After settling into your comfy chair, you're ready for a movie night at home. Before you can say "Pass the popcorn," your dog approaches, sits on your feet, and leans on your legs. This gesture has precedent, too; historically, aristocratic ladies used some small breeds as foot warmers. Plenty of doggie cushions line the floor, […]

Your pup rolls over on its back, and you can't resist giving the belly a tickle or two. Does your dog feel ticklish like people do? While dogs don't...

If you get close enough to your dog's feet, you might have noticed that they smell a bit like corn chips or Fritos. Some dog owners, including yours...

Have you ever wondered: why does my dog lick my feet? For some owners, this behavior may seem odd. And for those with ticklish feet, it can be downright unpleasant, especially if your pup's licking becomes a regular occurrence. But licking is a perfectly normal behavior for dogs. They lick to communicate and to take […]

Dogs love to experience the world through their sense of taste. Your dog probably licks their food bowl, their fur, their toys, and of course, your hands and face. But have you ever seen your dog lick the air? Is there something stuck in their mouth or are they tasting the air? In fact, dogs lick the air for all kinds of reasons. Alhough […]

It's signature dog behavior to roll over and ask for a belly rub. And what owner can resist rewarding their pet with that kind of attention? It's a wonderful way to bond. But why do dogs like belly rubs? And is it truly a universal dog behavior, or do some prefer to be petted elsewhere? […]

For dogs and humans, winter brings the fun of snowball fights and sports like skijoring, but it also means fewer hours of daylight. And in people, that can lead to the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression with a seasonal pattern. Have you noticed your dog's behavior change […]

Have you ever cranked up the radio during your favorite song or played a piece on the piano, only to have your dog seemingly sing along? It’s not uncommon to hear dogs howl along to music. In fact, YouTube is filled with videos of dogs showing off their vocal prowess. But why do they do […]

If you live in a region with harsh winter weather, then you may want to consider a spitz breed. Many of these dogs were bred for life in arctic climates and originated in Scandinavia, Russia, North America, and Asia. The word “spitz” in German means "pointed." Physically, most spitz breeds have a wolf-like appearance that […]

If you have a puppy, it's a good idea to educate yourself about their future needs. This includes being prepared to protect puppies against the most common dog poisons located in and around every home.   Human Medications  Consuming prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications for people is a common cause of accidental poisonings in dogs. The OTC medications […]