Up until recently, the act of puppies pricking up their ears to human voices was simply cute. Now we know that it’s actually a form of communication between humans and their new pups. It’s not the sort of language that can be learned, however. Puppy-talk comes naturally to humans and puppies (but not adult dogs).
Whoever said, “Bring me a dog who doesn’t like to play and I will stand on my head,” knew the quintessential nature of man’s best friends. We love our canine companions as much as we love our children. In fact, many child-free couples love their dogs as if they were their children. And like children, dogs need to be engaged mentally as well as physically with interactive games and trick training.
It’s well-known that chocolates release feel-good hormones in people. So much so that there are those who argue that chocolate could be addictive. Just ask any self-confessed chocoholic. And, while chocolate, especially the dark kind, has proven health benefits for us, the exact opposite is true for dogs. Find out what makes chocolate toxic for dogs.
Plenty of people love dressing up dogs in clothes. And it’s not just the Paris Hiltons of the world. Dog clothing and accessories is a growing industry with everything from cutesy tutus to goth hoodies available. Then there are the Halloween costumes. Many pet parents put as much thought into their pet’s costumes as their own. Dogs dressed as Superman or rocking spider costumes are cute, but are they happy?
In an ideal world, pets and babies would always get along. In reality, there’s no telling how your animal companion will react to the new member of the family. Sometimes, pet owners have reported being delighted with the reaction, as their pet not only welcomes the newcomer, but actually undertakes responsibility for its protection. In other cases, pets appear indifferent, but at least show no intent to harm the child so long as it stays on its side of the fence.
Toys are a vital part of dogs’ lives, so ensuring that you buy the best quality you can afford is important. It’s equally important to be strict about the types of dog toys that you purchase because the wrong toy for your pet’s size or breed can have dire consequences. In fact, some dangerous dog toys can be fatal.
