A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World

Learning how to clean your dog’s teeth helps prevent bad breath and tooth pain. But just because dogs won’t naturally open wide and say “ahh,” doesn’t mean you need to turn to a professional every time their teeth need brushing. At-home dog-teeth cleaning can save you major vet costs and even extend your dog’s life (periodontal disease affects the whole body, after all).

As a certified animal behavior consultant, a Fear Free–certified trainer and author of more than 35 pet-care books, I’ve written about and taught cooperative dog-handling tips for more than 30 years. And like your pets, my dog doesn’t automatically accept invasive handling without lots of preparation. Without training, pups dive under the bed, run away or struggle—even if you know how to groom your dog. And the process can break your heart—nobody wants their dogs to be scared.

But never fear. With the help of board-certified veterinary dentist Naomi Hoyer, DVM, I’ve created the ultimate guide to cleaning your dog’s teeth. With the doggy dental tips and tricks below, you can ensure your pup’s teeth get clean. My pets come running for tooth care now—and yours can too.

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About the experts

  • Amy Shojai, CABC, is a certified animal behavior consultant and nationally known authority on pet care and behavior.
  • Naomi Hoyer, DVM, is a board-certified veterinary dentist and assistant professor of dentistry at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Reviewed for accuracy by: Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, a board-certified veterinarian and veterinary behaviorist who is the owner of Bay Area Vet Behavior. 

How To Clean Your Dog's Teeth Infographic with steps and supplies

Why is it so important to brush your dog’s teeth?

According to Dr. Hoyer, learning how to clean your dog’s teeth is the best way to control plaque accumulation and prevent dental disease. “Plaque mixes with the minerals in saliva and is known as calculus [tartar] and then is very challenging to remove from teeth.”

And because tartar (the yellow or brown spots you notice on your pup’s teeth) impacts whole-body health, brushing teeth is necessary to prevent additional problems that could cut your dog’s life short. The same bacteria found in a dog’s mouth with dental disease is often implicated in endocarditis, an inflammatory heart disease, according to VCA Animal Hospital experts. The liver and kidneys also are affected by oral bacteria, because these organs filter bad stuff out of the blood.

“Dental disease is the most common disease in our small animal patients (both dogs and cats),” says Dr. Hoyer. “Greater than 70% of dogs more than 3 years of age have some form of dental disease. All dogs, no matter the breed can develop dental disease.”

Besides tooth loss and painful chewing, you may notice a variety of dog illness symptoms in pups with dental disease, including fever, weight loss and loss of appetite.

How often should you brush your dog’s teeth?

Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth daily, says Dr. Hoyer. But when you have a busy schedule like I do, it proves challenging to brush a dog’s teeth after every visit to the food bowl. “If the goal is to reduce calculus (mineralized plaque), then you need to brush at least three times per week,” says Dr. Hoyer. Even a couple of times a week improves a dog’s oral health—any amount of dog-teeth cleaning works better than doing nothing at all.

Start brushing your dog’s teeth as a puppy. Youngsters more easily accept tooth brushing as normal—they don’t know any better, and their smaller size makes them easier to manage. Adult dogs may object to the intrusion, but they still can learn to accept tooth care. Cleaning your dog’s teeth is part of grooming and is as important as giving your dog a bath.

How to get your dog comfortable with teeth cleaning

You already know how to brush your own teeth, and the same technique actually applies to cleaning your dog’s teeth. But a vital part of cleaning a dog’s teeth includes teaching them what to expect, so they won’t feel scared. Remember: Teaching any dog takes time. Don’t rush or force your pet. It may take three days or three weeks before a dog will let you clean its teeth. Once a dog understands and accepts the procedure, the teeth cleaning won’t take more than a few minutes. Before you even bring out the toothbrush, take time to train your dog on its new teeth-cleaning routine. Here’s how to get your dog comfortable with teeth cleaning.

Step 1: Schedule training

Dogs love routine, so cleaning your pet’s teeth in the same location and at the time each day can help your furry friend view teeth cleaning as part of a normal day.

