For Whom the Doorbell Tolls
Doorbells are intrinsically exciting for dogs,” says the head of the Tufts Animal Behavior Clinic, Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM. “They signal something is about to...
Dear Doctor: The Dog doesn’t like our Child
Q. About four months ago we adopted the sweetest rescue dog named Violet — a Lab mix of about 60 pounds who loves to...
Causes of Nighttime Agitation
Too much fat is not the only thing that predisposes a dog to pancreatitis. Certain breeds have a predisposition, particularly schnauzers. Terriers are prone,...
The Right (and Wrong) Treats for Training
When training either a puppy or adult dog, you’re going to need lots of food treats to keep your pet focused on getting it...
Teaching Your Dog to Handle Different Kinds of People
Some dogs react negatively to men with beards, tall people, people in hats, young children — even those with different skin tones.
That’s right. Differences...
More Physical Activity, Less Fear
Dogs who get less than an hour a day of physical activity and who seldom engage in training activities are more fearful of people...
They Can Sense Impending Earthquakes
Since ancient times, people have been saying that animals become more agitated before an earthquake, aware that something is amiss hours before the devastation...
The Myth of the ‘Alpha Dog’
How many times have you heard that dogs are pack animals with an alpha as the head, and that if you don’t take the...
Detecting the Scent of a Billionth of a Teaspoon?
You knew dogs had a keen scent of smell that leaves ours in the dust, but a billionth of a teaspoon’s worth? That’s what...
Dear Doctor: Guilty as charged, perhaps, but not feeling any guilt
Q. Please settle this one for me. My husband says dogs don’t feel guilt, but I can see it in my dog’s eyes if...
Fear of Thresholds
Seemingly out of nowhere, your older dog balks about walking from the family room to the kitchen, or jumps over the back-door threshold to...
Cheat Sheet for Building Trust
Dogs are so ready and willing to accommodate our lifestyles that it’s easy to forget they have needs of their own that go beyond...
