Behaviour & Training

Is your dog always rewarding you with slobbery kisses for no apparent reason? Find out why dogs like to lick things. Does your dog offer slobbery wet kisses left and right? Whether you are delighted, annoyed or slightly worried, you surely have the same burning question on your mind: why do dogs lick everything in sight? Why do dogs lick? There are lots of reasons why a dog licks you – it could be to show you affection or get your attention. It can also be a sign of stress and anxiety. Dog licking might seem simple but it is such a complex behaviour with so many different meanings. And if you’re worried that your dog is licking you (or themselves) too much, it’s worth consulting a vet to see if there is an underlying condition.

Our dogs pant all the time, especially after a good walk or a fun play session. However, when your dog's panting is paired with additional symptoms, it can be a sign of something more serious. Find out what you should be on the look out for with our guide. Dog panting is a very common behaviour, often seen when your dog is cooling down on a hot day or after an exciting play session. Characterised as rapid, shallow breathing, usually coupled with a big lolling tongue, this behaviour is generally normal and nothing to worry about. However, there are some occasions when dog panting can indicate something more serious. You may be wondering about the various reasons behind why dogs pant, so we’ve created this article about panting in dogs and the top reasons why your four-legged friend may do this. Why do dogs pant? When dogs pant, it usually means they are too hot and are trying to cool down. But there are other reasons why your dog may pant, which is why it’s always important to look at the overall situation and what the rest of your dog’s body language is telling you. Some of the most common reasons why dog’s pant are as follows: Dogs pant to cool down Unlike us, dogs can’t sweat through their skin to cool down because of their thick fur. While they can sweat a little through their paw pads, the amount this is able to cool them down is limited By panting, they quickly exchange hot air from their lungs with cool external air, which speeds the evaporation of water from their tongue, inside their mouth and upper respiratory tract. As this water evaporates it helps to regulate their body temperature, thus cooling them down effectively. They’re feeling anxious or stressed Dog’s may also pant when they’re feeling stressed or anxious. Termed ‘behavioural panting’ this type can usually be seen with some of the following symptoms alongside it: repetitive yawning, pacing, whining, licking lips, shaking or hiding. You may see this type of dog panting if your dog’s scared of fireworks, when they’re on car journeys or during visits to the vet. Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome If you have a brachycephalic dog breed with a flat face and shortened or squashed nose, such as a French Bulldog, Pug or Boxer, then your dog panting a lot may be due to ‘brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome’ (BOAS). Because of their anatomy, these dogs suffer from ongoing breathing difficulties as a result of a narrowed upper respiratory tract. Additionally, they don’t pant as efficiently as other dogs because their faces are flat, making them much more at risk of heatstroke or overheating as they can’t cool themselves down quickly. My dog is panting a lot – what does it mean? If your dog’s panting a lot and they’re not warm and don’t need to cool their body down, it could indicate a larger problem. Additionally, if their pants sound louder or harsher or they appear to be exerting more effort than usual, you should seek veterinary attention immediately as it could be a sign of one of the following problems:

We all notice our dogs shaking when they get wet, but did you know that there are numerous other reasons why your dog might shake? Discover the reasons behind dog trembling and shaking with our guide. Dogs seem to be masters at knowing how we’re feeling. They can tell if we’re happy or sad by a simple change in the tone of our voice or an adjustment of our body language. However, we often find it hard to interpret how dogs are feeling and we can feel at a loss as to how we can help them. One thing in particular that’s difficult to decipher is when your dog trembles or shakes. Dog trembling can be due to numerous factors, including everything from excitement to something more serious such as sickness. We’ve put together this handy guide to help you discover why do dogs shake and tremble, and why it seems more common in smaller breeds like Chihuahuas. Why do dogs shake? Dogs trembling and shaking isn’t uncommon and there are lots of reasons, for example if they’re excited or trying to dry themselves. Often, you need to look at the context to figure out exactly why your dog is shaking.

