Category: Pets

Some days, you may feel that you work like a dog at your job. But imagine getting to work with your dog in your cubicle, your office or business.

In 1999, Patti Moran, founder of Pet Sitters International, created the annual event Take Your Dog to Work Day. This year, it is being celebrated on June 23, and it has now expanded to Take Your Pet to Work Week and, yes, even Take Your Cat to Work Day.

“I wanted to find a way for PSI to give back to the pet community from which our members earn their living and find a unique way to celebrate dogs and promote their adoptions,” Patti says. “Since that time, the event has grown by leaps and bounds.”

Take your dog to work every day at these dog-friendly offices

Tito’s Handmade Vodka, headquarted in Texas, embraces Take Your Dog to Work Day every day. “Since the founding of Tito’s Handmade Vodka in 1995, stray dogs have always found their way to the distillery in rural Austin, where the Tito’s team would feed them, take care of them and sometimes adopt them,” says Beth Bellanti, manager of Tito’s Vodka for Dog People program. “By allowing humans to bring their furry companions to work, we have seen reduced stress and anxiety levels, and improved work-life balance throughout our workforce.”

Well-mannered dogs are also welcomed at dog product supplier Chewy locations. And that makes Gabrielle Miller, senior pet team operations member, break out into a smile. “I love being able to bring my dogs, Tuffy and Maddie, to work with me,” Gabrielle says. “When I take breaks, I take them for walks, and I like to see them modeling and working on the set with other pet wranglers. It is also nice to work at a company with people who are knowledgeable about dog training and behavior.”

During a tour inside the Dallas distribution center, you’ll spot dogs snoozing on comfy beds next to their person’s workstation. One enforced rule: Dogs cannot be tethered and left unsupervised, even for a few minutes for their pet parents to grab a coffee or go to the bathroom. Another co-worker must stay with the dog until the pet parent returns.

Get your office dog ready for work

Teoti Anderson, past president of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and co-owner of Pawsitive Results in South Carolina, encourages a candid assessment of your canine.

Before bringing your dog to your work, ask yourself:

• Does my dog have good manners?
• Will he jump on people?
• Does he drag me down the hallway?
• Does he like people but not other dogs?
• Is he house trained?
• Is he up to date on his vaccinations and on flea and tick preventives?
• Will he enjoy coming to work with me or become stressed?

“Having a well-behaved dog will make it easier to take him to work,” says Teoti, who is also the author of the Ultimate Guide to Dog Training. “Brush up on his training, and he could be employee of the month!”

Tips to prep your dog for a day at the office

Having your dog do a trial run can help you gauge how he likes or does not like being at work, says Cara Armour, a professional dog trainer and agility instructor from Massachusetts.

“See if you can bring him on a day off or on a quiet workday so that you can pay attention to your dog’s behavior at the office,” says Cara, who is also president of Cara Armour Consulting. “Do pet proof the area where your dog will be each time he comes to work with you. Pay attention to anything on the floor. What if a coworker dropped an Advil and your dog found it on the floor? Make sure your dog is not allowed to roam freely and rummage in trash cans of your coworkers.”

How do you stay focused with your four-legger as your work buddy?

“It’s important to teach your dog to self-soothe,” Teoti says. “Have a ready-made supply of frozen, food-stuffed, rubber toys available that you can pull out to serve as doggie pacifiers during your meetings. Make sure you take him out to eliminate in the designated potty area before you participate in office meetings.”

Beth from Tito’s shares these three strategies for a successful day at work with your dog:

• Keep your pet’s needs in mind. Bring treats, chew toys, a water bowl and a comfy pet bed where your pet can relax while you are focused on work.
• “Set ‘ex-pet-tations’ beforehand,” she says. “Make sure there are office-wide guidelines and policies in place regarding pets that address roaming, leash restrictions, the number of pets allowed per person and anything else to ensure a peaceful environment for pets and humans alike.”
• Take quick breaks throughout the day to step outside to give your pet some air and a chance to play and get out some energy. “Quick breaks not only keep your pet happy, but they are good for employee wellness and stress management, too.”

