Dogs

What Does a Shy or Reserved Dog Look Like? Nervous dogs can exhibit behaviors that range from shutting down to being seemingly aggressive. The level of reaction can vary depending on the intensity of the trigger. This means that a shy dog might cower if the thing that’s frightening them is at a distance, then resort to barking and growling as the scary trigger gets closer in an attempt to keep it away. Typical shy, nervous, or frightened dog behaviors include: Cowering Hiding Avoiding eye contact Low posture Tucked tail Lip licking Yawning Flattened ears Whining Pacing Trembling Barking while backing away Low energy/no energy Some shy dog behaviors, such as avoiding eye contact and yawning, can be tough to notice. It’s important that pet parents take time to observe their pup and get to know their dog’s body language. It’s easy to assume that a quiet, low-energy dog is feeling OK, but those types of “shutdown” behaviors might be masking anxiety.,How To Help an Introverted Dog Want to help your shy pup gain some confidence? The following tips are for both ends of the leash, so you and your introverted dog can learn to navigate the world with less stress. 1. Check Yourself It’s tempting to try to model bold behavior for your shy dog, but being boisterous can backfire. Instead, when your dog seems uncomfortable, speak in a soft voice, move slowly, and observe your dog’s body language for insight into how they’re feeling. Remember that our dogs have good days and bad days too, so be prepared to modify your behavior as needed. 2. Be Your Dog’s Advocate Let your dog set the pace for interactions with others. If you know your dog doesn’t enjoy meeting people during walks, intervene before well-meaning strangers come over to say hello. It’s not always easy to prevent a greeting, but saying something like, “My dog is recovering from an illness” or “We’re in training,” can make the interaction feel less awkward for introverts on the human end of the leash. 3. Use Positive Reinforcement Training All dogs benefit from positive reinforcement training, but reserved dogs in particular require the confidence boost that comes with this science-backed methodology. Avoid using any training methods that employ harsh verbal or physical corrections, especially those involving tools such as choke, electric, or prong collars. Training should always be a fun, positive experience for your dog. Training should always be a fun, positive experience for your dog. 4. Play Confidence-Building Games Play training is a stealthy way to help your shy dog feel less anxious—after all, it’s tough to be worried when you’re having a good time! Games that tap into your dog’s natural instincts, such as “find the treat” or  “find the toy,” can encourage your dog to ignore potential stressors and focus on the fun. For example, if your dog starts to look anxious about something in the distance during a walk, you can scatter a handful of treats on the ground and encourage them to scoop them all up, then walk in a different direction. Or, if your dog is concerned about construction noises outside, hide a favorite plush toy and get them to focus on finding it. 5. Begin a Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning Program When it comes to training anxious dogs, there’s no tool more powerful than desensitization and counter-conditioning. This combination helps dogs form a new association to stressors by linking them to something positive. For example, if a dog is nervous around men in hats, pet parents can plan a training session with a man wearing a hat at a distance that’s far enough away to not evoke a fear reaction in the dog. Feed the pup a series of high-value treats while the dog observes the man at  a distance—this helps the dog begin to connect the scary person with special goodies. Then slowly move closer to the man, all while feeding treats and making sure the dog’s body language is relaxed and confident. This slow and steady training changes a dog’s emotional response to a stressor over time, and it moves at a pace that keeps the reserved dog in a calm emotional state. Be aware that this process may take time and patience, as each dog will progress at their own pace. 6. Consider Hiring a Certified Trainer or Veterinary Behaviorist Feeling overwhelmed? Consider working with a trainer to help design a confidence-boosting program. Look for a professional who uses positive reinforcement training and is willing to work with both your dog and you. A shy, nervous, or insecure dog pushed to the limit can become a reactive dog, so it’s best to get help early to prevent behavioral challenges from worsening. 7. Love the One You’re With You’ve got a shy dog, and that’s OK! If your pup doesn’t seem overly stressed in your everyday life together and their behavior doesn’t bother you, it’s perfectly fine to carry on. Your dog doesn’t have to interact with strangers or other dogs in order to live a rich and fulfilling life. As long as you’re navigating the world as a bonded team and you’re aware of how your dog is reacting by keeping track of their body language, letting a canine introvert do their own thing is totally fine! Featured Image: Adobe/teamjackson,We love our furry best friends for their waggy-tailed, happy-go-lucky approach to life. Our dogs are basically optimism on four paws, ready to greet the world with a cheerful smile. But that’s not always the case. Some reserved dogs prefer to watch life from the sidelines rather than being a part of the action. An afternoon at the dog park? No thanks. Hanging out at a party? Pass. These shy pups defy the stereotype of the “typical” dog, but that doesn’t mean they’re abnormal. Whether through nature, nurture, or a combination of both, some dogs just happen to be loners.

Winter is in full swing in many parts of the country, and our dogs are feeling the chill. So how do you keep their paws, coat, and nose healthy during winter walks when it’s freezing outside or during the windiest blizzards? From the tips of their cute wet noses to the bottom of their paws, here’s how to care for your pup in the coldest months.

“I was in the small dog park with Stitch (a 10 lb. Maltese) and he started humping a little Chihuahua. The owner tried to pick up her dog to get it away from Stitch and Stitch was holding on so tight that he went up in the air, too. I guess he really clings! It was embarrassing, since the other girl was definitely trying to stop it, but also hilarious.” – Lisa Beebe Victoria’s advice: A dog that resorts to humping is likely feeling stress, excitement or anxiety. It’s important to understand that humping behavior from spayed or neutered dogs has nothing to do with reproduction (particularly because female dogs hump too!). To curb this embarrassing behavior at the dog park, try to interrupt it before it begins. You can either walk between your dog and his potential victim or you can call him to you and stroll to a different part of the park. If the humping is relentless, try taking your dog to the park during off-peak hours, as having fewer buddies might decrease his excitement level.,The dog park can be a great place for dogs to socialize with other mutts, retrieve a ball and blow off some energy by running back and forth across a grassy plain. But it can also be the location of some unforeseen disasters. We surveyed several dog owners to hear their most embarrassing dog park moments and, after getting a good laugh from some of these (the others were a tad cringe-worthy), asked dog trainer and author Victoria Schade and Move That Tail founder Brandy Diaz to weigh in on how these types of situations can be properly handled and avoided in the future.