Most people think that dogs only wag their tails when they're happy, but is that the truth? Read our article to find out everything you need to know about your dog's most invaluable communication tool and what all the different dog tail signs mean. Your dog’s tail is an invaluable communication tool. Whether it’s long, short, curly or straight, dog tails serve to provide an indicator of how they’re feeling. It’s a common belief that a wagging tail means a happy dog, but this isn’t always the case. Dogs use their entire body to communicate so it often requires you to take a look at the rest of their body language and the situation they’re in to understand how they’re really feeling. We’ve created this handy guide to tell you why dogs wag their tails and what all the different wags can mean. Why do dogs wag their tails? Tail wagging is an instinctive behaviour that develops between 3 and 4 weeks of age depending on your dog’s breed, and is one of the primary communication methods to both other dogs and people. While it’s commonly thought that dogs wag their tail to show they are happy, it can be for other reasons as well such as nervousness and excitement. Dog tail signs and positions - what do they mean? To decipher what it means when your dog wags their tail, you’ll have to take a step back and look at the position of their tail as well as the speed of the wag itself. Keep reading to discover more about why do dogs wag their tails and the various dog tail signs. Natural position, no wag This position indicates relaxation in your dog. The natural tail positions for most dogs will be hanging down near their heels, but this will depend on your dog’s breed. Those with curly tails such as Samoyeds will have them curled over their back in the natural position. Erect, wagging tail You may think that an erect, wagging tail tells you that your dog is happy, but this is actually a behaviour usually displayed in excited dogs, meaning that their behaviour may be unpredictable. It could be that they’ve seen a squirrel or a new visitor has arrived at the house – anything that gets them excited can be the reason behind why do dogs wag their tails. Backwards and gentle wagging This dog tail sign says that they’re curious and may be a little unsure of a situation. You may see this if they’re looking at a strange object or creature that they’ve never seen before. Tail between legs If your dog has their tail between their legs or tucked, this indicates that they may need a little space as they could be feeling nervous or scared. If they’re displaying small, throbbing wags or twitches at the same time it may suggest that they’re contemplating a fight or flight response.

It may seem random and slightly unnerving, but the dog stare is actually a well-established form of communication in the canine world. Find out why dogs keep staring at us. Has your dog been keeping an eye on you? If you’re wondering “why does my dog stare at me”, you’re not alone. Dogs stare at us quite a lot, prompting many owners to try and decipher what the mysterious gaze could be about. While we might not be able to know what exactly is going through a dog’s mind, there are a few cues that can help us solve the riddle of their intense stare. From the loving gaze to the icy glare, dogs use eye contact as a form of communication. So, if you have unexpectedly met your pet’s intense gaze from across the room and you’re looking for explanations, here are a few possible reasons why dogs keep staring at us. 1. They love us Just as we humans gaze into the eyes of people we adore, dogs have “borrowed” the same sign of affection to communicate with their owners. New research shows that mutual gazing between us and our pets releases the same hormonal response present during mother and infant bonding between humans. If you discover your dog looking at you with longing eyes and no apparent reason, it just might be a sign that they love you. However, don’t be tempted to force your dog into a loving stare by holding their head. Dogs might interpret it as a threat and react accordingly.

