From chewing your favorite shoes to digging through the trash, dogs, sometimes, let mischief take over. However, this does not suggest that they do not feel some sort of remorse.

As a matter of fact, after a little bit of mischief, dogs often exhibit behaviors suggesting that they’re sorry and wish to make it up to you.

These behaviors, no matter how small or big, are our dogs’ way of expressing regret and seeking reconciliation with their hoomans.

And understanding these behaviors when they apologize deepens our understanding of our pooches and strengthens our bonds with them.

So, continue reading and learn everything you need to know about the art of dog apology.

Understanding Canine Behavior: Do Dogs Really Feel Guilt?

Even though dogs are considered “man’s best friend”, their behavior and the way they communicate is world’s apart from ours.

While we mostly rely on words to communicate, dogs rely on body movements, vocalizations, chemical signals (such as body odors and pheromones), and physical contacts to convey their thoughts and intentions.

Dogs have evolved in so many ways because they typically learn through association. They act in particular ways after observing people’s response.

And throughout the years, they have developed sophisticated communication strategies and behaviors to enable them to maintain harmony.

But do they really feel guilt? Well, a 2009 research examined the canine “guilty” expressions. And it discovered that dogs only display “guilty” behavior more frequently when their owners scolded them than when owners remained natural.

Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, the author of the research said, “A better description of the so-called guilty look is that it is a response to owner cues, rather than that it shows an appreciation of a misdeed.”

Furthermore, guilt is a complex concept to grasp for a dog and no study have proven than dogs fully understand the weight of their mischief. And we can say that their actions are a reflection of our response to what they have done.

So, dog apology serves more than just moral remorse. It is more of a response to our reaction to their misdeeds, to make us feel better, and to prevent us from getting angry at them.

And as a dog owner, it is important that we understand canine behavior and body language. It helps us better understand each other and gives both parties room to effectively communicate, despite not “speaking the same language”, and resolve conflicts.

10 Signs Of Dog Apology

Dogs may not fully comprehend the concept of guilt or apologizing, but they still try their best to make things right with their hoomans. From subtle body language to more grand gestures, dogs have their own ways of expressing regret and seeking for forgiveness.

So, without further ado, here are 10 signs your dog is trying to say sorry to you:

1. Lowering Their Head And Making Airplane Ears

A dog trying to apologize to you will lower their head and make airplane ears. When they do this, we might assume that they feel bad and are afraid to be punished.

However, these behaviors are a sign of acknowledgment of the misdeed and submission to their owner. By showing submission and appeasement, they communicate the desire to alleviate tension and avoid confrontations.

2. Avoiding You At All Costs

Dog apology may also come in the form of avoidance behavior. When they sense our displeasure in them, they may avoid eye contact, hide somewhere they deem safe (like their crate), or retreat to a corner.

While this behavior may seem like a dog is showing guilt, it’s more about them understanding the negative response they got, and removing themself from the intense situation to try and de-escalate it.

You can say that it’s their way of saying, “I know I did wrong. And I’m going to give both of us time and space to calm down.”

3. Tucking Their Tail And Making Puppy Eyes

Dogs use their tail to express a lot of their feelings. And when a dog tucks its tail in between its legs, it means they feel scared or anxious. But it can also be a sign of submission in the presence of another dog or human.

So, if you scold your dog and it tucks its tail, it’s another way of them saying “I know I did something wrong.”

Similar to tucking their tail, dogs also make “puppy dog eyes” to express a lot of things. And one of them is when they express their regret.

If you ask us, this seems like a dog’s trump card when trying to apologize, because who can resist a dog so adorable when they make those eyes?

4. Lying Down And Exposing Their Belly

When you scold your dog for doing something mischievous and they start rolling over and exposing their belly, that’s another form of dog apology.

While we always associate an exposed dog belly as a sign of trust, this behavior can also mean a lot of things. But in the context of dog apology, it can mean that they feel afraid, want to avoid any confrontation, or don’t want to be in any trouble.

