Getting a good photographic shot of your puppy can be a lot harder than it sounds. You snap the shutter just as the puppy turns his head. You catch the perfect expression, but there are unwanted items in the background. You have a black dog that has brown eyes and all you can see is a ball of black fur.

If you have ever dealt with any of these situations, you have probably wanted to pull your hair out. Don’t worry. A few simple tips can help you capture good photos of the family pet. It just takes a little practice.

Timing is one of the most important things. Before you embark on a pet photo session, think about what you want your picture to say. Do you want to catch the dog in action? Would you rather take a serene pose while the puppy sleeps? Decide what you want and pursue it.

One of the first orders of business is to get your puppy used to the camera. Don’t wait until you want to capture that award-winning photo to start pointing it at your dog. If the puppy is used to seeing you with a camera around your neck, he or she will be much more likely to relax when you point it at them.

Make sure the treat jar is full. You will need to offer your dog some tasty forms of bribery to get him or her to do what you want. Start by offering a few treats. Next, keep them in your hand close to the camera. In fact, you may want to try taping a treat to your camera. This works well to keep the puppy’s eyes tuned to you.

Take advantage of situations you know your dog likes. For example, if Fido loves chasing leaves across the yard, set your photo shoot up in an area where there are leaves so you stand a better chance of catching the puppy in action. If your dog loves the water, take him or her to a lake and throw sticks. You are bound to get a good action shot or two.

Choose your background carefully. Clutter will not bring out the best in your pet. The idea is for the focus of the photo to be on the dog, not unwanted junk. You can always use a blanket or large towel for a colorful backdrop.

Consider turning off your camera’s flash. A flash can be quite disturbing to some dogs. The idea is to get your pet to relax and be his or herself.

It is important to get down to your dog’s level when taking photos. Try it. You will be surprised at how the view changes.

If your camera has a zoom feature, use it when you take pet photos. The zoom will allow you to get closer shots where the dog is the main focus. You don’t want the dog to be a speck among many other subjects.

If you want an action shot, plan on shooting pictures when your dog is on the move. If you want a serene pose, plan your photo session after an active play or exercise session.

You don’t necessarily have to get the whole puppy in the photo. One option is to focus on a special feature of your dog. Perhaps it is his cute eyes; it could be the fact that he looks like she’s smiling.

Don’t get frustrated if at first you don’t get the shot you want. Professional photographers take LOTS of photos and are quite happy to edit the mess down to one or two good ones. Today’s digital cameras have taken a lot of the expense out of pet photography, so shoot, shoot, shoot.

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Most prospective pet owners spend the majority of their time choosing the “ideal” breed for their tastes and lifestyles – however, the gender of a puppy will also dictate behaviour to a certain extent. If you’re interested in buying or adopting a sweet little pup to love and care for, you should be aware that male and female pups do behave differently, and that you may have more compatibility with a certain gender.

While the differences between “boy” and “girl” pups are sometimes exaggerated, there is no doubt that male and female puppies do have some interesting characteristics that are based on canine gender differences. For example, female pups simply don’t have as much drive to “entertain” human beings – females are affectionate, but more self-contained and introspective. Girl pups may need more alone time, whereas male pups may be constantly on the move, looking for action – and attention.

Consider Gender Prior to Selecting a Puppy

Of course, there will always be exceptions, but, in general, female pups are more quiet, nurturing, and “grown-up” acting; males are typically rambunctious and far more motivated to frolic and roughhouse with human beings. While it sounds as though male puppies are the right choice for most pet owners, since they welcome contact with their owners, things are not always as they seem – for example, in a family with infants or small children, a male puppy may not be “protective” enough of little ones. It’s important to consider lifestyle – and family members – before adopting or purchasing a pet. Breed and gender should be carefully researched before a final decision is made.

Female puppies are still playful – they simply balance contact with human beings with periods of peace and quiet. Now and then, a girl pup may be prone to mood swings that don’t usually plague male dogs. Male puppies may seem hyperactive in contrast to their female counterparts; however, this type of energized male canine temperament is wonderful for athletic or playful owners who enjoy wacky dog behaviour and fun times with a very active puppy. Finding a pup whose gender – and breed – predispose it to certain personality traits can be an ideal way to ensure a good degree of compatibility; however, actually observing and interacting with a male or female puppy of any breed is really the only fail-safe way to understand a young dog and its particular characteristics.

