Category Archives for "Dog Q & A"

0 Why Does Your Dog Drink From The Toilet?

You hear that familiar slurp-slurp-slurp of your dog drinking water … except it’s not coming from the direction of your dog’s water bowl. Instinctively, you head toward the bathroom, peek inside and yes, that’s right: there is your dog happily lapping up water from the toilet like you purposely left it open for him as a treat.

Sigh. Life with dogs.

Sure, drinking from the toilet is kind of amusing. (Come on! He’s drinking from the toilet!) And yes, it’s really disgusting. (Come on. He’s drinking from the toilet.) So why do dogs do this peculiar behavior?

Two words: fresh water. Ignore, for a moment, the pesky detail that this supposedly “fresh” water is coming from a place where humans — well, you know. To your dog, a toilet is a convenient place where fresh, cool water is abundant and readily available. That bowl of water you just put out for your dog? Stagnant and old, according to your dog. When you think about it, it’s actually kind of smart to choose the seemingly fresher choice in the large porcelain bowl over the one in the small bowl that’s been sitting there who knows how long.

Another reason a dog might drink from the toilet: He finished the water in his water bowl, he’s still thirsty, and he’s in search of another source of water. Thirsty dog, meet toilet bowl.

Bacterial-related gastrointestinal problems could occur from drinking stagnant toilet water, so it is a good idea to discourage your dog. Toilet water could also be filled with household-cleaner chemicals and other junk you don’t want your dog drinking, especially if you just cleaned the toilet, or if you use drop-in toilet bowl cleaning tablets.

Thankfully, if your dog drinks from a toilet that contains drop-in cleaners, it’s not likely to be a problem beyond stomach upset, assuming that you followed the cleaner label’s directions.

Know More About Your Dog’s Behavior at Makati Dog and Cat Hospital

Thanks:

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-lifestyle/my-dog-drinks-from-the-toilet.aspx

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0 Why Do Dogs Hump?

One thing that makes dogs wonderful is their lack of shame and inhibitions, such free spirits they are. These are traits you likely admire and may even celebrate in your dog; that is, until these traits lead him to look amorously at the leg of a dinner party guest, go to town on your child’s favorite toy, or start a love affair with a couch pillow.

But while this topic may cause a laugh or a snicker, it can be a real problem for owners, causing embarrassment and affecting your dog’s social life.

Why Dogs Do It:

Humping means different things to different dogs, and although it’s often done with other dogs, they can hump any kind of object (or person) at all. While it’s often a normal part of play behavior, especially for puppies, it can also be intended for sexual purposes or even dominance.

Most people don’t realize that this behavior isn’t limited to intact male dogs. Because humping is not always stem from sexual desire, female dogs and neutered/spayed dogs may still hump.

How Do I Stop My Dog From Humping?

If your dog starts humping for no apparent reason, take him to your veterinarian, as any dramatic behavioral change warrants a vet checkup

If you have an intact dog, consider neutering/spaying. Although neutering doesn’t always stop a dog from mounting, it does reduce his sexual motivation.

Unless you’re dealing with puppies at play, curtail this behavior as quickly as you can. Rather than correcting your pup for humping, though, which could draw attention to the behavior and lead your pup to do it more, redirect his attention with an Off command. And then another command like Sit or Down. The same guidelines apply if your dog is humping something other than another dog.

Learn more about dog behavior only here at Makati Dog and Cat Hsospital

Thanks:
http://www.dogchannel.com/why-dogs/why-do-dogs-hump.aspx

0 Why Does Your Dog Have Whiskers?

A dog’s whiskers or vibrissae function as sensory feelers. They’re located not just on the muzzle, but on the chin and above each eye, and are some of the first hairs to grow in puppies. Each is embedded about three times the depth of a normal hair, and has a rich nerve supply. They’re similar to human eyelashes that can cause the eye to shut on reflex.

Try this with your dog: Touch his vibrissae on one cheek, and watch his eye on that side blink. It’s as though he had an extra set of eyelashes to warn him something’s coming at his eye.

Each vibrissae can be mapped to a specific location in the dog’s brain, suggesting they really do impart localized information.  They also seem to help dogs detect objects in dim light; they are so sensitive they can detect air currents bouncing off a wall, for example.

