Dogs

Dog buttons (also referred to as talking pet buttons or speech buttons) are interactive communication buttons that, when pressed by the pet, audibly repeat a word that’s been pre-recorded by the pet parent.,Jump to section How Do Dog Buttons Work? How Do I Teach My Dog to Use Talking Pet Buttons? Dog Button Training Tips What Are the Benefits of Dog Buttons? Do Dog Buttons Work for All Dogs? Can Cats Learn to Use Talking Pet Buttons?

Dogs are undoubtedly one of the most beloved and highly regarded companion animals. They are known for their loyalty, playfulness, and social nature. One of the distinct behaviors of dogs that fascinates many pet parents is howling. Dogs howl for a variety of reasons, and understanding why dogs howl can help pet parents better communicate with and care for their furry friends. Let’s take a look at how dogs may have come to have this unusual behavior, and what they might use it for. The Origin of Howling in Dogs Domesticated dogs descended from wolves over 15,000 years ago. Even though behaviorally, dogs are no closer to wolves than humans are to primates, their evolutionary development helps us understand some of their unique traits. Wolves howl as a means of communication with other wolves. Howling is used to assemble the pack, coordinate the pack’s hunting activities, establish territories, and warn other groups to stay away.

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A small, playful breed with tall ears and large, round eyes, the Chinese Crested comes in two varieties: hairless or longhaired. While the longhaired breed has silky hair all over its body, the hairless version only has hair on its head, feet and tail and requires dog sunscreen whenever it goes outside during the summer, said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. Because breeds without hair, or even light hair and fair skin, can be prone to sunburn, it’s important avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight for these breeds. Peterson said using body lotion on a hairless Crested can help keep its skin soft.,You may know all about keeping your dog hydrated and cool during the summer months, but some breeds need a little more care than others, from requiring sunscreen to keeping their thick double coats long instead of cutting them short (yes, really!) to keep cool. We’ve asked the American Kennel Club to share eight breeds that need special summer care as well as a few tips for keeping all dogs safe in the heat.

