owning a dog Archives

5 Strange Eating Habits And What They Mean About Your Dog

Your dog’s quirks only make you love them more, but sometimes their behavior is downright strange. When it comes time for dinner, many dogs express themselves in mysterious ways. Understanding why dogs do what they do isn’t exactly science, but there is something to say about putting yourself in their paws. If you start thinking like a dog, you might be able to figure out exactly why your pup insists on a particular behavior at meal time. Here are a … Read more

New Research Shows That Petting Dogs Is Like A Drug For Our Brains

We’ve already talked about how dogs can help improve depression and your overall health, but new research is showing exactly how petting a dog affects our brains, and it’s just one more way that dogs make our lives better. Here’s how petting a dog impacts your brain, along with other ways dogs improve our lives. How petting a dog impacts your brain You might think that our brains process all the things we touch in the same way, but it turns out that … Read more

7 Ways Having A Dog Improves Your Overall Health

Dogs can be trained to open doors and provide support during epileptic episodes, but even without those skills, dogs naturally improve the health and well-being of the people who love them. Adopting a dog into your life, or even volunteering to spend time with rescue dogs, opens you up to surprising health benefits. From mental and emotional well-being to your physical strength and energy, dogs can improve nearly all aspects of what it means to be healthy. Here are a … Read more

10 Things To Think About Before Bringing Home A Big Dog

Bringing home a dog—regardless of size—will always take planning and forethought. There are toys to buy, a house to dog-proof, and sorting through potential vets can be a job within itself. Your new family member will always require special attention and care, but there’s no denying the fact a 120-pound Newfoundland is not the same as a 12-pound Chihuahua. The more dog you have, the more there is to think about. Great Danes, Mastiffs, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers—if you can’t … Read more

10 Tips All First-Time Dog Owners Need To Read

You’ve searched the shelters, done your homework, and now it’s finally time to bring your newest family member home for the first time. The car ride is full of excitement, and you’ll spend the first few hours playing with your new dog, but it’s time to ask yourself the important question of, “What’s next?” Being a good pet parent isn’t all belly rubs and tasty treats. It’s your responsibility to ensure your new dog is healthy, happy, and well taken … Read more

Why Does My Dog Always Try To Run Away From Home?

When your dog runs away once, it’s stressful. But as long as you get them back in your arms, it doesn’t take long to forgive and forget. Having a dog that is constantly slipping out open doors and digging under the fence, however, is a different story. You take it personally when your dog acts like they want to be anywhere but home. It feels like they’re betraying your bond every time they run away, and it’s easy to think … Read more

How To Help Two Dogs Form A Friendly Bond

While dogs are generally considered pack animals, not every canine introduction will turn into a peaceful companionship. Some dogs generally don’t do well in social situations, and others are picky about who they choose to befriend. Whether you’ve added a second dog to the family or need your pup to play nice with someone else’s dog, encouraging an amicable relationship is in everyone’s best interests. Like people, dogs have individual personalities that determine who they play best with. It isn’t … Read more

The 5 Different Types Of Dog Growls

Most people assume a growling dog is bad news, but that isn’t always the case. Dogs vocalize their thoughts and feelings in several different ways. They bark and whine, and the low rumbling we call growling can mean multiple things. There’s the basic aggressive growl most people know to watch out for, but a growling dog isn’t always an angry dog. Knowing the different situations where a dog might let out a growl will help you better communicate with your … Read more

Do Dogs Play Favorites When It Comes To Their Humans?

Feed them, love them, and give them somewhere safe to call home, and you’re on your way to your dog’s good side. But the question on every dog owner’s mind is, “Does my dog love me more than everyone else?” Parents say they don’t have favorite family members, but that neutral stance doesn’t necessarily apply to the dog. If your dog seems to gravitate more toward one family member than anyone else, there’s a good chance they’ve picked their favorite … Read more

6 Ways To Improve Your Dog’s Health And Happiness

Wagging tails and slobbery kisses are always signs of a happy and healthy pup. You want that tail to wag as often as possible, but deciphering your dog’s specific needs isn’t always easy. They can’t tell you what they want, and you haven’t quite mastered those doggy mind-reading skills. If you’re worried your dog isn’t feeling as good as he should, there are steps you can take to improve their quality of life. Here are a few easy ideas that … Read more