How to start Take Your Dog to Work Day at your office

Before you participate in TYDTWD or introduce a pet-friendly policy at your workplace, follow these tips by PSI’s president Beth Stultz-Hairston:

• First, pitch the request to your boss and/or human resource director. “Be prepared to address possible concerns management may have, including safety protocols,” Beth says. These issues can include building codes, liability issues and employees’ allergies or phobias.”
• Respect co-workers’ views of pets at work. “Avoid forcing coworkers to interact with your dog,” she says. “Dog lovers will make themselves known!”
• Make your dog’s wishes your priority. “Although most dogs enjoy TYDTWD, your pet may not, so have an exit strategy, like calling your professional pet sitter, should your dog become overly boisterous, agitated or withdrawn while at your office.”

PSI also offers a free and downloadable TYDTWD toolkit and ideas on ways to celebrate at your workplace.

Saying goodbye to our sweet pets is truly one of the most heartbreaking experiences we ever endure and should not face alone. Animals carry such unconditional love, no judgment and powerful lessons of forgiveness and resilience. Recognizing common stages of grief after pet loss is a part of the healing journey.

Stages of grief after losing a pet:

1. Emotional and physical pain after pet loss

Grief affects everyone differently through both emotional turmoil and physical exhaustion. It is normal to feel frequent waves of shock, agony, anger, sadness and loneliness, along with encountering panic attacks, nausea and loss of sleep/appetite. Although it may seem impossible during this grief stage, one should maintain general physical care and avoid making big decisions.

2. Guilt and reflection after pet loss

People also experience guilt and regret concerning their pet’s quality of life, treatment and death. They think, “What if?” on a daily basis.

Over time, we can eventually reflect on our friendship together with understanding and reconciliation about our pet’s life.

3. Self-restoration and finding peace after pet loss

Focusing on self-care and time with loved ones helps us re-establish our personal identity and acknowledge our pet’s presence in our hearts, while honoring her memory through words and actions.

4. Pet-loss grief support and guidance

There is absolutely no easy way to experience pet loss, especially with limited support. Grief counseling for pet loss is helpful for expressing personal feelings in a confidential environment and establishing self-care techniques. Pet loss support groups involve people sharing stories about their pets in a comforting setting, both in-person and virtually.

Honoring sweet Alfie: a personal story about pet loss and grieving

I can personally attest to this deep pain and need for pet grief support after losing Alfie, our precious Toy Poodle and best friend, in 2016. I still miss Alfie very much every day and treasure our special memories in my heart forever. When Alfie passed away unexpectedly through surgery from liver disease, I was just devastated and looked to numerous pet-loss books, articles, and videos for guidance, along with attending a pet-loss support group to better understand pet loss and grief. Though I was thankful to have support and care from loved ones, it was also the pet-loss support group that had brought me additional peace and comfort, especially through listening to other’s personal stories of pure love and painful loss.

Nearly seven years later, I still miss Alfie very much every day and always cherish our special memories together, but do experience unexpected moments of heavy pain and heartache too (which is normal). Alfie will always be my best friend, forever in my heart, and I am so thankful for our treasured bond together

Seeking pet-loss grief support brings guidance and reminds us that we are never alone. While our beloved pets stay with us through our hearts and memories, grief support soothes our pain and suffering.

In addition to being a fun way to learn about your pet’s family tree, a dog DNA test helps you prepare for possible future health issues and understand why your dog behaves the way he does. Dog DNA test accuracy can vary anywhere from 90% to 99%, which makes understanding how to interpret the test results even more important.

How to read dog DNA test results

Step 1:  Familiarize yourself with the test results format

Understanding the structure of the report helps you navigate the results with ease.

DNA results arrive by mail or email and are typically formatted into three separate sections, which include:

• the dog’s breed composition
• health risks or genetic mutations
• information about your pup’s behavior traits or personality

Step 2:  Analyze your dog’s breed composition

One of the most exciting parts of having your dog’s DNA tested is discovering his unique breed makeup. You will see a list of dog breeds, along with a percentage of your dog’s DNA that came from each breed. If your pup is a purebred, this section will usually confirm his lineage. If he is a mixed breed, this contains valuable information about your pup’s ancestry and may finally answer the question, “What kind of dog is he?”

