List of articles № 15
Instruction: why a dog shakes its head, and when to rush to the vet.
Dogs shake their heads primarily to remove irritants from the ear canal, nasal passages, or eyes. A sudden, sharp movement forces air and fluid out of the affected area, relieving discomfort. Common triggers include ear mites, wax buildup, foreign objects, allergies, and infections.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to cool down a dog in the heat and prevent heatstroke.
Dogs experience heatstroke more readily than many other species because their thermoregulatory mechanisms differ fundamentally from those of humans. Unlike people, dogs cannot sweat through their skin; they rely almost exclusively on panting and limited sweat glands on their paw pads to dissipate heat.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: the hidden meaning in how a dog greets you after work.
When you step through the door after a long day, the first sign of a dog’s reception is often a vigorous tail motion. This movement conveys information far beyond simple joy. The tail functions as a multi‑dimensional signaling organ. Its position, speed, and amplitude encode the animal’s internal state and intentions toward the human.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to properly discipline a dog without breaking its psyche.
Understanding a dog’s innate drives is the first step toward humane correction. Dogs are pack animals; their hierarchy instincts compel them to seek clear leadership. When a dog perceives inconsistency, anxiety rises, and learning stalls. Recognizing these drives allows the owner to shape behavior without causing emotional trauma.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a dog hides food, and what it says about its condition.
Dogs conceal food for several interrelated reasons that reflect instinct, environment, and health status. The behavior originates from ancestral survival strategies: wild canids stored surplus prey to protect it from competitors and scavengers.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to recognize a heart attack in a dog.
A heart attack in a dog, medically termed myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow to a portion of the heart muscle is abruptly blocked. The obstruction typically results from a thrombus forming on a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque, though embolic events, coronary artery spasm, or severe hypertension can also precipitate the condition.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a dog is afraid of water and does not want to be bathed.
Dogs that have endured harsh baths, forced immersion, or sudden splashes often develop a lasting aversion to water. The memory of pain, loud noises, or restraint becomes a negative anchor that triggers anxiety whenever a bathing situation arises.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a dog chases its tail.
Understanding tail‑chasing behavior requires examining the canine play system. Play instincts drive a sequence of actions that mimic predatory and social interactions; the tail functions as a readily available, moving stimulus. When a dog perceives its own tail as an object that can be pursued, the neural circuitry that governs chase, capture, and reward is activated.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to strengthen a dog's immune system before the cold season.
A robust immune system determines a dog’s capacity to resist infections, recover from illness, and maintain overall health during seasonal temperature drops. When the cold season arrives, pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites become more prevalent, and the body’s physiological stress increases.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a dog is attacked by another dog.
When a canine confrontation erupts, the first priority is a rapid, accurate appraisal of the scene. An expert response hinges on three core observations: safety, behavior, and injury. Secure personal safety. Position yourself out of the dogs’ line of attack, use a barrier such as a jacket or a stick if needed, and avoid direct contact until the threat subsides.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if a food is not suitable for a dog.
Dogs lack the enzymatic pathways needed to process several common ingredients. When a food contains such compounds, the animal’s digestive system cannot break them down efficiently, leading to toxicity or severe gastrointestinal distress. Proteins derived from raw or undercooked meat may harbor pathogens such as Salmonella and E.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a dog «nudges» you with its head.
The head‑nudge is a distinct canine gesture in which the animal presses its muzzle against a person’s body, arm, or hand. Researchers classify it as a form of tactile solicitation that conveys specific motivational states. Seeking attention:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: three deadly symptoms that must not be ignored.
Symptoms are the body’s earliest warning signals, providing clinicians with critical data before disease progresses to irreversible stages. Recognizing and acting on them shortens diagnostic intervals, limits tissue damage, and improves survival rates, especially when the underlying condition carries a high mortality risk.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to choose a name for a dog that will bring it happiness.
Choosing a name that supports a dog’s emotional wellbeing requires understanding how auditory cues shape canine perception. Dogs process sounds through frequency, rhythm, and emotional tone; a name that aligns with these parameters can reinforce positive states and reduce stress.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a dog stops on a walk and refuses to move.
Understanding dog behavior provides the key to interpreting a sudden halt during a walk. When a canine pauses and refuses to continue, several underlying causes are typically at play. Physical discomfort is a primary factor. Pain from joint inflammation, muscle strain, or an injury can make forward motion uncomfortable.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to check a dog's vision and hearing at home.
Regular sensory examinations protect a dog’s health and welfare. Detecting vision or hearing loss early prevents secondary injuries, such as collisions with furniture or failure to respond to commands, which can lead to fractures, bruises, or dangerous situations.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a dog develops allergies.
As a veterinary dermatologist, I observe that allergic skin reactions in dogs typically present as itching, redness, hair loss, or scaly patches. Immediate identification of these signs allows prompt intervention and reduces the risk of secondary infections.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why playing with a laser pointer with a dog should be avoided.
The rapid visual stimulus produced by a laser pointer triggers an immediate, high‑intensity focus in most dogs. This instant engagement creates a cascade of physiological responses: heart rate spikes, adrenaline release, and heightened alertness.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: the worst piece of dog training «advice» from the internet.
The internet supplies a constant stream of dog‑training material, yet its open nature allows unverified claims to spread as quickly as legitimate guidance. Search engines prioritize popularity over scientific validity, so trainers with large followings often dominate visibility regardless of credentials.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if a dog is jealous and how to deal with it.
Canine emotional life includes a spectrum of feelings that influence behavior, social hierarchy, and interaction with humans. Among these feelings, jealousy appears when a dog perceives a threat to its access to a valued resource, typically the owner’s attention.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a dog sneezes, and when it is not just a cold.