5. Licking

Dogs who are trying to apologize tend to lick their fur, their nose, or even your face, hands, or feet! After a mistake, dogs will try to do this gesture on themselves to express their nervousness and awareness of their misdeed.

But when they do it to you, it actually is a little sweet gesture to soothe you and reduce the tension. A study has shown that licking releases endorphins in a dog’s brain. It makes dogs and us feel a lot calmer and more relaxed.

It’s also their way of trying to mend the bond between the both of you, show you affection, and reinforce and reassure their loyalty to you despite their mistake.

6. Sticking Close To You

Along with licking, another intimate gesture dogs do to express their sorry is by nuzzling or sticking close to you.

When they know they’ve been naughty, they will try to come close to you and press their whole body against you, like a little kid seeking comfort.

7. Placing A Paw On You

Another form of dog apology is when they place a paw on you. Like the puppy dog eyes they make, pawing is an effective way for dogs to apologize and be immediately tended to, because we hoomans find it adorable and irresistible.

By putting their paw on your arm, lap, or leg, they’re acknowledging their mistake and asking for reassurance that you still love them even after a misdeed.

8. Whining

When or after reprimanding your dog for doing something bad, have you ever heard them softly whining? Well, that’s another form of dog apology!

Whining is another submissive behavior that dogs do as a way of apologizing. This behavior comes from dogs’ ancestors, the wolves.

It is rooted in the pack dynamics where wolves can be shunned from the pack when they break the rules. They whine, lower their head, and put their tail in between their legs as a sign of submission.

9. Bringing Their Favorite Toy To You

Some mischievous dogs resort to playing when they try to appease and apologize to you. So, as a form of dog apology, they bring you their favorite toy so the both of you can play.

This might be a bit different from their other apologetic behavior but this can be interpreted as them giving you a peace offering for their mistake. It’s their way of saying “This is my prized possession, and I’m giving it to you as a token of my apology.”

Furthermore, a study found that adult dogs like to use play time to encourage emotional bonds between humans and dogs, a trait they adapted as they became domesticated.

10. Yawning

You might notice some dogs yawning when they’re being reprimanded. When they do this, it’s another way of them saying sorry to you.

Yawning in dogs can signify a lot of things. But in the context of doing a misdeed, it can signify stress or a dog’s intentions to avoid conflict or de-escalate an intense situation, especially if you scold them after they dog something bad.

In dog apology, yawning is usually accompanied by other submissive behaviors such as tucking their tail and airplane ears.

Responding To Your Dog’s Apology

Responding to a dog’s apology is key to maintaining a great relationship with them. Since they communicate differently and process guilt and remorse differently from us, understanding this is crucial to responding to their apology with compassion, rather than with punishment.

When you see them doing any of the abovementioned behaviors, it’s important to acknowledge their actions. But it must be in a calm and soothing tone, so they can feel reassured and safe.

Furthermore, physical touch such as kissing or petting can help reinforce that you still care for them and love them.

As mentioned above, avoid anything negative such as punishment or yelling as much as possible. Raising your voice makes your dog scared and anxious.

Conclusion

A dog’s body language is worth a thousand words, quite literally. Dogs communicate their thoughts and intentions through a wide range of behavior and body language cues.

And by paying attention to these, you’ll be able to better understand your dog, especially when they’re apologizing to you.

It’s also worth remembering that every dog is unique, and their apologies will vary from one another.

How does your dog apologize to you? Let us know in the comments below!

It turns out that when we, hoomans, talk to dogs, we tend to use a speech style we also use when interacting with babies.

The authors referred to this as an “exaggerated prosody”, but we commonly know this as the singsong voice.

But what’s the reason why dogs listen to women better than men? The study found that dogs respond to speech directed at them, especially when it’s a woman, because women tend to talk to dogs in a singsong voice more than men.

The study found evidence that different genders use the singsong voice differently. Women hyper-articulate their vowels more than men and tend to talk more to dogs in naturally playful situations.

The study was conducted by researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. They conducted brain scans on trained dogs to find proof that dogs are actually sensitive to the manner in which people talk to them.