Step 2: Signal tooth time with a towel

Until your dog learns to accept you brushing its teeth, things can get messy. A towel helps contain any mess and also lets your dog know what to expect. That can comfort a shy or fearful dog too. For a small dog, spread the towel on your lap. This helps you control the interaction better, as it will feel similar to a snuggle session. For big dogs, lay the towel on the floor and kneel next to your pup, with the dog between your knees, facing out.

Step 3: Touch your dog’s mouth

first person perspective of Boston Terrier dog playing with his owner

Start by petting the side of your pup’s face, paying particular attention to the outside of their mouth and lips. If you feel comfortable, allow mouthing, which is when a dog puts its teeth and mouth over a person’s skin while using little or no pressure from the jaws. This way, you can easily touch the outsides of the dog’s teeth. Do this for five minutes and offer a treat each time your dog lets you stroke their gums or touch a tooth. Repeat this step once or twice a day for three to five days. After the dog accepts your handling of its mouth, move on to using toothpaste.

Step 4: Teach with a tasty toy bone

Spread dog toothpaste on a non-fabric toy, such as a rubber chew bone. Choose a large chew bone that the dog can comfortably grasp. (It should also be big enough to extend out each side of the mouth and keep the jaw slightly open.) Let your pup lick off the paste—many dogs enjoy flavored pet toothpaste like a treat. Canine toothpaste includes ingredients that help clean teeth even without brushing, so that’s a great first step. You want to associate the toy with the yummy flavor.

Step 5: Offer a toothpaste-coated toy bone

dog licking tooth paste toy

If your dog wants to take the toy into its mouth, that’s great! As the dog takes the toy, say, “Open.” That teaches the cue word and essentially trains the dog to open wide on its own, so there’s no need for scary unproductive wrestling. Eventually, you’ll only need to say the word to prompt the dog to take the toy.

Step 6: Gently hold one side of the toy for support

When your dog has the bone in its mount, hold one side of the toy steady and in place with one hand. That way, the flavored toy props the mouth slightly open enough to offer a gap in which to begin brushing with the other hand. Never squeeze the dog’s muzzle. And keep in mind that dogs are sensitive about toys in their mouth, which makes this an important training step. Ideally, once trained, your dog will know to take the flavored toy into its mouth and allow you to gently hold the toy steady to administer the toothpaste.

Step 7: Get your dog comfortable with the toy routine

Reserve this special toy for teeth cleaning so your pet only gets the yummy paste and other treats for this purpose—they’ll look forward to the fun. When you start out, spend about five minutes playing with the toy, taking it from your dog to add paste. Say, “Open,” to cue your dog to take the toy. Say, “Drop it,” for a release. Praise after each time and reward with a treat. Repeat this step once or twice a day for several days in a row.

Step 8: Introduce the applicator

Young Asian woman brushing her dog's teeth

Once your dog accepts the above steps, introduce the applicator of your choice. You must feel comfortable using it or your dog will sense your stress and feel equally uneasy. You can do this! Choose a finger toothbrush, doggy toothbrush or gauze-wrapped finger. Let them sniff your application of choice first. Then add the toothpaste. While holding the toy bone propped inside the dog’s mouth with one hand, use your other hand to slip the toothpaste-loaded applicator inside the dog’s lips. Leave it only a few seconds, then remove and release the dog’s toy bone as you say, “Drop it.” Used consistently, your dog will learn to drop it when you ask.

Step 9: Praise your dog

Give extravagant praise as your dog licks their lips. And congratulate yourself, too. Follow up immediately with a favorite treat or game to reward your dog’s extraordinary intelligence and tolerance. Once your dog acts excited at the sight of the towel, toy and paste, you can move on to routine dog-teeth cleaning.

How to clean your dog’s teeth

I recommend training your dog to accept the process well before you start brushing the teeth. Set aside at least a couple of weeks for preparation and training. Dogs can’t learn when scared, so strive to make the experience pleasant with lots of rewards (treats, cuddling, praise, games—whatever your dog loves). Even the best-natured dogs may growl or snarl when they don’t understand what you want, feel scared or are accidentally hurt. Stop immediately if this happens! That growl or snarl warns you to stop, so feel grateful that dogs communicate with us—and listen to them.

