New research shows that the circulatory system in dogs’ paws may be uniquely adapted to help them tolerate cold better than people. Once it snows, my dog Iris, a Shiba Inu, simply refuses to come inside. No amount of wheedling, bribery or waving of perfect squeaky toys can distract her from the giant snow globe…
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Why Does My Dog… Sniff Only Certain People?
When your dog seems particularly interested in one person’s scent, is he smelling other animals on the person? Or is it something else? We’ve all been there: When walking down the street, our pooch will suddenly be very interested in investigating a random stranger, but a minute later, the dog is uninterested in the human…
Why Does My Dog… Roam?
It seems that some dogs are born to roam. How do you know if you have one of these dogs? Easy. No matter what you do, you cannot keep your “Houdini dog” inside the fenced backyard. Or someone left the back gate open and your Siberian Husky is nowhere to be found. Or — worst…
Why Does My Dog… Refuse to Go Out When It’s Raining?
If you don’t like being pelted with rain, why should your dog be any different? After years of domesticated living with plush doggie beds and dinner served at precisely six o’clock, it’s no surprise that some pups prefer not to get their paws wet. Of course, while some dogs simply don’t like the damp outdoors,…
Why Does My Dog… Refuse to Eat Her Food?
Most dog owners have canines who’d eat anything in sight, but, believe it or not, there’s also a significant percentage of them with the opposite problem: Their dogs just don’t seem to like food. Some of these dogs will eat a few small bites before losing interest, or they’ll skip meals altogether, leaving concerned owners…
Why Does My Dog… Pick Fights With Pups Twice His Size?
You’re out for a pleasant walk with your Chihuahua, and the next thing you know, he’s pulling on his leash — teeth bared — and trying to attack the German Shepherd Dog from down the street. It’s a common trait among small dogs, but it often plays out as if they had a death wish.…
Why Does My Dog… Like to Stick His Head Out the Car Window?
Anyone who’s been in a convertible with the top down can relate to the look of happiness on a dog who’s peering out a car window, his ears rippling in the wind. Despite the obvious dangers involved, it can be hard to deny such joy to your pet. But what makes car windsurfing so appealing…
Why Does My Dog… Like to Have His Belly Rubbed?
It’s an invitation that is nearly impossible to resist: a dog rolls over and offers his belly for rubbing. Petite, paunchy, fluffy or hairless — exposed dog tummies demand a good rub or scratch. But why do so many dogs like it so much? Who Likes Belly Rubs? Dr. Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, Diplomat of…
Why Does My Dog… Howl?
A howl is a dog’s way of having his say in front of the widest possible audience over a sustained period of time. Think of it this way: A bark is like placing a local call, while a howl is more of a long distance dial. Dogs’ wild cousins (wolves come to mind) howl for…
Why Does My Dog… Have a Wet Nose?
Whether dogs are hot on the trail of a neighborhood cat or simply sniffing the air when you’re cooking bacon for breakfast, their noses secrete a thin layer of mucous that helps to absorb scent chemicals, says Dr. Brittany King, DVM, a board-certified veterinarian based in Cypress, Tex. “They then lick their noses to sample…