Dogs without vibrissae appear to be more hesitant in dim light compared to dogs with intact vibrissae.

Dogs probably rely on their vibrissae less than do cats or rats, but they wouldn’t have them if they weren’t important. Tell your groomer to leave them on. And don’t think you have to cut them off to win in the show ring. I’ve never met a judge who says they notice whether they’re there or not.

Learn More About Dogs Here At Makati Dog and Cat Hospital

Thanks: http://www.dogchannel.com/why-dogs/why-do-dogs-have-whiskers.aspx

0 Do Dogs Dream?

You’ve probably caught your dog whining or running in his sleep at one time or another. Don’t feel like you have to poke hime or wake him up – chances are good that he’s dreaming.

Dogs definitely remember things, so it makes sense to believe they have the ability to dream, just as people do. After all, dreaming is a normal part of organizing and reorganizing memories.

Like humans, dogs have two kinds of sleep. the deeper kind is characterized by rapid eye movements, so it’s known as REM sleep. We know humans dream during REM sleep. We also know the whining, heavy breathing, twitching and leg movements we’ve all seen in our dogs occurs during canine REM sleep. So it’s not far-fetched to believe dogs are dreaming, too.

We may never know for sure exactly what they’re dreaming of, but any guess that involves food is a good one.

Know more about Your Dog’s Behavior  at Makati Dog and Cat Hospital

Thanks: http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/does-your-dog-dream

0 Why Does Your Dog Curl Up In A Ball Before He Sleeps?

It’s nightime and your pup nestles snuggly in his bed, rolled up tight like a drum. It’s a common slumber position for dogs, but why? Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to stretch out while catching some shut-eye?

Well, yes, but there are two valid reasons why your canine rolls up in a ball to snooze – and they both relate to evolution.

Keeping Cozy

When dogs sleep in the wild, especially where it’s cold, they’ll dig a nest and curl up into it. This gives them warmth – tucking into a ball conserves body heat. It also protects their most vulnerable organs in the abdomen from would-be predators.

So if your pooch sprawls out to nap – instead of curling up – he’s either hot or he feels very safe in his environment.

Creating Security

If a dog is in unfamiliar territory, he will revert back to the instinct-based, curled-up sleep position.

For this reason, whenever you bring a new pup home, you’ll want to give him enough space accimilate to his foreign surroundings.

Another tip is to consider getting him a blanket. “This way, he can ‘dig’ a nest with the bedding material before he lies down instead of digging a place to nowhere on your carpet or couch.

Know More About Your Dog’s Behavior at Makati Dog and Cat Hospital

Thanks: http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-does-my-dog-curl-up-in-a-ball-when-he-sleeps

0 Why Does Your Dog Dig?

Digging is so much fun! No wonder your dog has a hard time understanding why you’re so steamed she just tore up your plants.

Even if you aren’t fed up with the many holes that make your yard look like a moth-eaten sweater, you might still want to know why your pup digs.

Here are the most common reasons.

It’s fun. Digging is what dog paws were designed for, which is why nature devised a simple scheme for ensuring dogs would be great at this behavior: Make them love it!

It relieves boredom (and sometimes stress). If you had at least two able paws, lots of energy, and time to kill, wouldn’t you dig, too? Digging gives a dog something to do, but it could also be a sign of stress, which is exacerbated by inadequate exercise or mental stimulation.

It’s how a dog makes a den. Consider it canine DIY: She’s building her own home. It’s great to have a place to hunker down when it’s cold (which is why cold-weather breeds are predisposed to digging), but dogs also build dens for safety (mostly when whelping their pups).

It’s a way to get to prey. Got voles or moles or other such vermin? If so, and you’ve got a Terrier breed and a yard, you’re likely to have holes all over the place. In fact, your yard may look a lot like Swiss cheese.

It’s how she can get under (and out). A dog looking to catch prey, find a mate, fill a belly, or simply enjoy a night on the town will sometimes dig an escape route.

Sometimes the reasons overlap, as when a bored, stressed Husky threatens to unearth a septic tank or when the occasional Parson’s Terrier attempts to burrow vole holes right into the sofa.

Know More About Your Dog’s Behavior at Makati Dog and Cat Hospital

Thanks: http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-does-my-dog-dig

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