Choosing a puppy is about a lot more than selecting the right gender – after all, a puppy is a new family member, a dependent, and a loyal, loving friend. You must prepare yourself to take on responsibility for an animal that will look to you for food, water, health care, exercise and emotional comfort. If you are ready for this level of commitment, which is basically parental, always bear in mind that your puppy may live upwards of fifteen years. That being said, it’s important to make sure that you are stable enough to make your pet’s life happy, healthy and meaningful.

Physical Differences

Male dogs have an edge in terms of muscularity and brute strength; females will normally be more delicate and less strong. Females may weigh less and they may demonstrate less stamina during physical activity. Different genitalia means different methods of controlling reproduction in dogs – males must undergo neutering, and females must be spayed. Typically, a male puppy may be neutered at two months of age or older, and this procedure usually costs less than spaying for females. Girl pups may be spayed at the age of 3 to 6 months.

It’s important to consider the spaying/neutering costs of a female/male puppy while you are mulling over pet adoption – for some people, budgets will dictate which gender is ultimately selected from a breeder, pet store, or shelter. However, many shelters will absorb some of the costs of spaying in order to get the female pup into a good and stable home. Ask lots of questions and try to figure out which gender of puppy is really best for you, from a financial and emotional standpoint – however, always understand that it’s impossible to know everything about a puppy’s future behaviour in advance.

Relationships with Other Pets

If you’re an animal lover and you want a home filled with all manner of canines and other pets, you may wonder which gender of puppy will best support your goals. In this case, female puppies may be more inclined to “play nice” with other species and other male dogs. Of course, there will be exceptions, but it is commonly believed that girl puppies are more receptive to living with other pets, except other female dogs, whose presence may be construed as threatening. Male pups may also resent the presence of other “alpha” dogs and battle them for dominance.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about when deciding which gender of puppy to bring into your home; however, rest assured that any breed or gender can become a loving and valued member of your household. Training, proper diet and hydration, affection, exercise and fresh air will all contribute to a happy puppy that is a credit to you, and a loyal and sweet canine pal for years to come…

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Yes, puppies do hear a range of sounds more loudly than we do – in fact, a young canine’s hearing is extraordinarily refined and sensitive…especially in the higher ranges. In general, your puppy’s hearing will be2-1/2 times stronger than your own, although the lower ranges of your dog’s hearing won’t be as powerful.

As you can see, your pet will often be more sensitive to noises than you are; therefore, you must do your best to protect your young dog from sounds that may cause physical discomfort and/or emotional distress. While you can’t shield your canine pal from every loud noise, you can consider his or her needs when creating noise at home(or when you and your pet are together out of doors). For example, very loud music with lots of high-pitched guitar feedback may sound great to you, but it could be quite disturbing for your puppy. Keeping your beloved pet away from running power tools and other “noise pollution” will always be thoughtful.

While puppies must learn to live in the human world, they do need to be treated with the utmost compassion and respect. Making sure noise levels are as moderate as possible is an important way to safeguard the health and well-being of your pet.

Some dogs, like some people, do suffer from differing degrees of hearing loss – if you notice that your puppy seems less reactive to noises than you might expect, it may be time to speak to a veterinarian about your concerns. There are actually ways to test a puppy’s hearing – these sorts of audiogram tests can detect problems with your puppy’s ears.

Deaf dogs exist, and they must be cared for in the right way. Hearing impairments and other challenges will not stop your puppy from being a loyal and loving pal, but they may trigger changes in your pet’s attitude and behaviour – that’s why it’s wise to have your puppy’s hearing checked out if you suspect there is a problem. While very young pups aren’t normally very engaged with their owners, when they grow up a little bit, they may not exhibit the usual, expected responses to being called or spoken to – this, along with “snapping” behaviour, may signal a hearing problem. Your hard-of-hearing or deaf puppy may startle more easily than other dogs. Your hearing impaired or deaf pup will always need plenty of love and understanding…

While hearing impairments and deafness in dogs do occur, the vast majority of puppies will have “super-hearing” in the higher ranges. Dogs use their hearing and powerful senses of smell to gather information and stimuli about their surroundings and companions. Therefore, a dog’s hearing is an important part of his or her “animal nature”.