Now that your pup knows basic dog training, it’s time to teach them some cool dog tricks! Read our step-by-step article for advanced training top tips. We all love the idea of having a well-trained dog who hangs on our every word – and now your puppy has all the basics under their belt, it’s time to move on to the more advanced dog training techniques. Learning new tricks and games with your dog is going to benefit you as much as will benefit them and it will enhance your relationship as a result. It’s a win-win! Some of these fun dog tricks are based on mastering basic dog training skills, so if you need a refresher make sure you check our article first. How to focus your dog’s attention for learning dog tricks Having a dog who will give you their attention when you ask means they are ready to listen to you, and this is the first step in every other part of your advanced puppy training. The fun dog tricks below require your puppy’s attention for the learning process to begin. There’s no point asking your dog anything if his mind is elsewhere! Teach your pup to look at you when you say his name. This is something you should have been doing since puppyhood, but this is a good time to have a refresh. Have treats in your pocket while you’re in the house or garden. At various times when your dog isn’t expecting it, say their name brightly and enthusiastically. If they look at you, drop a treat on the ground between you, so the dog moves towards you to get the treat. You are teaching the puppy that their name means “give me your attention and good things happen”. Start doing this when there are no distractions and build it up until you can do it everywhere, no matter what is going on. Positive association like this is an important step in advanced dog training. Top tips for teaching your dog tricks • Be patient. It can take several repetitions over a few days before your dog gets the hang of these advanced tricks. Arm yourself with plenty of patience and treats before every session. • Keep the sessions short. Even when you’re the master of your pup’s attention, dogs will cease to be interested in what you have to say if the training goes on for ages. Limit the sessions to a few minutes each. It’s better to have multiple short dog tricks training sessions a day than a long one lasting the entire afternoon.

Teaching and training your dog basic commands and cues is a fun and rewarding experience for both of you. It’s important to begin training your dog at an early age to get the foundations right before your puppy grows into an adult dog. Puppy training and teaching your dog is a great way to spend time together and can also be lots of fun! Dogs are fast learners, and with your loving guidance, training your dog how to ‘come’, ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and even go to the toilet will nurture your relationship as well as encourage good behaviour. Well-trained dogs are less likely to stray, and generally have more comfortable and fulfilling lives compared to their untrained counterparts. Young puppies make eager pupils, so you can start training your dog as soon as you get them home. It’s a myth that pups need to be at least six months old before they can be properly trained – the younger they are, the easier it is to teach them. Think of them as little furry sponges, waiting to soak up all the learning you can give them! Here you’ll find lots of advice on the basics of dog training. For more detailed and advanced dog training advice, try contacting a professional trainer. Ask your vet for a recommended local pet behaviourist or dog trainer.

We all know dogs are able to sense plenty of things we can’t. So, are ghosts one of them? In this article we’re trying to answer the old-age question: “do dogs see ghosts?”. Our canine friends are loyal, gentle and all-around amazing beings. But it’s their ghostbuster-like behaviour that makes them unlike any other family member: howling at the moon, staring into empty space, getting vocal for no apparent reason or running out of the room as if chasing some invisible enemy.

Your dog is full of curiosity and fun, but they might be frightened of things too – after all, every dog has a different personality. Some dogs are fearful by nature, and some scared dogs are more predisposed to it than others. Dogs are naturally curious and inquisitive so they generally interact enthusiastically with the world around them but they may be times or situations where they become wary or frightened. Every dog has a different personality depending on their breed, type, past experiences and their individual nature. Each dog is different – just like us – and while there are some real canine extroverts out there, there can also be dogs who are more worried about things around them or that they may encounter. The more we take time to understand our dog’s unique personality, the better we can predict when they may behave fearfully, and know how to support them. Most behaviour problems have their roots in fear – even aggression. It’s not the only cause but it is a major one and if you think of the common canine issues, often you will find that the original cause is the dog feeling worried, scared or frightened.

If you have a dog that's constantly digging up your flower beds it can be incredibly frustrating. Find out why your dog digs and how to stop them doing it with our helpful guide. Dogs can develop the urge to dig at any time in their life: it could be a habit they’ve had since being a puppy, or something that comes on later in their adulthood. Find out more about what drives dogs to dig in order to determine how to stop a dog digging. The occasional scuffle in the soil isn’t a problem, but digging as a repeated habit can be a destructive behaviour. If you don’t discourage digging early on, significant damage can be done to your garden and home, and it will become harder to train your dog not to dig. Find out more about what drives dogs to dig in order to determine how to stop a dog digging.