Anna Gergely, co-first author of the study said in a press release, “Studying how dog brains process dog-directed speech is exciting, because it can help us understand how exaggerated prosody contributes to efficient speech processing in a nonhuman species skilled at relying on different speech cues (e.g. follow verbal commands).”

In the MRI, trained dogs listened to real-life speech samples collected from various men and women interacting with dogs, babies, and adults.

Furthermore, the results of the study are our first proof that dogs are actually “tuned to the speech directed specifically at them.”

Anna Gábor, co-first author of the study also said, “What makes this result particularly interesting is that in dogs, as opposed to infants, this sensitivity cannot be explained by either ancient responsiveness to conspecific signals or by intrauterine exposure to women’s voice.”

Gábor also said that the result of their study may serve as further evidence that dogs’ neural preference was something they developed during their domestication.

“Remarkably, the voice tone patterns characterizing women’s dog-directed speech are not typically used in dog-dog communication,” Gábor explains.

Playing dead is an excellent dog trick. While it is not as essential as teaching your dog commands such as “sit” and “stay,” it may be an enjoyable game for both the dog and the trainer. 

Make sure your dog is familiar with the basic commands “lie down” and “stay” before you start teaching them how to play dead. Here is an easy step-by-step guide for adding “play dead” to your dog’s list of new tricks:

Step 1: Practice The Down Position

Command your dog to lie down. Bear in mind the side your dog prefers to lie on. A lot of dogs like to roll over and lie down on a specific side. Make a mental note to use this side while teaching your dog to play dead because it will be simpler for them to learn the action if they seem to like it on that side. 

Step 2: Use Treats

Use treats to entice your dog. Get your dog’s attention by holding a treat directly in front of its face. Slowly lure your dog’s head back over her shoulder using the treat. Your dog will begin to naturally turn her body as she follows the treat. When your dog follows the treat to her side, you should stop twisting your hand to prevent your dog from rolling over. Next, lure your dog’s attention to the treat by pointing it toward the ground. Reward your dog with a treat when its head follows the treat all the way to the ground. As soon as your dog is lying on its side, say “yes” or “good.” Or, click your clicker. Then, give the dog a treat. Repeat these steps several times.

Step 3: Add Signals

Add a cue phrase and a hand signal after your dog has completed the roll a few times. Most people use the verbal words in combination with a hand signal command, placing their fingers together to resemble a gun aimed at the dog.  Whatever command you choose, say the phrase, show the dog your hand signal, and then place the reward on the floor alongside the dog. Eventually, you will stop placing the treat on the floor and reward the dog after it “revives” instead.

Repeat the process for up to 15 minutes, always ensuring that your dog is under control and attentive before beginning the command. Give your dog a break after 15 minutes.  

To make the lessons interesting and positive for both you and your dog, end each session on a positive note with your dog successfully practicing the method.

Just like boot camps for humans, board-and-train facilities exist for dogs. 

For owners that are having a hard time training their dogs, board and train facilities may be the answer. Owners of dogs are guaranteed a well-behaved dog at the end of a stay of two weeks or more when they entrust their pets to the facility’s care. Put simply, it entails giving a team of professionals in a facility control over your dog’s training.

Sending your dog away for training is a very personal decision. The quality of the facility and the degree of care that will be provided to your dog are important considerations. The most crucial thing is that you are at ease taking your dog away and that you have ensured that he will be cared for properly. But sending your dog away for training may not be a good idea if he suffers from separation anxiety because a strange environment could make the problem worse.

While not all dogs are a good fit for board and train programs, there can be some practical advantages.

Pros Of Board-And-Train Facilities 

Attending board-and-train facilities has many advantages, one advantage is that it gives you the most flexibility if you’re a dog parent with a hectic schedule. This might be a great time to work on chores that would be more difficult with your dog around. And you can do all those without worrying since they will be completely taken care of throughout the duration of the program. 