A puppy’s hearing will develop fully during the secondary phase of development, which occurs in the second to fourth weeks of life. During this time period, dogs with normal hearing will also develop more refined senses of smell, and more pronounced senses of taste. Knowing the stages of puppy development will help pet owners to care for and understand their puppies during these crucial phases of canine “childhood”.

Your dog’s breed will also dictate the kind of hearing he or she has – some breeds have naturally keener hearing than others. For example, Yorkshire Terriers are reputed to have extremely powerful hearing. Reading books about puppy development for your particular breed of canine will be an effective way to gather specific information about your pet’s innate hearing ability. However, it’s safe to say that most dogs will demonstrate strong senses of hearing compared to human beings.

Some deaf or hard-or-hearing people actually use specially-trained dogs to assist them in managing their disabilities. For example, a “dog for the deaf”, who is carefully trained by experts, may help a deaf person to know when someone is at the door, or when some sort of audible cue (such as a telephone ringing, or a smoke alarm) is heard. For hard-of-hearing and deaf people, the sensitive and acute hearing of dogs is a huge help and a big comfort. While puppies aren’t usually chosen for “dogs for the deaf” programs, almost any adult dog has the capacity to use their hearing (along with their touching loyalty and intelligence) to help human beings.

As you can see, puppies with normal hearing do hear louder than we do, as long as they’ve reached the second stage of puppy development. From this point on, the puppy will begin to react more to sounds, and they may exhibit fear over loud sounds, such as thunder (which is known to frighten dogs of all ages).

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We have all heard horror stories of dogs bleeding profusely from an owner or groomer’s attempt to trim his or her nails.

The good news is that with a little extra care, you can trim your dog’s nails without having to stress him or her with a trip to the vet’s office or groomer.

The most important thing to be aware of is what is referred to as the “quick” or the end of the veins, nerves and blood vessels. The quick, which is found inside the nail, is usually pink in color and triangular in shape.

Bleeding occurs when a nail is trimmed too short and the quick is cut into. Bleeding can be mild or gushing and can require styptic powder or cauterization.

Identifying the quick is easier on dogs with light-colored nails. Those that have black nails more frequently have the quick cut into because it is almost impossible to see the pink quick amidst the dark nail.

Before embarking on your first nail trim, take time to understand the anatomy of a canine nails. Dog nails are not like human nails. Dog nails are living appendages that have a blood supply and sensitive nerve endings that run down the center of the nail. Human nails are basically flat layers of keratin with a hidden blood supply.

The outer portion of a dog’s nail is hard and has no feeling because it has no nerve endings.

The color of a dog’s nails is usually determined by the color of the hair and skin that surround the nail. This means that a black dog is more likely to have dark nails than a white dog.

The first step to proper nail trimming is to identify the quick. This is best done by taking very thin slivers of nail off at any one time. After the first cut, look closely. You will see a darker arch in the inside of the nail. There should be a white or light-colored tip in the middle of the arch. This is the quick that you want to avoid cutting into.

Stop trimming once you see the quick. Remember that it is better to trim the nails more frequently than to risk taking too much off at any one time.

Frequent nail trimming can actually cause the quick to recede, allowing you to cut the dog’s nails a little shorter each time.

Try to make nail trimming fun for the dog. Refrain from yelling and wrestling the dog’s body into uncomfortable positions. Take time to offer treats and an affectionate pat. It will be a lot easier to accomplish the task if the dog is ready and willing to have you handle his or her paws.

Start your training/trimming sessions while the dog is a puppy. It is a lot easier to teach desirable behavior to a young dog.

If you need a nail trimming lesson, talk to the dog’s vet. Most doctors are very willing to show you how to safely get the job done.

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You may have had to stop your dogs from fighting in the past. Or maybe you’ve seen news articles about dog fighting, or dogs attacking one another. Either way, you’re wondering why do dogs fight?

It’s actually rather simple. All animals fight each other in some way or another, for a number of reasons. It is not only instinctual, but social. The act of fighting has many purposes, and once you understand the reasons why dogs fight, it is easier to distract them from fighting.

One of the main reasons dogs will fight is for position in the pack. This is more common in dogs who believe that they are the alpha. They are fighting to put the other dogs “in their place”. The pack nature of dogs dictate that there must be a leader, and while not all dogs will strive to be the leader, some need to be shown that they are not the leader.

