As dog owners, we often like to convert our dog’s age to “people years” using the age-old 1 dog year equals 7 human years. Recent research studies on dogs’ DNA show that the math is actually a bit more complicated, and that the ratio of dog years to human years changes as the dogs age.

There is value in converting your dog’s age to human years since it will give you a better understanding of where your dog is at developmentally and health wise. Depending on their size, dogs become mentally adults at 2 years old and reach senior status between ages 7 and 10. Calculating your dog’s “human age” with this new formula will help put those numbers into perspective.

How to Calculate Your Dog’s Age

When we map a dog’s age progression to a person’s, we find that dogs age more rapidly in the first years of their life. The aging process slows down as they get older. We can break it down like this for the average dog:

• The first year of life for a dog is equivalent to 15 years for a human.
• The second year of life is equivalent to 9 years for a human.
• Every year after that is about 4 or 5 human years.

So if your dog is 5 years old, they are approximately 36 people years old. A 10 year old dog is about 60 years old.

Size and breed also impact these numbers. In general, the larger the dog, the shorter the life expectancy. This is an interesting phenomenon because giant breed dogs - those over 100 pounds - age more slowly in the initial years and are often not considered full grown until they are more than 2 years old. Their aging process then speeds up rapidly, and some are considered seniors by the time they are 5 years old. In human years, a 1 year old giant dog is about 12, and by 10 years, they are 80 human years old.

Of course, your dog’s behavior is more important than the match in figuring out what your dog can do. Some dogs will keep their playful puppy nature well into their adult years and others will begin slowing down at the human equivalent of 40 years. In the end, it is more important to tailor exercise and stimulation to your dog rather than the numbers.

It’s hard not to smile at your dog when she comes running to you, tail wagging. But can your dog tell by your smile that you are happy to see her? Or for that matter, can she tell that your frown means you are upset after she eats one of your shoes?

Scientists have been studying dog behavior and recent research reveals that dogs do have some ability to understand our expressions, but relying on expressions alone may not be the best way to communicate with your pup. Here is how dogs respond to our expressions and what that means for your training.

Studies Regarding Dogs and Facial Expressions

Researchers have long done studies where they measure dogs’ brain activity when shown pictures of humans with different facial expressions. By using an MRI machine and studying behavioral cues, scientists have seen that a dog responds differently depending on whether the dog is looking at a happy face or an angry one. Dogs also show recognition of their owner’s faces over other faces.

Much of this is likely a result of training, rather than a completely innate understanding of what we convey with our expressions. Think about how your dog experiences your facial expressions while she is a puppy:

• You often smile before you give your dog treats, pets, or attention.
• You look upset before you deliver a reprimand or correction.

A recent study from last year supports this idea. In the study, researchers looked at brain activity in dogs when they looked at a face and the back of a person’s head. The result? The activity was the same. The dogs knew they were looking at a head, but a face with an expression was not any more exciting to them than the back of the head.

One of the reasons for this is that dogs communicate with each other using their entire body. The way they hold themselves, their tails, their ears, their teeth, and their tongues all convey their thoughts while people rely in large part on our facial expressions. Dogs learn to recognize our facial expressions but are not naturally attuned to it.

The fact that dogs learn how to read our expressions shows how adaptable they are to living alongside people. They even change their own behavior. Pet dogs will display more intense expressions when they know a person is present as opposed to when they are only with other dogs.

Building communication skills between you and your dog is an essential part of training, and it is something that you will both learn over time. Helping your dog understand your forms of communication, such as expressions and eye contact, is another skill you want to focus on training, rewarding, and correct, as with all other behaviors.

2020 and the coronavirus pandemic brought changes for many families. Thousands of workers moved to remote work. At the same time, people adopted a record number of dogs. Our new furry family members, and the dogs that we already part of our families, got used to having someone home with them 24/7.

Now as the country reopens and we return to in-person work, school, eating out, and running children from place to place, our dogs will suddenly be spending more time alone. By making a plan to ease your dog into the new routine before you return to work, you can prevent separation anxiety and the unwanted behaviors that stress can cause in dogs.

Strategies for Preventing Dog’s Separation Anxiety After Covid

Veterinarians and dog trainers advise that training your dog to be comfortable alone takes about 4 weeks on average, although this will vary between dogs. Starting as soon as possible will give you the most time to prepare before you go back to work:

• Begin Small - Start by leaving your dog alone for only a few hours at a time and work up over time to the full length of a workday.
• Start a Routine - A routine gives your dog peace of mind because she knows what to expect. Feed, walk, and exercise her at the same time each day, and try to stick with the routine even on weekends.
• Add in More Exercise - An extra walk or game of fetch can help your dog burn off the energy they save up while you are gone.
• Crate Train - Consider refreshing your crate training. The crate gives your dog a comfortable den to hang out in while you are away and lets you be sure she is not getting into any trouble.

Another option for easing your transition back to work is to hire a professional dog walker who will stop by your home during the day to take your dog for a walk, spend some time playing, and give her some attention. This is especially useful if you didn’t have enough time to get your dog comfortable before you had to go back to in-person work, but is helpful to any pet parents. It limits the time your dog is alone and helps both of you adjust to the time apart.

