Why Dogs Prefer Things That Stink

Filed under: Dogs, Ask A Vet, Animal Sites We Love

By Dr. Marty Becker, via Vetstreet

Each morning, our dogs accompany us on our walk to the horse barn. My wife and I have shared our lives with many animals over our long and happy marriage, and our walk always makes me think of the dogs no longer with us, like our much-missed black Labrador, Sirloin.

While we would carry our cups of coffee, Sirloin usually carried a toy, a piece of a tree or something dead in his mouth. Once we got up to the barn, Sirloin would be ready to top off his tummy tank with some canine haute cuisine, diving head first into a fresh pile of horse dung. After cleansing his palate, he would then flop on his back, rolling fervently, as if he had a really bad itch and the horse apples were a bed of nails. Yes, we loved this dog.

SEE ALSO: Why Does My Dog... Eat Poop?

The menu at our Cafe McMutts then, as now, featured dead mice, dead birds, assorted dung and the skeletal remains of various forest animals. These dietary indiscretions might freak out some people, but I've lived on a ranch my whole life, as has Teresa, and we think of them as kind of cute. Or we did, until the day Sirloin went too far in his journey to smell hell.

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Why Dogs Prefer Things That Stink

Filed under: Dogs, Ask A Vet, Animal Sites We Love

By Dr. Marty Becker, via Vetstreet

Each morning, our dogs accompany us on our walk to the horse barn. My wife and I have shared our lives with many animals over our long and happy marriage, and our walk always makes me think of the dogs no longer with us, like our much-missed black Labrador, Sirloin.

While we would carry our cups of coffee, Sirloin usually carried a toy, a piece of a tree or something dead in his mouth. Once we got up to the barn, Sirloin would be ready to top off his tummy tank with some canine haute cuisine, diving head first into a fresh pile of horse dung. After cleansing his palate, he would then flop on his back, rolling fervently, as if he had a really bad itch and the horse apples were a bed of nails. Yes, we loved this dog.

SEE ALSO: Why Does My Dog... Eat Poop?

The menu at our Cafe McMutts then, as now, featured dead mice, dead birds, assorted dung and the skeletal remains of various forest animals. These dietary indiscretions might freak out some people, but I've lived on a ranch my whole life, as has Teresa, and we think of them as kind of cute. Or we did, until the day Sirloin went too far in his journey to smell hell.

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Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist – My Dog Refuses to Go On Walks

Filed under: Dogs, Ask the AKC

Meet Mary Burch, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen director and Paw Nation's expert columnist addressing your questions on animal behavior. Dr. Burch has more than 25 years of experience working with dogs, and she is one of fewer than 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists based in the United States. She is the author of 10 books, including the new official book on the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, "Citizen Canine: 10 Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know."

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Q: We have a Lab/Chow mix who we got from the Humane Society when she was 6 years old. She is 9 years old now. We don'’t know anything about her history before we got her. She is very sweet but extremely stubborn when we attempt to walk her on leash, refusing to move by sitting or pulling back. We can sometimes coax her into it, but other times we need to take her in the car to a field nearby where she usually will walk. We don't think a training class would help because she does not take to other dogs readily. What do you suggest we do to help her enjoy going for a walk?

A: For this interesting case, I may have more questions for you than answers, but I hope they'’ll help you solve this puzzle. However, I do agree that a training class is probably not the best solution for your pup.

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Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist – Why Does My Dog Bark at Doorbells on TV?

Filed under: Dogs, Ask the AKC

Meet Mary Burch, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen director and Paw Nation's expert columnist addressing your questions on animal behavior. Dr. Burch has more than 25 years of experience working with dogs, and she is one of fewer than 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists based in the United States. She is the author of 10 books, including the new official book on the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, "Citizen Canine: 10 Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know."

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Q: Why does Gus, my 2-year-old German shepherd, bark when the doorbell rings on a television show? We've never even had a doorbell, so it's not like he's expecting someone. Is it just the sound that bugs him?