Taking the place as the pack leader and letting your dog know that you are the alpha of the pack is the best way to keep these dogs from fighting. Asserting yourself as the alpha may be difficult, but it is possible. Things such as scolding your dog with a firm ‘No’ when growling, not letting them go through a door first, and not letting your dog sleep on your bed with you all act as ways to reinforce this notion.

These are behaviors that the dog will see as ‘alpha’ behaviors. If you believe that your dog is fighting other dogs because they believe they are the alpha, the suggestions noted above would be potential responses. In the wild, it is always the most assertive, and strongest dog that is alpha. Since we are almost always larger than out dogs, it is easy for them to see us as the alpha.

Dogs will also fight over territory and food. Even if they understand that you are the alpha of the pack, if another dog (especially from outside of their pack) tries to eat their food or play with their toy, they will get offended. They will believe that the dog is trying to steal from them and will fight to protect their things.

Wolves in the wild will often get into fights with neighboring packs over food and territory, and it is important to socialize your dog in order to avoid this. Socializing prevents your dog from seeing the other dog as a different pack. It also teaches both of them doggie manners.

Some dogs will fight as a way to play. While it may not look like play to us, it stems from when they were puppies and it is not only a way for them to emulate hunting, but it also relieves stress. This is done because it exhausts excess energy that the dog otherwise wouldn’t be spending. You can recognize this behavior by their bows, wagging tails and rolling onto their backs.

There are specific breeds of dogs that are bred to fight. Their original purpose was usually hunting or fighting. While many of the aggressive behaviors of these dogs are bred out by modern reputable breeders, these dogs often have high energy. Pit Bulls suffer from this, as they are high energy and playful, they will often initiate ‘play fights’ and be too rough with the other dog in their excitement.

With dogs that are bred to fight, keep in mind what they were bred for (hunting, bull fighting, dog fighting) and keep them busy. Even rehabilitated fighting dogs will not try to fight if they’ve spent their day exercising with you. Dogs that were bred for dog fighting should be socialized at an early age to prevent them from becoming suspicious of other dogs.

Dogs will also fight because they perceive a threat. If there is another dog (or another pack) out and they believe that this dog may be a threat to you, they will fight in order to protect you. This usually stems from believing that they are the pack leader, but not always. If it is a genuine threat, it will not matter if they are the omega dog, they will seek to protect you.

It all boils down to the dog not understanding that is it not okay. Whether it is because they have not been socialized enough with other dogs and people, or they believe they are the leader of the pack. If your dog is getting into fights, keep and eye on them and make sure that they understand that you are the alpha of the pack. Also keep them exercised and entertained, and these two things are the most important steps to keep a dog from fighting.

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They are ‘Man’s Best Friend’; a title that stems from centuries as our companions and pets. While you may wonder why this phrase has become so popular among not only dog owners, but the general media, the answer really lies in the facts. With 39% of American households owning dogs, they definitely are the favored pet.

They’re also easily trainable, affectionate, and for many, serve as more than just a pet. Dogs are also hunting companions, guards, protectors, entertainment, helpers, guides, and best friends. They are featured in movies, book, TV and songs as being the best pet you can have.

So why is this? Why do dogs and humans get along so well? It can’t just be training, because humans have tried to train multitudes of different animals with little success. They’ve also domesticated many animals, such as horses and cats, that have not received any similar title.

It all boils down to the pack mentality that dogs have. While other animals, such as horses, will often be in a herd (or other such group), dogs have a social structure that mirrors our own. When wolves were the most common breed of canine, and mankind was still primitive and living in huts, caves and other crude homes, humans acted in a similar manner to wolves.

There was the leader of the group (occasionally a pair), which was the equivalent to an alpha wolf There were lesser members of the group, or the betas in wolf society, there were children who were looked after and treated based on their parent’s ranking until adult hood, much like wolf cubs. And finally there were omegas: the group’s scapegoat, jester or general ‘low-man’.

While this mentality is seen throughout the wild in various degrees, the similarities between man and wolf are sometimes astounding. The ‘alpha’ will often demonstrate its suitability to his position with various acts of strength, leadership and skill. The ‘omega’ will often be the one to try to cheer the group up and the ‘cubs’ are allowed to play with the adults looking after them.