Step 3:  Asses your dog’s health risk

Depending on the DNA kit you purchased, it may test for more than 200 genetic health risks, diseases or conditions your dog could be at risk for based on his genetic makeup. But, just because the results say your pup is at higher risk for a certain disease doesn’t mean he will develop it.  Still, it’s worth a discussion with your veterinarian about the results and how they might be able to help you prevent or manage these health risks.

Step 4: Dig into your dog’s behavior traits

This section is more subjective as every dog has his own unique personality. It can provide insight into your dog’s quirks and tendencies like why your dog herds the cats or always wants to chase the neighborhood squirrels. Understanding these traits helps you tailor a training approach that will work best for your dog?

How accurate are dog DNA tests?

No test is perfect, but dog DNA test accuracy varies by brand and can range from 90% to 99%. Also, factors like sample quality, testing methodology and interpretation can all impact the accuracy of the results.

If you have specific questions after receiving your dog’s DNA test results, first check the company’s website for its FAQ section. It will answer a variety of questions pertinent to that company’s testing. If your questions are not answered via the FAQ sheet, email your question to the company through a customer service form or email that the company will give you exactly for that purpose.

For more information on the benefits of DNA tests for your dog and a side-by-side brand comparison, read our full review.

DNA testing is a fun and exciting way to learn more about your canine furry friend and his unique genetic makeup. Who knows, you might discover that your pup has some surprising ancestry, or he is at risk for a health condition you never knew existed. Why not give it a try and unlock the secrets of your pup’s DNA?

Swimming is a fun activity for dogs, and while some automatically know how to swim, many dogs aren’t comfortable with water and need to learn how. Teaching your dog to swim or taking your dog to swimming lessons reinforces the idea that being in and around the water is going to be a positive experience.

Before teaching your dog to swim: follow these three water-safety tips:

• Wear swim clothes so you can go into the water with your dog.
• Bring a properly fitted dog life jacket or life vest. These dog life jackets, also called canine floatation devices, are made specifically to keep dogs buoyant in the water. Not only can this keep your dog safe as she learns to swim, it can also help your dog to be more confident. Brachial dog breeds such as French Bulldogs and Pugs should never swim or be near water without a life vest for their own safety. (Here’s our guide to the best dog life jackets and how to fit your dog for one.)
• If you’re going to be teaching your dog to swim in a natural water area, utilize a long-line leash so you can keep your dog tethered to you in the water.

Next, find the right dog-friendly swim location

Dog pool or canine swim centers are ideal places to start introducing a dog to water. Pick a location that has minimal distractions. Natural settings, such as lakes and rivers, should have minimal waves, which can scare dogs, and a gentle slope into the water, which is more  comfortable to dogs than a drop-off entrance.

Time to introduce your dog to water

Always supervise your dog while swimming or even near the water. The key to teaching your dog to enjoy swimming and become confident in the water is to go slowly and ensure your dog is having fun. Don’t force your dog to go into deeper water than she is comfortable with as this can lead to a fear of swimming. Make sure she is wearing her dog swimming vest.

Follow these 5 steps to introduce your dog to water and teach her to swim:

Step 1: Go at your dog’s pace by letting her explore and play at the water’s edge, going into the water when she’s comfortable. Praise and reward your dog for any interest and engagement in the water, including just splashing and wading.

Step 2: As your dog is playing, encourage her to slowly move deeper into the water. If your dog seems wary or uncomfortable, encourage her back into the shallow water.

Step 3: Continue to encourage your dog into slightly deeper water using lots of praise until your dog is swimming. Introduce floating and water safe toys to encourage your dog to stay and play in the water.

Step 4: Use treats and toys to lure your dog back to where she can get out of the water. This shows her how to safely get out of the water, which is especially important for dogs learning to swim in a pool where they must find a specific ramp or stairs to exit.