A: When most dogs bark up a storm upon hearing the doorbell, it's because they're pairing the sound with what happens next. Doorbell rings; stranger appears at door. In behavioral terms, we would say the sound of the doorbell has generalized if the dog also barks when he hears a doorbell on television.

But, in your case, you've told us that you don't have a doorbell and Gus barks when he hears one on television. Has Gus ever been exposed to a doorbell, so that he learned that the sound is a signal strangers might appear?

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What You Do to Annoy Your Dog

Filed under: Dogs

Amy D. Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 23 pet care books, including "PETiQuette; Solving Behavior Problems in Your Multipet Household" and "Complete Care for Your Aging Dog."

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We adore dogs but why do Max and Fluffy bark at all hours, gnaw the kids' new shoes or (gasp!) hump the pastor's leg?

While aggravating dog habits make owners show their teeth, clueless humans also raise the dog's blood pressure. Here are seven common things you do to make your dog howl.

Misunderstanding His Bark: Dogs use barks to communicate alarm, excitement and boredom -- and owners annoy dogs by ignoring these important warnings.

- Shouting "Shut up!" can increase barks if your dog thinks you're joining the barkathon.
- Ignoring some barks -- squirrel alert! -- could encourage a dog to stay quiet when a burglar drops by.
- Lonely dogs relieve boredom by talking to themselves with barks or howls.

Instead of yelling when your dog sounds off, say "Good bark," so he knows you heard him. That will also reassure him that you plan to address the scary squirrel issue that he so kindly pointed out. You might also try create a three-bark limit before asking him to hush with a treat or toy that keeps his mouth busy and quiet. (Puzzle toys stuffed with treats are particularly good at keeping bored dogs entertained.)

Being Inconsistent With Potty Training: Accidents in the house are common owner complaints, but dogs don't think we play fair. Yelling at your dog to stop midpee or punishing the dog minutes or hours after she's done the dirty deed is confusing. She knows you're unhappy but won't know what to do instead. Particularly confusing is if you do something crazy like rubbing your dog's nose in her mistake.

Anger over potty problems teaches your dog to hide deposits better and avoid "going" in front of you, which makes it even harder to explain proper potty manners. Instead, take your dog to the right spot after meals, naps or playtime, and reward her production so she understands that pooping outside on the street is what you want.

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Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist – Why Do My Dogs Bark at Each Other?

Filed under: Dogs, Ask the AKC

Meet Mary Burch, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen director and Paw Nation's expert columnist addressing your questions on animal behavior. Dr. Burch has more than 25 years of experience working with dogs, and she is one of fewer than 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists based in the United States. She is the author of 10 books, including the new official book on the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, "Citizen Canine: 10 Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know."

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Q: Why do my two dogs stand face to face and just bark at each other? It's like these two little ones are having a bark off. What are they thinking?

A: If you can hear me over the barking, I'd say that to speak and understand dog language, you need to listen to the barks and pay close attention to the body language of the dogs.

- Dogs bark when they are excited or want to play. If you watch the body language of your two barkers, do they eventually break away, run and play, do a play bow, or stir up a game? Barking related to play will usually be accompanied with a relaxed body posture and sometimes a wagging tail.

- Barks that are short, insistent yips can mean, "Stop that!"

- If you see a stiff body along with a low-pitched growl, the barking can be a warning sign as in, "Get out of my space!"

- Some dogs have a "look at me!" bark and some barks have the function of getting attention.

In general, canine barking is all about communicating. Listen to the bark and look at the body and behavior of what happens during and right after the barking and you'll soon be speaking fluent dogspeak.

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Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist – Why Do My Dogs Bark at Each Other?

Filed under: Dogs, Ask the AKC

Meet Mary Burch, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen director and Paw Nation's expert columnist addressing your questions on animal behavior. Dr. Burch has more than 25 years of experience working with dogs, and she is one of fewer than 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists based in the United States. She is the author of 10 books, including the new official book on the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, "Citizen Canine: 10 Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know."

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Q: Why do my two dogs stand face to face and just bark at each other? It's like these two little ones are having a bark off. What are they thinking?