Another advantage is having professionals observe your dog’s behavior over an extended period of time. These programs may not assist in resolving all behavioral difficulties, but they do resolve some during that period. This makes it less frustrating for you to try to change these behaviors. Additionally, these programs might instill positive behaviors in your dog that you may not have thought about.

Cons Of Board-And-Train Facilities 

Board-and-training programs may have a similar structure, but they are not all the same. 

Before enrolling your pet, you should carefully read the reviews and even take a tour of the facility if possible. The program’s awareness of your pet’s best interests is something you want to ensure. Because animals are unable to speak for themselves, their parents must do so. Their grooming, food, and exercise are among the other factors over which you have no influence, which is why choosing the best program for your dog is crucial. 

Training also creates bonds between dogs. Thus, you lose out on this when you transfer the duty to someone else. Prior to committing to any action, it is advised that you begin your pet’s training.

Your dog’s behavior may be greatly impacted by board-and-train programs. These programs may also have a significant positive impact on your pet’s socialization skills and mental health. 

Before enrolling in this kind of training, it’s crucial to understand what you and your pet are getting into. Each dog owner must decide for themselves whether boarding is worth the cost and weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Ask your veterinarian about a board-and-train program for your dog if you have any significant concerns about their behavior.

Vacuuming is an easy task. Well, if your dog is not afraid of them! 

Have you ever questioned the reason behind your dog’s fear of the vacuum? Is it the movement of the furniture or is it the loud noise? It is commonly known that dogs and vacuums do not get along, but few of us really know why.

First, they likely despise the noise. Other than when you’re really vacuuming, has your dog ever heard a vacuum sound? You probably only use the vacuum once or twice a week in a typical home. Therefore, our dogs do not have enough time to become accustomed to and comfortable with the equipment. It can get intimidating, noisy, large and appears to be attacking them. 

When exposed to sounds they are unfamiliar with, dogs will experience sound phobia. Your dogs often enjoy running and barking at passing cars or other strange noises because of this. Due to our dog’s extremely sensitive hearing compared to our own, loud noises are much less pleasant. 

The emotional responses eventually turn into learned behaviors, and even the sight of the vacuum can cause hyperarousal and barking.

Next is the smell. Certain scents that the dog might not be accustomed to could be released into the air as the vacuum is moving back and forth over your carpet and floors. The dog may become nervous around the vacuum because it is easy enough for the vacuum to pick up trash and dust that may bother the dog. 

While you may only be able to detect the scent of a freshly vacuumed living room, your dog will be able to detect dust and old particles that have long since settled under your couch. 

Given how reliant they are on their keen sense of scent, it is understandable why dogs experience anxiety around vacuums.

Lastly, it’s probably the suction. While the exact cause of this behavior is still unknown, some scientists think that the vacuum’s suction is comparable to how dogs react to scents. A dog typically uses its nose to investigate a new area or another animal. Since the vacuum is also “sniffing” like a dog, it’s an action that the dog would recognize. But because the suction is so strong compared to a straightforward dog sniff, the dog can regard this to be threatening.

Can Your Dog Get Used To Vacuums?

Your dog can be desensitized to the vacuum cleaner using various techniques. It may be worth trying to progressively expose them while also giving them praise and treats, depending on how severe their phobia is. 

First, try turning the vacuum cleaner off and placing your dog in the same room as it. You’ll need to step it up gradually. Start by putting a treat on the vacuum and asking that your dog take it off. Then, move on to turning the vacuum on while your dog is in the room. While it may be irritating, keep in mind that this will take time and that punishing your dog will only make them feel worse.

The “puppy witching hour” is a period of the day when the activity level or behavior of the dog abruptly and briefly changes. Any dog, regardless of age, can experience the witching hour. However, puppies are more prone to them.

It is frustrating, but unfortunately, it happens frequently.

What actually happens during a witching hour? During a particular time in the morning or evening, your dog may start acting out more frequently than usual. Even after you’ve taught it not to, it can still act cheekier than usual. 

If your puppy behaves in such a way, you should try to keep track of it. You might identify a pattern over time, and you may be able to deduce something by seeing a pattern.

