Modern day dogs do not have to hunt to survive. Dogs never go hungry as they are regularly provided with nutritious food by their owners. The habit of dogs to eat non-food items has continuously puzzled owners. It seems that dogs really need to supplement their diet with stones, barks, cloth and poop. A dog’s tendency to eat leaves would be much better than eating poop and rotting animals.

Dogs that eat leaves are believed to be correcting a dietary imbalance. Apparently, dogs can perceive if their system is not normal. A dog’s habit of eating leaves is attributed to the need to fill up a nutrient deficiency that would result if an owner provides the dog with cheaper but low quality food.

Dogs are voracious and indiscriminate eaters. These animals are very curious as well. An object that gains the attention of the dog will be chewed and swallowed. Voracious eaters that they are dogs would not pass up the chance to eat spoiled food. Would it be any wonder if these animals constantly suffer from an upset stomach? Fortunately, nature has given our canine friends ability to self medicate. Dogs simply need to eat leaves and presto! the foreign matters as well as the toxic substances in the stomach that ails the pet will be vomited. Dogs wanting to attract attention would eat leaves. Owners would curb the leaf-eating habit by reprimanding the pet. For a dog, reprimands would be better than no attention at all.

The life of the pet will not be put at risk by eating leaves as long as what the dog has ingested was not sprayed with toxic substances. Stopping the leaves eating habit is necessary to keep the pet safe.

Find out more about why dogs eat leaves and first aid for dogs at Sarah’s Dogs.

A dog will certainly not pass up the chance to eat a hamburger wrapper or a pizza box because it would have the mouth watering aroma of food. Would a book, a toilet paper or a newspaper still be interesting to the dog? Betcha by golly wow! Dogs really do have bizarre behaviors. The sounds of tearing paper would be very interesting for these curious animals. Dogs are well loved pets but an owner will certainly be irritated if the dog has decided to have for breakfast the important documents.

What will happen to a dog that is left alone at home all day? No toys and no one to play with will result to a bored dog and a bored can be equated to destruction. Newspapers, books, toilet paper, the telephone books or anything lying around will become interesting”toys” for the dog. Apart from having a playful and curious personalities, dogs do have the inclination to chew so that the texture of the paper as well as the tearing sound will be very interesting to a bored dog. Puppies have the inclination to chew and papers are one of the things that end up in the dog’s mouths. Eating paper and other things will be noticed in teething puppies as chewing is believed to soothe sore gums.

A dog that has the habit of eating papers may have an undiagnosed medical concern. The dog’s inclination to eat paper is commonly blamed on the behavioral problems. The pet’s tendency to eat papers may not be an outcome of a behavioral concern as it can be a symptom of anemia or a gastrointestinal disease. Malabsorptive and maldigestive disorders prevent the body from absorbing the nutrients found in the intestinal tracts.

Eating paper similar to the ingestion of other non-food items will be dangerous for the health of the dog. The papers ingested by the dog should come out the normal way. Eaten papers that get stuck inside the intestines will have to be removed through surgery and the pet owner would certainly need to absorb the large medical bills.

Sarah’s Dogs provides more information on why dogs eat paper as well as dog first aid.

Dogs are versatile thus these animals have performed various tasks aside from being pets. Again, the great smelling skills have been an excellent asset of dogs utilized to herd, to detect bombs and illegal substances. Rescuing lives have been added to the outstanding accomplishments of these animals branded as man’s best friends. Dogs really do have awesome scenting abilities because studies have proven that dogs can detect cancer. Dogs are outstanding companions but the outstanding scenting ability have further elevated the dog’s status in the eyes of man

A wet and cold nose is one of the distinct characteristics of dogs. The excellent scenting ability of dog is probably due to the cold nose. The awesome olfactory capabilities of dogs is attributed to the moisture that makes the nose cold.

