If you say good morning and head to their leash or food bowl, they will know what you are talking about right away. Dogs will also learn their name through classical conditioning. This means that they learn to respond to their name when it is said, not that they actually know their own name is … Read more
The sniff test for a dog is his way of shaking hands. Before any petting gets underway, let the dog sniff your hand. Hold your hand out flat to the dog and let him approach you. If he gets a sniff and wants to move forward, go ahead and pet him. Why do dogs sniff … Read more
Animals – even our beloved pets – can spread germs that can make people sick, from parasites to bacteria. Even clean and healthy pets can spread germs. Odds are that you aren’t washing your hands enough around your pets. Handwashing is the easiest and best way to stay healthy around animals. What percentage of pet … Read more
Dogs hide their puppies to protect them from predators. If the bed is where she gave birth, she is trying to destroy it to rid the area of the scent of blood that would tell predators there is a weak new mother and tender babies nearby. Is it normal for my dog to hide her … Read more
The Curious Behavior of Puppies: Puppies, with their adorable and playful nature, never fail to captivate our hearts. But have you ever wondered about some of their curious behaviors? In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of puppy nursing. From understanding normal nursing behaviors to exploring the reasons behind puppies nursing on each … Read more
No, unfortunately, most male dogs do not have paternal instincts towards their puppies. Despite being descended from wolves, who are very protective and caring of their offspring, domestic male dogs do not really care for their puppies or try to raise them. Does a male dog know his puppies? Although it is impossible to definitively … Read more
It is the strongest sign of affection and trust they will “bestow” upon someone. The normal reaction you would expect to see may be growling or snapping at you simply for reaching down to pick one of their babies up. Do dogs trust humans from birth? Researchers have found that puppies begin to trust humans … Read more
When your dog turns his back to you, he is showing you that he’s friendly and trusts you. In the animal world, turning your back to someone puts you in a vulnerable position. Your dog is trusting that you won’t attack him from behind. Why does my dog sit between my legs with his back … Read more
From an evolutionary standpoint, when your dog walks against a wall, he marks his territory by leaving his natural odor so that other dogs identify the wall as his own. This is common where a dog shares the same space with other dogs. Why do dogs walk the perimeter? Dogs make paths in your yard … Read more
Pacing (also called the camel walk) is usually a not very common gait for dogs. It often is a sign of fatigue or physical weakness. Overweight dogs or dog with a condition have a tendency to pace rather than trotting. What does it mean if your dog walks weirdly? An abnormal gait can be due … Read more
Assuming that a dog isn’t suffering from a cerebellar disorder or other malady, a dog that exaggerates the lifting of its forelegs is said to be “goose-stepping.” What causes goose stepping in dogs? Also, with vestibular syndrome, the dog may actually be unable to stand and may roll toward the side of the lesion, sometimes … Read more
The bottom line is, most dogs can’t recognize faces on phone screens or tablets. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t FaceTime or Skype with your pets while you’re out of town! It won’t harm them, and they may even recognize and be comforted by the sound of your voice. Do dogs know when you FaceTime … Read more
Research has confirmed that for most people, the loss of a dog is, in almost every way, comparable to the loss of a human loved one Is losing a pet considered traumatic? However, the loss of that companion can be devastating and traumatic. Humans develop a lasting attachment with their pets, which breaks at the … Read more
There is no way to say for certain when the time is right to get a new dog. This is a very individual decision that often happens organically. Some people only wait days to weeks, possibly because they cannot bear to go long without a canine companion. Will my dog feel betrayed if I get … Read more
“Puppies cannot maintain their own body heat for a week or two after birth.” Make sure the puppies are kept warm. Young puppies cannot maintain their own body temperature for a week or two after birth. Should I use a heating pad for newborn puppies? A whelping heating pad is crucial to have on hand … Read more
Dogs hide their puppies to protect them from predators. If the bed is where she gave birth, she is trying to destroy it to rid the area of the scent of blood that would tell predators there is a weak new mother and tender babies nearby. Why is my dog covering her pups? Dogs have … Read more