For many owners, 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. bring their puppies’ worst qualities out. If you are aware that your puppy does things excessively around a certain time of day, try to control or prevent this behavior and interact with your puppy in other ways.

The witching hour can be annoying at times, although it usually doesn’t last too long. The duration can vary, although it is difficult to predict. A lot of things can impact how long it takes. If your puppy is mostly restless, the witching hour may last longer on some days than it does on others. Your puppy could act completely out of control during these moments and not pay attention to you. The length of your puppy’s witching hour also depends on your ability to step in and provide comfort.

Does the witching hour end easily?

Whether your puppy ever fully grows out of its witching hours depends on a variety of things. Simply put, some breeds have complex activity levels. Even as adults, these breeds are susceptible to witching hours if not provided enough regular stimulation.

By giving your puppy the right amount of activity, you can help it calm down more quickly. Maintaining your puppy’s training will also help. Remember that your pet is unique. Given that every puppy is different, it is impossible to predict when your puppy will begin to relax more quickly.

The most important thing you can do if your puppy has a witching hour is to remain calm. Dogs have incredible perceptions. A dog’s natural capacity to detect emotions in others is the source of this ability. How you respond to your dog acting out is a big factor in how it behaves.

By not allowing puppy witching hour to start in the first place, it can be avoided. You have a significant impact on how your dog behaves. Your puppy will benefit if you can relax more quickly, train them frequently, and give them the activity they require during the day. If your puppy has enough stimulation throughout the day, it might also prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Speaking with your veterinarian about witching hours is advised if your dog’s agitation, confusion, or aggression worsens despite your efforts to control it.

Coming home to wooden furniture or wood trim that has been chewed on by dogs or that has even been partially destroyed is a common occurrence for dog owners. So why do dogs like to chew on wood? 

It’s a simple fact that dogs chew on wood because they enjoy chewing on different objects. That presents a problem because it might have significant effects. Splinters from wood can cause severe injury by becoming lodged in the mouth and esophagus. Dogs chewing on wood, for whatever reason, cause more harm than just damage to the house. And like with anything you don’t want them to eat, keeping it out of your dog’s reach is the key to preventing them from eating wood.

Take Early Measures

Once the chewing habit has begun, it could take some time for your dog to break the habit. Pick up and store any loose branches, twigs, or other non-edible objects in the yard that your dog might have turned to chewing on when no one is around as a preventative measure. In addition to continuous training and supervision, you might want to keep your dog out of rooms in the house where he could hurt himself or your valuables. When no one is home to oversee him, put up barriers or keep him in his crate. Make your anxious pet a secure crate where he can feel at ease and at home while you’re away to prevent him from chewing.

Get An Alternative

Chew toys are likely to be a favorite among dogs who enjoy destructive gnawing. It might be challenging to get a dog to quit chewing on wood furniture but chew toys will likely be the most fun solution. As much as possible, stay away from dangerous toys like genuine bones, which can splinter and hurt a dog’s jaws, throat, and stomach. To prevent your dog from choking, stay away from small-sized toys. Instead, choose toys made from materials that are meant to withstand the strong chewing of a dog.

Reduce Boredom

And if you suspect that your dog is chewing only out of boredom, frustration or separation anxiety, it may be appropriate for your dog to have some other type of entertainment and stimulation. Since dogs are very social animals, you should also provide him chances to interact with people and other animals. You can ask a family member to play with, walk, and socialize your dog if necessary, or you can hire a pet sitter.

Dog Chewing Deterrent

To prevent dogs from chewing on hardwood furniture or wood trim, apply a chewing deterrent like bitter apple spray. Some dogs will go in the opposite way just because of how bitter these substances taste. By combining vinegar and apple cider, you can create your own deterrent by spraying it on the wooden objects you want your dog to avoid. Just keep in mind that behavior modification would make deterrents more effective. You can also use lemon, lime, orange and bitter essential oils. But other dogs seem to have acquired the bitter taste. Therefore, it will depend on your own dog.

