. Whether you have a stressed-out boss who makes you feel more stressed or a trainer who is helping you train for a marathon, you tend to harmonize closely the more you work together.

Just like humans can, competition dogs are more likely to have their cortisol levels sync up with their handler. The kicker? It doesn’t even matter if the dog takes home a prize! And it doesn’t matter how the handler interacts with the dog post-competition. They still sync up.

Lina Roth, one of the researchers from the study, shared a few theories about this with the New York Post: “‘The bond formed between owner and competitive dogs during training may increase the canines’ emotional reliance on their owners,’ she said. ‘That, in turn, could increase the degree of synchronization.’”

But why do dogs pick up and mirror our stress?

The pressure of life can be too real. Balancing work, relationships, career and pet parenting—we often deal with so much stress that we can get worked up and forget to just breathe.

Whenever you have periods of prolonged stress—unemployment, too much exercise, depression—your body shows the signs of it through cortisol production.

• For most dogs, you are their whole world.
  For humans, we have so much more going on. While our dogs may struggle to pee higher on the local lamppost as a form of climbing the social ladder, we’re often spending one-third of our lives at work, potentially competing and working hard to move up. That stress builds up.
• Dogs can literally smell your fear.
  Researchers presented dogs with human sweat samples from subjects who were happy, neutral or stressed. Dogs who sniffed the stress-sweat were more likely to show stressful behaviors.
• Dogs are excellent at reading body language—and
  Along with their olfactory prowess, dogs beat out chimpanzees in a Harvard study of how well the two picked up human body language. Another study found “evidence that dogs are sensitive to the human’s attentional state when producing facial expressions.” In layman’s terms, the researchers point out that the cute faces our pups make back at us could be intentional attempts to communicate back.
• We pick up their stress—and get more stressed because of it.
  Turns out many dog and cat parents get stressed at the thought of vet visits in anticipation of their pet’s stress. This gets more complex when our dogs then pick up our stress about the visit and get more stressed because of it. This makes us more stressed and less likely to take them to the vet and everyone loses.

Break the stress cycle!

Don’t worry. A huge part of the battle against stress is recognizing that it’s there at all. #quickwin

Getting out of the vicious stress cycle is 100% possible, and you and your dog will both be better for it.

Check out four proven methods to help your dog fear-bust and make sure you’re adding in a little self-care in your life, too. After all, de-stressing your own life WILL de-stress your dog’s, too. Science proved so.

The post Do Your Anxieties Match Your Dog’s? appeared first on Great Pet Care.

HOW TO SPOT IT: Why are these accidents even happening?

“A veterinarian should evaluate all dogs presenting with house soiling issues,” cautions Board certified veterinary behaviorist Kelly C. Ballantyne in her article Canine House Soiling: Back to Basics. Several medical conditions may cause the sudden failing of housetraining, so they’re important to rule out before jumping to other conclusions. Your veterinarian will look for signs of issues that can cause pain during elimination, increased urgency or frequency, mobility challenges and even memory decline as potential causes.

Mike Paul, DVM, owner of Pelican Mobile PetCare and former president of the American Animal Hospital Association, cautions that sometimes dogs lose control due to certain medical conditions, including:

• Infections, especially bladder
• Issues with the nervous or spinal systems
• Obstructions in the urinary tract
• Loss of awareness, especially in old dogs

If a health or age-related condition isn’t the source, consider what else is going on. Is your adult dog a recent adoptee, or moved into a new environment? “With appropriate preventive counseling, most puppy and new dog owners are able to house train their dogs within 1 to 2 months of adoption,” notes Dr. Ballantyne’s house training protocol on Today’s Veterinary Practice. However, every new dog or puppy being introduced to a house can use a refresher. No matter your dog’s age, if your pup is new to your home, try bringing them back through the basics of housetraining.

Other changes may cause previously housetrained dogs to start soiling familiar environments as well. Liz Palika, author of Dog Training, founder of Kindred Spirits Dog Training and certified dog trainer, offers a few probable causes:

• New carpeting or other construction work happening in the house
• Change in regular routines of the house
• Becoming too excited or stressed-out

Check out her entire list in “Your Adult Dog Suddenly Having Accidents in the House? Here’s What May Be Going On.”

THINGS TO CONSIDER: What is leading up to the accidents? 

Forgetfulness:

“Does your old dog seem to be increasingly forgetful? Does he come into a room and then act as though he doesn’t know why he’s there? Or, worse, has he started having accidents in the house, as though he has forgotten that he has a dog door to the yard?” asks Dr. Marty Becker, in his article 4 Signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. As pets are living longer, cognitive decline is an increasing discussion in many dog-parent households.

