Most of us have found humor in some pictures of dogs with signs proclaiming the specifics of their bad behavior, but that is largely because we can relate to the experience. Most of us have had a dog who did something similar, because so many of these behaviors are things that dogs do from time to time: urinating in an inappropriate spot, chewing something such as the remote control or the furniture, getting into the trash, jumping up on someone with muddy paws and drinking out of the toilet.
Laughing rather than crying over these little irritations of life with dogs has its proponents, but I’d rather people share stories without the photos, because dog shaming is not as harmless as many supporters of the practice claim. Many dogs are fearful and stressed in the pictures, perhaps because they are being scolded or are uncomfortable with the placement of the sign or the camera.
They sometimes exhibit submissive behavior that is misinterpreted as “looking guilty”. That is a problem because if people think that dogs look guilty, they are likely to think that the dogs know right from wrong in a moral sense or that the dogs really “know better” than to misbehave as they did. That can promote anger towards the dog, when what the dog most likely needs is more training and for the situation to be managed so the dog doesn’t have the opportunity to perform the undesirable behavior.
I was nervous when I saw the term “extreme dog shaming” in the title of this video from Late Night with Seth Meyers, but I largely enjoyed it once I realized that he had turned dog shaming around to poke fun at people. The confessions in the segment are examples of human behavior that other people generally frown upon. There is also a section in which Seth’s own dog mocks his famous guardian.
France’s first dog, Nemo, is a Labrador Retriever-Wirehaired Pointing Griffon mix that president Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte adopted
There’s a new occupant in the French presidential palace — a Labrador Retriever-Wirehaired Pointing Griffon mix named Nemo.
The adorable pooch carries on the tradition of French presidents having a dog. Two-year-old Nemo was adopted by current president Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, from the SPA animal refuge in Hermeray. Nemo was named for Captain Nemo, the submarine commander in the Jules Verne classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, reportedly one of Macron’s favorite books.
Nemo’s first diplomatic engagement was “helping” Macron welcome President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger. There’s a really cute video of the meeting on
the internet. I can’t wait to see more of Nemo’s First-Dog duties.
The holidays are right around the corner, but your dog is acting anything but jolly. He’s lost the jingle in his step. Gone is his ready-quick grin, the goofy barks and the jubilant dash to fetch a favorite tossed toy. Just like us, holiday stress in dogs can extend past the festive ushering of the new year.
Consider this: Your loyal canine pal is so tuned into you, your emotions and your schedule. But the comforting predictability of the household routine has been upended by your erratic comings and goings, the arrival of a large tree in the living room with don’t-touch ornaments, the smell of oh-so-tempting goodies from the oven and the not-so-welcomed appearance of strange and sometimes obnoxious people referred to as “relatives” by you. That’s a doggone lot to deal with, especially for your confused canine.
Look for these clues of holiday stress in dogs (although they could also be due to a health concern, so consult with your veterinarian):
Chewing up sofa pillows or comforters that he has left untouched before the holidays
Turning into a Velcro dog, shadowing your every step in the house
Piddling and pooping in the house after years of stellar potty habits
If you don’t address these behavioral changes, the doggie blues can continue after the holidays when you return back to work and the kids head back to school. This is especially true for highly social dogs who welcome the holidays because they know they will get more attention in the forms of petting, cuddling and, especially, treats from you and visitors. Suddenly, they find themselves home alone.
Whether you plan to take a holiday vacation sans your dog or intend to stay home and fill your house with lots of guests, Dogster offers these effective solutions to prevent Yule time from turning into yowl time.
How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re taking a vacation without your pup
If you plan to take a dog-free vacation, hire a professional pet sitter or take your dog to a reputable boarding facility. The choice depends on your dog’s health, age, temperament and experience with other dogs.
“Dogs who are shy, quiet and get intimidated by the presence of other dogs or loud barking will likely prefer to be at home,” says Leni Kaplan, D.V.M., a veterinarian at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York. “Dogs who can handle changes in their routines and environment, who are used to being around other dogs and especially those who go to doggie daycare are best candidates for boarding.”
In choosing a professional pet sitter, consider one who belongs to a professional pet sitting organization, such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. Members of these organizations must show proof of being licensed and bonded. This is not the time to save money by hiring the neighbor kid or an untrained house sitter.