Reviewed for accuracy on May 13, 2019 by Dr. Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB You may know dogs and people whose personalities are mirror images of each other: a low-key pet parent with an equally mellow pup or an outgoing pet parent with a dog who greets everyone with wet kisses. This might not actually be just a coincidence, as scientists say that dog personality is strongly linked to human personality. But, just how similar is a dog’s personality to their caretaker? Is the human-animal bond so strong that a dog can adopt personality traits from their owner, and vice versa? Personality Similarities Between Dogs and Their People In a study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, researchers asked pet parents to rate themselves on five major personality dimensions (as well as on corresponding personality traits of dogs). “The Big Five,” as they’re referred to in the psychology community, are: Neuroticism (a tendency towards feelings like anxiety and fear) Extraversion Conscientiousness Agreeableness Openness (level of creativity, curiosity and being open to new ideas) Pet parents overwhelmingly responded that they share all five personality dimensions with their dogs. To be certain the results weren’t mere projection by pet parents, independent peers also assessed the dog and human duos. The independent peers also rated them as sharing all the dimensions, except for openness.   Why Is Dog Personality Linked to Human Personality? One explanation why dog behavior and personality is so intertwined with that of their humans is a tendency for people to select animals who complement their own lives. A calm human will often choose a calm dog, or an anxious person will adopt a frightened dog, for example, says Jenn Fiendish, a veterinary behavior technician who runs Happy Power Behavior and Training in Portland, Oregon. She believes people do this on a subconscious level.  “When my husband and I went to pick up our new puppy 12 years ago, I immediately chose the one who was more active, feisty and a little scared of things, which is much like my own personality. My husband chose the laid-back, calm and not-bothered-by-things puppy, a perfect match for his personality. This also happened with my other two dogs that we own, both of whom I picked out because they were feisty and a bit out of control (me again!).” Through the years, she says that the dogs have maintained, and even strengthened, some of these personality traits. Dr. Patrick Mahaney, a veterinarian who owns Los Angeles-based California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness (CPAW), Inc., says he’s seen clients with seemingly neurotic tendencies gravitate towards higher-energy dogs. “Such neurotic owners seem to seek out Weimaraners, Viszlas, herding dogs and other breeds and their mixes that often would feed off of the amped-up energy of their owners.” Dog Emotions Mirror Human Emotions Given that people and pups have shared a relationship for at least 15 thousand years (scientists debate this timeline), it’s no surprise that dog personality has been impacted. Fiendish says that dogs have an ability to read and match human emotions. “When a person is very anxious, our dogs understand this and often become anxious as well. If the anxiety is chronic, the dog may also develop chronic anxiety,” she says. Dr. Mahaney has witnessed this in his practice. “I have observed pets in households where the owners are under a lot of stress [who will] subsequently exhibit behavior problems which could be attributed to the owners’ lack of calming energy.” Some of the behavior problems he sees include inappropriate urination and defecation, destructive tendencies, barking and howling, and decreased appetite.   Dogs are true empaths, says Dr. Lisa Pinn McFaddin, DVM, GDCVHM, CVSMT, CCOAC, CVA, CVFT, medical director at Independent Hill Veterinary Clinic in Manassas, Virginia, and host of a podcast called Vetsplaining. “They can sense minute physiologic changes in people and other animals and respond accordingly.” The closer the human-animal relationship, the greater the response, adds Dr. McFaddin. “Dogs frequently try to comfort and calm upset owners. People do not always recognize these cues from dogs, as they may be subtle: laying down next to the person, putting their head on the person’s leg, making physical contact with the person or trying to distract the person with a toy.”   Can a Dog’s Personality Rub Off on Humans? While experts say it’s more common for dogs to acquire personality traits from their pet parents, it’s possible for dog emotions and behavior to impact humans, says Dr. McFaddin. Dr. McFaddin explains, “I most often observe this when people own dogs who are innately anxious. The dog’s anxiety often results in owner anxiety. The person feels helpless to alleviate the anxious behaviors expressed by their pet. This helplessness makes the owner feel uncomfortable, vulnerable and, thus, anxious.” Physical cues and behaviors that an anxious dog might exhibit—like panting, whining, pacing, destruction of items and incessant barking—can also overstimulate a pet parent, Dr. McFaddin says. “The constant movement and noise become annoying and disruptive to the owner’s lifestyle, which causes anxiety. On the flip side, some insanely calm dogs (I call them Buddha dogs) help calm owners. The dog’s innate serenity is contagious, physically and emotionally,” she adds.  “Numerous studies have shown a reduction in anxiety, slowing of heart rate, lowering of blood pressure, and increased release of calming hormones and neurotransmitters in the body of both humans and dogs following positive interactions, primarily after petting,” says Dr. McFaddin. So it seems that both parties can benefit from the human-animal bond. By: Paula Fitzsimmons Featured Image: iStock.com/Akeem Ranmai

This Halloween, why not give your jack-o’-lanterns a very Disney makeover? From iconic “Star Wars” characters to classic Disney characters, like Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse, and memorable Disney quotes, these 12 free printable Disney pumpkin carving stencils will help you add a touch of magic and whimsy to your front porch. And while you carve, let your pets in on the Disney fun by treating them to our favorite Disney Halloween dog and cat toys. (We dropped a few of our favorites below.)