It’s best to begin brushing a dog’s teeth before problems develop. For adult dogs, have your veterinarian provide a professional cleaning first, if needed, so you can maintain the healthy start. Otherwise, dogs won’t want you touching sore, painful gums. I also highly recommend using the rubber bone or toy prop because it gives your dog something to chomp besides your fingers and prevents an accidental bite, which can do major damage.

And pro tip: Don’t touch inside the mouth (behind the teeth). Because the tongue keeps the inside surface of the teeth clean, you only need to clean the outside surface, so don’t risk fingers poking inside the mouth!

Supplies you’ll need

Bring everything you plan to use to the location you’ll be cleaning your dog’s teeth. You may want to keep teeth-cleaning tools in the same place as your other grooming supplies. Your pup should eventually enjoy the experience and expect the event. To speed up the process, choose somewhere your dog already associates with fun times or yummy rewards, like in the kitchen near the food bowl.

  • Chew toy: A rubber bone-shaped dental toy works great, sized large enough so that the ends stick out of the dog’s mouth on each side when held. Dental toys usually have nubs that help clean teeth as the dog chews or that hold dog toothpaste.
  • Bath towel: A towel provides an easy-to-clean surface for training and eventual teeth cleaning. Using the same towel each time signals to your dog what happens next.
  • Dog toothpaste: Never use human toothpaste with your dog. Dogs can’t spit and shouldn’t swallow the fluoride that human products contain. Dogs also hate the foaming action. Don’t use baking soda, either, as the high alkalinity can upset canine tummies when swallowed. Instead, choose a toothpaste designed specifically for dogs. Pet toothpaste comes in flavors that dogs love, like chicken.
  • Applicator: Choose a tool you feel most comfortable using. A dog toothbrush, finger toothbrush that slips over your finger or a disposable gauze pad that slips over your finger all work well to spread the toothpaste.
  • Bonus rewards: Dogs liked getting “paid” for being good, just like humans enjoy a bonus for a job well done. If your dog loves treats, offer dental treats after the session. Or if a play session or car ride prompt bigger wags, “pay” your dog with the preferred reward.

Step 1: Prepare the applicator with toothpaste

Whether you’re using a finger toothbrush, gauze pad or dog toothbrush, you’ll want to spread dog toothpaste onto the brushing material. You won’t need a lot of paste, so just add enough to cover the end of your finger.

Step 2: Add toothpaste to the rubber chew toy

Spread dog toothpaste on your chosen chew toy. Since you’ve already taught your dog what the yummy-flavored dog toy means, this signals to them that more treats will come.

Step 3: Offer the rubber chew toy

small white dog licking toothpaste from toy

Gently stroke your dog’s face and muzzle in preparation for inserting the toy bone. Say, “Open,” and praise when the dog grasps the toothpaste-covered toy.

Step 4: Hold the toy in place

As your dog closes its mouth around the toy, hold it in place with one hand. Avoid squeezing the muzzle. Your hand should support rather than restrain the dog in this position. For small dogs, it can help to kneel on the floor with your pup between your knees, facing out, so they can’t wiggle away. Holding the toothpaste-coated toy in place should offer a gap in which to begin brushing.

Step 5: Clean one side of the teeth first

With one hand wrapped around the opposite side of the dog’s toy, use the toothpaste-covered applicator to wipe the outside of the dog’s teeth on one side of its mouth. Do the top jaw first, and if your dog is still fine with it, finish with the bottom teeth on the same side. You don’t need to scrub—simply wipe the paste from side to side. Start out with a brief front-to-back (or back-to-front) smear of paste on the sides of the teeth, whichever feels most comfortable for you. Then release and remove the toy. The dog will lick lips and savor the paste you’ve left on the teeth. When you’re first starting out, be satisfied with one side and a quick smear. Then quit for the day.

Step 6: Clean the other side of the teeth

Brushing a dog's teeth

The next day, repeat the previous steps. This time, you’ll clean the teeth on the other side of your dog’s mouth. Remember, there’s no need to clean the inside of the teeth since the dog’s tongue keeps those surfaces clean. Just wipe the outside of the teeth. As your dog builds up tolerance, and you become more comfortable, you can spend more time gently rubbing the teeth back and forth. Again, you’re not scrubbing hard. You want the process to feel gentle and safe.