“A professional pet sitter is prepared for emergencies and, in many ways, can be like Santa Claus to your dog,” says Joette White, president of Park Cities Pet Sitter in Dallas, voted the 2016 Business of the Year by NAPPS. “A pet sitter will feed, walk, play and love on your dog as well as pick up your mail, water the plants and take out the trash. We do all we can to let your dog know that he is loved and well-cared for during your absence. Plus, your dog gets to stay in his own home.” Boarding your dog — or taking him for doggie day care — are options if you have an energetic, social dog or one who acts up when there is a change in household routine.
“We get requests from people who know that the in-laws coming for the holidays don’t want dogs in the house or may be allergic to dogs or insist on bringing their dog who does not get along with your dog,” says Ash Vaughan, owner of Canine Republic Resort in Plano, Texas. His company was recently voted best boarding facilities by Plano Magazine. “We also get a lot of requests for doggie day care when people need a staycation at home or want their dogs in a safe place while they get the house ready for holiday guests.”
He advises that you scout out local boarding/day care facilities in advance and give your dog a “trial run” before the holiday to gauge his level of acceptance. His company offers a free day of day care during non-holiday seasons and encourages people to tour his center before booking a reservation.
How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re celebrating at home
If you plan to stay home for the holidays with your dog, here are some ways to save the sanity and fend off stress for you both:
Power walk with your pooch. Book time each day to take a daily brisk walk or run with your dog to stave off some of the holiday stress bubbling inside you both. Use the walk to mentally map out your holiday gift list or holiday dinner game plan — or as a good excuse to escape irritating or demanding relatives who are visiting.
Schedule canine cuddle time. Calmly call your dog over and cuddle with him on the sofa for five to 10 minutes each day. Enjoy being in the moment with your four-legged pal. You will be amazed how this daily ritual will help you and your dog survive, perhaps even thrive, this holiday season.
Dish up a holiday treat. Show your dog how much you love him by baking him a special batch of canine cookies or snacks. (See the sidebar for Marvelous Mutt Meatballs recipe).
Book an activity that your dog can join you in. Take your leashed dog on a walk through a neighborhood all decked out in holiday lights and decorations. (Bring a stash of his favorite treats and poop bags.) Or check online for any special dog holiday parties or events in your area.
Keep tabs on your dog through technology
Whether you are gone from home for the day or the entire holiday, you can keep tabs on your home-alone dog 24/7. There are lots of high-tech monitoring devices that enable you to see, speak and even dole out a treat to your dog with the click of a button. Some gadgets even allow you to remotely play fetch or have your dog chase a laser toy from apps on your smartphone.
Nix holiday stress in dogs by making these New Year’s resolutions:
Be ready for the next round of holidays by creating and embracing some New Year’s resolutions to benefit your dog. Here are a few to consider:
Become a label reader. Select quality commercial products that list a real meat (such as beef, chicken or salmon) as the first ingredient. Choose food made in North America to ensure quality compliance.
Schedule daily mini-play sessions indoors, especially during inclement weather. Mix and match different types of dog toys to maintain interest. Toss a tennis ball down the hallway or engage in a friendly game of tug-of-war with a durable rope toy, or praise him for stalking and “capturing” a plush toy with a squeaker inside.
Invest five minutes every day to brush your dog’s coat. Select the right brush or comb that fits his coat — short-haired, long-haired or nearly hairless like the Chinese Crested Dog or Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzcuintli). Or use grooming gloves designed for use on dogs.
Have pet safety hotlines on hand
Keep your dog safe year-round by posting the contact information of your veterinarian, after-hours emergency veterinary clinic and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in a visible place, like the refrigerator. The APSCA’s 24-hour hotline can be reached by calling 888-426-4435 or you can visit its website at www.aspca.org/apcc.
Arden Moore, The Pet Health and Safety Coach™, is a pet behavior consultant, master certified pet first aid instructor, author and host of the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. Learn more at ardenmoore.com.
I love petting my dogs, and I love it when I know my dogs want some petting. Sometimes, they’re so eager for affection that they shove their bodies against me, waiting for their pets. Not all dogs start out eagerly seeking affection, pets or otherwise. When I first adopted my German Shepherd Dog, River, she didn’t like if I tried to pet the top of her head, and it took a long time before she would let me hug her. (With Forest, I’ve had him since he was a puppy, so it was normal to be touched, hugged and petted.) It took a long time to build that with River, and it helped that I know how to pet a dog properly.
Wait — there it is again. How to pet a dog properly? Yes, there is a right and wrong way to pet a dog. Unfortunately, many of us just dive right into petting dogs we just met or don’t even know. Or, we fail to read our own dogs’ body language when they’re telling us “please stop.”
So, how do you pet a dog and learn to read his body language to see if he’s OK with petting? And how do you pet a dog you don’t know? Let’s find out.
