Dogs

One of the most basic ways that pet parents and dogs connect is through touch. We love the sensation of petting our dogs, and it’s clear that most of them adore it, too. After all, when we stop, we usually get a paw-swat and a “More, please!” expression. But, it might come as a shock to discover that some dogs don’t like petting. It doesn’t matter if it’s a soft stroke or a deep-tissue massage—these touch-aversive dogs prefer to skip cuddly physical contact. Living with a hands-off dog can be a difficult because we all want to show our dogs how much we love them. In many cases, when our dogs move to the other side of the couch when we sit down, we tend to wonder, “Does my dog love me?” and “Does my dog know I love him?” Well rest assured, your dog isn’t abnormal if she’s not a stereotypically cuddly dog; she’s just a dog that has other ways of showing that she loves you. And the good news is that a few lifestyle tweaks can help your dog learn to appreciate pats and cuddles and maybe even ask for them! What Causes a No-Cuddle Dog? It’s easy to assume that every dog enjoys petting, but there are a number of reasons why a dog might not appreciate cuddling, including: Previous abuse: The sad fact is that an anti-cuddling dog could have been mishandled in the past. Dogs that have been treated roughly, spanked or physically disciplined due to outdated training techniques might end up being terrified of what human hands are capable of. Pain: Dogs with undiagnosed pain or injuries are likely to be wary of touch. Older dogs dealing with joint issues, athletic dogs coping with strains or sprains, and even puppies going through a growth spurt might avoid petting because it aggravates the pain. A veterinarian can help you determine if your dog is dealing with pain. Wrong technique or body part: Occasionally, petting-aversion could be due to operator error. A small dog might not enjoy rough rubbing on her head and ears, while a bigger dog might find fluttery pats annoying. Similarly, some dogs don’t enjoy having their rear end scratched but are totally fine with shoulder massages instead.   Born this way: It’s probably hard to believe that a dog can dislike petting for no other reason than that he just doesn’t enjoy it. Much like some people don’t want hugs, there are dogs that don’t appreciate up-close-and-personal touching. Signs That Dogs Don’t Like Petting Cuddle-averse dogs can show their dislike in obvious ways, like walking away if a person reaches for them or ducking their head as if they’re about to get swatted instead of snuggled. Often, the dislike manifests in ways that are easy to overlook, like a series of behaviors called “calming signals” that are subtle and happen quickly. For example, if you notice your dog leaning away and licking her lips when you pet her, it’s possible she’s not enjoying it. She might also avoid looking at you or take a few steps away so that you’re not able to touch her with the same intensity. Some dogs even lick the person who’s petting, which is easy to misread as affectionate kissing; however, because many people don’t like slobbery licks, these dogs use the strategy to get people to stop touching them. Can Your Dog Become a Cuddly Dog? With a gentle approach and patience, non-cuddly dogs can learn to appreciate touch and can maybe even learn to love it! But helping your hands-off dog enjoy touch means putting your pup in control. Here are the steps you can take. Follow Your Dog’s Signals for Physical Contact Rather than assuming your dog is enjoying what you’re doing, watch her body language for clues so that you can determine if you’re on the right track. First, reduce all physical contact for a few days other than for necessary behaviors, like putting on the leash. It’s not easy to stop loving up on your dog, but this step is important because it shows your dog that you understand what she’s been telling you. Watch to see if your dog requests physical contact from you during this stage, like brushing up against you or putting her head beneath your hand. If not, continue to withhold casual petting, but remember to find other ways to connect with your dog, like with verbal praise and play. Try a Pet Test and Pay Attention to Your Dog’s Reaction Once you’ve refrained from petting for about a week, try a “pet test,” which is a great way to gauge how any dog, petting-averse or not, is feeling about physical contact in that moment. Give your dog a few gentle rubs on his chest or shoulders for about three seconds, then stop and watch your dog’s reaction. If she wants more, she’ll probably move in closer to you, lean up against you or paw at you. If your dog is still feeling hands-off, she won’t ask for more and will likely just stand there when you stop, or even move away. If your dog signals that she’d like you to continue, try another brief petting session; the key to success is keeping these initial sessions short. Your dog’s acceptance of touch doesn’t mean she’s ready for a prolonged full-body massage. Watch your dog’s reactions as you touch her, and try to finish petting before she asks you to stop. Continue to offer your dog brief pats, always paying attention to what she’s telling you as you connect with her. You can vary where you try petting your dog, the type of touch you give her and the duration, as these aspects can all impact her enjoyment of the process. Honoring Your Dog’s Need for Space Keep in mind that even the snuggliest of dogs might not want to be touched all the time. Stressful situations, like a trip to the vet, can make any dog less likely to enjoy touch. Pet parents who take the time to understand what their dog is telling them will know when a petting session is appreciated and when it actually makes their furry best friend uncomfortable. The fact is that even with remedial training, there’s a chance that your dog will never appreciate snuggling up. That doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with your dog or that she loves you any less. Understanding your dog’s likes and dislikes and honoring them is one of the best ways to be your dog’s advocate. There are a million other signs that your dog loves you, like that happy tail wag when you come home and the way she always keeps her eyes on you. The affection is there—your dog just has a different way of showing it! By: Victoria Schade Featured Image: iStock.com/eclipse_images