Step 5: Remain close to your dog during the swim session. If your dog seems to get worried, encourage her back to an area shallow enough for her to stand.

Dog swim lessons: what to expect

If you’re feeling uncertain or worried about teaching your dog to swim, sign up for lessons. Many veterinary physical therapy/rehabilitation centers have recreational swim lessons and dog pools that hold dock-diving events often have introductory swimming lessons for dogs and puppies. At the lessons, a trained instructor stays in the water with your dog, which is especially helpful for nervous dogs (and dog guardians). Another benefit of swim lessons is the facilities typically have dog floatation vests in a wide range of sizes.

Ready to make a splash?

Tap into some cooling vests to keep Fido comfortable in the summer heat. You want one that is easy to use, is well constructed and is proven to keep a dog cool.

$69. bArctic Light Therapy Dog Shirt. This shirt cools in hot sun to reduce the risk of overheating while converting sunlight into healthy red and near-infrared light through laser physics and optics (like your vet’s laser treatments). Can be warm all year as also warms in cool temps. Comes in a variety of from 3XS to 3XL-long and in four colors: gray with orange, blue or mint or high visibility orange with reflective.

$29.99. CoolerDog Cooling Vest and Collar. The vest cools the underside of the belly and neck. Simply load with the FlexiFreeze frozen ice strips and Velcro and buckle on. Includes a cooling vest, collar and two sets of FlexiFreeze ice. Comes in S-XL.

$58.95. Kurgo Dog Core Cooling Vest Wet it with cool water, wring it out and then put it on your dog. It’s light in color to reflect the sun’s heat. Has a two-way zipper so you can attach a leash to a harness under it. Comes in S-XL.

$47. Hurtta Cooling Wrap. Soak it in cold water, squeeze the water out and put it on your dog. It is adjustable and has breathable fabric for a comfortable fit. Comes in six sizes and three colors: aquamarine, carnation pink and yellow.

$69.95. Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Dog Cooling Harness. It’s both a harness and a cooling vest. Its three-layer construction absorbs water and promoted evaporate cooling. Dunk it in water and put it on your dog. Comes in XXS-L/XL and in three colors: graphite gray, sage green and heliotrope purple.

The most famous of all canine pests is the flea. Fleas are tiny insects that live on the blood of mammal hosts. The dog flea and the cat flea are the two most commonly seen on dogs, with the cat flea being much more prevalent.

Fleas cause harm to dogs in a number of ways:

• Their bites often cause a strong reaction on the dog’s skin, resulting in irritation and itching.
• Fleas can spread diseases like tapeworm, typhus and even the plague. Transmission occurs by either their bite or by being ingested.
• Fleas can cause anemia, in severe cases, especially in very young, old or unhealthy dogs.

Fleas like warm, moist weather, so they are most abundant in climates where they can breed year-round, such as parts of the southern United States. Harsh winters don’t kill them off though. Their breeding slows down in freezing weather, but once the temperature warms up in the spring, they begin reproducing with vigor.

“All stages of fleas can survive long periods of time without food, and some species of adult fleas can even survive freezing temperatures,” says Dr. Heidi Watkins, with Wagly Animal Hospital in California. “These abilities allow any stage of fleas to survive indoors in deep carpet or crevices, and outdoors in deep leaf litter or other organic material. Adult fleas can live on pets, feral animals and wildlife all winter long.”

How to repel fleas on dogs

The most effective way to control fleas is to prevent them from living and reproducing on your dog. There are two different types: topical and oral. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best preventive to use for your dog.

Topical flea repellents are ones you apply to your pet’s fur regularly (like a spray, shampoo or collar) to discourage fleas from landing and staying on your pet’s fur. You can opt for a once-a-month application of a medication that is absorbed by your dog’s skin and kills fleas on contact. These are available by prescription from veterinarians or over the counter at pet supply retailers.

Or, your veterinarian may recommend a once-a-month oral medication that kills fleas that land on your dog and prevents them from reproducing. They come in chews or pills.

