(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
Dogs
(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: 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
(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: 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: 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) 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
(Picture Credit: dageldog/Getty Images) Dogs and chickens getting along may seem counterintuitive. After all, aren’t dogs related to animals that eat chickens? However, like most domesticated animals, dogs and chickens can get along if their humans train them well and carefully introduce them to each other. While pet parents should absolutely take precautions to prevent
(Picture Credit: Westend61/Getty Images) Picking your pooch’s name is probably one of the first things you’d do as a pet parent. 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: 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 pet parents. Here are six eating disorders that can affect dogs. 1. Overeating (Picture
(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: 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: adamkaz/Getty Images) Seasonal changes, medical conditions, and diet can all have an effect on your dog’s skin and coat. While regular brushing, bathing, and grooming are all essential to keeping your pup looking and feeling their best, some dogs may also suffer from skin allergies, making it more difficult to maintain a nice,
(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: 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
Your dog is dirty, and you know he needs a bath. Groomers are expensive, and you don’t want to put out the extra cash. It’s actually easy to bathe your dog at home, as long as you prepare in advance and keep a few basic things in mind. (Picture Credit: Getty Images) Brush your dog
(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: 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: 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: 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) There are few things in life that are more fun and rewarding than bringing a dog into your family. Your dog will offer your family years of love and loyalty — as long as you provide him with food, shelter, responsible care, and love in return. With these 10 basic care
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: 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
If you have pets you know too well what it is like to live with gobs of hair, wonderfully scented sofas and the ever so popular urine on the carpets. Being animal lovers we get used to this and frankly don’t even notice most of the time that our home smells like a kennel! Well
(Picture Credit: Getty Images) You can tell a lot about your dog by taking a good look at her skin. Clear and clean skin is a good indication your dog is pretty healthy. Signs Of Healthy Skin Here’s what healthy dog skin looks like: Color is consistent and it springs back when touched. No scales,
Having a companion animal is a lifetime commitment–and sometimes that commitment involves spots and odors from urine, feces, or vomit. Naturally, you will want to remove all traces of spots and odors. Not only for a clean, fresh-smeilling home, it will also help to discourage repeat offenses. Trouble with house-trained dogs?Even housetrained dogs can sometimes