We humans get cold noses when the weather is cold, the same thing is true with dogs Dogs are very active and curious animals. Dogs have the inclination to wander and to sniff anything that caught its fancy. It is not surprising for a dog to have cold noses because when they sniff the grasses and plants wet with dew, the moisture will that is sniffed will make the nose cold. Dogs have the inclination to lick. Dogs will be seen licking the nose after a meal.

Because the tongue is wet, the moisture will be transferred to the nose. The coldness of the nose enhances the dog’s body temperature regulating system. Dogs have an inefficient temperature regulating system. Dogs don’t sweat and to regulate body temperature, they have to loll the tongue to pant. The fluid that keeps the nose cold also helps in cooling the body.

At Sarah’s Dogs you can read more about why dogs have cold noses, dog first aid and many other interesting dog facts.

Dogs may not have the ability to speak but nature has endowed these intelligent and affectionate animals with the ability to use a whole range of body movements to communicate with people and with other animals. You would think that a dog is three-legged because of its tendency to prop its body against people. A dog scratching a hard to reach body part would lean on the legs of the master. On the other hand, a dog would lean on people not only to prop the body when scratching an itch. Affection, possessiveness, a show of dominance and protection are other reasons why dogs lean on people.

Dogs are social animals that would show their affection to their human family every chance they could get. As soon as the dog sees a member of its human family, it would speedily approach and would lick, kiss or lean on the its beloved person. Dogs are said to be intelligent creatures but in spite of that fact, a dog would ignore the well padded comfortable bed and choose to sleep on the legs and feet of its master.

The leaning habit of the dog can be a manifestation of its protective and possessive behavior. Dogs are very perceptive animals and they can easily see a potentially dangerous situation. The dog would stand between the perceived danger and lean on the master’s legs – ready to protect its favorite person. Dogs, especially those that have formed strong ties with their owners would be possessive of their masters. The dog’s tendency to lean can be an expression of its possessive characteristics.

Leaning would show the dog’s dominant behavior. Being pack oriented animals; dogs would need to look up to a leader of the pack and when no one is assuming the position will try to grab the opportunity to take on a dominant role. Owners of dominant pets will be overwhelmed with the task of managing the pet. The affectionate personality that is manifested by the dog’s tendency to lean is one of the reasons why dogs are highly valued pets but if leaning is done by the pet to be dominant then it is imperative for the behavior to be modified.

Find out more about why dogs lean, dog first aid and dog behaviour at Sarah’s Dogs.

Puppies are noticed to lick excessively and although this behavior is somehow lessened as the dog gets older, the inclination to lick will remain. Dogs are very affectionate pets and this affection will be shown by the dog’s inclination to lick the human family. Dogs not only lick humans and other dogs as they are also seen licking themselves. The dog’s tendency to lick the feet is very annoying to most dog owners. Dogs have the inclination to wander and the paws that are being licked may have stepped on disgusting things. A dog owner would certainly be annoyed if the pet that has stepped on feces would lick the paw clean and then deliver sloppy kisses to its owner.

Dogs have many reasons for licking the feet. Dogs are active animals and they do not spend a lot of their time grooming but the dog will be seen licking a dirty feet too. Remember, dogs are attracted by anything that humans find repulsive. Dirt and abhorrent things may be lodged between the paws and the dog would not stop until it is removed and eaten. Dogs have another reason for licking the feet – pain. A dog’s feet would always be injured by thorns and splinters because these animals have the inclination to wander. The dog may have broken nails too and because a dog’s most effective first aid measure is to use the tongue, the feet will be licked to ease the pain.

Boredom and anxiety are other reasons why dogs would lick the feet. Anxious people would bite the nail, anxious dogs would lick the feet. By licking the feet, the anxious feeling will be eased. For want of anything better to do, a bored dog will just settle to licking the feet.

A bored dog that licks the feet would be better than one that develops a destructive behavior. Excessive licking though can make the skin bleed. Licking the feet can be an addicting behavior thus an owner has to take measures to stop the unwanted behavior of the pet before the hard to cure sores known as granulomas would develop.