What can be surprising to dog parents is that dogs with CCD (also known as CDS) can appear to “forget” their housetraining, or get lost while trying to get to an appropriate place to go. If you see your dog struggling with other common places or known activities, telling your veterinarian can help them get to the root cause.

Loss of control:

Other factors your vet will want to determine are whether your dog is having accidents,  whether they’re deciding to pee somewhere or if they’re struggling with incontinence. For example, if you see your dog squat or lift their leg, this is usually intentional, but if your dog’s bed is urine-soaked in the morning this can be a sign of urinary leakage.

Fear or stress:

While medical conditions are important to rule out, other common reasons for an adult dog to have accidents in the house lead back to another big factor—stress. Over-excited dogs, dogs being greeted or dogs engaging in high-energy behaviors can experience submissive urination. Other dogs who are stressed about being without their people may urinate or defecate in the home as a form of separation anxiety.

FIRST STEPS TO TAKE: How can I help my adult dog to stop peeing or pooping inside the house?

1. Stay cool.
If you stumble upon an accident, it’s important you stay aware of your reaction: “Whatever you do,” writes Palika, “don’t punish your dog out of frustration. Don’t yell, spank or rub your dog’s nose in the mess. Not only will it not work, it may cause the dog to urinate behind the sofa or other hidden places, making your detecting job all the more difficult.”

2. Clean up using an enzymatic cleaner.
Whether the accident originally happens because of a medical condition, fear, marking or simply reeeeeaaaaaallllly needing to go, dogs are attracted back to pee where they have before. Be sure to use a cleaner that specifically breaks down the enzymes in dog urine to stop Spot from, well, spotting.

3. Consider the circumstances.
When did the accident occur and where? Given this, are there signs that something specific triggered it (like being alone, over excited, or a new routine), or that it was uncontrolled? If uncontrolled, or a recurring issue, it’s definitely time to call the veterinarian.

4. Reduce the opportunity for it to happen again, and be consistent.
If this is the first time an accident has occurred, it may not be time to run to the vet yet, but it’s a good idea to do what you can to reduce the chances your pup repeats the behavior. Return to some housetraining basics and keep a closer eye on your pup. If it happens again, it’s time to call the veterinarian to rule out other things going on. Above all, it’s important to tackle this one quickly. The more often this behavior happens, the harder it can be to correct.

HOW TO GET HELP: Questions to ask veterinary and behavior professionals

It’s easy to become frustrated when a dog has repeated accidents. It’s important to seek out medical advice to figure out why they are happening or how to deal with them best. When talking with your vet or seeking our a certified dog behavior consultant (if medical conditions are ruled out), you might ask:

1. My dog urinates [describe frequency, where and how he does it]. Do you think there might be something else going on?
2. My dog started [urinating/defecating] in [name location]. It started around the time that [name life event]. Could that have caused this?
3. All potential medical issues have been ruled out. Is it possible that my dog’s accidents are due to anxiety or stress?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs from Pet Health Network

Housetraining Adult Dogs from Positively.com

Submissive Urination from Vetstreet

The post Why Is My Older Dog Having Accidents?  appeared first on Great Pet Care.

Stress can affect the emotional, behavioral and physical well-being of our dogs. Seriously. It can even impact the bond we have with our dog. Stress and anxiety is a big deal for dog parents, but because it can present in so many ways, it can be super tricky for pet parents to pinpoint and identify.

Many of us know the obvious signs like hiding or shaking in fear, but dogs have many other silent ways to tell us they’re not so happy. We dove deep into some of the best resources to help identify common signs of stress in dogs. Check out ten big ones below. Some will probably be a big surprise!

1. Is your dog… Doing one thing over and over and over… and over again? Like over-grooming, barking at shadows, tail-chasing and other incessantly-repeated behaviors. Compulsions like these can be rooted in behavior or in an underlying medical condition. If there isn’t a medical condition going on (which is why it’s super important to have your dog checked out by your trusty vet), the behavior could be triggered by stress. Just like with us humans, any repeated behavior that gets in the way of our regular, everyday life and activities can be caused by stress.

2. Being extra active or unable to settle down? Some dogs wander through the house, never getting cozy in their bed or getting comfortable and snuggly with their human. Some even react to the smallest movement or noise they hear—looking to you for comfort, jumping up to see what all the ruckus is about or even running away to duck for cover. Inability to settle can also be a sign of pain, so some more detective work is necessary to understand whether this is mental or physical stress in your pup.

