It is a well-known fact that pet parents talk to their dogs. “Come, sit, stay” are common words but more endearing terms like “good dog” and “I love you pup” are often heard. The average pup understands about 165 words, signs, and signals according to Dr. Stanley Coren, best-selling author of many books explaining dog … Read more
Most dog owners have a story or two that praise super-intelligent deeds their pet has performed. We have known for years that dogs are extremely loyal and highly trainable, but how smart are they when compared to humans? Tiffany Howell and collaborators at Monash University in Australia recently performed an online survey of 559 dog … Read more
Festive decorations and yummy food add color and an atmosphere of cheer to your home during the holiday season. It is natural to include your four-legged friend in holiday festivities, but be careful to safeguard them against potential dangers of common holiday decorations and treats. A Christmas tree is often the focus of holiday decorations … Read more
Robert Benchley, the humorist, once remarked that “A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.” Why do dogs circle before they lie down? You have surely watched with curiosity and amusement as your dog makes a few tight circles before settling down for a snooze. He may … Read more
A dog sometimes picks up what appears to be a really yucky morsel. He may carry it around in his mouth or even eat it! The thought that it must taste awful leaps to mind. You know that the tidbit just can’t taste good. The dog, however, seems to find it yummy. The sense of … Read more
Humans greet each other by making eye contact and shaking hands. That is what we are taught to do from childhood. Dogs are taught a greeting ritual also, but it is quite different from ours. An ancestral canine mother carried food in her mouth for her young pups that greeted her by licking bits of … Read more
Veterinary behaviorists are not sure why dogs like to roll in smelly stuff, but several theories exist. Many are based on the idea that the practice is an instinctive behavior passed on through generations of canines. The origin of such a behavior is not known, but the speculations are quite intriguing. A suggestion that has … Read more
Have you ever found your dog’s kibble hidden in the couch cushions or his favorite toy in your tennis shoe? Putting things in ‘secret’ places may seem an unusual occupation for your dog, but he is just following age old instincts. Fifty million years ago dog-like critters came on the scene, but it was only … Read more
There are some very old laws on the books in some cities and states that will surely make you chuckle. They will definitely make you wonder who wrote them and why. The reason some were written remains a mystery, but a little digging explains why others were enacted. Many apply to animals that are common … Read more
A sleeping dog may let out a low growl or paddle his feet as if running. A cat may twitch her whiskers and tail, extend and retract her claws, raise her lip or even give a muted meow. They are dreaming, and their antics are entertaining. Researchers now have a handle on what they dream … Read more