Have you ever wondered why your dog bark at night? Or why they lick up your face? Here are 10 questions and answers about dogs that you've always wanted to know!
1. WHY IS MY DOG’S NOSE ALWAYS WET?
A common misconception is that your dog’s wet nose is a sign of good health. In reality, the moisture on Fido’s nose is no indication of their overall well-being. The reason for a dog’s wet nose is a little murkier. One explanation is that dogs repeatedly lick their nose throughout the day to keep it clean. Another is that the moisture helps them cool off. Dogs don’t sweat the way humans do, so they pant and let off extra heat through their noses. A special gland in the nose produces a clear fluid that helps them cool down faster.
2. WHY DOES MY DOG LICK ME?
Dogs will often lick their owner and other people as a sign of love and affection. When your dog licks you, they probably want something, like your attention, food or they want you to play with them.
3. WHY DOES MY DOG EAT POOP?
While poop-eating may seem gross to us, to dogs, it comes from total instinct. When a mama dog has a litter of puppies in the wild, she cleans up after their little poops the only way she can, by eating them. Not only does this keep her den clean; it also protects her puppies from nearby predators, who could be drawn in by the smell. Puppies often learn this behavior from mom, as it coincides well with their natural curiosity and desire to smell and taste EVERYTHING. While most pups grow out of this habit, some dogs eat poop as adults out of boredom, a lack of proper nutrition, or a lack of training against the behavior.
4. WHY DO DOGS EAT GRASS?
Sometimes dogs will eat grass because they have an upset stomach, and sometimes they may just be craving essential nutrients that they’re not be getting in their regular diet. Generally speaking, most experts see no danger in letting your dog eat grass in small amounts (assuming there is no pesticides and chemicals in the grass). If your dog has a sudden increase in grass eating, there could be an underlying issue, that requires veterinary assistance.
5. WHY DO DOGS BURY THEIR BONES, FOOD OR OTHER ITEMS?
Wild dogs used to bury their food to hide it and save for later so that other animals couldn’t get to it, but now that domesticated dogs have plenty of food, there are a few reasons why they’re still burying things. One reason could be instinct – Just because they’re domestic animals doesn’t mean that they lose the urge. The second reason could be that their owner is giving them too much food/toys and the dog wants to save it for later. Another reason could be that it is a game to them. If your dog wants your attention or is bored, they may steal valuable items from you (such as shoes or TV remotes) in order to get you to play with them.
6. DO DOGS DREAM?
Yes! They do, I believe you may notice your dog twitching or emitting light barks in his sleep. And just like we humans, dogs dream and go through REM sleep, (which is the cycle in which humans experience dreams). Study found that puppies and older dogs usually dream more often than middle-aged dogs!
7. WHAT VACCINATIONS SHOULD MY DOG HAVE?
Just like vaccinations for humans, immunization shots for dogs fall into two categories: necessary and optional. While laws vary by state, dogs are usually required to have an annual rabies vaccine, to prevent the spread of this dangerous disease. The ASPCA includes the rabies vaccine as a part of the core vaccines: those recommended by most vets for ALL dogs.
The other core vaccines are:
- Canine Parvovirus
- Distemper Virus
- Adenovirus-2
Non-Core, or optional vaccines, include Bordetella, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, and canine influenza, among others. While these are optional legally, and may not be recommended for all dogs, most canine boarding facilities and dog parks require all visiting pups to receive Bordetella vaccines in addition to core vaccines at least once per year (some need Bordetella once every six months). Before bringing your dog to a daycare or dog park, be sure to go over the vaccination requirements, and talk to your vet about the best way to keep your dog safe from disease.
8. WHY IS CHOCOLATE BAD FOR MY DOG?
Though chocolate is a tasty treat for humans, for dogs it is
poisonous. Chocolate's toxic component is theobromine.
Dogs process theobromine very slowly, which allows for it to
build up in their system to toxic levels. Different types of
chocolate have different amounts of theobromine, but
chocolate should always be out of reach of dogs.
9. HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BATH MY DOG?
I recommend you bathe a dog with normal skin once a month with dog shampoo or human baby shampoo. If you want to bathe more often than once a month, use a soap-free or moisturizing shampoo to prevent the skin from becoming dry. Do not bathe your dog more than once a week, unless recommended by your vet.
10. WHY DO DOGS SNIFF EACH OTHER'S REARS?
Dogs sniff rear ends as their way of asking, “Who are you and how have you been?” Canines can find out a whole slew of information from just a whiff. The secretions released by glands in the rump tell other animals things like the dog’s gender, diet, and mood. It’s sort of like talking with chemicals.