Training

Chew toys by themselves don’t usually solve a chewing issue. You must also work on your pet’s training. Until you are certain that the chewing is under control, you must keep an eye on your dog. Negative reinforcement should never be used, as it is ineffective. Don’t chastise or chase your dog when they start chewing; instead, use fundamental dog training methods. When he stops chewing, give him rewards, pats, or compliments instead. Continue doing this until your dog realizes that chewing won’t get him any rewards.

Resource guarding, also known as possessive aggression, occurs when your dog becomes excessively possessive, such as by growling or biting over a resource or a cherished item. 

While resource guarding is a natural behavior for dogs, there are certain things we can do at home to reassure our dogs that they don’t have to go on the defensive.

At any time during a dog’s life, possessive aggression may appear. Some canines may only exhibit resource-guarding behavior around strangers or certain individuals. Other dogs behave in a resource-guarding manner toward everyone. The worst-case scenario is when a dog actually bites someone and causes harm. 

It’s critical to remember that you shouldn’t automatically assume your dog is a bad dog just because he exhibits tendencies to guard resources. Your dog’s powerful emotions could be the result of some underlying issues. But even if your dog’s behavior is entirely normal, you shouldn’t encourage it or disregard the issue.

Here are a few tips on what to do about your dog’s resource guarding!

Behavior Modification Training

Many tactics, such as the “leave it” and “drop it” methods, can help reduce resource guarding in dogs. This will allow you to tell your dog to stop protecting something in a safe and encouraging manner. The method is straightforward: If your dog refuses to drop a toy or food item, you can train them to do so in exchange for a treat or toy that has a higher value. Please remember to check with your veterinarian first before starting any training sessions with your pet as many dogs require an assessment and perhaps medication.

Manage The Environment

Make a list of everything your dog has gotten possessive with. Then explore how you can modify the surroundings to prevent access to these items. You also have to make it clear to all family members and guests that they should never approach or interrupt your dog while they are eating or chewing. Hide or remove any items that your dog may grab and guard as much as possible so that you do not have to confront your dog. If you must remove anything from them, make an exchange rather than simply taking something away.

Offer Some Treats

Train them to associate you with good emotions when it comes to mealtimes and food by giving them high-quality treats. Toss the reward to the dog while standing outside of his reaction area. Or, when attempting to exchange items with your dog, place some food or treats a fair distance away so that your dog must move. This will allow you enough time and space to pick up the item safely. If you can wait until the dog is in a completely different room before removing the object, that’s even better. After the dog becomes accustomed to this, approach him gently and drop the treats in front of him. Pick up your dog’s bowl, put the reward in it, and then hand it back to them if they are protecting their food.

Consult With A Dog Trainer

If your dog has bitten you or is causing concerns, it is advised that you get help from a professional dog trainer. It’s crucial to put both your safety and your dog’s safety first since resource guarding can lead to potentially dangerous situations. With an expert’s assistance, you can guarantee this safety. A qualified trainer will be able to guide you through the process in addition to developing a trainer-client connection with you and your dog.

It will depend on the particular situation and lifestyle, but some pet owners just allow a dog’s resource-guarding actions as long as they do not cause bodily injury or fear. But if you’re struggling with it, don’t hesitate to consult with an expert.

When a dog barks, it can have various meanings depending on the situation. Dogs use vocal communication to express their feelings and barking is one of the main forms that they use. 

By listening to a specific bark, many owners can tell what their dogs want. One easy way to decode their bark is by listening to the pitch of the sound. Friendly communication is done with high-pitched barking. Possibly when playing or when the dog is excited. On the other hand, a low-pitched bark or growl is intended to signal danger, territoriality, or even aggressiveness. However, your dog’s size also plays a role in this. Smaller dogs might not be able to bark at a lower pitch.

