How and Why

Why Does My Dog Keep Licking the Air?

Dogs lick at air for a reason. Learn what they are and what you should do.

Do Dogs Always Face North to Poop?

A study shows that dogs like to align themselves with magnetic north to poop.

Why Does My Dog Sit on My Feet?

Learn why your dog might sit on your feet during walks.

How to Curb Dog Chasing

Learn about dog chasing, why they do it, and whether you can train a dog not to chase.

How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Poop

Learn how to stop your dog from eating poop.

Dogs Enjoy Earning Treats

Dogs may prefer to do a task to earn their treat rather than getting one for free.

Are Big Dogs Smarter Than Small Dogs?

Big dogs often score higher on intelligence lists than small breeds. Learn why.

Ways Dog Behavior Is Commonly Misinterpreted

Learn more about three common dog behaviors and what they can mean.

Why Do Dogs Shake Their Toys Hard?

Learn about why some dogs grab their toys and shake them super hard.

Why Is My Dog Pacing at Night?

Find out the main reasons dogs pace at night or at other times of the day.

Why Are Some Dogs Picky Eaters?

Learn why some dogs seem to be picky eaters and what you can do about it.

Why Do Some Dogs Always Act Like They're Starving?

Why is it that some dogs act like they're always hungry?

Why Do Dogs Sniff Some People More Than Others?

Find out why dogs sniff some people like crazy and ignore others.

Why Do Dogs Love Cat Food?

Learn about why dogs like cat food and whether it's good for them.

Why Do Dogs Sometimes Look Guilty?

Researchers have studied dog appeasement behaviors that look like guilt to humans.

How Do Dogs Choose Their Canine Friends?

Find out about dog body language and how dogs choose their friends.

Do Dogs Purposely Approach Non-Dog Lovers?

Find out whether it's true that dogs jump on non-dog-loving people purposely.

Stereotypy (OCD): Repetitive Behaviors in Dogs

Stereotypies are repetitive behaviors that a dog feels compelled to perform. Learn about OCD in dogs.

Why Does My Dog Kick the Ground after Pooping?

Learn why dogs sometimes scratch the ground with their hind feet after they eliminate.

How to Tell the Difference Between Playing and Fighting in Dogs

Playing dogs can sound and look ferocious. Learn how to know if they're really fighting.

Why Do Dogs Howl at Sirens?

Learn why dogs howl at sirens and other high-pitched noises.

Why Does My Dog Stare at Me?

Learn why some dogs stare intently at people.

Why Does My Dog Lick My Feet?

Learn why some dogs lick people's feet so much and how you can keep yours from licking your feet.

How to Talk to Your Dog

Learn about whether it's OK to use baby talk toward your dog and whether they like it.

Why Does My Dog Follow Me Everywhere?

Read about why some dogs act like a person's shadow and how to identify when it's a problem.

Tips for Visiting Others' Homes with Your Dog

Follow these tips to have a good experience taking your dog to visit friends and family.

Why Does My Dog Run Away?

Dogs might run away from boredom, territorialism, or fear. Learn more about why dogs run away.

Why Is My Dog Shaking?

Learn about some of the things that cause dogs to shake and whether you need to do anything about them.

Canine Body Language: What Is Your Dog Saying?

Learn the basics of dog body language, so you will know whether or not it's safe to approach a dog.

Why Do Some Dogs Get Obsessed with Laser Pointers?

You should avoid laser pointer play with your dog. Here's why.

Do Dogs Get the Winter Blues?

Learn about a study that indicates dogs can suffer from SAD and what you can do about it.

Dogs Are More Expressive When Humans Are Watching Them

Find out what a new research study says about dogs' facial expressions and what they might mean.

Why Do Some Dogs Curl up in a Ball When They Go to Sleep?

Find out why giving your dog a small cozy dog bed to curl up in can help her feel more secure.

Why Do Dogs Spin or Walk Around in a Circle Before Lying Down?

Learn why dogs circle before lying down and why some of them dig at their bedding before settling in.

Behavioral Differences Between Male and Female Dogs

Find out whether male and female dogs behave differently.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie and They'll Learn Better

If you are teaching your dog something new, what you do afterward is as important as the training itself.

Old Dog, New Tricks: How to Socialize an Older Dog

Go slowly when socializing your older dog with people and other dogs.

Why Does Your Dog Follow You to the Bathroom?

Learn why some dogs follow their person into the bathroom.

Your Dog Can Catch Your Mood

A study shows that dogs can catch each other's emotions. Humans can do the same, so it's possible the two species can catch each other's feelings.

What Your Dog's Tail Can Tell You

Learn about the general meanings of different tail positions and movements in dogs.

What Causes Premature Graying in Dogs?

Learn what you can do if your young dog is turning gray prematurely.

Why Do Dogs Chase Cars (and Vacuums)?