Research has shown that puppies removed from their litters very early are more likely to display problems in behavior and temperament when they’re grown, including being fearful, aggressive, or anxious; guarding their food and toys; and being highly reactive and more difficult to train. Can a puppy leave its mother at 6 weeks old? Puppies … Read more
The minimum time a puppy must be with its mother is 6 weeks, a period of time after which the puppy begins to wean. However, this is the bare minimum. The ideal minimum time that the puppy should be able to separate from its mother is 8 weeks. When can mother dog sleep away from … Read more
Your dog is tired, scared, and having to deal with an entire litter of wailing puppies. Sometimes, stress can lead to bad decisions for female dogs. Mothers can bark, growl, and even bite those precious pups. Predatory instincts kick in, which can lead to cannibalism in rare cases. Is it normal for dogs to eat … Read more
If a puppy becomes trapped under the blanket in the box he can easily smother and die. Anything that happens to newborn puppy can become an emergency so you need to watch the puppies very closely, especially during the first week to ten days before their eyes open. Can you put blankets in with newborn … Read more
Ideally, newborn puppies should sleep with their mom until they’re 3 months old. Puppies might survive separation at 4 weeks, but that comes with a set of short-term and long-term problems. Puppies are helpless in every way when they’re born. Can you leave newborn puppies alone with their mom overnight? Most responsible breeders do not … Read more
Things You Should Know: Clean the whelping box daily for the first week, clean twice a day for the next 2-3 weeks, and look out for excessive dampness and solid waste ahead of your scheduled cleaning times. How often should you change newborn puppies bedding? Change the bedding in the box several times per day, … Read more
Going Out in the Yard: In mild weather, even newborn puppies can be taken out to your own garden or backyard, as long as they’re supervised and confined to a small, safe area. Of course, nursing puppies would likely be taken out along with their mother and the rest of the litter. What temperature can … Read more
By three weeks, they should be trying to climb out of their nest or whelping box. By four weeks, all the puppies should be able to walk, run, and play. Should I remove puppies from whelping box? Puppies can often leave the whelping box at 3 weeks old. At this age, puppies can move out … Read more
When you sneeze, your noise will draw your dog’s attention. To a dog, that noise can be worrisome and it can also be quite exciting. If your dog sees you sneezing, they may run over because they feel like your sneeze is an invitation to come out and play. What does a sneeze mean to … Read more
If your female is feeling stressed or threatened by too much noise or activity around her puppies she may begin harming the puppies as a way to protect them from any perceived outside threat. Some female dogs just simply were not cut out to be mothers. Will a mother dog hurt her puppies? Mother dogs … Read more
Yes, a mother dog can reject her litter and turn on her puppies. This may happen because she feels unwell herself, or because a puppy seems too weak to be worthy of her care, or simply because of a lack of maternal instinct. Such behavior may appear from the moment she has given birth, or … Read more
Typically, it’s a sign she feels her pups need to be moved to a more secure place. If that’s the case, she’ll search for a secluded corner, a family member’s bed, the inside of a closet, or some other out-of -the-way place, and begin digging to create a new nest to transfer her pups. Why … Read more
As you are going through the process of getting your pup used to the crate and having him sleep in there for his naps and overnight, you may wonder if it is ok to move the crate around your house. The quick answer is that yes – it is absolutely ok to move a crate … Read more
Studies show that dogs, in fact, do not think in English, because ultimately our doggos are not able to understand English or any other human-created language. However, they are able to understand words (simply, sounds) in any language, including English. Do dogs understand English or Tone? The canine ability to comprehend human body language and … Read more
It’s possible for a dog to love both owners: it’s probably not always going to be equal and will change over time and based on who is doing what! Can a dog love one owner more than the other? In some cases, both partners in a couple walk and feed the dog equally, yet the … Read more
It is never a good idea to crate two dogs together. The only exception is if they are young puppies under 8 weeks of age. If your dogs are adolescents or adults however, do not put them into the same kennel. This could result in a serious fight between them with potentially severe injuries. Can … Read more
Yes, you’ll love the equally! Is owning two dogs harder than one? All canines need individual focus, attention, play, and training daily, in addition to regular grooming. Having multiple dogs means an increase in the daily time spent playing and working with your dogs to make sure each is getting enough attention. Is it better … Read more