Veterinary specialists recognize that sneezing in dogs often signals an acute response to airborne irritants rather than an infectious process. When a canine inhales particles that irritate the nasal mucosa, sensory nerves trigger a rapid, involuntary expulsion of air to clear the passage.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to make a walk with a dog interesting and beneficial.
Engaging walks provide the primary source of aerobic activity for most dogs, supporting cardiovascular health, joint mobility, and weight management. Regular, varied movement stimulates muscle groups that passive indoor life neglects, reducing the risk of obesity‑related disorders and musculoskeletal degeneration.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a dog constantly begs at the table.
Dogs beg at the dining table for several interrelated reasons that stem from their biology and training history. First, the scent of human food activates a powerful olfactory response; dogs possess a keen sense of smell that can detect even trace aromas, prompting a desire for the source.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to identify a dog's breed from a photo with 98% accuracy.
Accurately determining a dog’s breed from a single image presents several technical and practical obstacles. First, visual similarity among breeds can be misleading; many mixed‑breed dogs share coat colors, ear shapes, and body proportions with purebreds, making visual cues ambiguous.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a dog licks you, and it is not always a sign of love.
Dogs lick humans for a variety of reasons that extend beyond affection. The most widespread belief equates every lick with love, yet this simplification overlooks the complexity of canine communication and physiology. Owners often interpret licking as a direct expression of bonding, but the behavior can also signal:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to accustom a dog to a muzzle without stress.
Muzzle training protects both the animal and the handler. A well‑conditioned dog tolerates a muzzle during veterinary visits, grooming sessions, and public outings, preventing bites that could result in medical emergencies or legal consequences.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a dog eats a poisonous plant.
When a dog ingests a toxic plant, early recognition of clinical signs can be the difference between recovery and severe injury. The following manifestations appear most frequently and should prompt immediate veterinary consultation. Gastrointestinal distress:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a dog chooses one «owner» in the family.
Early interactions shape a dog’s perception of reliable caregivers. From birth to eight weeks, puppies rely on the dam for nourishment, warmth, and protection; this period establishes the neural circuitry for trust. When humans intervene during this window-through gentle handling, feeding, and exposure to household sounds-they become secondary sources of safety.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to take the perfect photograph of a dog.
An expert photographer preparing to capture a dog’s expression must equip the kit with tools that deliver speed, control, and durability. A reliable DSLR or mirrorless body with high‑speed autofocus ensures the subject stays sharp even when the animal moves unpredictably.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do with a dog when going on vacation.
Before departing, arrange a comprehensive veterinary examination. The exam confirms fitness for travel, identifies conditions that could worsen in unfamiliar environments, and validates that preventive measures are current. Verify that core vaccinations (distemper, parvovirus, rabies) are up‑to‑date;. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to know if a dog is a genius.
As a specialist in canine cognition, I evaluate a dog’s intellect primarily through its problem‑solving performance. When presented with a novel obstacle, a truly gifted dog will demonstrate the following behaviors: Rapid identification of the goal (e.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a dog should not be anthropomorphized and what it leads to.
Understanding anthropomorphism begins with recognizing that humans instinctively attribute human emotions, motives, and intentions to non‑human animals. This mental shortcut simplifies complex animal behavior but creates a false equivalence between species.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to pet a dog correctly to give it maximum pleasure.
When a dog’s tail moves, it conveys precise information about its emotional state. Recognizing these signals allows you to adjust your touch, timing, and pressure, ensuring the animal experiences maximum enjoyment during petting sessions. A relaxed, broad sweep of the tail, especially when the tail is held level with the spine, indicates contentment.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do in case of dog poisoning before arriving at the clinic.
When a dog has ingested a toxic substance, the first clue often appears as an alteration in behavior. Recognizing these changes enables rapid intervention before professional care is reached. Sudden lethargy or collapse indicates systemic distress.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a dog tries to «bury» food in its bowl.
Dogs that push food toward the edge of their bowl, scrape it onto the floor, or cover it with kibble are expressing a behavior inherited from their wild forebears. In the wild, canids secured meals by concealing them from scavengers, competitors, and seasonal scarcity.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to make healthy treats for a dog independently.
Homemied dog treats give owners complete control over ingredients, eliminating unknown additives and common allergens found in commercial products. By selecting fresh proteins, whole grains, and low‑glycemic vegetables, you can tailor each batch to meet specific dietary requirements such as weight management, joint support, or skin health.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a dog shows aggression towards children.
When a dog exhibits hostile behavior toward children, identifying the underlying form of aggression is the first step in developing an effective response plan. Fear‑based aggression - the animal perceives a child’s sudden movements, loud voices, or unfamiliar handling as a threat and reacts defensively.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to know if a dog has worms.
Internal parasites are organisms that live inside a host’s body, obtaining nutrients from tissues, blood, or the gastrointestinal tract. In dogs, the most common internal parasites include roundworms (Toxocara canis), hookworms (Ancylostoma spp.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a dog sleeps on its back with its paws spread out.
As a canine behavior specialist, I present the sleep postures most frequently recorded in domestic dogs. Lateral recumbency: the animal lies on its side with legs extended or slightly bent. Fetal curl: the body is coiled, tail tucked near the chest, limbs drawn inward.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to survive the death of a beloved dog and cope with grief.
Pet loss triggers a distinct grieving process that differs from human bereavement in several measurable ways. The bond with a dog often combines companionship, routine, and unconditional emotional support, creating a relational dynamic that embeds the animal into daily structures and identity.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59