Dogs

Have you ever noticed that when you are feeling fearful, your dog becomes more attentive and clingy? Have you also noticed that your dog may behave differently around people who like dogs versus people who are afraid of dogs? Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, but can they smell fear? And if so, how? Is It True That Dogs Can Smell Fear? The science is in, and the answer is a resounding YES—dogs can smell fear. Dogs have olfactory superpowers that can detect a human’s emotional state by the scent that a human emits. That’s right—you can’t hide fear from dogs. They’ve got your number! Until recently, the idea that dogs can smell fear was only a theory, but a study called “Interspecies transmission of emotional information via chemosignals: from humans to dogs” actually proves that dogs (or at least Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers) can smell human emotions and respond accordingly. When a person gets scared, their sweat glands will start secreting moisture, especially in the armpits. This sweat contains chemical signals that dogs can pick up on. Can Dogs Smell the Difference Between Fear and Happiness? Researchers correctly postulated that dogs would respond differently to human odors that were emitted under different emotional states—namely, fear and happiness. In the study, dogs were exposed to three stimuli—their owner, a stranger (the control) and an odor dispenser. Dogs were assigned to different odor conditions randomly. They collected odors from humans in three different emotional states: fearful, happy and neutral (no sweat). The odors were collected from the armpits of random male donors who were not otherwise involved in the experiment procedures. The dogs were then observed for responses, including behaviors directed at the three targets, stress behaviors and heart rate. Researchers found that when the dogs were exposed to “happy odors,” they interacted more with the stranger and had lower heart rates. In contrast, when the dogs were exposed to the “fear odor,” they displayed more stress behaviors and had higher heart rates associated with the fight, flight or freeze response—a  bodily response of the autonomic nervous system that is essential for adaptation and survival. The dogs also sought more reassurance from their owners and interacted with the stranger less than the dogs that were exposed to the “happy odor.” Researchers concluded that chemosignals—odors that we emit in response to our emotional state—communicate across species to dogs. So, if we are scared, they can smell it and get scared, too. What Your Dog’s Senses Can Tell You About Your Own Emotions Dogs can help us recognize our own emotional states. Many people who have chronic anxiety may not even be aware that they are walking around in fight, flight or freeze mode. A dog that’s in tune with how you exhibit stress or fear can help signal the onset of these emotions and help you better work through feelings of anxiety. It’s also important to acknowledge that dogs can feed off of your energy. So, try to temper your mindset throughout tense situations—say, like at your next vet visit—to help keep your pet more at ease. Your mental health and that of your pet are both important. If you take note of how your dog is behaving, you might learn more about your own mood and mental state than expected. By: Dr. Sarah Wooten Featured Image: iStock.com/Marsco Roasario Venturini Autieri

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Congratulations on your new girl dog! It’s time for your first pet parenting task: choosing the perfect name. Browse our A-Z list of 500 female dog names that are ideal for puppies and grown lady dogs alike. For inspiration, we provided a brief character description of each name to help you decide what to call your new furry friend. Looking for boy dog names? We’ve got 500 ideas for your male dog, too.

Dog howling is a form of communication. Reasons why dogs may howl include: Expressing emotion—good or bad Seeking attention As a response to certain noises (such as a siren) Separation anxiety Mimicking (for example: someone is singing, or another dog is howling) Underlying health issues “Each dog will have its own reason for howling—and, yes, they can be happy or sad when they howl,” says Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP. “They may also be worried, nervous, excited, or just looking for attention!”,My dog howls and makes loud, high-pitched noises whenever they hear a siren or another dog howling. It’s almost like they’re trying to mimic the sound. Is this normal? What should I do about it?

Whether it’s a high-pitched whimper or a prolonged vocalization, dog whining is a form of communication that can leave pet parents concerned, perplexed, and frustrated. Adult dogs whine for many reasons, from wanting your attention to being in pain, to urging you to pause your rewatch of “Succession” and get their ball from underneath the couch. The solution to whining depends on the reason behind it. We spoke with a dog training expert to understand the many possible reasons behind dog whining and how to best support your four-legged companion in such instances.

Seasonal allergies in dogs occur when their immune system overreacts to environmental allergens, such as pollen, mold spores, dust mites, or grass.   These allergies primarily affect the skin, causing irritation and inflammation—a condition known as atopic dermatitis.,Can dogs have seasonal allergies in the same way people do? Absolutely! Just like us, dogs can react to pollen, mold, and other environmental allergens, turning a fun day outdoors into an itchy ordeal. If your pup seems extra itchy or sneezy during certain times of the year, seasonal allergies in dogs could be to blame.    We spoke to two veterinarians to learn the telltale signs of seasonal allergies in dogs and how you can help your canine companion feel better. 

Feeling anxious about going away and leaving your pup behind? Having someone come to your home rather than boarding your dog may make you (and your dog) feel better while you’re away. Pet sitters offer more individualized pet care services, and your pup will have free range to roam, rather than being confined to a cage or a room. Not to mention that you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the sitter is only a phone call or text away, and that they are providing constant care and supervision.

Fleas must go through a complete metamorphosis that involves four distinct life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult, says Amy Attas, VMD, founder of City Pets Vets, in Manhattan, New York, and author of “Pets and the City: True Tales of a Manhattan House Call Veterinarian.” Dr. Attas stresses that understanding the life cycle of the flea is crucial for effective control and prevention. The best flea control, she says, uses interventions that target multiple stages of the flea life cycle. Dr. Attas breaks down the four flea life cycle stages:,Jump to section The Four Flea Life Cycle Stages How Long Do Fleas Live? What Do Fleas Look Like? How To Get Rid of Fleas How To Prevent Fleas on Dogs and Cats

This toy basket is super easy to make (and can be done in any color), just make sure to start slow with your paint and work your way around the basket as you go to make sure the color is distributed evenly.

If you’re ready to get into the Mother’s Day spirit with your favorite fur child in tow, try this delicious dog treat recipe and show off those baking skills!,Mother’s Day DIY Dog Treats: Dog Cupcakes