Because fleas use your dog’s environment for part of their life cycle, treat these areas as well. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the following actions can help control fleas in your home:

• Vacuum carpets, cushioned furniture, and floor cracks and crevices daily.
• Steam clean your carpets.
• Wash all bedding in hot, soapy water every two to three weeks.
• Use a flea comb to remove adult fleas from your dog. Deposit the fleas in hot, soapy water to kill them.
• Keep your dog indoors as much as possible to reduce chances of flea bites.

Tick 101

No one likes finding a tick on a dog. The blood-sucking insects latch onto the dog’s skin with their mouthparts and can be difficult to remove.

Ticks can be found in a number of species, but the ones most likely to latch onto your dog are the brown dog tick and the American dog tick. (For more information on common ticks, go to the Companion Animal Parasite Council tick list here.) According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), ticks can spread a number of diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis. Tick bites are most common in the Northeastern United States in the mid-summer months.

Ticks find their way onto dogs by clinging to plants and grass, where they wait for a potential host to brush up against them. Once they make contact with a dog, the crawl into the dog’s fur and latch onto the skin. They consume the dog’s blood until they drop off to molt or lay eggs, depending on where the tick is in its life cycle. Ticks prefer warm, moist weather and are most prevalent in the summer, although they are found in every part of the United States year-round.

How to control ticks on dogs

Tick prevention means stopping ticks before they latch onto your dog. Topical dog tick repellent is a first line of defense. It can be applied in spray or shampoo form. These products can be made from chemicals that deter ticks, or natural ingredients the repel them. Monthly spot-on treatments and oral medications are also effective. These can be prescribed by your veterinarian. Again, consult your veterinarian to know which preventive is best for your dog.

“Later generation synthetic flea and tick medications have had the best success with killing adult fleas and ticks, preventing reproduction, and ensuring the best environmental decontamination,” says Dr. Watkins.

For dog owners who prefer natural products, options are available in topical products, according to Dr. Watkins.

“Most topical products applied on the dog’s fur use a combination of essential oils,” she says. “Getting rid of ticks in the environment can be done with diatomaceous earth or borax powder.”

She adds that natural products may not have the same efficiency as some of the synthetic medications that are available directly from veterinarians, and that some of these natural products should be used with caution in cats, as their labels indicate.

Even if your dog receives regular tick prevention, check him periodically for ticks. You can find ticks burrowing:

• in and around the ears
• around the tail
• near the eyelids
• between the toes
• between the front legs
• between the back legs
• under the collar

If you find a tick, use tweezers to remove it by grasping it as close as you can to where it has attached itself to the dog’s skin. Pull straight backward, do not twist. Once you remove it, drop it in a glass of rubbing alcohol to kill it.

Mosquito 101

A pest that bothers humans, dogs, cats, and other animals is the mosquito. Mosquitos are flying insects, and the females feed on the blood of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and others. They are notorious for carrying diseases that can affect both humans and animals. Their biggest threat to dogs is their ability to spread heartworm, a potentially fatal illness that can damage a dog’s major organs as the heartworm goes through its life cycle in the dog’s body.

“Once heartworm larval reach the L4 stage, they migrate from the subcutaneous tissue through deeper tissue, including muscle on their way to the chest,” says Dr. Watkins. “At the L5 stage, they enter the venous circulation and can enter the heart. Microfilaria can also sometimes reach unintended locations in the body including eyes and neuronal tissue. Their primary target is the vasculature of the lungs and heart.”

If untreated, heartworm can eventually kill a dog. Sometimes even treatment can’t help if the damage is too great. This is why it is crucial to protect your dog from this mosquito-borne parasite.

Mosquitos live and reproduce in permanent water bodies that are rich in plant life, riparian woodlands, swampy lowland forests, ponds, ditches, tree holes, and artificial containers where water gathers, like tires, birdbaths, rain barrels and gutters. In the United States, the Southeast has the greatest prevalence of mosquitoes, although they are found everywhere, even in the driest deserts. In areas where climate change has caused greater rainfall over the past several decades, mosquitoes have become even more of an issue.