Crate: A crate will keep them safe and out of trouble when you are sleeping. We put a crate in our bedroom for our new foster dogs to sleep, this helps the dogs feel more comfortable in the crate if they are not already crate trained. Where should rescue dogs sleep? Take your pup to … Read more
Can a dog miss a person? It’s not unusual for dogs to grieve the loss of a person they’ve bonded with who is no longer present. While they might not understand the full extent of human absence, dogs do understand the emotional feeling of missing someone who’s no longer a part of their daily lives. … Read more
When a dog loses a companion, two- or four-legged, he grieves and reacts to the changes in his life. Dogs alter their behavior when they mourn, much like people do: They may become depressed and listless. They may have a decreased appetite and decline to play. How do you know if your dog misses another … Read more
If you visit your dog after they’ve been rehomed, it can help reassure them that they’re still loved and cared for, even though they’re living in a new place. Finally, visiting your dog after rehoming them can help the new owners bond with their new pet. Do dogs miss you when you give them away? … Read more
A dog is most affectionate in the morning because your pet wants your attention! For most pets, the need for attention stems from their desire to enjoy breakfast or the need to relieve themselves, but affectionate mornings meet more than basic needs. Why do dogs lay on you in the morning? Since dogs consider their … Read more
A higher wolfiness score does not mean your dog has recent wolf ancestry (this would be reflected in the breed results), but does mean your dog has some neat, ancient genetic variants! We look at divergent markers in those regions and assign each dog a “wolfiness” score. What is considered a high Wolfiness score? According … Read more
There could be something wrong with the pup, or it could be simply that she doesn’t have enough milk and has chosen a puppy to neglect so that the others get plenty. At any rate, I’d take the puppy to the vet for a check and if the vet says it’s healthy, look into bottle … Read more
Neutered dogs usually feel some degree of discomfort immediately following their procedure. It is not unusual for your dog to whine or whimper after being neutered, although some dogs can tolerate pain more than others. A dog’s whining after neutering is completely normal. How long will my dog cry after being neutered? Any discomfort caused … Read more
Having puppies can be a wonderful experience for both dogs and their owners. However, it is important to be aware of the potential changes that can come with having puppies. In this article, we will discuss how puppies can change a dog’s behavior, physical appearance, social life, and emotional life. How Puppies Change a Dog’s … Read more
Yes, a mother dog can reject her litter and turn on her puppies. This may happen because she feels unwell herself, or because a puppy seems too weak to be worthy of her care, or simply because of a lack of maternal instinct. Such behavior may appear from the moment she has given birth, or … Read more
Your breeder may be able to tell you why a certain pup is ‘leftover’ in a litter… in many cases, the pup may just be a quieter, laidback pup who fades into the background during meet-and-greets. In conclusion, having the last pick in the litter is not necessarily a bad thing. Which puppy should I … Read more
The quiet one: While this pup may simply be catching up on their sleep and is possibly as active as the others at other times, you may have found yourself looking at a dog that is simply a little more laid back and sedentary than the rest of the litter. Is it normal for puppies … Read more
The first usage of the term pick of the litter refers to the right to choose first a puppy in the litter. In many cases, this right is in return for the stud. Pick of the Litter is a contractual and legal right to possess whichever puppy of a litter that person wants. What determines … Read more
The biggest or fattest puppy in the litter can turn out to be the greediest one – he probably pushed the other puppies away to get the most food. The smallest one often can’t fend for itself and consequently doesn’t get enough food. Should you get the biggest puppy in the litter? The breeder should … Read more
Yes, it’s OK to move a dog crate from room to room (or out to the car when it’s time for a ride). Usually the best place for dog crates at night is in the owner’s bedroom, so the dog has the feeling of being in safe company during sleeping time. How do I move … Read more
Unless you want your dog to be bored out of their mind and potentially destructive as a result, it’s a good idea to include some toys in their crate while you’re out. Can you leave toys in a dog’s crate? The short answer is, “yes!” You want your dog to be comfortable, and you also … Read more
Most dogs can tolerate 20-30 minute dog walks on a daily basis if they have a relatively good body condition. Some dogs in great physical health can tolerate walks up to 2 hours or go hiking for hours at a time. Is a 3 hour walk too long for a dog? As a rule, no … Read more