Dog Behavior

Even when we feel as in sync with our dog’s body language as any owner can hope to be, sometimes we wish our Rottweilers would just come out and say what they mean. The closest we can get is interpreting vocalizations, but even those can be ambiguous or downright contradictory to what we think they […]

Life would be so much easier if our dogs could tell us everything they’re thinking and feeling. But until science finds a way for us to communicate with our pets, we just have to get good at reading their body language and facial expressions. The side eye is an interesting facial expression that can have

Sometimes, our dogs’ affection can ramp up when the night winds down. We settle in for bed, pull the covers up, and, as if on cue, our pets run in for a load of puppy kisses. While there’s no question that we’ll graciously accept all the love they offer, your dog’s habit of licking your

Begging is a fairly common behavior in dogs, and while it can seem cute when a new four-legged family member stares dolefully at you while you’re eating, that feeling can soon change to one of annoyance. Generally, dogs beg simply because they like food, and they especially like human food because it packs more of

Our canine companions love to play with each other, and sometimes, this includes play fighting. But when our pups start to play a little rough, it can cause concern and make worry creep in. Is play fighting innocent, or is there reason to be concerned? And why do dogs play fight anyway? Play fighting is

We all need and enjoy sleep. It gives our body a welcome rest from the tensions and worries of the day, and it’s no different with our canine companions, although they rest longer than people, averaging 10–12 hours daily in multiple bouts. Domestic dogs tend to follow a diurnal circadian rhythm, with most activity typically

Once we learn their unique tendencies, a dog’s habits generally become easy to identify as normal or concerning. We pick up on their harmless and often goofy quirks while understanding that behaviors like excessive panting, noticeable limping, and inappropriate elimination are signs of an underlying health issue. Then there are those actions that are ambiguous

French Bulldogs are exceptionally playful, affectionate, and energetic little pups with a penchant for life. Their sweet and lovable personality is what makes them the most popular dog breed in America, dethroning the Labrador Retriever, who had a firm hold on that number one spot for 31 years! However, though they may be small, French

Our canine companions can do some pretty weird (and sometimes unsanitary) things. Whether it’s eating poop off the ground or rolling around in garbage, dogs don’t mind getting a little gross. Sometimes, that affects us too, though, like when our pups eat our underwear. This behavior begs the question of why dogs eat underwear. It

As concerned pet parents, we always worry about our dogs’ safety and comfort, whether they’re playing, eating, or simply sleeping in their beds. Dreams affect our dogs just as they do us, with outward expressions like twitching, snorting, and barking giving us a glimpse into their mental state. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on

Dogs often engage in certain behaviors that seem strange to us but are completely normal for them. While it’s gross to think about, eating poop is a common behavior in dogs, especially when they’re puppies. It’s called coprophagia. It’s best to discourage them from turning this behavior into a habit since they can reinfect themselves

Dogs can’t speak, but they still have ways to communicate with us through body language and vocalizations. One way that dogs can communicate is through growling. Dogs typically have more than one type of growl, from a playful growl to a more aggressive warning. Recognizing the cause of a growl helps you know how to

It can look alarming to us, but it’s common for dogs to occasionally bite themselves. Dogs will usually lick, bite, chew, or scratch their skin when they experience a mild itch. However, it’s still worth paying attention to dogs biting themselves because repetitive biting is usually linked with a health condition. Dogs can develop a

Our dogs do all sorts of things that make us go, “Hmm.” If your dog seems to be staring at the wall, you might wonder why. But the real answer to why is that it honestly depends. Have you paid attention to body language? Does the dog seem excited, lethargic, rambunctious? The overall vibe can

Our dogs are always getting into some sort of shenanigans! It’s hard to tell just why they want to eat the poop-filled baby diaper in the trash can or the piece of ice you dropped from the ice dispenser. So, if your dog has been sneaking your socks, it might just be another thing to