3. Destroying things? From the couch leg to a windowsill and more, stressed dogs have been known to scratch, rip apart and destroy stuff. Some things are easier to replace than others, but for dogs that are triggered by you leaving (even if it’s just to go to work), the American Kennel Society warns us of the type of destruction these dogs can do: “The damage is usually located around entry and exit points, like doorways and windows, but dogs in a state of heightened anxiety are also at risk of harming themselves. Attempts to break out of dog crates, windows, and even doors can result in painful injuries and expensive veterinary treatments.”

4. Showing aggression toward people or other animals? Famed positive-reinforcement dog trainer, Victoria Stilwell of Positively.com says “aggressive behavior such as growling, snapping or biting is another common symptom of stress that is often misunderstood and mistreated.” This sign of stress is often written off a “bad behavior” and, because it’s not understood, these dogs might not be getting the help they need. Often times, lashing out happens because the dog is afraid. It is unbelievably common for aggression to be based on anxiety or fear, according to the Veterinary Centers of America. “Dogs that display aggression are not mean or bad dogs. They are simply afraid/fearful and anxious/nervous about a perceived or anticipated threat or unpleasant outcome.”

5. Peeing or pooping in strange places? When housetrained dogs start peeing and pooping around the house, sometimes we think they’re mad at us. It can be terrible to come home to after a long day at the office, but, truth is, dogs who suffer from anxiety might end up pooping in your favorite pair of shoes or peeing on your most comfortable pillow. They can’t help it and need some support.

6. Yawning, panting, shaking-off or drooling? “Shaking-off” is a common way dogs release stress. You might also notice that your dog is more intensely doing certain other behaviors like deep, long yawning, panting (even though it’s not super hot outside) or lots of drooling.

7. Shedding all of a sudden… A LOT? Know how you can lose hair when you’re going through a stressful phase in life? The same goes for our four-legged friends. A nervous pup can start excessively and suddenly shedding. (Also called “blowing” their coats.) If you find yourself using the vacuum a LOT more around your house, maybe it’s time to investigate what’s up with pup.

8. Displaying a stiff body, dilated pupils, and other small easy-to-miss postures? You know what’s normal body language for your dog, so when he changes anything, you’re more likely to spot it. Being more stiff than usual or having his pupils dilated could signal stress. BUT it’s important you notice the context of the behavior and if it’s usual or unusual for your dog. Not everything means the same thing for all dogs.

9. Experiencing sudden changes in activity, appetite? Eating a whole lot more or a whole lot less is definitely a sign (same for humans, too!). Remember, anything out of the ordinary for your unique, individual dog may be a sign of stress. What looks like over-activity in one dog may be a chill day for another. Gauge where you are in comparison to what is normal for your dog.

10. Seeing YOU stressed out? Studies show that dogs react to their family’s stress levels, which is another reason why self-care is SO IMPORTANT. Long-term stress can synchronize between a dog and their human, according to science. So, chances are that if you’re coming home feeling frantic, your pup may be catching it.

If you’re seeing your dog in this list, don’t worry. We’re here to help. You’ve already recognized one of the hardest things to see—your dog’s stressed out!

What’s next?

• Make sure to check out these Four Proven Methods to Help Your Dog Fear-Bust
• It’s also an important time to consult your veterinarian to rule out any physical causes, like pain or medical conditions, which could be causing stress. Read more about common medical conditions that cause anxiety here.
• If your dog receives a clean bill of health, it’s important to understand what else might be causing your dog’s anxieties. Checking in with a local trainer (especially for aggression problems ) is always a good idea at this point, as they can help you recognize the triggers affecting your dog. Read more about common fears that cause anxiety and separation-related anxiety in dogs.

Stress is so common so you are definitely not alone. With a little help from you, your dog can live the more calm and confident life you both deserve. No worries—you got this.

The post 10 Hidden Signs Your Dog Is Stressed Out appeared first on Great Pet Care.

In fact, 2016 research in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior said noise phobias or noise sensitivities are one of the top 3 common anxieties in dogs (poor pups!). So, you can bet there are MANY dog parents looking for ways for their dog to cope with those big, bad and LOUD thunderstorms.

HOW TO SPOT IT: What does noise or thunder phobia look like in dogs?