As a new dog mom, Curti says she did a lot of research into what to feed Maple and landed on Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula for puppies. It’s made with real meat, whole grains, garden vegetables, fruits and a special blend of nutrients to support healthy growth and development. Selling points included: 1) it’s top rated (it has a rating of 4 ½ stars on Chewy), 2) it’s a wholesome, balanced diet, and 3) she had heard good things about the brand from other pet parents. Maple just thinks it’s yummy. Shop now: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Food,Growing up, Lisa-Marie Curti had pets like hamsters and fish, but what she really wanted was a dog. Unfortunately, she traveled a lot for sports and it just didn’t make sense to have a dog when she wasn’t home very often. When she grew up, the desire to have a canine companion was still there, but her demanding job and busy New York City lifestyle didn’t leave a lot of time for one. “I was out of the house 12-13 hours a day,” Curti recalls. “It just wasn’t feasible.” It wasn’t until she moved to Florida to work at Chewy as a brand marketing communications manager that she felt the timing was finally right to get a dog. She and her wife welcomed Maple, an 8-week-old Golden Doodle, into their home in November 2019—and almost immediately realized being a first-time dog mom wasn’t without its challenges. “You don’t realize what you’re getting into … They’re teething, you have to train them, you have to be patient, they don’t always want to do what you want them to do,” Curti says. But Maple’s unconditional love, wet kisses and goofy antics have made it all worth it. Even when nothing seems to be going right, watching Maple excitedly chase leaves down the street or (not so) sneakily steal socks brings a smile to her mom’s face. “It doesn’t matter if you’re having a terrible day, everything else is OK,” Curti says. Here are her top puppy products for taking the leap into puppy parenthood.

In This Article Do Dogs Need Paw Protection in the Winter? View 1 More +

Jump to section 1. Aspen, Colorado 2. Rutland, Vermont 3. St. Pete Beach, Florida 4. Santa Fe, New Mexico 5. Austin, Texas 6. San Diego, California 7. Jackson Hole, Wyoming 8. Tucson, Arizona 9. Savannah, Georgia 10. Grand Marias, Minnesota

Your dog is the protector of your house. It’s only fitting to dress them as the protector of the seven kingdoms. For this look, we paired the Dobaz Winter Dog Dress with Frisco’s flower collar accessory. The dress, which features a turtleneck collar and navy quilted patchwork, is sure to keep your pup warm while trick-or-treating, especially if you live in cooler parts of the country. It’s casual enough to be worn all winter long as well. (Remember: Winter is coming!) The flower accessory adds a touch of softness to the otherwise fierce ensemble. If you have other dogs, or family and friends with dogs, dress them up in Frisco’s dragon costume to complete the Mother of Dragons look. Otherwise, your regal pooch can carry around GoDog’s dragon chew toy.,Are you a “Star Wars” trivia master? Do you have a favorite comic book character, and can you describe their origin story in extreme detail? Do you spend hours on Instagram, liking and following trend-setting social media influencers (both human and canine)? When coming up with ideas for your dog’s Halloween costumes, look no further than your pop culture obsessions. From movies to TV shows to social media, inspiration for dog Halloween costumes abounds.

Jump to section How Does Music Affect—and Help—Dogs and Cats? 3 Ways Species-Specific Music Can Help Pets What Kind of Music Calms Pets? What Kind of Music or Sounds Are Harmful to Pets? Our Favorite Playlists for Calming Your Pet Tips for Safely Playing Music for Pets Pet Parents Recommend These Calming Music Products Other Ways to Calm Pets

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With celebs like Bella Hadid and Avril Lavigne getting vocal about their struggle with the illness, the conversation around Lyme disease is growing—as it pertains humans, that is. But what about Lyme disease in dogs and cats? As pets are also able to contract the illness, Dr. Alison Birken, DVM, of Victoria Park Animal Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is here to share what all pet parents need to know. Few things are more terrifying to the pet parents I work with in my veterinary practice than seeing ticks on their beloved pets. Not only are the little pests creepy and crawly, but ticks can transmit dangerous diseases, including Lyme disease in dogs and cats. Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection that is transmitted by ticks and can cause an array of ailments, making it vital for pet parents to understand the symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs and cats, as well its treatment and how to prevent this disease.

Pups as young as 8 weeks old have the capacity to learn the basics, but remember: The younger the pup, the shorter the attention span. Puppy training lessons should be short, fun and supplemented with many opportunities for play. The best way to train a puppy is to conduct lessons when they are well-rested. Make sure they are ready to go but not too excited, as it might be tougher for them to focus. Before you begin, take your pup outside for a potty trip, and make sure to take them out right after you finish as well. You’ll need a pocket full of high-value puppy treats. Puppy training requires lots of rewards, so opt for something like Wellness Soft Puppy Bites, which are small but also tasty enough to keep your puppy engaged in the training game. Basic training lessons should take place in a familiar, distraction-free environment. You and your puppy will eventually transition to working outside and in new spaces, but the training initial stages should be happening in a low-key spot so that it’s easy for your pup to focus on you. It’s also helpful to have a few puppy toys ready to go so you and your puppy can take play breaks. A tug toy or ball for fetching are great options that allow your dog to burn through some puppy excitement before it’s time to focus again. If you’re looking for a budget friendly bundle with both treats and toys, a Puppy Goody Box is a great way to get all the basics.,Jump to section The Best Way to Train a Puppy Puppy Training Tips for Success Puppy Training Milestones by Age Crate Training a Puppy How to Potty Train a Puppy How to Train a Puppy to Sit Teaching Your Puppy to Come When Called Frequently Asked Questions

The doggy paddle is the stroke people do when they don’t know how to swim. It’s kind of an instinctive move for people when they get into the water. People, we want to clarify, not dogs. Apparently, it’s not such an instinctive move to them after all. One dog clearly does not have doggy paddling down, as seen in a Rumble video posted by TaiTiJi. Taiyo the Bernese Mountain Dog gets in the water and does… something with his paws and legs, but we’re not sure what it is.