There are many reasons why your dog may be aggressive, and it may require veterinary advice. Read about the causes of aggressive behaviour in dogs here. Your dog has a personality completely unique to them – and like all dogs, they have different moods ranging from joyful to scared. If your dog is behaving aggressively however – either to people or other dogs - you should address it as soon as possible. Aggressive dog behaviour can include: • Aggression to strangers • Aggression to family members • Guarding resources (such as food, treats or toys) • Aggression to other dogs in the household • Aggression to unknown dogs If your dog is showing any signs of aggression, first of all, consult your veterinary surgeon. Your vet will conduct a full examination to see if there is a clinical reason for your dog’s aggression such as pain, discomfort or any other physical cause. If no medical explanation or treatment can be found, the vet can refer you to a professional behaviourist for help. Although taking your dog to see the vet or behaviourist might seem worrying, you should never attempt to treat your dog’s aggression yourself, or ignore it and hope it will go away. If your dog’s aggression is not tackled quickly and appropriately, the problem can escalate and may result in serious injury to yourself and your family, other people or other animals, and even legal issues – and of course, you want to get help for your dog long before it gets this far! This is a problem that is far better - and far easier - tackled straight away. Why is my dog aggressive? All behaviours happen for a reason and occur as a result of the way the dog is feeling – and aggression is no different. A properly qualified and experienced behaviourist will be able to get to the heart of why your dog feels they need to act in this way, what their triggers are, and how to deal with this. The fear response Aggression in dogs nearly always comes from fear – as the purpose of aggression for a dog is one of perceived self-defence, and nearly always is with the intent of making things the dog regards as frightening or unpleasant stop, make them go away, or prevent them from happening in the first place These fears can arise due to inadequate early puppy socialisation, past experiences, or the perception that valuable resources are under threat of being taken away. Some dog who have been roughly or inappropriately handled as a puppy or put in scary situations when they are too young to be able to do anything about it can also grow up to be more reactive as adults. Since fear is the most common cause of aggressive behaviour in dogs, you should never punish your dog for growling or for any other display of aggression. Shouting at a dog for growling at something he is fearful of will simply compound his fear, may escalate the aggression, and quite likely his aggressive response will worsen next time. What should I do if my dog is aggressive? First of all, learn how to recognise how your dog is feeling. Every dog gives warning signals before they bite or attack – especially the first time - but owners aren’t always very good at reading them. Dog aggression warning signs There are several signals that your dog may give to indicate they are worried, fearful or feeling stressed, and if we recognise these, we can keep dogs feeling safe and stress-free, and so prevent a lot of canine aggression long before it starts. Often dogs bite out of self-defence because they feel that it is their only option as all their other warning signs have been ignored.

There’s nothing worse than a puppy that won’t stop pulling on the lead. It can be extremely tiring for both you and your pup and can turn a simple walk into a complete nightmare. If your dog is straining at the lead, or your puppy refuses to walk without pulling with all their strength, it means that you are only controlling them with physical restraint, rather than with the training that should keep them happily trotting at your side. Not only that but, as they get older, the physical effort involved in controlling your dog could be overwhelming, especially if your canine friend is one of the larger, stronger breeds. To make life easier for you and your dog, all it takes is a little training and they’ll be overjoyed at the sight of their lead in no time. Keep reading to find out how to leash train a puppy! Why lead training puppies is important Exercise Being able to walk your puppy on a lead provides an opportunity to exercise your dog and keep them healthy while they grow and mature. Mental stimulation Exposing your puppy to new environments is essential to their growth and development, and walking on a lead is essential to exploring many new places. The act of training itself is also great mental stimulation for your dog! Further training Lead training also improves responsiveness to overall obedience training, and it may become easier to teach other commands such as ‘sit’ or ‘stay’ once your puppy has learned to be walked on a lead. What you’ll need before you start puppy lead training A collar or harness Buy a collar or harness that fits your puppy appropriately, never too loose or too tight – you should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your puppy’s neck. Treats Use treats to reward them for good behaviour on the lead.