Step 7: Offer generous praise

Always quit before your dog asks you to stop; it’ll leave your pup wanting more. Then offer praise to your happy dog and treat generously.

Step 8: Move on to cleaning both sides

After two weeks of alternating one-sided teeth cleanings, your dog should understand the process. Hopefully, it also looks forward to this teeth-cleaning routine. Now it’s time to graduate to cleaning all of the teeth at once. This shouldn’t take more than five minutes, including preparation time. If possible, brush daily.

What else keeps a dog’s teeth clean?

chocolate lab dog chewing on a blue dental chew toy

Let’s face it, some dogs refuse to put up with teeth-brushing no matter how slowly and well you train. It’s not worth risking a bite or damaging the relationship you have with your dog. While brushing is ideal, rather than force the issue, there are other ways that help keep your dog’s teeth clean. “If brushing isn’t an option, then other modalities, such as dental diets and dental chews, can be used,” says Dr. Hoyer. “But they aren’t as good as brushing.” Here are some options.

  • Dental food: Dogs evolved to gulp and gorge, not to chew. The detergent action of scrubbing teeth by chewing up healthy treats, such as apples and carrots, can help but not as much as we’d like. Thankfully, today we have special foods designed to help reduce or prevent the formation of tartar and plaque. The Veterinary Oral Health Council endorses certain supplements, rinses, pastes and treats that have met this criteria. Look for products that include the VOHC seal of approval and ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.
  • Chew toys: Dogs love to chew. Besides the edible chews and treats recommended by VOHC, a wide array of dental chew toys are available. From rope-type dog toys to rubber chews with dental-scrubbing nubs, you can find nearly any size and configuration to fit your tiny-to-giant dog’s mouth. These work by scrubbing the teeth as the dog gnaws. You can improve the effectiveness by adding a dental treat that prolongs the chewing and offers enzymatic or other benefits that address tartar.
  • Dental treats: We love to treat our dogs anyway, and offering treats with the VOHC seal ensures we’re helping and not adding to our dog’s dental issues. One of my favorites, Greenies, works great and comes in a variety of sizes and shapes for any size dog. My dog and cats adore Greenies and line up with eager wags and purrs to get their daily treats.
  • Dental rinse: There are products you can use to rinse off your dog’s teeth after brushing the teeth. Some you just add to your dog’s water to help keep its teeth clean. They can also help with pungent breath issues.

Do you also have to get your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally?

In a word, yes, says Dr. Hoyer. “Comprehensive anesthetized dental procedures are important, because even if an owner is able to brush every day, there are areas that are impossible to clean unless a patient is anesthetized.” General practice veterinarians are a critical part of providing dental care, and many can perform extractions and other surgical procedures. She says a comprehensive professional veterinary dental procedure includes:

  • Pre-anesthetic evaluation (usually including blood work)
  • Anesthetized oral examination
  • Full-mouth intraoral radiographs (X-rays)
  • Cleaning and polishing of all teeth
  • Treatment of any identified oral pathology

Dr. Hoyer says monitoring anesthetized pet patients is important. “In dogs, we often don’t know what is actually going on with their oral cavity until after we get the radiographs, which can only be performed in anesthetized patients.”

The general practice veterinarian may not perform specialized procedures like root canals, or want to treat a high-risk anesthesia patient, and instead may refer you to a veterinary dental specialist. Never hesitate to request a referral if you feel more comfortable with a specialist caring for your special pet. “Quality dentistry care is often expensive care,” she says, and it varies so much based on where you live. Call your local veterinarian for a general ballpark, but be aware that the cost may increase depending on what the doctor sees during the procedure.

She suggests asking these questions so you understand the costs involved and what to expect:

  • Will the person monitoring my pet’s anesthesia also be performing the dental cleaning?
  • What anesthetic monitoring techniques are used?
  • Are full-mouth radiographs obtained for every procedure?
  • Are the radiographs reviewed by a veterinarian?
  • Who performs the anesthetized oral examination?
  • What are the plans if my animal develops an anesthetic complication?
  • If my pet needs extractions, how will I be informed, and who will perform them?