Finally, sometimes what you need most is training. If you'd like additional help training your pet during this transition time, contact us today for more information about training for both puppies and adult dogs. We are available via Zoom as well as in person within the Chicago area. 

Whether you’re bringing a new puppy home or looking to get your family dog a more comfortable place to nap, a dog bed is a must. Yet the number of beds available can make the decision of what to buy your dog overwhelming. This guide explains some of the differences between beds and which types work best for certain dogs.

Bed Options for Your Dog

Read more ...

It seems like dogs can, and do, fall asleep anywhere - sprawled on the floor, curled in a tight corner of the couch, or even face planted in their dog bowl. Some dog owners know the frustration of buying an expensive dog bed only to have their pup sleep anywhere but on their bed. With these habits, you might wonder if it’s really worth buying your dog a bed.

The fact is that giving your dog a comfortable spot of their own to sleep has many benefits. For dogs that are resistant to spending time in their beds, there are also some easy training steps that will make them happier to curl up there.

Read more ...

A dog’s fur is one of the quintessential parts of his appearance. There’s the color, the length, the texture, and the patterns. The coat also determines his grooming needs and how he handles different weather conditions. The two different coat types are grouped into single coats and double coats.

Coat types can be traced back to the breed’s original purpose and habitat in most dogs. The double coat has an undercoat of soft, thin fur for insulation and an outer coat of “guard hairs,” making them better suited for cold weather or running through brush. Single coated dogs have only the outer layer of “guard hairs.”

Read more ...

An ear infection is a painful experience for your dog. Occurring when bacteria or a fungus enters the ear, they typically require a vet visit and medicine to cure. All the while, your dog suffers. Paying attention to some common indicators of a problem with your pet’s ears can help you catch an infection early.

Any dog could potentially get an ear infection, although there is some evidence that breeds with long and floppy ears have a greater risk. Breeds like Labradors naturally produce more earwax and Chow Chows have a smaller ear canal, both of which can trigger infections. Regularly checking your dog’s ears and cleaning them when necessary helps prevent infections.

Read more ...

The first time you witness your dog reverse sneezing, it can be worrying, especially if you are not sure what’s happening. During one of these episodes, your dog will quickly breathe in through her nose. It makes a snorting sound that sounds as if the dog is sneezing and inhaling at the same time.

Paroxysmal respiration is the scientific name for this behavior, and it’s relatively common. Reverse sneezing is also harmless in most cases. Temporary irritation can cause your dog to reverse sneeze for a few brief moments before they recover on their own.

Read more ...

Your local dog park can be a great place for your dog to socialize and get some off leash exercise. But not all dog parks, and not all dogs, are the right fit. A disastrous dog park trip can lead to injury, stress, and lingering anxiety. In preparation to visit a dog park, consider the parks around you and whether or not your dog is ready. 

Read more ...

As you bundle up to face the snowy, cold, and wet weather during the winter months, you might wonder if your dog should don a jacket and boots as well. Dogs tend to run warm and their durable paws protect their feet during the more temperate seasons, but their natural characteristics might not be enough in freezing temperatures. A warm jacket and boots can help keep them comfortable and safe during the winter.

Read more ...

As humans, eating lots of fruits and veggies is key to staying healthy. Dogs require many of the same nutrients, and looking at the ingredients of your pup’s food will reveal that it is filled with fruits and vegetables.

But if you’re looking at feeding your dog fruits and vegetables outside of their regular food - either as a treat or for nutrients - you’ll want to know which foods are safe. Regardless of which fruits and vegetables you give your dog, they should be prepared without oil, salt, or other seasonings.

Safe Fruits and Vegetables for Dogs

Many fruits and vegetables can be a source of vitamins and minerals. They make for good treats. In the summertime, frozen fruits can be a refreshing treat for hot days. Other vegetables like carrots and celery work as chew toys that keep your pet occupied and their breath fresh. Additional fruits and vegetables that dogs can eat include:

• Apples
• Bananas
• Berries
• Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cranberries
• Cucumbers
• Green Beans
• Mangos
• Melons
• Oranges
• Peaches
• Pears
• Peas
• Pineapple

While these foods are safe, they should still be given in extreme moderation. They are safe for dogs, but they are not necessarily as healthy as the dog food that you provide your pet every day. 

Avoid Giving Your Dog These Fruits and Vegetables

On the other hand, some fruits and vegetables are extremely dangerous for dogs. Many contain toxins that are harmless to humans, but can cause illness and fatalities in dogs in even small quantities. These foods include:

• Grapes
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Avocados
• Mushrooms
• Cherries

Dogs that have swallowed one of these foods by accident may need a vet visit or at least a call with your vet to confirm what action you should take. Likewise, any other questions about what foods your dog can and cannot eat should be directed to your veterinarian who can help you make the right choices about their diet.

Dogs are social animals. Except in rare circumstances, aggression in dogs is not something that materializes overnight. Behaviors of growling, snapping, and defensive barking are developed over time, often inadvertently reinforced by a dog’s owner or his experiences.

The best way to handle aggressive behavior is to catch it early on and take steps to correct it. But this isn’t always possible. If you’ve welcomed a rescue dog into your home, or missed some signs with your puppy, aggressive behavior can cause a significant and even risky problem. Identifying why your dog is acting this way can help you decide what steps are needed to correct the behavior.

Read more ...