More about why do dogs lick their own feet and dog first aid at Sarah’s Dogs.

Time and again dogs would prove their affection and loyalty to the human friends. These animals are ready to deal with any discomfort just to be with their masters. Take for instance the dog’s tendency to sleep at the master’s feet. Dogs have a reputation of being good sleepers. If given a chance, dogs will sleep the day away. To have a good rest; we humans normally want to lie on comfortable bed. Dogs love to sleep but they are not very choosy where they would bed down. Dogs would ignore their comfortable beds if your feet is available to lie and to sleep on if it means being close to their favorite friends.

Being affectionate animals, dogs would always want to be with the human family. Because of the pet’s tendency to stick close to the master they are dubbed as Velcro pets. Dogs have the habit of leaning on the legs of their master and once there is an opportunity, a dog would immediately sidle to sit on the master’s lap.

The master’s feet would not be a very comfortable place to sleep on. A dog though would be ready to have cricks in the neck as long as it can get close to the master. Dogs are very protective of its people and the habit of sleeping on the master’s feet can be the dog’s way of ensuring that the master will always be protected. This habit can also mean that the dog recognizes the owner as the leader of the pack. Being pack oriented, dogs would need to have a well defined hierarchy. A dog that sleeps at the feet of the master is recognizing the leader of the pack.

This quaint behavior will do neither the dog nor the master any harm aside from the discomfort that the dog owner will feel from the weight of the dog. Dog owners would normally let the dog sleep at their feet but what if the dog is a giant breed – would you have the heart to disturb the sleeping pet?

Read all about why dogs sleep at your feet and dog first aid at Sarah’s Dogs.

This breed though apart from showing an extraordinary intelligence is noted to be affectionate and to have a clownish nature. The Affenpinscher is definitely the right dog for you, if you want a dog that will amuse you with its funny and crazy antics. This breed is really amusing as it has this attitude of showing off to get people’s attention every chance it could get. Would it be any wonder if the lowly rat catcher that curls up in barns would become highly valued pets that use the owners lap as a place to rest. An Affenpinscher however, is a sly dog. The sly dog has what it takes to wrap the owners around its little fingers. For so small a dog, it can exploit the family’s weak spots and in no time would conquer the entire household. This dog makes a loving and devoted pet but owners have to be aware of this little dog’s tough personality. It would never be wise to spoil this pet as the dog can become a small tyrant. The dog has this unwanted behavior of showing a bad temper if its wishes are not granted by its master. The dog is small but it will attack if teased by strangers. Loving care but consistent firm training would have positive results and turn this mustached little devil into spunky but lovable toy-like pet that will consistently bring joy to the family.

The Affenpinscher is listed as one of the toy breeds. The size makes this dog an ideal choice for an apartment dweller. Unlike other toy breeds, an Affenpinscher’s exercise requirement is rather high. The dog should be given an opportunity to exercise daily. Remember, an Affenpinscher is a hyperactive breed. An Affenpinscher, apart from being cuddly is also an affectionate pet thus it is not surprising for an owner to carry and cuddle the dog constantly. This breed though has to be allowed to expend its energies lest inactivity turn this dog into an obnoxious pet. Well trained and well cared for, the Affenpinscher will be an ideal home companion.

Dogs that puts on an act and turns in circles or cocks the head will bring out laughter from the family. For a while the weird behavior of the pet will be entertaining to the family. A concerned pet owner though would realize that something must be wrong with a dog that acts this way.

Scooting can be attributed to boredom. Dogs that don’t get enough attention from the family will either be destructive or will do something to gain the family’s attention. By dragging its butt the dog can get the attention of the family and would bask in the clapping and shouts of encouragement. The dog will be encouraged to scoot by the family’s laughter.

