PawProper

If you share your home with a dog, you have been licked. Hands, feet, faces, furniture, the air itself — some dogs seem determined to taste absolutely everything. A little licking is normal dog behavior, but when it ramps up to constant, it is natural to wonder what is going on. Here is what your dog's licking really means, when it is harmless, and when it deserves a closer look. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure here. A golden retriever licking its paw — licking is one of a dog's most natural behaviors. Licking Is How Dogs Explore Dogs experience the world through their noses and mouths. Where we look at something, a dog sniffs it and then licks it. A dog's mouth is packed with scent receptors, and licking gives them a rich stream of information about taste, texture, and chemical signals we cannot detect. Puppies start licking from birth, and their mothers lick th...

Every dog barks. It is how dogs talk — to warn us, to greet us, to ask for attention, and to tell the world that the postman has dared to walk past the house again. Barking only becomes a problem when it is excessive: non-stop barking at every passer-by, barking for hours when left alone, or barking that has your neighbours knocking on your door. The good news is that excessive barking is one of the most fixable behaviour problems, once you understand why your dog is doing it. First, Find Out Why Your Dog Is Barking Dogs do not bark for no reason, even when it feels that way. The most common reasons are: Alert and territorial barking: barking at people, dogs, or vehicles passing the house or garden. The dog is warning you and defending their territory. Attention-seeking barking: barking at you to get play, food, a walk, or a fuss. If barking has worked before, the dog will keep doing it. Boredom barking: long, repetitive barking from a dog left alone in the garden with noth...