Dogs have the emotional capacity of a 2- to 2.5-year-old child, so they can experience emotions like joy, fear, and anger. But, like many toddlers, your dog lacks the vocabulary to tell you how they feel, so it’s up to you to learn how your dog expresses emotions. For example, most of us know what it looks like when our dog is frustrated or wants something. Your dog may bark, hop up and down, stare intently at whatever they want, whine, tremble, or show some other sign. Dogs can also show love, affection, playfulness, and happiness through their body language and behaviors. You may be familiar with the signs that your dog is happy in the moment—soft, relaxed ears and eyes, a wagging tail, puppy kisses, and a broad smile. However, dogs are individuals, and their activity levels and desire to be social vary as they grow and age. So how can you tell if your dog is happy in general? What are some other signs of dog happiness? 13 Signs of a Happy Dog Here are some tips on how to read your dog’s body language and behaviors to help you know when they are relaxed and happy, and most likely healthy. When these clues are missing, it could mean your dog is ill or feeling out-of-sorts. Floppy Ears While ear shapes vary depending on the breed, a happy dog’s ears are relaxed and rest naturally against their head. Some dogs will have one ear cocked up, or both may be loose and floppy. Ears pricked forward often indicate that a dog is interested in something. If their ears are pulled back or stiff with hyper-alertness, this is usually a sign of a stressed or fearful pooch. Soft Gaze When a dog is happy, their eyes and eyelids will be open and relaxed, their gaze will be soft, and they will blink often. Narrowed eyes and a hard gaze can indicate aggression, while wide eyes, particularly if they whites are showing, could mean your dog is frightened. Relaxed or Wiggly Body and Tail When a dog is happy, their whole body and tail will look relaxed, and they quite often wiggle! A happy dog’s whole body can wag along with their tail. A wriggling dog showing you their belly is likely to be a very happy and comfortable dog. Each dog breed has a different relaxed tail position, but a happy dog will generally raise it slightly. If the tail seems to be raised pretty high, this could indicate agitation or over-stimulation. On the other hand, if a dog seems tense or their body is stiff, these are signs of discomfort. A tail pinned under the body is a strong sign of fear. If your dog is standing stiffly with a tightly waving tail, they may be alert or nervous. Happy Facial Expression Happy dogs often appear to smile. The mouth is soft and open, the corners of the mouth are turned up, and while some teeth may be visible, it’s not in an aggressive manner. A lolling tongue can also mean your dog is relaxed. Be sure not to confuse open-mouth panting with smiling, as this could mean your pet is stressed or overheated. Like people, a furrowed brow can express worry in dogs (except for Shar-Peis with their permanently furrowing brows!). If a dog is baring their teeth or curling their lips back, this can indicate aggression. Happy Dance When dogs bounce from side to side or hop and dance, they may be happy to see their canine friends or their favorite people. The quick movements usually indicate the dog is happy and ready to play. They are excited when you come home and want to show it! Bottom Up and Head/Chest Low A dog is telling you they are up for fun or want to play when they do a play bow. In a play bow, a dog lowers their chest to the ground but keeps their rear in the air. They are inviting play and want to interact. Happy Barks  Happy dogs generally have higher pitched barks and bark for a shorter period of time than dogs that are agitated. But don’t judge your dog by their bark alone. It’s important to consider the other signs your dog is giving you, especially their overall body language, before assuming all is well. Enjoyment of Playtime and Walks Happy dogs enjoy playtime and walks, and most even love rides in cars. While all dogs slow down with age, if your dog seems abnormally quiet, uninterested in favorite activities, or is less social, this may be a sign they’re not feeling well. Good Appetite Dogs that are content and feeling well have good appetites. A change in your dog’s appetite is one of the first signs of potential illness or unhappiness. Getting Lots of Sleep Healthy, happy adult dogs usually sleep for up to 16 hours a day. If your dog isn’t sleeping that much, it could be a sign of stress or illness. Good Behavior Happy dogs are unlikely to destroy your home or act “naughty.” Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, as they use their mouths to explore their environments. But excessive chewing or destructive behavior, particularly in an adult dog, could also be a sign of stress or boredom. Separation anxiety is another common cause of destructive behavior in dogs. Friendliness Like people, every dog’s preference for company is different. But if your pup is social at the dog park, friendly with other family pets, and not overly aggressive to new animals, these are all signs they’re in a good mood. Enjoying Petting Happy dogs make a lot of body contact. If your dog reacts, stays close, or even leans in toward your hand during petting, they’re enjoying the contact. Staying just out of reach or walking away could be a sign they need more space.

Your “American cutie” will be the star of the backyard barbecue in this red, white and navy blue sundress for dogs. And how cute is that little bow accent? Sizes XS-2XL. ,The Fourth of July is our kind of day—parades, barbecues, summery weather and, of course, an opportunity for a stars-and-stripes fashion moment. And we would never leave our pets out of the party. Here are some dazzling Fourth of July dog outfits and accessories—from parade-worthy bandanas to patriotic leashes and collars—for your furry family. 

Dry eye perfectly describes this ocular condition because the tear ducts either don’t make enough tears to lubricate the eye or they make poor quality tears that don’t lubricate the eye. It’s caused when something impairs the tear glands’ ability to create enough lubrication for the eye. Dry eye often is bilateral, meaning it is in both eyes.,If your dog has been diagnosed with dry eye, do you understand what dry eye in dogs is? Are you concerned that it might be painful and make your dog go blind? Let’s dive in to answer all your questions about dry eye in dogs.