Behavior

As pet owners, we love seeing dogs and cats get along like the best of friends. Sadly, that's not typically how things work out between these two animals. While some breeds, like the Havanese, get along exceptionally well with cats, they are the exception, not the rule. Many years ago, my mother had two young cats that jumped the neighbor's fence. Unfortunately, the … [Read more...] about What to Do if Your Dog Kills a Cat

My wife and I have been working on a greenhouse for the past few months, and the other day, a tiny bird flew into one of the windows, knocking itself out. For a second, we thought the bird was dead, but then it quickly sprung up and tried to fly away, until... Our dog, Maggie saw it, and instantaneously caught it and crushed it with her jaws. The whole event happened so … [Read more...] about What to Do if Your Dog Catches a Bird

When I lived in Florida, my dogs used to chase raccoons out of the backyard every single night. Thankfully, they never caught one – the raccoons were to fast and agile – but what should you do if your dog actually gets close enough to attack one?   Dogs and raccoons are in fact mortal enemies. They just don't get along. Sure, there are probably some rare instances … [Read more...] about What to Do if Your Dog Attacks a Raccoon

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a medium-large scenthound/sighthound bred to hunt lions and other large game in southern Africa. They are top-tier athletes, easily recognized by their muscular build, short brown coat, floppy ears, and a distinct ridge that runs down the center of their back. While all of these characteristics make the Ridgeback a very "cool" breed, many of them … [Read more...] about When Will Your Rhodesian Ridgeback Calm Down? That All Depends On You

Last month, my wife and I found a stray puppy walking down the side of a remote highway in the desert. He was confused, filthy, covered in ticks, and losing his fur. We felt that we had no choice but to rescue him, so the next thing you know, he was in the backseat of our truck coming home with us. Getting him in the car was easy, and he was calm and relaxed on the ride … [Read more...] about New Puppy Misbehaving? You Need a Spray Bottle

I know, I know... it's impossible to resist the cuteness of a puppy. But don't let that cuteness shut off the rational part of your brain. Puppies are not for everyone. They require special care and attention, and they can be a real handful. Adult dogs, however, come with many benefits you won't get when you adopt a puppy... You'll Get More Time to Yourself Puppies can't … [Read more...] about 12 Reasons to Adopt an Adult Dog: The Benefits of Older Dogs

Like any good doggie parent, you fill your dog's dish up to the brim before leaving for the day, so your best pal doesn't go hungry while you're away. You expect the dish to be empty by the time you get home, but find the opposite: Your dog hasn't touched their food the whole time you were gone, and won't start eating it until they know you're home for good. Once you … [Read more...] about This Is Why Your Dog Waits for You to Get Home Before Eating

If you're someone who loves bulldogs and cats, you're probably wondering if these seemingly incompatible creatures can peacefully coexist. Bulldogs may look like a cat's worst enemy, but the truth is, bulldogs and cats can get along like best friends. The type of bulldog we're talking about can make a big difference, though. "Bulldog," proper, refers to the English Bulldog, … [Read more...] about Are Bulldogs Good with Cats?

We'd all love to believe our sweet pups are having pleasant dreams while they sleep. We'd like to think they're imagining them self running through fields, chasing little critters, and eating a bottomless dish of treats. Unfortunately, your dog's dreams might be just the opposite. Rather than dreaming of the best doggie-life possible, they may be having nightmares about the … [Read more...] about Why Do Dogs Have Nightmares? Causes, Symptoms, and What to Do

Many dog owners are shocked the first time their sweet little pup head-butts them like some bareknuckle brawler in a basement fight club. One minute you're minding your own business as your dog runs around the yard, and the next minute: BAM! At this point, you're likely confused and in a state of disbelief as you try to process what just happened. Depending on the size and … [Read more...] about This Is Why Your Dog Head-Butts You (and How to Stop It)