According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), a leading source of information on parasitic diseases that threaten the health of pets and people, the risk of heartworm infection in dogs is highest in:

• Texas
• Oklahoma
• Arkansas
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Alabama
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee

While heartworm is found in every state in the United States, these states have the highest incidents.

To protect your dog from contracting heartworm through the bite of an infected mosquito, put him on a monthly heartworm preventive. Your veterinarian will prescribe this medication, which may also work to keep fleas and ticks at bay, depending on the product.

You can also do a lot to keep mosquitoes from reproducing near your home. Take these precautions on your property, according to the EPA:

• Eliminate standing waterin rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys or any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
• Empty and change the water in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels and potted plant trays at least once a week to destroy potential mosquito habitats.
• Drain or fill temporary pools of water with dirt.
• Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.

Parasites like fleas, ticks and mosquitos have evolved over the centuries to feed on our dogs, and diseases like spotted fever and heartworm have acclimated to use these parasites as vectors. By providing consistent prevention, you make great strides in keeping your dog safe from these bloodsuckers. Talk to you veterinarian to work out the best prevention plan for your dog.

Resource guarding is when dogs become defensive to keep others away from something of value. It’s perfectly normal for dogs to want to protect their supply of food, their toys or stake claim to where they sleep. Some dogs even guard their humans. After all, they’re all valuable resources they want and need. But if dogs think access to those resources is threatened, they could become overprotective.

Some contributing factors to resource guarding may include:

• issues with early socialization
• deprivation of resources at any stage (especially early in life)
• breed and genetics
• fear and anxiety
• territoriality
• frustration.

Signs of resource guarding in dogs

A recent study found dog parents were keen on obvious signs of guarding like growling or snapping, but less likely to pick up on the more subtle signs, such as: avoidance (maneuvering their bodies to assert control over an object or taking off with it), tightening/stiffening posture and rapidly ingesting edibles.

Some common signs of resource guarding objects include:

• Gulping food/eating quickly
• Head turning or whale eye
• Hovering
• Running away with a resource
• Stiffening, and/or staring at the perceived threat (person or another animal)
• Lunging
• Snarling
• Snapping
• Biting

Many dogs who resource guard are generally more fearful. When a dog feels a resource is threatened, he is more likely to try to protect it. A lot of times this means absconding with the valued resource or even resorting to aggression to prevent it from being taken away.

Resource guarding between dogs

Resource guarding behaviors can also be directed at other animals, especially those within the household. Watch for signs and signals to prevent problems in multi-pet homes.

Pets shouldn’t have to compete amongst each other for resources, so eliminate that stress. Lean into these tips to prevent resource guarding between dogs:

1. Be on the lookout for resource-guarding signs
2. Always feed pets separately from one another and don’t free-feed
3. Make sure there are ample toys and sleeping spaces available for each pet and each pet has his own space he can go to.
4. Encourage and train pets to interact appropriately and positively with each other in the sharing of resources.
5. Prevent access between pets while consuming or engaging with high-value items.

For more tips check out this video.

If you suspect your dog is resource guarding, seek help from a professional, rewards-based trainer or behaviorist sooner rather than later.

Dog resource guarding owner

Believe it or not you’re also a resource. You provide love, attention, yummy stuff, fun, joy and the list goes on. You’re your dog’s world!

Watch for your dog:

• Attempting to block other dogs or even people from approaching you
• Showing signs of stress such as panting, lip licking, pacing, whale eye, etc. when someone else or another dog approaches you
• Piloerection, growling or snapping when someone is near you

Tips:

• Work on building confidence in your dog to be independent and comfortable around others
• Spend time away from your dog
• If you have multiple pets, spread the wealth and spend quality time with each pet
• Don’t constantly carry or hold your dog, which can cause anxiety, separation issues and guarding

Although less common than object guarding, guarding humans does happen. Escalation to aggression can be a real safety issue, so always seek professional, rewards-based help as soon as possible if you suspect your dog is guarding you.