Both humans and dogs are extremely social animals, relying not only on verbal communication, but body language and other forms of non-verbal communication. They develop monogomas pairs, acting with jealousy and anger when another tries to ‘make a move’ on their mate. Wolves will also occasionally ‘divorce’, much like humans will. They also have a ‘home base’, also called a den. They will protect their den, raise their young there, and go there to sleep.

Beyond the similarities in the behaviors of people and their canine counterparts, there is also the fact that dogs are so loyal. While this also stems from their pack mentality, it is one of the biggest reasons that people have so successful domesticated dogs. They see you as their ‘alpha’, or another member of their pack. They depend on you for food, protection and shelter.

As the alpha, they see it as they owe you their life. You are in charge of protecting them should danger arrive, or at least leading any potential ‘battle’ that might occur. You bring them food and distribute it accordingly.

Humans first noticed this similarities and began to domesticate dogs. Training them to see us as their alphas was the first step. Once that was established the rest became far easier, as dogs will naturally defer to their alpha for guidance.

Breeding helped ingrain the behaviors that humans liked. Dogs that were good at hunting were bred to hunt and bring food back to their master. Each dog was bred with a purpose in mind and with that purpose came a removal from their wild roots. Not in the sense of pack nature, but how much they depended on you, their owner, to provide for them.

In recent history, the shift from being companions and animal servants shifted to the dog becoming a member of the family, often times playing the role of the cub. This position as the cub enforces their loyalty, even when they begin to grow. It promotes the bond, similar to parent and child.

With other animals, domesticated and otherwise, the parent-child bond has various levels of strength, with some animals even considering their children a threat once they have reached adulthood. While wolves will leave a pack to start their own, they still maintain the same level of respect for their parents that humans will. This is one of the main reasons why dogs and humans get along so well.

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Maybe you want them to do it, and maybe you haven’t given it much thought, but there your dog is, rolled over on his back, tongue lolling out of his mouth, happy as can be. Why does he do it? Is it for belly rubs, because you taught him to do that or is it something else entirely? There are actually a number of reasons it could be, actually.

The first reason is rather obvious; because you trained them to do it. Dogs are intelligent and usually take well to training, even if the task isn’t entirely natural to them. Training a dog to do something such as rolling over is pretty simple. Dogs are creatures that are eager to please, and they know that doing tricks for you makes you happy. Whether it is because they want to treat reward for it or they want your attention, dogs roll over for you.

However, while this may be true, there is also the fact that you cannot train a dog to do something that does not have roots in their natural behavior. While teaching a dog to, for example, open a door may seem a bit far fetched with that idea, it stems from natural behavior: tugging. Dogs rolling over is also a natural behavior, though the reasoning may be slightly different for wild dogs than they are for domesticated dogs.

For dogs in the wild, such as wolves, rolling over is a sign of submission or forfeit. Often times during a fight, whether it is a play fight or a real one, dogs will roll over as a sign of submission. If it is a play fight, they are doing it for fun, acknowledging to the other dog that their game is just that, and also acknowledging that the other dog is the alpha of the pack.

When they roll over in the middle of a real fight, it is a sign that they forfeit and are accepting the other dog as the winner. Doing this exposes their belly and gives their life into the “hands” of the winning dog, so to speak.

So training a dog to roll on its back stems from its acknowledgment that you are the alpha of the pack. When they are rolling over for you, they are showing their respect for you and telling you that they are submissive to you. When a dog shows that they are submissive to you, especially if it is not a fearful dog, they are showing that they trust you.

Even when the dog rolls over in the hopes of a belly rub, they are also showing that they trust you. In the wild, exposing their underside is a very dangerous action. They are trusting you not to attack them, and they are wanting the contact with you.

Dogs enjoy physical contact with one another, and with their owners as well. When they roll over for a belly rub they are not only showing their submission and trust, but they are saying that they want affection. Especially if you have taught them that this is a desired behavior and they will get rewarded with a belly rub and perhaps a treat.

Not all dogs will readily roll over, however. Some do not want to learn the trick or simply cannot learn the trick. Whether it is because of a trust issue the dog has (they don’t want to expose their belly to you, a family member, or another pet), or because it is too uncomfortable for them (in which case it may be a good idea for a vet to check them out as this could be a medical issue), or something else entirely, not all dogs can be trained to roll over and not all dogs will roll over for no reason.

