(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Believe it or not, our canine companions get stressed. The circumstances and degrees of this can vary from dog to dog since no two are exactly alike, but it’s still something all dog parents must be wary of. Also, like humans, dogs can show their stress in different ways. To be
Training
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Some dogs nip when they feel startled. While it may not be your dog’s fault that they bite in response to surprises, it is a behavior that you probably want to stop. The startle reflex is instinctive in animals, and it’s not uncommon for a sleeping dog to bite when awakened
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Biting everything that moves is normal puppy behavior, but that doesn’t mean it’s fun to live with. Puppies explore their world with their mouths, just as toddlers touch everything they can reach with their hands. So it makes perfect sense that your pants wouldn’t escape your pup’s curiosity. So what can
(Picture Credit: Purple Collar Pet Photography/Getty Images) Whenever we’re sad or depressed, we try to find things that will make us feel better. We’re also lucky enough to be able to communicate and vent out our issues to others who care about us when we need to. The same can’t really be said for our
(Picture Credit: Andrea Calzona/Getty Images) When it comes to our beloved dogs, we often think of how happy-go-lucky they are. We tend to think of them at their best, tongues out while running and playing in the backyard and having a great time. But sometimes things happen in life and we, as pet parents, are
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Cars, squirrels, cyclists, skateboarders, cats, and joggers — they’re all would-be targets, any one of whom could lure a chase-obsessive dog into a potentially dangerous situation. The behavior can also trigger understandably hostile reactions from people who see it as aggression when a strange dog comes bounding after them. Until you
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Bringing a new dog home can be challenging, especially for first time dog parents. But whatever problems you’re facing, know that you’re not alone. If you hop onto our DogTime Facebook page you’ll meet lots of other dog parents with tons of advice and support for you. If that’s not enough,
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Everybody poops. That’s just a fact. But not everybody has a habit of giving digested food another round through the body. Eating poop is actually not all that uncommon among dogs. It’s called coprophagia, and it’s generally a natural behavior with a few different causes. So why is your dog eating
(Picture Credit: Cavan Images/Getty Images) You’re absolutely wild about your dog, and you’re not afraid to show it. But all the treats, toys, fancy collars, and comfy beds can’t let your dog know just how special they are to you. Sure, they appreciate all that stuff. But in order to convey love for your pup,
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) While it’s always a wonderful treat to have fresh fruits and veggies available, it’s important to note that gardens and gardening can be veritable hazards for those who live with dogs. Chemicals, sharp tools, and even plants, themselves, can can quickly cause an emergency for dogs. The last thing you want
(Picture Credit: Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images) Recently, I became audibly and visibly upset about something going on in my personal life in front of my two dogs, Hank and Charlie. As I sat on the floor crying, Hank came and sat right next to me and licked my face. Charlie laid
(Photo Credit: Meleva Steiert) I asked a friend recently if she kisses her dogs. She’s a big-hearted dog lover and regularly rescues and fosters animals in her suburban, Los Angeles home. She told me that she does kiss some of them, but others were not receptive, and one in particular would probably become violent if
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Important: The following is meant to provide a general overview of dog-dog aggression. If you’re dealing with an aggressive dog, seek help from a reputable behaviorist. Dog aggression toward other dogs is a very serious matter. Until your dog is successfully treated, keep them a safe distance from all other dogs — “safe
(Picture Credit: Geraint Rowland Photography/Getty Images) Just like there are certain people in the neighborhood you would rather avoid on your daily commute — you know that Mrs. Jones will keep you talking for hours!–there are also certain dogs that your dog may not be completely happy about interacting with. While you keep your head
(Photo Credit: Shutterstock) Housetraining can be a daunting task for new pet parents. You may have a routine in place during the day to make it go more smoothly, but what about during the night? Luckily for humans, dogs and puppies don’t need to pee as often at night, so you don’t need to wake
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Do you have a velcro dog? Dogs are pack animals, and you are your pack’s leader. It’s natural for your dog to want to follow you. While some dogs follow their owners everywhere they go out of sheer love, sometimes the reason why dogs stick to their owners like velcro is
(Picture Credit: Maya Karkalicheva/Getty Images) The more you can be around for your puppy to take them in and out for bathroom breaks, the more quickly they’ll pick up on their housetraining. But what if you can’t be there during the day? Or you’ve got a young puppy still vulnerable to catching diseases in public places
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) The positions dogs sleep in, the way they twitch or move, and the amount of time they spend napping can reveal a lot about how they’re feeling. Sleeping habits can give clues about a dog’s health and happiness that you can interpret if you know what to look for. Of course,
This is Joe. He looks like an angel, and he is, but he has extreme separation anxiety. (Picture Credit: Patty Parker) Many of us pet parents have one or more dogs who suffer from separation anxiety to varying degrees. I have a rescue dog, named Joe, who spent the last seven years of his life
(Picture Credit: Gonalo Barriga/Getty Images) If you go to the dog park you’ll see a wide variety of human and dog interactions and parenting styles. Some people are more attentive. Meanwhile, others sit in the shade, talking on the phone or reading a book, barely paying attention to their dog. Which type of pet parent
(Picture Credit: Busybee-CR/Getty Images) Training your young pup takes patience and hard work. Quite often, it isn’t all that bad, especially if your dog is a breed that’s more naturally eager to please. But there are some dog breeds that might just test the limits of your patience while you’re trying to train them. And
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) It’s hard not to break down in tears when you watch a video of a dog reuniting with their beloved human after going without seeing them for months, or even years, on end. Maybe you’ve watched some videos of soldiers returning home to pups who greet them with emotional breakdowns after
(Picture Credit: Krista Kumpf) Do you want a dog who’s friendly and trustworthy around both people and other dogs? You might think all you need to do is adopt the right breed, and your job is done. But how you care for your canine–and socialization training in particular–plays a big role in how they respond
(Photo Credit: Shutterstock) Dogs do plenty of cute things, but there are few behaviors more adorable than the head tilt. I make plenty of strange noises around my pups just to see if they’ll tilt their heads to the side in a quizzical look of confusion. Sometimes new toys and games can get dogs to
(Picture Credit: Wavetop/Getty Images) Perhaps one of the most daunting tasks for first-time puppy adopters is housetraining. But experienced dog parents know that our canine friends can learn where to go potty surprisingly quickly, especially if you know how to teach them properly. The keys to rock-solid housetraining are to start the day your pup
(Picture Credit: Grant Faint/Getty Images) Does your dog lean on you? Most dog parents have experienced a pooch leaning on their legs at least once in their lives. Your dog simply sits or stands next to you and casually leans the bulk of their weight against your calf. Or maybe they flop over on you
(Picture Credit: Amanda) I started researching the topic of separation anxiety in dogs because my day job will be bringing our department back to the office soon, and my work-from-home days for the last few months have looked like this: My dog, Leia, and I have been loving all this together time. Almost every waking
(Picture Credit: Ekaterina Nosenko/Getty Images) Dogs may try to escape from their homes and bolt for many reasons. Maybe your pooch regularly runs past you when you open your front door, or maybe they try to dig under or climb over the backyard fence. At best, the problem is a nuisance. At worst, it can
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Noise anxiety in dogs is a phobia or strong feeling of fear around loud noises, like sounds from fireworks or thunderstorms. It can result in many anxious behaviors or even cause dogs to bolt out of fear and get lost. When young children hear a scary noise at night, they often
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) We love coming home to our dogs. No one is more excited to see us and shower us with love as soon as we walk in the door. Our pups can sometimes barely contain their excitement! Unfortunately, that can become a problem. Many of our dogs show that high energy and