How to prevent resource guarding

Your first line of defense is a good offense: don’t create an environment or situation where your dog feels he must guard resources in the first place.

A lot of resource guarding behaviors can be avoided at the outset by simply giving our dogs space! Make sure your dog has space, time, and privacy to eat, engage with bones and chews and to sleep or rest.

Back in the day people used to brag about being able to reach down and take their dog’s food away in the middle of him eating. Some believe they should be able to take a dog’s bone away in some sort of display of domination or nonsense about “showing the dog who’s boss” or “being the alpha.”

Advances in modern training, coupled with numerous studies and shifting attitudes about our relationships with our pet dogs, render these authoritative displays outdated if not downright silly. And dangerous! In fact, studies show taking valuable things away from dogs can make resource guarding worse.

The best way to avoid a dog resource guarding their food? Leave him alone while he eats. In fact, make sure he has a space out of household noise and traffic and can eat in peace. Free-feeding can exacerbate and even cause resource guarding. If you free-feed, stop! Free-feeding isn’t recommended for a variety of other reasons as well.

If you suspect your dog is already resource guarding, management is a good first step. So, for example, don’t allow children near dogs who are eating, engaged with toys or bones or at rest. In a nutshell, give your dog space!

More how to stop resource guarding tips:

• Do be mindful of your dog’s body language and efforts to protect or defend things whether it’s toys or food or space, etc. Pay close attention to how your dog acts.
• Do keep your distance from your dog when he’s engaged with toys, bones or food or resting in a favorite spot.
• Don’t confront your dog in an angry, frustrated or aggressive way or try to take the object from your dog or force him to move out of a favorite space.
• Don’t try to grab or pry an object out of your dog’s mouth; doing so will likely cause your dog to become more intent on keeping the object and he may escalate very quickly to outright aggression.

Our dogs determine what’s of value, not us, so be mindful of what your dog wants and loves. If someone tried to take your purse or wallet, phone or car, you’d be very upset. It’s no fun to feel like you must be on guard all the time. Your dog is the same. Actively supporting a secure and comforting environment for your dog keeps everyone safe, relaxed and happy.

Although we could swear our dogs have a good belly laugh while at tug-o-war, actual dog laughs have not been specifically identified by animal behaviorists as other vocalizations like growls and whines have, according to vet behaviorist Dr. Sally J. Foote. Dogs can make short panting “huh, huh” sounds and grunting as they play with toys or with other dogs while enjoying themselves.

 “They are having fun. So, you could think of this as a laugh in this situation. Otherwise, it may be that they need to pant and have something in their mouth making the grunt noise,” Dr. Foote says. 

 Austrian zoologist and founder of modern ethology, Dr. Konrad Lorenz, believed dogs express smiles and laughter-like behavior in play. In the book Man Meets Dog, he describes how dogs laugh based on his observations: a mouth stretched from ear to ear followed by excited panting.

Do dogs have a sense of humor?

Could laughter-like sounds mean our fur friends have a sense of humor?

“Our dogs know what gets them attention and will mix play with mischief,” says Dr. Foote. They also will play tricks on each other to get dogs or cats to play. “There is no proof, but I do think dogs have a sense of humor.”

How do dogs smile?

Smiling is easier to see in some breeds like the Golden Retriever. Dr. Foote describes a smile as:

• the lips are drawn back with a relaxed face
• the upper teeth are covered

Many dog breeds will “smile” as their head is massaged or during petting. Be careful it’s not a snarl, she cautions, where the upper teeth are showing and the forehead wrinkled.

While pinpointing laughter in dogs is problematic, there’s little doubt they have fun and can find things funny and just might flash a grin.

Music has an undeniable impact on humans. But do dogs like music? Considering that dogs can’t tell us exactly how they feel, the answer isn’t conclusive. But some studies have shown positive responses in dogs.

It’s a tough question to answer, says dog behavior expert and VCA Animal Hospitals Vet Tech Ali Creighton, because there is no proven way to determine whether a dog is actually enjoying music.

“Studies have shown positive responses in behavior and body language, but this is something that is going to vary dog to dog,” she says. “Just like people, dogs have preferences too.”