Dogs typically accept being petted by their owners, but strangers are a different story
Thankfully, dogs are pretty accepting of our pets and hugs … but won’t necessarily want the same affection from a stranger. “It’s just like us,” explains Susan Newell, owner and lead trainer of Animal Minds Behavior and Training in Rancho Cordova, California. “A friend giving you a hug is much different than a stranger coming up and giving you a hug.”
However, if you’re like me, sometimes you don’t want a hug, even from your friends. Your dog could be the same way. So how do you know if your dog wants some pets? Let him tell you. “If your dog is initiating the interaction, or licks your hand, that’s typically a good starting place to begin petting,” Newell says.
How to pet a dog starts with how you approach a dog
When it comes to another dog you don’t know, definitely don’t try to start petting him until he hints that he’s OK with it. And don’t offer him your hand to sniff — despite what a lot of us were taught, it’s not a good idea, Newell says.
“I can’t tell you how many dogs I run into that have learned to start biting hands because of that,” she says. Instead, she adds, “The best thing you can do is let a dog come up to you and you not do anything that’s not invited.”
Your body language matters when petting a dog
You also need to watch your body’s position and language, Newell says. Specifically, we shouldn’t hover over dogs, as they might perceive it as a threat. We also need to watch the amount of eye contact we make while petting dogs. While it’s natural for us to want to lovingly stare into a dog’s eyes, a dog might not interpret it the same way. “It’d be like if someone came up to you, shook your hand and stared at you,” Newell says. “You’d be creeped out.”
The general rule of thumb is not to make too much eye contact, specifically any hard stares, when you meet a dog you don’t know. Just glancing at a dog, or keeping your eyes averted are best practices when petting dogs you don’t know.
A lot of dogs don’t like hugs. It depends on the individual dog, but to be safe, don’t hug a dog you don’t know. Your own dog might learn to tolerate hugs or even like them. However, it’s best to not let a stranger hug him or for you to hug any dogs you just met.
Where should you pet a dog?
There are specific areas dogs that dogs usually don’t like to to be pet: Their legs, paws, muzzles, tails and ears. (But behind their ears they tend to love). Another place dogs don’t like being touched? Their heads. Ironically, it’s almost instinctual for us to go right for the head. And while many dogs learn to tolerate it, why do it? There are plenty of better places to pet dogs that they seem to universally love.
Instead of the head, pet your dog under his chin or stroke his neck. Come in from the sides to scratch behind his ears, or wait until he rolls over so you can rub his belly. A dog who’s really into petting will often start moving his leg like he’s trying to scratch himself. The back of the neck, and the rump also seem to be popular spots for petting.
Training your dog to be pet by strangers
It’s not a bad idea to teach your dog to tolerate being touched and petted in places he doesn’t like — both by you and a stranger. The American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen exam specifically states that a well-trained dog should permit being petted by a stranger, as well as having his ears and legs examined.
The best way to do that is to ease your dog into it. I play with my dogs’ paws and ears here and there so they learn to tolerate it. I also taught them to let me hold their muzzles and examine their teeth and eyes, much like a veterinarian or groomer might.
While teaching them these things, I liberally rewarded them with treats so they learned to associate uncomfortable actions with their favorite foods. I did the same thing with strangers — my dogs learned that treats are close at hand when they accept a pet on the head from a stranger.
Read your dog’s body language
It’s good practice to teach your dog to tolerate petting he might not like. That’s especially true when you run into that person who swoops in and pets your dog without asking you, let alone establishing any kind of permission with your dog. It’s in those moments that you’ll be glad you taught your dog to put up with people.
That being said, you need to read your dog’s body language so you know if he doesn’t like something or when he’s had enough. This is especially important around other people: You don’t want to push your dog so far that he reacts negatively, Newell says. “Not every dog knows to take himself away when he’s done,” she explains. “You need to take him away from a situation. Most of the time, I’ll back up and encourage the dog to come with me.”
Backing up is key, because it not only gets your dog away from a person, it doesn’t bring him closer to a person like it would if you walked forward. This move is good for another reason: You don’t have to rely on a stranger to stop what they’re doing. Most people will become offended or ask why if you request that they stop petting your dog. Instead, just move backward and bring your dog with you.
What are the signs that a dog doesn’t like being petted?
“Body stiffness is huge,” Newells says. “If your dog holds his breath or his whole body goes stiff, that’s your first clue that it’s time to stop. If your dog’s ears go down, or his tail tucks under him, [these] are other important signs.”
