5 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Dogs
As a dog play place, we get lots of questions from dog owners. Here are the 5 most frequently asked questions we get about dogs:
1. Why do dogs eat grass?
Most vets agree that grass can settle a dog’s stomach, or relieve gastrointestinal symptoms, parasites or infections. Another theory is that dogs crave some nutrients found in grass. And the last theory is a delicious one: they simply like it!
2. How should I introduce my dog to… (a new dog, a baby, a cat)
The most important thing is that introductions happen under supervision. Make sure you take it slow, keep the parties separated until they have a chance to get used to the others’ smell. Separate them if there’s a sign of aggression, and keep prized toys and food far away during the meet & greet. Once your dog and the newcomer are used to each other, allow a few minutes of contact, then take a break and start over again, increasing the amount of time they spend with each other until it feels like they are comfortable in each other’s company.
3. Why does my dog howl?
Howling can occur for any number of reasons: when your dog is distressed, feeling territorial, anxious, can’t get out of a situation, or when responding to other noises (like sirens or other dogs howling). For some dogs, it’s also just fun… kind of like singing in the shower! Howling can also signal “get lost” to other dogs, intruders, and strangers, and to alert his pack that there might be a danger nearby.
4. Does my dog dream?
Dogs do actually dream! Their dream cycle begins about 20 minutes after they fall asleep. Signs that they’re dreaming can include shallow, irregular breaths, muscle twitching, and eye movements behind their eyelids. The real question is…what are they dreaming about?!
5. Should I clean my dog’s ears? If so, how?
You can minimize a chance of infection by cleaning your dog’s ears, but only if you do it in the right way. Use a small amount of a cleaning agent and massage the base of the ear. Let your dog shake his head and then wipe out the remaining fluid. Don’t place anything into your dog’s ear, and leave the cleaning sessions to 1-2x/month.