If you’re one of the dog owners who face excessive barking in their household, it’s critical to understand why he is doing it in the first place in order to start treating it. But keep in mind that certain dogs tend to bark more frequently than others, while some dogs rarely bark. Here are a few reasons why a dog barks:

Pain Bark

Dogs sometimes bark when they are in discomfort or experiencing a painful condition. Increased vocalization is one indicator of pain in dogs. A sudden rise in vocalizations such as whining, growling, barking, or other sounds should be watched out for. Dogs that are experiencing pain tend to be more vocal. 

Alarm Bark

This may be the most frequent dog bark, alerting you to the presence of anything or someone outside. The closer the threat is and the greater the threat your dog senses, the lower the pitch. As a result, the bark may begin as a quick succession of 2-3 mid-pitched barks, then as the threat approaches or becomes more severe, the bark may change to 3–4 low-pitched barks. Because it is triggered by sights and noises, alarm barking is quite similar to territorial barking. For example, a dog barks aggressively to mark his territory when he sees an approaching stranger and will typically only do so when he is in his own house, yard, or vehicle. 

Boredom Bark

Some dogs only bark excessively in frustrating situations, such as when they can’t get to their playmates or when they’re restrained and have limited movement. And they don’t just resort to barking. Boredom can lead to destructive behavior, so make sure you do something when you hear them barking out of boredom. With more activity to stimulate him physically and mentally, you can stop this behavior. The best way to stop a bored dog from barking is to teach him to regulate his impulsive behavior through obedience training.

Fearful Bark

Any sound or object that catches their attention or startles them can cause some dogs to bark and it’s not just in their territory where this can happen. When dogs are afraid, their barking can be loud and continuous, which can sometimes be upsetting to people around them. Along with the bark, you can see fear in their body language. Fear can be recognized by a rigid torso, retracted ears, and tight lips. A terrified dog will frequently run away, turn and bark, then come closer, run away once more, turn, and face the threat.

Fun Bark

Compared to anxious dogs, happy dogs typically bark less frequently and at a higher pitch. Fun barking typically occurs when your dog sees visitors at the door or other dogs while out for a stroll. Your dog is likely barking to say hello if his tail is wagging and other friendly behaviors are present along with the barking. Additionally, he displays a calm demeanor. They most likely want to play with the new dog or people it meets. Moreover, when you play fetch, tag, or any other game with your dog, they appear to adopt a uniform posture and bark accordingly. The sound, which is often referred to as a stutter bark, is typically high-pitched. 

And there you have it! But remember to have your dog inspected by a veterinarian for any excessive barking to rule out any underlying medical conditions before attempting to address the barking issue.

As a fur parent, you may be wondering whether you’re parenting your fur baby the right way. In this blog, we’ll talk about a study done that aimed to understand the best parenting style for your dog.

According to animal behaviorists at Oregon State University, if you parent your dog in an “authoritative” manner, it will develop into a more social, secure, and intelligent dog.

Animal behaviorist Monique Udell from Oregon State University said, “We found that pet parenting style does predict patterns of dog behavior and cognition.”

Nearly 50 dog owners were polled about various pet parenting principles and based on their responses, the respondents were divided into three groups: authoritative (high expectations, high responsiveness), authoritarian (high expectations, low responsiveness), and permissive (low expectations, high responsiveness).

Following some behavioral tests, researchers discovered that dogs with the highest rates of secure attachment – meaning those who felt secure in their parent’s ability to meet their needs and were highly social and intelligent – belonged to dog parents who adopted an authoritative style in their pet parenting. Additionally, they were the only puppies that could complete the behavioral test’s puzzle task.

“This an important finding because it suggests that dog owners who take the time to understand and meet their dog’s needs are more likely to end up with secure, resilient dogs,” Udell said. 

Most dog owners have probably had their dog paw at their legs. While some may dismiss this behavior as an annoyance, it is actually your dog’s attempt to connect with you. And it can suggest something very nice.

Your dog communicates with you through their paws, which they place on you softly or not so gently. Pawing is a communication gesture, whether purposeful or unintentional. The gesture is so endearing to most of us that we reinforce it by offering our paws in the form of extra petting.