If you are concerned it may be a medical issue that causes your dog not to roll over, check with a vet to make sure. It could be as simple as the dog has a little too much fat to make it comfortable for them. If you are concerned that it may be a trust issue, watch your dog for other behavioral indicators and see a dog behaviorist. Otherwise, there is no need to worry. And if you dog is rolling over on its back every chance it gets, make sure to reward it with a good belly rub.

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As I was reading a local newspaper, I could not help but notice an article entitled “Detecting a dog’s ‘Poo Print.’”

My first reaction was to shake my head while I wondered why in the world anyone would want to have a print of their dog’s fecal matter. Most of us work to get rid of it and we don’t need a print to remind us that it stinks.

Upon reading the first sentence, I quickly realized that a poo print is not meant to be a fond memory of Rover’s potty call. It is a means of identifying dogs whose owners refuse to clean up after them.

Those of us that live in the country may laugh at the concept, but people who live in more populated areas don’t find stepping in doggie doo doo on a regular basis to be the least bit funny.
So those of you who refuse to clean up after your dog, beware. The poo police just may be knocking on your door.

PooPrints™ by BioPet Vet Lab is a pet waste management solution that can help keep the grounds cleaner and protect the environment.

Consider an apartment complex where a lot of dogs reside with their owners. PooPrints™ works by storing pet DNA profiles for all of the dogs in the community. If waste is found on the ground, the profile can be matched and the management has solved the “who did it” problem. Pet owners can no longer get away with saying, “It wasn’t my dog.”

It is easy to get started in the PooPrints™ program. According to their website at http://www.pooprints.com/programoverview.asp, the manager or owner of an apartment building or complex can enroll each dog for a fee of $29.95 per dog. They will receive a PooPrints DNA Collection Kit for each animal enrolled.

While the cost of such a program could become huge in heavily populated areas, some apartment managers and owners are passing the fee on to the pet owner. If you want to have a pet, pay up.
The good news is that there are no set-up or subscription fees.

PooPrints™ also offers some benefits to the dog owner, who will receive discounts on pet supplies when they shop at the DNA World Pet Registry’s online store. In addition, pet owners will have access to a free lost-and-found service and an online pet profile service where important information such as medical records can be stored.

The company also offers free storage for sharing photos of your dog.

The owner or manager who subscribes to the service will receive tools that make it easy for them to track pets on the premises.

As long as there are those who refuse to clean up after their dogs, entrepreneurs will be able to jump on the bandwagon and kick off new businesses that profit from canine excrement. You should soon be able to look in the yellow pages to find a host of fecal matter removal services and doggie poo private eyes that can’t wait to dig into a pile of crap to track an inconsiderate owner.

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It’s late at night and you’re trying to go to sleep, and outside your door you hear your dog whining or ‘crying’. Maybe you let them in, maybe you don’t. Either way you wonder why they’re crying. Perhaps you haven’t even heard it first hand, but you’ve only heard it from the neighbors, telling you that your dog cries all day while you’re gone.

The answer to why dogs do this is actually pretty simple. Dogs are social animals and thrive on constant contact. This behavior is seen far more commonly in puppies than it is in older dogs. When it is puppies crying, the concern about behavioral training is far less important than it is in older dogs.

Puppies are almost constantly with their mother in their first few weeks of life. They depend on her for everything. They need her to keep them safe. So when they are young, they will cry out whenever their mother is not nearby. Even shortly after the dogs are weened, they will still want to be near their mother.

So a puppy that is being taken home shortly after will cry for its mother. When they are that young, they will cry regardless of whether you are there or not. During this time it is important to take over the role of leader and caretaker. They soon come to understand that it is you that they must depend on.

It is at this time that it is determined whether this behavior will continue. If the dog sees you more as ‘mother’ or ‘sibling’, rather than their leader, they will continue to cry when you are away. It won’t matter if you are in the next room or in the next state, they will miss you.

While you do want your dogs to miss you, this is an unnecessary stress for these animals. They get upset when you are gone and sometimes will develop separation anxiety. Separation anxiety can cause them to act out, tearing apart the house, going to the bathroom indoors, and stealing articles of clothing.

