Why Do Dogs Smell Crotches of Your Guests?

Why do dogs smell crotches of your guests?

Why Do Dogs Smell Crotches?

Photo Source: WebMD

This is somewhat the same as dog’s smelling other dog’s behinds – to establish identity.  It is most likely that dogs are simply attracted to the bouquet of aromas radiating from our human bodies.  Not to be overlooked is the fact that the muzzle of the average dog is approximately the same height as the crotch of an average person.  It is just so convenient to smell the crotches of your guest.

 

 

Your dog considers you, your family, and your guests as members of its pack.  Each individual has its place in the hierarchy of the pack and each member of the pack has their own distinctive scent signature.  This signature serves to distinguish each member of your dog’s pack.

It is clearly a nuisance, yet, next time remember this is how dogs introduce themselves to their pack members.

Photo Source:  WebMD

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Arthritis in Dogs Symptoms, and Treatment

Arthritis in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

If you have a dog, you will probably have to deal with arthritis when he gets older.  Arthritis in dogs is the most common health issue in older dogs.  Just like humans, your pet´s joints will wear out and tear due to use over the years. Arthritis is, then, an inflammation of the joints.

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What causes Arthritis in Dogs?

Although arthritis in dogs is more common in older dogs, it can also happen in young ones, especially after there have been problems with bone and joint development.

Bone surfaces in dogs are normally covered with joint fluid that allows them the two surfaces to glide freely against each other. This reduces friction between joints. When the cartilage within the joints changes or suffers damage, friction is increased as bones rub against each other.  his causes great discomfort and pain in your dog.

The constant rubbing of the bones at the joint promotes the growth of new bone, making the joint stiffer. This gradually limits the dog’s movement. This condition is known as degenerative joint disease.

The cause of this damage to joint cartilage can be caused by trauma, joint instability, or abnormal cartilage development.

What are the symptoms of Arthritis?

A dog suffering arthritis will no longer be keen to exercise as they used to. The pain and stiffness will bring great discomfort to your dog. Sometimes, dogs lick profusely on the area where they hurt. Joints rarely look swollen or hot.

In most cases, the signs of arthritis are hard to detect with the naked eye. Some dogs will display evident signs of pain but others will just grow slower.

What should I do if my dog suffers arthritis?

There are several things you can do to alleviate the pain caused by arthritis in dogs. Physical therapy should be specific to the needs of your dog. For starters, you should control your dog´s diet and provide enough exercise. Arthritis is more common in overweight dogs.

For dogs with arthritis, there are several exercises that are ideal. These can be:

  • Leash walking and mild jogging.
  • Swimming.
  • Underwater treadmills.

Medical treatments for a dog suffering arthritis include cartilage protectors to reduce cartilage damage, a family of drugs known as nutraceuticals (glucosamine and chondroitin), and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).  Unfortunately, even when you can keep your dog in therapy to cope with arthritis, the condition will not go away. Once a cartilage breaks, it cannot repair itself completely. However, with the proper therapy, you can have a pain-free dog.

Source:  Dogalize:  http://www.dogalize.com/2017/02/dog-disease-arthritis-dogs/

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Why Do Dogs Sniff the Butts of Other Dogs?

Why Do Dogs Sniff the Butts of Other Dogs?

The classic doggie handshake.  Sniffing the other dog’s butts is how dogs identify and introduce themselves to one another.  This is essentially how dogs say to one another: “hello”.  “Have we met before?” “Do I know you?”

Why Do Dogs Sniff the Butts of Other Dogs

Why Do Dogs Sniff Each the Butts of Other Dogs

Just like human fingerprints, each and every dog has a scent unique to only them.  These scents are the secretions from the anal sacs (pair of small, kidney-shaped glands on either side of the anus).  Not only does this unique scent distinguish each dog from one another, it also serves to divulge whether this new dog is male or female.

Interestingly scientists are still discovering what additional information may be revealed through each signature scent.

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Why Do Dog Destroy Furniture – Part 2. Tips You Can Do To Stop This Behavior!

Why Do Dogs Destroy Furniture?

Tips You Can Do To Stop This Behavior!

Why Dogs Destroy Furniture

 

 

Why Do Dogs Destroy Furniture? Now that you understand the underlying causes of our dogs destroying the furniture, what can you do?

Have you ever looked under your couch cushions??  All those snacks, popcorn, crumbs, and whatever, are a modern day dinner table for your dog.  Dogs, with their advanced sense of smell, find this an engraved invitation to find out more.  Once they find this possible bonanza, the licking, chewing and digging are certain to follow.  The best thing is to keep crumbs from accumulating, before the odors get into the furniture.

Toys!  Oh how we love toys.  Dogs are learning what is appropriate to chew and what is not.  Their very own toy box stuffed with tennis balls, squeaky toys, plush toys, rawhides –whatever your dog loves.  Every time they head for the furniture, put the special toy right next to the furniture target and say “No chew”.  After which, “look in your toy box” most dogs will learn what these words mean.  Especially if the toy box is peppered with some dog biscuits. Many dogs can chew on a tennis ball for hours.

Exercise.  In Part 1, we discussed how exercise is the main reason for destruction.  Dogs naturally have energy, it was breed into them.  Most dogs do not get the exercise they need.  Even a short 10 minute walk before work will burn some of that energy, and hopefully will negate the need to spend energy destroying things will you are gone.  Plus, who doesn’t love spending time with their dog?  Walking is a bonding experience which helps dogs feel secure.   Secure dogs are the least likely to be destructive.

 

Why Dogs Destroy Furniture

Why Dogs Destroy Furniture

 

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Why Does My dog Do That? Why Dogs Destroy Furniture Part 1

Why Do Dogs Destroy Furniture?

-It’s a Teenage Thing.

Why Dogs Destroy Furniture

Why Dogs Destroy Furniture

We have all heard the horror stories of dogs chewing through a sofa or chair.  Take heart, this behavior is “fixable”.  It will take time and patience, yet dogs can learn that furniture is made for people use, and not something to shred.

Why do dogs chew the furniture?  It is simple – it is something to do when there is nothing to do.  Years ago most dogs where breed specifically to do some kind of work.  Well, that was years ago, and now our domesticated house dogs spend their time lounging around – especially if the owners are at work all day.  They don’t get much exercise as they used to. . .and they are bored.

Not enough exercise is the main reason dogs ruin things around the house.  Furniture is right there and it comes in a wide variety of juicy smells, tastes, and textures.  Remember how important smell is to our canine companions.  Often dogs chew things simply because they are there.  One lick on the chair leg – hmmmm. . . . that was not bad tasting.  Now a lick becomes a chomp.  Next thing you know the chair is shredded fabric, stuffing, and splinters.

Why Dogs Destroy Furniture

Yet, here is some good news!  Usually destroying furniture is just a phase.  Sometimes you have adult dogs that continue this behavior after puppyhood; however, mostly this is a problem with younger dogs.  Remember, just like our babies, puppies go through a teething.  Usually puppies are not big enough to do major damage, it is the adolescents (6 months to 2 years) that are capable of the maximum destruction.

Speaking of adolescents, just like our teenagers, adolescent dogs are wild ones.  Energy and hormones combined with not enough training, well you get the picture.  Most owners at this point wonder what they have gotten into!  Just remember that most dogs grow out of this phase of destroying the furniture.

 

NEXT:   Why Do Dog Destroy the Furniture – Part 2.

Tips You Can Do To Stop This Behavior!

 

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