While this act can be viewed as a show of love, it can also be attributed to a variety of other emotions. Your dog may feel insecure and seek your attention, which is a sign that you should shower Fido with additional affection. It could also be your dog expressing his desire to eat. There are a variety of requests that your dog can express with a simple touch of the paw. How can you tell what your dog is really saying? It all depends on the situation. Here are some common things that they can usually mean when they paw you.

Your Dog Is Anxious

A paw on you could also indicate that your dog is anxious. A dog may become frightened and paw at you for comfort if it hears thunder, experiences separation anxiety, believes you are about to leave or hears an unexpected knock on the door. The position of your dog’s paws may be accompanied by labored breathing, a lowered tail, or discomfort. Verbal assurances that everything is well, petting, offering a special toy, and most importantly, realizing that they need some comfort can all help to calm the anxiety.

Your Dog Wants To Go Outside

A puppy will try to engage you by pawing, barking, wagging its tail, or snatching a toy and dropping it in your lap if it needs to go outdoors for a pee break or playtime. The dog may eventually resort to resting its head on your lap and staring at you if the paw doesn’t inspire you to go outside.

Your Dog Is Hungry

Owners frequently respond to a paw by giving their dogs food—treats, table scraps, or feeding their dogs a meal. Food conveys affection in any language, and if owners are unsure why their dog is pawing them excessively, a delectable treat is an easy and quick answer. However, doing so may unintentionally result in the undesirable behavior of frequent paw tapping. Some dogs will prefer barking for their meal to placing a paw on your lap, although this may not result in a food reward. When a dog understands that barking does no good, placing a paw on your body may be their next alternative technique to attempt.

Your Dog Wants Attention

Some dogs are more independent and may never put their toes on you to pet or get your attention. Other dogs are more needy and seek your touch, so they’ll do it again and again. As previously said, pawing could just be a request for a great number of pets.

Don’t constantly push your dog away; instead, try to understand why they’re putting their paws on you so you can develop a stronger bond with them.

Some dogs have a severe fear of strangers. Dogs often exhibit fearfulness when near strangers. When they see someone new, they quake, shrink, and make an attempt to hide. 

Some people presume right away that these dogs have suffered past abuse. This is not typically the case. Most of the time, a dog’s fear of strangers is caused by poor socialization. It is crucial to expose young puppies to as many strangers and environments as you can during the crucial socialization phase between 3 and 16 weeks of age and make sure that every new experience is positive. When a dog reaches the age of 16 weeks and hasn’t been exposed to a wide range of people, it may begin to exhibit signs of fearfulness toward strangers as it matures.

Although it’s fairly uncommon for dogs to be wary of strangers, the best response is open friendliness rather than hiding or fleeing. It’s a good idea to know why your dog is so scared of strangers if you want to help it overcome its fear.

Many people assume that all dogs will interact with people in a natural manner. However, it’s not always the case. Even dogs who genuinely enjoy interacting with people occasionally experience tension, anxiety, or discomfort when meeting new people. Your dog should practice meeting and quietly being petted by a variety of people in order to learn how to positively and appropriately interact with a stranger. But it can be a little trickier for dogs who are wary of new people.

Have every new guest absolutely ignore the dog whenever they arrive. The dog should not be approached by a pet or make eye contact with the guest. When a visitor comes over, have some treats ready for them to gently throw on the floor next to your dog. Your anxious dog might eventually start to associate rewards with strangers with consistent training.

Another tip is to give your dog personal space. It helps if the dog has a place where it knows it will be left alone, such as a quiet room. Your dog might easily retreat to a crate when it becomes very frightened. It might also be beneficial to spray calming dog pheromones or apply a thundershirt where it feels comfortable. The dog has to have a place where it can be left alone and unbothered, so if your pet is in a safe place, do not let anyone go in there and pull it out or even try to pet it.

It’s important to talk to your vet about your pet’s fear because they can advise you on at-home strategies and talk about whether medication might be necessary. The consultation of a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who focuses on dogs with behavioral issues like fear may even be advised by veterinarians. Or, they might suggest hiring a professional dog trainer for at-home training.