It is important at this point to distinguish yourself as the alpha as well as the caretaker. If the dog sees you as a leader instead of just a ‘mother’, they will still miss you when you are gone, but they will also not feel the need to depend on you every moment.

Dog’s wild cousin, the wolf, is a good example of this. While the pack will depend on the alpha wolves for much of their care, food and leadership, if the alpha is out, they can usually fend for themselves for the time. They understand that, as a unit, the alpha needs to be out doing other things on occasion. If they do not see you as an alpha, and instead see you as a mother, they do not make that same connection.

Dogs will stay in the ‘puppy’ mindset for as long as we allow them. If the dog is older and it is still crying, then behavioral training may be needed, depending on the severity. While not all dog owners mind their dog sleeping in the room with them, some will and will not like this behavior. Ignoring it is rarely the solution.

However, if it is an older dog who has started to cry at night recently, then there may be a different reason behind this. The dog may find it hard to see, and may be frightened. As dogs age, their eyesight will get worse, and many dogs will get anxious when they are older. If they are left alone at night, in the dark, they will become frightened as they will not be able to see. While training will help, sometimes these dogs must either be kept in your room at night (where your presence comforts them), or you must leave on a night light for them so that they can see.

Dogs of all ages will cry if they are left alone for too long. If you are out of town, they will miss you and it is important to have a pet sitter who will do more than feed them and let them outside at night. A dog that cries is unhappy and usually lonely or frightened.

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After owning a dog for any period of time, you’ve surely heard the saying that if you give a dog chocolate, it’ll get sick. So you avoid giving your dog any chocolate.

The question is… why do dogs get sick off of this delicious candy? And why do some dogs still go after it? Well, the answer to why dogs get sick off of it is simple. Chocolate contains poisons. Large doses of chocolate can even be harmful to humans.

While for us, the chemical in chocolate, called Theobromine, is a stimulant like caffeine and its effects will be similar to that of caffeine. However, dogs cannot handle stimulants like humans can. Caffeine, which is also commonly in chocolate, is also toxic to dogs. It can cause erratic heart beat, seizures, coma and death.

The degree to which dogs get sick from chocolate is dependent on the kind of chocolate and the amount eaten. A Great Dane eating a hersey’s kiss will probably not even notice any effects, due to its size and the low toxicity level of milk chocolate. Milk chocolate is the least harmful, while baker’s chocolate is the most harmful. This is because the chemicals that are harmful to dogs are found in the natural cocoa bean, and the farther they are from natural, the less of those chemicals it contains.

So now that you know why chocolate is harmful to dogs, you have to wonder why do they still try to eat it? If a dog has eaten enough to give them a stomach ache, but they still go after it, it’s actually still pretty normal. Dogs are naturally curious. They want to investigate everything they can. Usually through smelling it, tasting it, or eating it.

If it smells good, they will eat it. It does not help that many dogs were not raised or bred in an area where cocoa was grown naturally. While dogs that were bred to live in these areas may still try to eat chocolate, they will also have the natural instincts developed from years of being around the bean to know not to eat it in its natural state.

The chocolate that dogs often consume, however, is not in its natural state. In the wild, the fruit from a cocoa plant will turn red when ripe, and it is difficult to crack open. When we process the cocoa, we package it in all sorts of colors and wrappers. While red usually alerts animals to a poisonous food, brown does nothing to deter them.

Then the dog relies on our guidance. In the wild, the alpha dog will eat first, and will keep its pack away from dangerous foods. When the dog sees that you are eating chocolate, it concludes that it is safe to eat. While this is not true, the dog does not realize that you are a different kind of animal than they are. While you do not want them to see you as a different animal entirely, this causes a bit of a problem for chocolate lovers.

The best way to deal with this is to make sure that the chocolate is out of the dog’s sight as much as possible. If they can see it, chances are they can get to it. Though hiding it in low cabinets that the dog may be able to get into isn’t a good idea either. Keep it above where the dog can reach it at all times. If possible, avoid letting the dog see you with ‘extra’ chocolate.

So no matter what, it is important to remember that chocolate is indeed toxic to dogs. It can cause them to become ill, and in large enough doses, even die. So make sure to keep all that chocolate to yourself.

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