If you’re a pet parent, you know that animals can make a house feel like a home. But sharing your space with a furry, feathered, or scaly friend comes with the important responsibility to create a pet-friendly home.  “Pet-proofing isn’t just a one-time task—it’s an ongoing practice as your pet grows, gets smarter, and finds new ways to explore,” says Michael Hyder, DVM, medical director at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) ER for Pets in Palo Alto, California. Whether you’re preparing to bring home a new pet or you’ve had your companion by your side for months or years, take time to consider how safe your home is for your pet, based on the species, age, activity level, and personality.

Dogs’ mouths are not cleaner than ours. Contrary to popular belief, a dog’s mouth is definitely not cleaner than a human’s. Researchers have found that both dogs and humans have over 600 species of bacteria in their mouths. However, while we both have mouths full of bacteria that are normal flora for our species, there are bacteria in your dog’s mouth that don’t exist in yours and vice versa. Most of the bacteria in your dog’s mouth cannot cause you to get sick (you won’t catch the common cold from “kissing” your dog), but there are some exceptions, so stay safe and let your pooch give you a kiss on the cheek instead!,A dog’s saliva won’t exactly “heal” your wounds. Another myth says that dog saliva can help heal wounds. In fact, some ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures also believed that dog saliva has healing powers. While licking can remove debris from a wound, therefore decreasing the chance of infection, too much licking can damage the skin and potentially lead to bigger problems, like hot spots. But the ancients weren’t entirely wrong—there are proteins in saliva (human and canine) called histatins that inhibit infection. But dog saliva also contains bacteria that are normal flora in canine mouths but can cause dangerous infections in human wounds. So, rather than letting your dog tend to your wounds, stick to more traditional care, such as washing with soap and water and talking to your physician about any possible infection.,Whether it’s getting every last morsel of food from their bowl, panting after a game of fetch, or showering you with affection, a dog’s tongue plays an important role in how they interact with their environment. Here are some interesting facts that you probably don’t know about dog tongues. Dogs pant to cool down instead of sweating. Dogs don’t sweat in the same way as humans. They only have sweat glands on their paw pads and noses, which are called merocrine glands. Dogs also have apocrine glands all over their bodies, which is one way that humans sweat, but in dogs, these glands are primarily used to secrete scent pheromones, not sweat. Instead of sweating, dogs rely on panting to keep cool. When dogs pant, air moves rapidly over their tongue and through their mouth and lungs, allowing moisture to evaporate and cool them down. This process is called thermoregulation and is incredibly important when a dog gets hot. If you notice your pup panting excessively on a warm or hot day, get them into a cooler location and give them plenty of water to avoid possible heatstroke.

Oh how we love Chewy boxes, and we’ve been counting the ways. Sure, they make the perfect backdrop for cute Chewy box pics for our social media sites. And of course, they bring all the Chewy pet supplies and Chewy pet food that your pets just can’t wait to explore. But there’s so much more they can be used for! If you don’t believe us, keep reading for some fun kids’ crafts that they’ll love helping you make.

When it comes to mushrooms, the potential danger lies in wild mushrooms, many of which can be highly poisonous to dogs, just as they are for humans. These mushrooms grow in damp locations such as lawns, landscaping areas and wooded areas. There are over 10,000 known mushroom species, but only about 100 types are poisonous to dogs and other mammals. Some of the most commonly encountered toxic species in the U.S. include: Amanita phalloides (death cap) Amanita bisporigera (death angel) Amanita gemmata (jeweled death cap) Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) Amanita pantherina (panther cap) Clitocybe dealbata (ivory funnel) Galerina marginata (deadly galerina) Gyromitra esculenta (false morel) Inocybe species,Jump to section Which Mushrooms Are Toxic to Dogs? What Are the Symptoms of Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs? What Do I Do If My Dog Ate Toxic Mushrooms? How Do I Prevent My Dog from Eating Toxic Mushrooms? Which Mushrooms Are Safe for Dogs? How Do I Feed Safe Mushrooms to My Dog? The Benefits of Mushrooms for Dogs

As much as we all love the charm and magic of the holiday season, we don’t always enjoy the cold weather and staying indoors—and neither do our furry friends. But the outdoors comes with its own hazards for pets, including some you may not expect. For instance, did you know that rain showers and melting ponds can pose dangers to pets? I am always advising pets parents not to allow their pets to drink from puddles. Dirty water and puddles can harbor bacteria and parasites that can pose health hazards to pets.

Get your phone ready; you’ll want to capture your dog’s reaction to his new squeaking toy. This adorable squeaky toy is made of ultra-soft fabric, made to be an ideal cuddle buddy for nap time. Plus, there’s minimal stuffing for less mess.,Soft, squeaky and cute, dog plush toys fetch the hearts of humans and dogs alike. Whether used for squeaky play, a cuddly companion in your pet’s bed or a comforting companion on a road trip, soft toys carry the scent of home and provide hours of fun all in a super cute package. When it’s time for gifting your stuffed dog toys, you’ll find a wide assortment representing every creature known to mankind—and a few that live only in fantasy. Let’s take a look at some popular plush dog toys that all have four-star ratings or higher on Chewy.com. You’ll also find some with special features that help earn them the title of best plush dog toys.

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