Dragging the butt though may not be for the benefit of the family. Dragging the butt can mean that the pet is experiencing discomfort. Dogs are indiscriminate eaters thus the discomfort that makes the dog scoot can be caused by a cloth, a string or plastic that gets stuck and dangles from its rectum. Dried up feces can also cling to the hair in the anal area. A dog will rub its rear end against the ground in an effort to remove foreign objects from its butt.

Worm infestation and anal gland disorders are possible reasons why the dog would drag its butt on the floor. A tapeworm infestation will make the dog scoot as the segments of worm on the anal are will cause severe itching. An impacted or abscessed anal gland is another reason why dogs would scoot. The doggie smell that differentiates one dog from another is secreted by the anal gland. The anal gland secretion is normally facilitated as the dog defecates but a low fiber diet that results to soft stools makes it hard for the anal glands to empty. Soft stools would result to impacted anal gland. A dog with an impacted anal gland will scoot and rub its rear end on the floor in an effort to empty the anal gland that is causing discomfort.

Want to know more about why dogs scoot as well as dog first aid. Visit Sarah’s Dogs.

Psychologist have different interpretations for the way people sleep. Have you ever wondered why a majority of dogs sleep all curled up? People that have had dogs for companions for a long time will know why dogs sleep all curled up. Before domestication, dogs have to survive in the wild on their own.

This means that these animals would hunt their own food and would sleep wherever they find a relatively safe place. Unlike modern day dogs, there will be no comfortable beds for these animals that would sleep in places open to the elements. The most obvious reason why dogs sleep all curled up is to conserve warmth. Curled up, the dog can basically protect the body from the elements.

Dogs are pack oriented animals thus they would always stay together. The wilderness is vast but these animals would need to find a place that would be safe from predators. Dogs have to sleep curled up to make room for other pack members. This manner of sleeping is done for protection. A sleeping dog all curled up is protecting the vital organs from the attack of predators.

Modern day dogs are living pampered lives. Dog were provided with all the food they can consume and all the things that would make their life comfortable. Pet owners make sure that dogs have comfortable beds. Dogs are also allowed to sleep on the master’s bed. However, dogs are still found sleeping all curled up. It would be hard for a dog to relax fully if it has to curl up thus the pet will not have a restful sleep. You can encourage the dog to take other sleeping positions to make the dog more comfortable.

Learn more about why dogs sleep curled up as well as first aid for dogs at Sarah’s Dogs.

Because dogs are considered as family members, they are regularly groomed and kept clean. Doggie powders, colognes and perfumes keep dogs fresh smelling in between bath. No matter how hard owners try to prevent the primitive behavior of dogs, the pet’s instinct to give in to the habit will surface from time to time.

Dogs probably love the smell of rotten animals as whenever they found one, they would immediately roll to get the smell in their fur. Apparently dogs hate being bathed as bathing time can be an arduous task for a dog owner. Fido and company though love to wallow in stagnant water. The dirty water would dry up leaving an unpleasant wet rag smell.

Dogs have the propensity to eat anything. Even potty trained dogs will not know how to properly clean themselves so that the ingested plastic or cloth that was not totally excreted will dangle from the rear end adding to the dog’s already unpleasant smell. The unpleasant smell can be due to dried up feces on the fur around the anus. The dog’s abhorrent smell can be due to a medical reason. Bad breath is a symptom of diabetes or a kidney disease. The disgusting smell of the pet can be can be due to an impacted anal gland, periodontal diseases as well as from an infected ear.

Dogs can identify each other because of the yellowish to grayish anal gland secretion that also give the dog the smell that is not too pleasant for humans. The primary reason why a dog smell though is poor hygiene. Humans too would smell if the sweat and the grime are not washed off from the body. Dog owners can easily deal with the unpleasant doggie smell by making sure that the dog is regularly groomed.

Read more about why dogs smell and first aid for dogs at Sarah’s Dogs.