Derrick Garrett, Zoundz Music for Pets founder and CEO, is more certain.

“Of course, they do,” he says. “But it must be the right music.”

What kind of music do dogs like?

While dogs don’t necessarily respond to specific genres of music, they respond to specific parameters within a song, including tempo, chord progressions and instrumentation, Derrick says. Some classical music and sub-genres contain all the calming parameters for dog relaxation, but these can technically fall under any genre or sub-genre of music.

Empirical data has shown that dogs have a preference for classical and, interestingly enough, reggae music, says Ali.

What does a preference look like? One study evaluated dogs’ heart rates in response to different types of music.

Calming music for dogs

Relaxing music for dogs may help with stressful situations or anxious dogs.

“Music can absolutely affect dogs’ behavior,” Ali says. “Response and preference to music will vary from dog to dog. Common responses include relaxation and in some cases, a decrease in anxiety.”

Each song in the Zoundz Music For Pets repertoire is tested to calm dogs in stressful environments or circumstances, including shelters, veterinary hospitals, boarding and daycare facilities, explains Derrick.

A quick search will show online playlists like “Calming Music for Dogs” or “Dog Music” can work.

“A lot of those playlists will consist of soft, classical music,” she says. “As long as your dog is not displaying a negative reaction to music (anxiety, fear, etc.), owners can feel free to try them out.”

Some pet parents may also wonder if there’s music to help dogs sleep. Derrick says no.

“Within the species-specific music parameters, there is some flexibility to lower the music tempo to a rate that could lead to your dog sleeping,” he says. “Still, I would not venture to say there is specific music for dogs to sleep to.”

How music can help dogs

Music can be used for training sessions. For example, Ali says, if you’re working to train your dog to go lie on her bed and calm down, play music during this training exercise.

“Eventually, in conjunction with the learned command, your dog can begin to associate the music with the desired behavior,” she says. “Additionally, playing music for your dog can be a form of enrichment — as long as your dog is not showing a negative response to music playing.”

Whether it’s a stressful situation or a training session, the right kind of music may be able to help your dog relax. Experiment with playing different types of music in different situations to see if it helps calm your dog. But be careful with playing music too loud.

Ali says, “Dogs can be sensitive to extremely loud volumes, so be sure to practice common-sense volume safety just as you would for yourself.”

Is your dog sliding across the floor? Or coming inside with ice balls stuck between his toes? Sounds like he’s overdue for a paw hair trim! Head to the groomers for a professional job, or try your hand at trimming dog paw hair yourself.

How to trim dog hair between paws yourself

Kathy McFall, certified professional pet groomer and owner of Kathy’s Pet Salon, recommends starting with ballpoint scissors (or a small electric razor) and a slicker brush.

Here are Kathy’s paw hair-trimming tips:

Step 1. Lay small dogs on your lap or larger dogs on the floor.

Step 2. Use the slicker brush to brush the hair on top of the feet — the “wrong” way — so it stands up.

Step 3. Hold the scissors just above the top of the foot, not touching the skin, with the ball tips pointed toward the leg. Make three separate cuts above the space between the toes.

Step 4. Lightly trim the outside edges of the three toes on the front of the foot.

Step 5. For trimming the back “heel” of the dog, lay the scissors across the top of the back pad and trim the excess hair sticking out between the paw pads.

If your pup is anxious, have someone else hold your dog and feed her treats. A treat lick mat with peanut butter or wet food can help your dog love his paw pad trims!

 Try these dog paw hair trimming tools:

When to see a dog groomer for a paw trim

A professional dog groomer typically does a cleaner and quicker job, which nervous dogs will appreciate! Kathy says to seek professional help if you see matting or foreign objects in-between the pads of the foot. Ideally, dog paws should be trimmed every four to eight weeks and, she adds, that’s the perfect time to trim those nails, too!

With the proper utensils, a steady hand and a patient dog, you can trim your dog’s paw hair at home. If you are nervous or your dog has a lot of mats, leave it to a professional groomer.