Learn why some dogs chase cars or vacuums and how you can deter the behavior.

Can Dogs Smell Fear?

Learn whether dogs can truly smell humans' fear and how you can remain calm if you're afraid of a dog.

Play Bow: What Does This Common Dog Behavior Mean?

Dogs inviting another dog to play may drop to their bellies or perform a play bow.

Urine Marking in Dogs

Learn what to do if your dog is urine marking inside your home.

You Have E-Mail; Your Dog Has P-Mail

Learn more about dog urine and how dogs use it to communicate. Find out why you need to allow your dog time to check his p-mail.

Dogs Don't Trust Angry People

Dogs are intimately tied to people. They understand our emotions and use them as cues for their own behavior.

Gazing into Your Dog's Eyes Releases Love Hormone

Research is finding out that domestic dogs use the same oxytocin-releasing triggers as human children do to facilitate bonding with their humans.

How to Manage Your Dog's Over-The-Top Greetings

Does your dog act like it's the best thing in the world when you arrive home? Learn how to tame the jumping without dampening the enthusiasm.

How to Greet a New Dog

Learn the best way to approach a new dog safely. Dogs don't like to be approached head-on or to make eye contact with new people. Learn more safety tips for meeting new dogs here.

Music for Dogs

Shelter life can be hard for dogs. A recent study shows a certain type of music can help calm dogs in shelters and increase their chances of being adopted.

Is My Dog Normal? 15 Dog Behaviors Explained - Slideshow

Dog behavior can be perplexing to humans sometimes. Learn about 15 canine behaviors and whether or not they're normal.

Petting vs. Praise: Which Does a Dog Like Best?

Dogs love being around people. But do they prefer petting or praise? Learn what the studies show.

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

Many domestic dogs can be seen munching on blades of grass. Learn why dogs eat grass.

Dogs Make the Best Cupids: How Dogs Can Help You Find a Date

Are you looking for a date for Valentine's Day? Would you love to find someone with common interests? Let your dog play Cupid and find you the perfect mate.

Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads When You Talk?

There are multiple reasons for dogs to tilt their head when they hear a sound. Learn them all here.

Do Dogs Get Jealous?

If you've ever wondered whether your dog gets jealous when you pay attention to other dogs, you can find out here!

Do Dogs Dream?

Do dogs dream? Do dogs have nightmares? Become a detective and solve the mystery: do dogs dream and what do dogs dream about?

Why Does My Dog Drink from the Toilet?

Ever wonder why some dogs will drink from the toilet. Learn more about this behavior in this article.

Why Do Dogs Bury Bones?

Ever wonder why your dog buries his bones? Learn more about this behavior in this article.

How Dogs Sense Emotions

Your dog is a wonderful companion who can always be counted on but can she sense your emotions?

Why Dogs Beg

Begging is an easy habit for dogs to learn and a hard one to break. At some point your dog discovered that begging works. Read this article to learn more about managing this annoying habit.

Do Dogs Sweat?

Learn whether dogs sweat or not, how they regulate their body temperature and how to recognize the difference between hyperthermia and a fever.

How Dogs Smile

Ever feel like your dog is smiling at you? Find out if your dog has the ability to smile in this article.

Does a Dry Nose Mean My Dog Is Sick?

Dogs are known for having wet, cold noses. But if your dog has a dry nose, does it mean he's sick? Find out here.

Are Dogs Ticklish? Why Do Dogs Kick Their Leg When You Rub or Scratch Them?

Are dogs ticklish? It may seem so but when you rub a dog's belly, chest or side it causes an itching sensation that's known as the scratch reflex.

How Dogs Show Affection

Do dogs love? How do dogs show affection? Find out if dogs are capable of having and showing such emotions or if they're just being loyal memebers of the pack.

Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?

Why do dogs wag their tails and what does the tail wagging mean? Check out this article to learn more.

Why Do Dogs Have Whiskers?

Why do dogs have whiskers? Find out the many uses and characteristics of dog whiskers.

Dog Photography: How to Get a Good Picture of Your Dog

Tips and tricks on how to get your pooch to pose for the camera.

Why Dogs Like to Roll in Yucky Stuff

We may never be sure why dogs sometimes slather themselves with what seem to be the most foul substances they can find on the ground. There are some logical explanations for this curious canine behavior. Or maybe that's just how dogs roll.

Why Do Dogs Howl?

Howling is a part of the canine vocal repertoire, along with the more conventional bark, growl and whine. This plaintive and haunting call is an evolutionary gift from wolves. But what causes our domestic furry friends to speak up?

Dogs' Tongues are Amazing: VIDEO

A dog’s tongue may not work for drinking the way you think it does. Watch this amazing slow motion video of a dog drinking water.

Motherly Love Crosses Species: VIDEO

Moms love their kids for who they are, not what they look like. This dog mom takes that to the extreme by caring for kittens along with her puppies.

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