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Dogs + Behavior & Training

  • The streamlined, steel-gray Weimaraner (Weim) was bred to sustain long hours of hunting birds and even large animals. A great companion for runners or agility enthusiasts, the Weim is ready for any physical activity.

  • The Welsh Springer is a hunter at heart, and thrives on days spent in the field. But he's equally at home playing with the kids or snoozing by the fire. He's an easygoing, affectionate fellow that is more of a one-family dog than are most spaniels, steady with his family but aloof, even a bit shy, around strangers.

  • These sociable, merry dogs are curious, spunky and – like most terriers – utterly fearless. Owners with a good sense of humor - and, perhaps, earplugs - are in the best position to appreciate the virtues of this talkative canine clown.

  • Like most terriers, Westies love to chase things and could get scrappy with other dogs, but the West Highland White Terrier is among the more trusting and gregarious of the Scottish terriers.

  • Most dog owners would agree that our canine friends are doggone cute. Some of their expressions and actions simply amplify their “cuteness.” But are they born with the innate “cuteness”, or do they learn how to be cute? This article discusses some of the reasons for these cute expressions and behaviors.

  • Most Whippets are quiet, gentle, and well-behaved inside the house, and love to join their people on the couch (and to keep the couch warm when their people aren't sitting on it!). They're friendly to visitors – no watchdog here – and aren't afraid to show how much they adore their owners.

  • Dogs were built to chew. That is a fact. Bones can lead to a number of health problems from minor injuries to severe illness. Our job as pet parents, is to provide them with chewing options that do not put them in jeopardy. Happy chewing!

  • Burying of toys or food items by dogs goes back thousands of years as a means of preserving food and storing valuable or scarce food resources. Dogs today do it out of ancestral habit and as a means of resource protection. If you notice that your dog seems to be digging compulsively, contact your veterinarian.

  • As long as there are dogs, there will be howling. Whether it is occasional, constant, mournful, or exuberant, howling is part of normal canine communication. Depending on the situation, a howl can take on different meanings.

  • Dogs chasing their own tail can be amusing but also a sign of a bigger problem. Dogs that are left alone for extended periods may get bored or may not be getting enough exercise and to release all that pent-up energy, they chase their tails. Young pups chew their tails as they become aware of their body parts and is usually a passing phase. Older dogs however, may chew their tails when mental acuity diminishes. If your dog suddenly starts chasing or biting at his tail, schedule a veterinary visit, as the cause could be medical in nature (internal or external parasites, an injury, impacted anal glands, or a neurological problem).