Dogs have been living with us for thousands of years. They are domesticated as opposed to their relative the wolf. However, dogs still have many instincts that wolves have and, in certain circumstances a dog will bite. We usually consider some of these reasons for biting acceptable or unacceptable, depending on the situation. A dog…
A dog stays pregnant 63 days from the time of ovulation. This is not always exactly 63 days from the date of the mating, but it is usually very close. Not every dog that mates becomes pregnant. It often seems like the more the puppies are wanted, the more likely the dog will fail to…
Trembling is common with lots of dogs. Sometimes it can be an indication of a health problem but for many dogs it is perfectly normal. Dogs can tremble when they are excited or very happy, for example. Some dogs, especially shorthaired dogs in cold climates, will tremble if they get cold. Chihuahuas and Whippets, for…
Dogs snore for similar reasons that humans snore. They can snore simply because something is blocking their airway to some extent. There are lots of common reasons why something could block your dog’s air passages and result in him snoring: Obesity: Being overweight or obese is very common in pets today. A dog that is…
In our recent post about “8 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe This Winter,” we discussed the importance of securing your dog in the auto, not just when on vacation but each and every time you drive with your dog in the car. As we mentioned, a safe dog travel study by Kurgo and AAA…
Pant. Pant. Pant. Have you seen your dog panting on a hot summer day? Or after he’s been running? Why the heck does he do do that? Dogs pant to cool themselves. When dogs get hot and their body temperature rises, they can’t sweat through the pores in their skin like people do, or like…
Dogs use many kinds of vocalizations to communicate and howling is one of them. Wolves and other canids also howl. Dogs will howl if they are lonely, to announce where they are to other dogs, if they are injured or in pain, or in response to certain high pitched sounds such as sirens. Howling is…
To a certain extent, it is normal for dogs to lick their paws. They do this as part of their self-grooming and cleaning the same way that they lick other parts of their body. However, some dogs can lick their paws much more than normal. They can chew on their paws, make them red, and…
Licking is a natural behavior for dogs but not for humans so when your dog licks you, it requires a little interpretation on your part. Dogs are licking or being licked from the time they are born. Puppies are licked by their mothers right away to warm and dry them and help them start nursing….
Poop eating is probably every dog owner’s least favorite behavior problem. Not every dog does it but if you have a dog who likes to eat poop, it can be a real trial. Why do dogs eat poop? It’s one of those behaviors where there are lots of theories but not a lot of definite…
No one really likes ticks, including your dog. But if you live in some areas you and your dog are likely to encounter them. Unlike fleas, ticks are not insects. They are arachnids which makes them relatives of spiders and mites. There are lots of different kinds of ticks in the world (over 850 species),…
The calendar may say winter—but the list of reasons for bathing your dog during the cold weather months is just as long as it is during the summer. Although your dog may not need as many baths during the winter as in the summer, you’ll still want to keep up a dog bathing routine to…