A: If you can hear me over the barking, I'd say that to speak and understand dog language, you need to listen to the barks and pay close attention to the body language of the dogs.

- Dogs bark when they are excited or want to play. If you watch the body language of your two barkers, do they eventually break away, run and play, do a play bow, or stir up a game? Barking related to play will usually be accompanied with a relaxed body posture and sometimes a wagging tail.

- Barks that are short, insistent yips can mean, "Stop that!"

- If you see a stiff body along with a low-pitched growl, the barking can be a warning sign as in, "Get out of my space!"

- Some dogs have a "look at me!" bark and some barks have the function of getting attention.

In general, canine barking is all about communicating. Listen to the bark and look at the body and behavior of what happens during and right after the barking and you'll soon be speaking fluent dogspeak.

Continue reading Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist - Why Do My Dogs Bark at Each Other?

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Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist – Why Do My Dogs Bark at Each Other?

Filed under: Dogs, Ask the AKC

Meet Mary Burch, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen director and Paw Nation's expert columnist addressing your questions on animal behavior. Dr. Burch has more than 25 years of experience working with dogs, and she is one of fewer than 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists based in the United States. She is the author of 10 books, including the new official book on the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, "Citizen Canine: 10 Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know."

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Q: Why do my two dogs stand face to face and just bark at each other? It's like these two little ones are having a bark off. What are they thinking?

A: If you can hear me over the barking, I'd say that to speak and understand dog language, you need to listen to the barks and pay close attention to the body language of the dogs.

- Dogs bark when they are excited or want to play. If you watch the body language of your two barkers, do they eventually break away, run and play, do a play bow, or stir up a game? Barking related to play will usually be accompanied with a relaxed body posture and sometimes a wagging tail.

- Barks that are short, insistent yips can mean, "Stop that!"

- If you see a stiff body along with a low-pitched growl, the barking can be a warning sign as in, "Get out of my space!"

- Some dogs have a "look at me!" bark and some barks have the function of getting attention.

In general, canine barking is all about communicating. Listen to the bark and look at the body and behavior of what happens during and right after the barking and you'll soon be speaking fluent dogspeak.

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Dog Behavior – Understanding Canine Communication

Filed under: Dogs

Amy D. Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 23 pet care books, including "PETiQuette: Solving Behavior Problems in Your Multipet Household" and "Complete Care for Your Aging Dog."

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People who love dogs want to understand canine communication. But growls mixed with tail wags can be confusing. Though people rely on words, dog talk combines vocalizations, body language and smells. Here are 12 ways canines communicate.

1. Barking is used during play and defense -- and to get attention. Barks signal conflicted feelings -- "I like you, but I'm not sure," or "I want to play, but I shouldn't." Barking also serves as a canine alarm to alert the dog's family of anything unusual -- a sound, trespassing squirrel or your wearing a hat.

2. Whines, whimpers and yelps are nonthreatening communication. These sounds telegraph fear, pain, submission and sometimes frustration. Dogs also whine and whimper to beg attention or treats from humans.

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The Doggie Diaries: Renegade Jumping Pooch

Filed under: Dogs, Pet Training

Each week, Ben Westhoff shares the ups and downs of owning Pippi, the dalmatian mix he and his wife, Anna, adopted as a puppy in late 2009.

The reasons dogs jump on people is simple -- they want to be face to face with us. It makes sense; heck, if my head naturally sat 18 inches off the ground I would get tired of it, too. But it's also not something you want your dog to do. Even if you don't mind her jumping up on you, it sets a bad precedent for other people. Not everyone is a dog lover, and even those who are can be put off by a 50-pound wiggle worm getting up in their business.

We wrote last year about a woman whom Pippi annoyed after jumping up on her collarbone. You readers wrote in and told us this was unacceptable, and we listened to you. But a full year and a stint in obedience school later, we can't get her to keep four on the floor -- not even close. Our attempts to discipline her against doing this have been entirely unsuccessful. She still tries to jump up on people in the street, and it often takes all of my strength to stop her.

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