Fireworks might be awe-inspiring for some people, but many animals are frightened of fireworks and find the sound and spectacle terrifying.
Dog fireworks anxiety can leave your pets in a panicked state.
It should go without saying that anxious dogs don’t belong at fireworks displays.
But even dogs at home can be overwhelmed by the noise, especially if the neighbors are setting off their own.
That’s why it’s so important to support your dog during fireworks.
Dogs that are scared of
There's nothing more loyal, companionable, or loving than a dog, but dogs can get anxious and stressed just like humans.
Learning the best ways to keep a dog calm naturally is important for their health and happiness. Here are some things you can try to calm your furry friend before talking to your veterinarian about a prescription option.
Why Are Dogs Anxious?
Anxiety can be caused by anything from separation anxiety and fear of loud noises to changes in routine and environment. I
Why Does a Dog Chase Their Tail?
There are a few situations where tail-chasing is probably a normal behavior.
For example, a puppy may become aware of their tail and begin checking it out with their mouth; their spinning is a short-lived effort to get more information about their tail. A dog might also chase their tail when they’re feeling excited or playful.
But there are other times when tail-chasing could indicate a problem.
1. You’ve Reinforced the Behavior
When do
Do you ever get that feeling you’re being watched, and you look up to find your dog staring at you? Why do dogs stare at you?
Eye contact is part of normal communication in dogs, but is the way they’re looking at you normal? Here’s what to know about why dogs stare.
Why Does My Dog Always Stare at Me?
There are many reasons why a dog might stare at you. For example, some dogs stare to solicit attention or food. Others may do it and then follow up with a pl
A limping dog is reluctant to put weight on one or more legs, usually due to pain. As a result, they have more difficulty walking. Seeing your dog limping can be scary and concerning.
Limping may be short-lived—sometimes a dog may limp for a few moments and then be fine. A dog may have a long-term or progressively worsening limp. In other cases, a dog may limp on and off intermittently. Occasionally, the limp may appear to shift between legs.
Although some causes of limping are obvious, it
Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?
There are few people who can hold back their adoring reactions when they come upon a dog that tilts their head in response to hearing their voice. The head tilt creates an instant connection; humans see this behavior as the dog showing intent interest, fixed on every word we say.
Head tilt in a dog is a normal behavior occurring in many—but not all—dogs. Outside of some medical causes, there is no reason for concern. While there has been little research
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time. But it’s not all puppy breath and playtime soon, your puppy will bite everything they can get their mouth on. But why do puppies bite so much when they are young? Is it normal? Should you be trying to stop your puppy from biting you? When does it indicate there’s a problem?
Here’s a breakdown of puppy biting behavior and what you can do to help your puppy learn how (and when!) to use their mouth appropriately.
Why Do Puppies
Behavior Problems Associated with Aggression
The most common behavior problems in dogs are those associated with aggression. Most cases involve a dog’s attempt to distance itself from the situation. There are many types of aggressive behaviors with different motivations, but fear, anxiety, uncertainty (conflict), inheritance (genetics), and previous lear
Dogs are highly social animals and are well adapted to living in groups. Studies have also shown that they are very good at interpreting human gestures and behavior. Dogs interact with each other and people through body postures, facial expressions, tail and ear positions, raising of hair or “hackles,” vocalizations, and scents. Although dogs evolved from the grey wolf 12,000-14,000 yea
The techniques used most commonly to modify dog behavior include habituation, extinction, desensitization, counterconditioning, response substitution, and shaping. A behavior modification technique called flooding, described below, is not used very often because it is more likely to make animals worse. While it is claimed that punishment is frequently used with varying degrees of success, few people us