(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Growling is one of the many ways dogs communicate, and it’s important for humans who interact with dogs to understand what it means and the proper way to react. You might be surprised by your own natural ability to interpret growling. In a study on humans’ ability to understand dog growls,

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) We all want to be good dog parents, and part of that is training our dogs to be well-behaved. Training is meant to be a positive bonding experience between humans and their pooches. Few people intend to make things unpleasant for their dog during training, with one notable exception: when punishing

(Picture Credit: cmannphoto/Getty Images) Potty training a dog can be a daunting task if you’ve never done it before, but dog owners can tell you quite a few things they’ve learned from experience. In fact, dogs are usually pretty quick learners, and housebreaking might not be as difficult as you think, so long as you follow

Winter starts on December 21st and lasts until March. It’s time to bring out the doggy boots, coats, and cold-weather gear to keep your pup from being miserable on those chilly walks. But some dog breeds aren’t miserable in the snowy weather at all. To them, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. They’re

(Picture Credit: mark atkinson / Getty Images) Gaining a dog’s trust is one of the most important factors in any relationship between a human and a canine. This is especially so if you’re meeting a rescue dog who might have been mistreated before, or one who hasn’t been correctly socialized. But by using tips like

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Is chewing a destructive behavior? Here’s the simplest answer: Only if your dog is chewing on the wrong thing. So give them something that’s okay to chew. Your dog’s chewing might not just destroy your home and belongings. It could also be dangerous, as many objects present choking hazards, cause gastrointestinal

(Picture Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images) “What if there are no bad dogs?” Dog behavior specialist Matt Beisner, star of Nat Geo WILD’s Dog: Impossible, poses a question he already knows the answer to–there aren’t. “If that’s true, it puts us in a mindset of consideration.” This is the philosophy behind Beisner’s practice, THE ZEN DOG,

(Picture Credit: Photo by Rick Hebenstreit/Getty Images) Imagine the end of a long and tiring day. When it comes to finally getting some time to rest or sleep, we can simply collapse into our beds or couches and drift to dreamland. But our beloved dogs, on the other hand, might not simply just plop into

(Picture Credit: fstop123/Getty Images) Alexa may be notorious for helping you control things around the house remotely, but dog owners can have better use for it. Amazon’s home virtual assistant can be a great tool to assist you with its various skills and functions to benefit you and your dog. Use your Alexa devices to

(Picture Credit: Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd/Getty Images) Dogs like sticking their heads out of windows during car rides. Why exactly do they like to do this? Maybe it’s the wind blowing on their faces making their mouths form smiles, or maybe they just love the feel of the air moving through their fur. Our pups

(Picture Credit: Capuski/Getty Images) When your pet dog whines or cries for your attention, what’s your usual response? Many pet parents immediately come running to comfort their pups or provide treats. That’s not surprising, considering many of us refer to our dogs as fur babies. However, new research suggests that there may be some science

(Picture Credit: Johner Images/Getty Images) How do you get your dog to do something without saying a word? Scientists at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel may have the answer in the form of a vibrating haptic vest. The vest acts as a middle ground between owner and pet. Vibrations from the dog

(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: Jasmina007/Getty Images) Are you a dog or cat person? Have you ever stopped to think why you prefer dogs to cats? Apparently, genes have a say on who we choose as our fur baby–in more ways than you think you know. In a recent study conducted on tendencies for dog ownership, a team

(Picture Credit: Caiaimage/Lukasz Olek/Getty Images) Think back to when you first wanted a dog. Do you remember the reason you got your pup? One research poll suggests that the reason for getting a pet may be influenced by your gender attributes. According to a national poll that surveyed over 600 single men and women, many

(Picture Credit: Andrea Calzona/Getty Images) When we think about our beloved dogs, we often think of how happy-go-lucky they are. We tend to think of their best versions, 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 not

Stefan Cioata/Getty Images When you get a very young puppy, chances are you’ll need to train them to get comfortable with humans and other pets. They aren’t yet used to the dynamics of being a pet and all the actions that go with it, like being petted and being trained for home life. All of

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Hug Your Hound Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in September each year. In 2019, the holiday falls on September 8th, so get ready to give your dog a hug! But only if they enjoy it, of course. You’ve probably seen adorable YouTube videos of dogs who happily give cuddly

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Everybody poops. That’s just a fact. But not everybody has the 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 crazy 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 a veritable hazard for those who own dogs. Chemicals, sharp tools, and even plants, themselves, can can quickly cause an emergency for dogs. The last thing you want

(Picture Credit: K.C. Alfred/Getty Images) You’ve seen those “puppy dog eyes” before with your pup–those pleading sad eyes they throw at you when they’ve either done something they shouldn’t have, or they want a treat or to go outside. They furrow their brow and stare at you until you can’t help but give in. That

(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 down and

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) It’s funny when I ponder the word “own” to describe my place in my dog’s life. I can’t imagine telling someone that I own a child—biological, adopted, or otherwise. And I feel that the word “own”—when it comes to describing the inclusion of a dog in my life—sounds so arrogant, because

(Picture Credit: Grant Faint/Getty Images) Does your dog lean on you? Most dog owners have experienced a dog leaning on their legs at least once in their lives. Your dog simply sits or stands next to you and casually leans a bulk of her weight against your calf. And, more often than not, it is

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Business goes to the dogs on Friday, June 21st as workplaces across the country celebrate Take Your Dog To Work Day. The temporary office canines won’t be barking out orders to employees or wagging approval after a presentation, although some might be helping receptionists greet visitors. The day is an opportunity

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) While eating disorders are well known in humans, not many people know about the eating disorders that affect dogs. Animals have different reasons for having unusual eating habits, but they can be just as troubling for concerned dog owners. Here are six eating disorders that affect dogs. 1. Overeating (Picture Credit:

(Picture Credit: Westend61/Getty Images) Picking your pooch’s name is probably one of the first things you’d do as a pet owner. Over time, it’s easy to give additional nicknames, adding “boo” or “patootie” or other cutesy titles. After all, it’s hard not to give your baby a cute baby nickname, right? However, new research suggests

(Picture Credit: Vasyl Dolmatov/Getty Images) “Adopt! Don’t shop!” has now grown as a rally cry among pet lovers as they aim to spread the word for pups looking for a home. However, even in shelters, there are times when people’s eyes gravitate more towards a certain dog, whether it’s that spark of connection or destiny’s

(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. Most dog owners can tell you that the head