6 Signs You’re Ready To Adopt Your First Rescue Dog

Raising a rescue dog is a rewarding experience, but it’s also a big commitment. Before you start adopting every rescue you see, sit back and think about what it really means to bring a dog into your life. It’s not like buying a new pair of shoes or even getting a new car. Adopting a rescue will change the dog’s life, and it’ll also change yours. Instead of rushing into it, make sure you can relate to these six statements … Read more

5 Surprising Ways Your Dog Can Read Your Mind

While your dog has probably mastered “sit” and “stay,” his best trick is something he didn’t need to be taught. Dog owners are the first to say they share a special bond with their pets, and part of that relationship is due to a dog’s ability to pick up on emotional cues. They’re capable of empathy, and when combined with their incredible sense of smell and natural intuition, it can sometimes feel like they’re reading your mind. Here are a … Read more

5 Tips For Training Your High-Energy Dog

If you regularly spend hours playing fetch and go on two walks a day, but your pup is still running circles around you, you know what it’s like to raise a high-energy dog. These seemingly tireless canines are a joy to be around, but you’d be lying if you said training that wriggly mass of fur was easy. Energetic dogs are loved for their big personalities and happy temperaments, but shelters are full of former pets that were deemed “too … Read more

6 Crucial Things To Do If Your Dog Runs Away

It’s every dog owner’s worst nightmare—your pup slips his leash and starts sprinting after the neighbor’s cat. Or maybe you go outside to find that someone forgot to close the gate, and your dog is nowhere to be found. No matter how it happened, losing a dog is always devastating. You’ll be filled with panic, heartbreak, and the instinctive urge to do something—even if you don’t know what that something is. Your chances of bringing your dog home safely will … Read more

Why Dogs Kick Grass After Going To The Bathroom & How To Save Your Yard

Both male and female dogs have been known to do it, the kicking grass after using the restroom routine. Dogs kick grass after going to the bathroom, and when they’re done, your yard is left with some not-so-appealing reminders. It happens after dogs pee and poop, and dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments have been known to do it. Your dog may look silly acting like a cat in a litter box, but it’s actually a natural canine behavior … Read more

5 Strategies For When Your Dog Doesn’t Listen

Everyone wants their furry companion to be a well-mannered member of the family, but like people, dogs have minds of their own. Whether they’re 10 weeks or 10 years old, dogs respond to training and commands in different ways. Sometimes, their response is to not respond at all. Dogs that don’t listen aren’t necessarily defiant, disobedient, or dumb. They might be choosing not to listen to you on purpose, but they also might not know what you want from them. … Read more

5 Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make When Socializing Your Dog

Socialization is a key part of raising a happy and well-mannered canine citizen. From the time they’re puppies all the way through old age, dogs are continuously learning about the world around them. Without proper socialization, dogs can be unnecessarily stressed or fearful, and they need social interaction for both mental enrichment and physical exercise. Socializing your pup can be as simple as taking them on regular walks and introducing them to other dogs, but there’s also a wrong way … Read more

Is It Safe For My Dog To Chew Sticks?

Everyone knows dogs love to chew on sticks, and seeing your pup dash away and proudly trot back with a prized tree limb in his mouth is always adorable. But when your dog starts using sticks as everyday chew toys, you might have a problem. Sticks are around the same size and shape as bones, and your pup’s instincts make those natural chew toys seem like a tasty treat. It’s common for dogs to want to chew on sticks, but … Read more

Why Does My Dog Roll Over To Show Me His Belly?

Your dog does a lot of cute things to get your attention, and rolling onto their back to show you their tummy is a prime example of why you can never be mad at them for long. Whether that tummy is pudgy, skinny, furry, or hairless, having your dog roll over at your feet is an invitation you’re powerless to refuse. Once the rubbing starts, it’s obvious your dog enjoys it, but have you ever thought about why? Dogs expose … Read more

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