Tell us: Where does your dog like to be pet? Where does he hate getting petted? What advice do you have for others on how to pet a dog?
Jessica Pineda is a freelance writer who lives in Northern California with her two German Shepherds, Forest and River. Check out her dogs’ Instagram page at @gsd_riverandforest.
With the holiday season upon us, guests arrive on our doorstep. Protective dog breeds may tolerate new company but sigh with relief when they leave. After all, many working and herding breeds were developed to watch (not cheer!) strangers. Other breeds like a few quiet visitors, but don’t appreciate loud, noisy groups. And, of course, some individual dogs, regardless of breed, are so purely family-focused that they scowl when the doorbell rings.
Today, we’re talking to five breeds that are good with holiday guests — and will likely entertain them, too.
French Bulldogs are known for being good with holiday guests. Photography courtesy Gordon Deen, French Bulldog Club of America, fbdca.org.
We delight in guests, as well as the morsels they drop. We’re also sufficiently self-assured to snooze (and snore!) smack dab in the middle of get-togethers when we need naps. Developed from English Bulldogs, we’re well-tempered, easy-to-keep and calm companions. But don’t think for one minute that laid-back means dull: I’ll sparkle and shine for visitors. I also won’t hassle you for long walks while you’re entertaining. I might, however, stand on your guests’ feet while they snack, reminding them of my presence and interest. My solemn expression disguises my passion for comedy; I’m called a clown in a philosopher’s cloak for good reason. Let’s start the party!
Coton de Tulears are social butterfliers. Photography courtesy Terry Coy, North American Coton Association, northamericancotons.com.
A true social butterfly, I’ll roll out the carpet for visitors. Let’s share some stories about my history, for I’m the subject of fanciful, delightful folklore. My ancestors are legendary for surviving shipwrecks, swimming ashore from pirate ships or being carried to land by noble ladies. However my forefathers arrived, they became the much-loved Royal Dog of Madagascar. I’m fluffy and cheerful, small but sturdy, and jolly on any day, holiday or not. I’ll greet guests with gusto, as well as a jig, a smile or a clever vocalization. Because I’m an adaptable breed, my family can turn up the holiday tunes, decorate the house (in all those odd human-devised ways!) and open the door to many friends. Neither flashy guests nor spirited talk chases me from the room. Both my antics and beauty crave an appreciative audience.
The Bichon Frise, a.k.a. “the Love Dog,” is famously good with guests. Photography courtesy Becky Buckman, Bichon Frise Club of America, bichon.org.
Since I’m known as “the Love Dog,” it’s no surprise that I love meeting guests. Developed in the Mediterranean from Poodles and Water Spaniels, we were gifted by sailors to ladies in ports and traded by various sea merchants. Our powder puff appearance and merry nature made us valuable bequests back in sea-faring days. Today, we’ll alert you to your guests’ arrival, but we certainly won’t shoo them away. We’ll charm your guests with affection and maybe a few spontaneous shows. We have a natural love of the performing arts; some of us worked as circus dogs. In addition to all those lovely traits, we also don’t shed much. Your guests won’t leave covered in dog hair!
Golden Retrievers are sporty, enthusiastic and welcoming to company. Photography courtesy Anne Lorenz, Golden Retriever Club of America, grca.org.
Sporty and enthusiastic, we’re keen on new playmates. If you can throw a ball at the same time you sip your holiday beverage, you’ll be my new best friend. We were developed as outstanding gundogs for retrieving fowl in Scotland. One of our breed’s founders, Lord Tweedmouth, helped nurture our athleticism, passion for water and gentle mouths. My openhearted spirit and positive energy will make any guest feel at home. My hosting skills are golden: I excitedly await my guests, I amuse them while they’re here, and I look sad when they leave. They came for my benefit, right?
Bernese Mountain Dog. Photography courtesy Bethany Tracy (link under her name: wasatchcaninecamp.com), Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America, bmdca.org.
I’m in the working group, bred in Switzerland as a general farm dog. I pulled carts to market, drove dairy cattle, watched for trespassers and kept my farmer company while he worked. These days, I’m family-focused, but relatively calm about newcomers. Unlike some breeds that instantly delight in guests, we may briefly check out strangers. Our breed standard says it’s OK if we’re slightly aloof initially. But with our generous and affectionate nature, we usually warm up quickly. We’ll soon be soaking up attention and adding to the celebration.
Tell us: Is your dog good with holiday guests? In your experience, what dogs are good with holiday guests?
Thumbnail: Photography courtesy Gordon Deen, French Bulldog Club of America, fbdca.org.