Thunderstorm phobia is pretty painful to watch in our canine companions. Behaviors often kick off right before or during storms and include things like:

• barking or whining
• becoming extra-aware of surroundings
• being clingy
• cowering
• destroying furniture, walls, toys, etc.
• lip licking
• shaking
• hiding under furniture or wherever possible
• pacing back and forth
• panting
• trying to run away or, horribly, actually escaping
• yawning
• urinating/defecating unexpectedly (and probably not where you’d prefer they did)
• drooling or vomiting

Seeing your dog in this state isn’t fun for anyone and, often, pet parents are at a loss as to what to do. It’s not like you can just turn the thunderstorm off. (Important—if a lot of these things happen when it’s not thundering, a quick trip to the vet is a good idea to rule out other issues.)

THINGS TO CONSIDER: Am I making my dog’s fear worse?

There are various theories out there about why dogs are afraid of thunder.

Lauren Brickman, DVM, explains why dogs fear the thunder on Petfinder. “Many dogs are afraid of thunder simply because they do not understand what it is. Dogs hear this loud noise and perceive it as something threatening.” All the dog knows is that there is a LOUD, booming noise…and it’s not something they hear often. Sounds pretty scary, just thinking about it that way.

Another theory that still needs more testing is that dogs become statically charged when there’s a thunderstorm. Interesting, right?

Developed by Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, DACVA, DACVB, a veterinarian at Tufts University, writes in detail about his theory in his article “Thunderstorm Phobia in Dogs” in Psychology Today. He says his theory came about after hearing stories of dogs going to the bathtub or sink or other place they could ground themselves when a thunderstorm happened. He’s also had pet parents tell him they get an electric shock when they touch their dog during a thunderstorm.

Whether the fear is rooted in electrical shock or from not understanding, it’s still difficult to see your doggy so afraid during a thunderstorm. But be careful about how you try to soothe your pooch, warns Dr. Brickman. Using a baby voice “can actually encourage [your dog’s] fear if he senses any insecurity in your voice.”

Instead, consider providing background noise, like radio or TV, to try to somewhat drown out the storm. You can also try playing with your pup, or practicing their favorite tricks for treats to get their mind off their anxiety.

FIRST STEPS TO TAKE: How can I help my dog be less afraid next time?

There’s a couple things you can do to start helping your pup cope with thunderstorms without jumping in fear:

Take it slow.
The article “Coping with Thunderstorm Phobia,” encourages pet parents to expose your dog slowly to stimuli similar to a thunderstorm (YouTube!) to help teach them to not be afraid. “Going too fast might make the dog even more frightened so taking things slowly will ensure maximum benefit from the process.” It’s important to work slowly and patiently with your pet as to not further intensify their fear. Consider ways to put very low audio of a storm on during your every day. Start with it not audible to you and gauge how your dog behaves. Don’t move on to anything louder until they appear relaxed and comfy.

After you desensitize, it’s time to make it fun.
Once your dog is desensitized to a trigger, it’s important to engage in the next process of counterconditioning, reports Sarah Heath, BVSc, DECVBM-CA, MRCVS, in “Dealing with Sound Phobias.” She says, “The aim of counterconditioning is to repeatedly present the same stimuli, in this case a sound, but in association with an activity that the dog is known to enjoy such as eating or playing.”

Remember, sound is powerful.
Victoria Stilwell also says in “Noise Phobias” that “the change in how dogs listen to sounds reduces their fear considerably and in some cases completely cures them of their phobias and sound sensitivities.”

Prevent, when you can.
Heath also believes having a plan for thunderstorms or other fear-inducing events can go a long way: “Successful environmental management involves making preparations for known phobic events by providing a reliable escape place, which must be constantly available to the dog.” By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Right?!

Keep in mind, desensitization may not work.
One last tidbit from “Coping with Thunderstorm Phobia” to keep in mind is that “some dogs will respond well to all of the above therapies, but will become panicked when a real storm rolls in. It is therefore important to tackle this phobia in other ways by using effective management strategies and by masking any audio and visual stimuli that elicits a fear response during a storm.”

HOW TO GET HELP: Questions to ask your behavior professional

As well as reaching out to your vet, you may also want to reach out to a local positive-reinforcement-based trainer if the behavior is extreme.

Things you might ask are:

1. How can I figure out exactly what my dog’s trigger(s) is/are?
2. How can I respond more confidently to reassure my dog that they’re safe?
3. What should I do when [name specific behavior your dog does during a storm]?
4. Are there any medications and/or alternative therapies that may help? What about compression therapy or anti-anxiety supplements?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Overcoming Thunderstorm Phobia from Positively.com

Use of clomipramine, alprazolam, and behavior modification for treatment of storm phobia in dogs from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 

The post Why Is My Dog Afraid of Thunder? appeared first on Great Pet Care.