Animal Medical Hospital’s Blog

Do you ever wonder what your pup’s thinking when they perk up their ears, or suddenly wag and stick up their tail when a new dog comes along? I think most dog owners agree that their pets are very expressive, but what they are thinking is still a mystery to most.

The team at Animal Medical Hospital & 24-Hour Urgent Care explored the body language of our canine friends, so that you can better understand their cues.

What Is Your Dog’s Body Language Saying

Understanding your pet’s body language helps when you are taking them out into the wide world. The outside is full of situations in which you can better know your pet and their response to stimuli, whether that’s an approaching stranger, the sound of a bird, or a friendly dog who wants to play.

Here are some basic examples of typical body language and what they mean.

As much as we love our dogs, there are things they do that make us cringe. Raiding the bathroom trash can, rolling in dead animals, and licking their own backsides comes to mind. But nothing beats dogs who eat poop.

If you’ve been sitting calming on the couch, minding your own business, and been the recipient of a “litter box kiss” from your dog, just know you’re not alone. The somewhat common behavior of eating out of the litter box is one that – although high on the ick factor list – is not usually something to worry about. 

Keep reading as Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care breaks down the facts about dogs who eat poop.

Summer may be winding down, but we still have plenty of nice weather left in Charlotte and plenty of time left to fit in more outdoor fun with your furry best friend. For many pet owners, dog parks offer a place for their pups to run free, socialize, and get their wiggles out. 

Just like in any other public space, there are rules of etiquette that should be observed in a dog park – both for you and your dog. Nobody wants to be that dog owner, so make sure you have a handle on proper dog park etiquette before you go.

If you have a talkative dog, you may have found yourself wondering (or yelling), “What the heck is all that barking about?” Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care knows that all that yapping can be a little annoying at times, but dog barking is actually a very important part of being canine.

The Purpose of Dog Barking

A dog barking is just as natural as a human talking. Dog barking is one way that our canid friends communicate with us and each other. Different barks and sounds mean different things. 

If your dog is barking a lot, chances are they are trying to communicate one of the following:

The image of a small child and a devoted family dog is a powerful one. At Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care, we witness the magic of children and their pets almost daily. There are even scientific studies supporting improvements in emotional skills, reading and cognition, decreased risk of allergies, and improved immune system function in children who are exposed to animals.

Of course, there is a right and a wrong way to do things. While kids and pets make an amazing match, it is important to be sure that we are responsible and safe when putting them together.

If you own a dog, you know there’s a reason they’re referred to as “man’s best friend.” It seems like dogs are always happy to see us, and sometimes, it may feel as if your dog can actually read your mind!

Although the bond between humans and their canine companions is remarkable, there are plenty of times when our pets reminds us they are, in fact, a different species. Let’s take a moment to examine some weird dog behaviors and what may be causing them.

It’s inaccurate to say that all domestic felines detest getting wet, but it’s not far from the truth. Sure, there are some delightful cats out there that, we can only assume, never got the memo about hightailing it far, far away from a running faucet. But for the most part, cats experience intrinsic, and often hilarious, reactions to the elixir of life.

Just when you thought you had them all figured out, we offer some insight regarding why cats hate water.

If your dog jumps on everyone who rings the doorbell, barks at every passing truck, or constantly begs for snacks, they’re terrific candidates for behavioral dog training. Of course, all canines – even older and well-behaved pets – can benefit from learning new skills. Not only does dog training provide them with “jobs,” but these meaningful moments prove they can and want to be included in family activities. After all, when your pet behaves, their access to outside opportunities is limitless.

Remember that time that you got so excited you piddled on the floor? No? While urinating out of sheer joy is not something humans normally do, many dogs pee when excited on a regular basis. While it may seem like a strange behavior, there is a method to the madness and, as usual, Animal Medical Hospital & 24 Hour Urgent Care has the answers.

Why Dogs Pee When Excited

Dribbling urine when the excitement ramps up is a surprisingly common dog behavior, but there are actually a few different reasons behind why it may be happening. Understanding the cause behind the problem is the best way to try and prevent yourself from mopping your floor everyday.

Dogs pee when excited because:

Whether your dog seems to lick every surface in sight or they simply provide a wet kiss on the hand when you walk in the door, dogs and licking just seem to go together. While some find this canine trait cute, others think it’s annoying or downright disgusting. Either way, it can be a hard habit for most pets to break and a confusing one for their owners. So why, exactly, do some dogs lick everything?

Was it Something I Ate?

Some dogs are attracted to the salt, lotion, or other products that we use on our skin. Those slobbery kisses to the face may be a sign of love (mother dogs lick their puppies quite often during the first few weeks of life) or it could be that you failed to wipe all the tomato soup off your mouth after lunch.

Being deficient in one or more key nutrients can also bring on a bout of licking, so be sure to feed your dog a high-quality commercial pet food. A nutritional analysis can be helpful in determining whether your pet is getting what they need for optimal health.