Why is My Dog’s Nose Dry?
When it comes to sniffing, a wet nose works better than a dry nose for dogs. Dog noses are naturally wet because of the combination of mucosal glands in the nose, and frequent licking by your dog. When owners find their dog’s nose is dry, many think it’s a sign of illness. Your dog could have a dry nose for multiple reasons, such as being outdoors on a sunny, hot day, or naptime when your pup isn’t licking his or her nose and keeping it wet.
However, if your dog’s nose is severely dry, cracked, or bleeding, then it’s time to talk to a vet and make sure there’s nothing wrong.
Why Does My Dog Stare at Me?
We’d all love to think our dog is staring at us out of undying love and affection. However, more likely than not, your dog is staring at you for one of two reasons. Either they want something, or they are trying to figure out what you want. In the first case, it tends to be food, a treat, a walk, or playtime. In the second, you might’ve said or done something your pup doesn’t understand and they’re working hard to try to find the meaning behind it.
What Does a Dog Howling Mean?
Howling is just another noise your dog makes to communicate with other dogs and us, along with barking, whining and other noises. Dogs howl to make their presence known and to mark their territory. Dogs also may howl for attention, or wail as a response to loud or high-pitched noises, like an ambulance siren. Sadly for those who thought their dog was channelling its inner wolf, it has nothing to do with the full moon and is more your dog just saying “hello” very loudly.
Why Does My Dog Eat its Poop?
While poop-eating may seem gross to us, to dogs, it comes from instinct. A mother dog with a litter of puppies in the wild would clean up after their poos the only way she can, by eating them. Not only does this keep her den clean; it also protects her puppies from nearby predators, drawn in by the smell. Puppies often learn this behaviour from mom, as it coincides well with their natural curiosity and desire to smell and taste EVERYTHING. Most dogs grow out of this habit, some eat poop as adults out of boredom, a lack of proper nutrition, or a lack of training against the behaviour.
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
This is a hotly debated topic. Many believe that their dog will eat grass when they have a stomach ache. They think this helps allow the dog to throw up, or fill a nutritional deficit in fibre.
However, only about a quarter of dogs vomit right after eating grass, and some dogs on high fibre diets still go for the green. The most likely reasons for your dog’s grass-eating habits are boredom, or that they like the taste.
Should you worry about your dog eating grass? Vets say this is normal behaviour that occurs in one out of every two pups. As long as your dog isn’t eating all kinds of plants, some of which can make them sick, grass alone is fine and is digestible by your dog, so there’s no need for concern.
How Can I Stop My Dog from Barking?
The answer to this lies in training your dog. Most dogs bark to alert their owners or other dogs about something, whether they see a squirrel or deer, a car, or the mail person.
Teaching your dog not to bark can include several different methods, the most popular being positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement training teaches dogs to ignore outside distractions by rewarding your dog for quiet behaviour, such as passing another dog on the street without barking. The dog will quickly learn that being quiet earns a treat, while barking gets them nothing.
How Often Should I Bathe My Dog?
Unlike cats, dogs don’t self-bathe. And, unlike a pristine indoor cat, your dog is much more likely to get dirty outside. So you will need to bathe your dog with some frequency to keep them clean and healthy.
How do you know when to bathe your dog?
There are two times to bathe your dog: when he or she gets notably dirty, such as after jumping in muddy water, and your regularly scheduled baths.
Furred dogs and long-haired dogs don’t need to be bathed as often, as long as you are brushing your dog’s coat regularly. A good bath every 4-6 weeks should be enough to keep their coat shiny and healthy.
Why Does My Dog Lick Me?
Like barking and howling, licking is a form of communication. Dogs are instinctually drawn to licking right from birth due to the mother dog licking the babies to feed and care for them. This habit translates into a submissive gesture of affection in older dogs. Dogs also do like the salty taste of our skin. But mostly, if your dog is licking your face, they are just trying to say, “I love you.”
Should I Brush My Dog’s Teeth?
Your dog’s dental care is extremely important. Just like in humans, dogs are prone to tartar and plaque, which can build up and travel below the gum line, causing gingivitis, periodontitis, and in extreme cases, blood infections. It’s estimated that by two years old, most dogs will have some form of dental disease, but this is easily preventable when you brush your dog’s teeth regularly and take them to the vet for annual exams and cleanings.
What Vaccinations Should My Dog Have?
Just like vaccinations for humans, immunisation shots for dogs fall into two categories: necessary and optional. The important canine diseases for which vaccines are available include:
- Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
- Canine Parvovirus (CPV)
- Canine Adenovirus (CAV)
- Canine Leptospira
- Canine parainfluenza virus (CPi)
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- Canine Rabies
It is advised to consult a vet about the specific vaccinations your dog needs.