In most cases, damaged or decayed teeth get removed, not repaired. That’s why brushing your dog’s teeth not only improves their health but also saves you pocketbook pain. You can reduce the frequency of required professional cleanings by learning how to clean your dog’s teeth at home.

Signs of dental disease in dogs

Close up profile shot of a black and white mongrel dog and the veterinarian. Doctor in blue gloves is holding dog's head, doing check up, looking at the teeth.

Unfortunately, you probably won’t notice dog dental problems until they become advanced. “Often, pets don’t show any signs of periodontal disease, but things to look for at home include bad breath, red and bleeding gums, changes in eating behaviors and signs of pain around the mouth,” says Dr. Hoyer. Other warning signs may include:

  • Broken teeth: Dogs that chew hard objects like rocks, sticks or hard toys may break off or loosen teeth.
  • Yellow to brown plaque: One of the most noticeable signs of periodontal disease is a buildup of gross-looking hard deposits at the base of the dog’s teeth.
  • Discolored teeth: A discolored tooth could indicate the death of the tooth root or a crack in the enamel. That can cause great pain.
  • Facial swelling: Just as with people, an abscessed tooth can cause swelling of the jaw.
  • Blood on a toy: You might never notice the dog’s bleeding gums until blood stains a toy.
  • Irritability: A classic sign of dog dental issues is a gradual change in behavior. Happy dogs become snappy; energetic dogs may sleep more and become reluctant to play. Once teeth problems resolve with treatment, dog owners often are amazed at how they act like a puppies again.

FAQs

What softens tartar on a dog’s teeth?

Tartar is a film that grows on teeth. It can be dissolved with some of the dental diet and treat formulations (and dog toothpaste) that help prevent it sticking to the teeth or forming in the first place. A dental chew toy can help mechanically remove tartar film, as can brushing the dog’s teeth.

Should I scrape the plaque off my dog’s teeth?

No. Any kind of tool capable of mechanically scraping away plaque could also slip and injure your dog. Plaque also extends below the gum line, and you can’t access that while your dog remains awake.

What is the best natural way to clean a dog’s teeth?

The best way to naturally clean a dog’s teeth is to provide healthy and safe chew options, brush the dog’s teeth and provide a dental diet and/or treats that help prevent tartar buildup.

Is it too late to start brushing my dog’s teeth?

No. While puppies often accept new things more readily, with patience, dogs of any age can learn to accept home dental care.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, dog exert Amy Shojai, CABC, tapped 30 years of experience teaching and writing about pet behavior, and then Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist in San Francisco, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. For this piece, we relied on reputable primary sources, including a veterinarian and certified dog behaviorists. We verified all facts and data and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

We’re rounding the corner into 2024, and everyone is more than ready to usher in the new year. Some people are celebrating by throwing a New Year’s Eve party (complete with some super fun games), whereas others are watching New Year’s Eve movies while waiting for the ball to drop.

No matter what you do, though, there’s always room for New Year’s humor. And lucky for us, there are plenty of New Year’s jokes! So kick off 2024 with some laughs by telling these hilarious puns and one-liners all the way to midnight.

Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more humor, holiday tips, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.

what is a New Years resolution joke

The funniest New Year’s jokes and puns

1. What is a New Year’s resolution?
Something that goes in one year and out the other.

2. What do snowmen like to do on New Year’s Eve?
Chill out.

3. Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to.

4. What do New Year’s Day parades have in common with Santa Claus?
No one is awake to see either of them.

5. My grandparents had resolutions like donating more time and money to charities. I’ve decided to make my own coffee once a week.

Ring In The New Year Joke

6. Why do you need a jeweler on New Year’s Eve?
To ring in the New Year.

7. My New Year’s resolution is to stop hanging out with people who ask me about my New Year’s resolution.

8. What did the little champagne bottle call his father?
Pop!

9. What’s a cow’s favorite holiday?
Moo Year’s Eve.

10. Where can you find comedians on New Year’s Eve?
Waiting for the punch line.

11. What do farmers give their wives at midnight on New Year’s Eve?
Hogs and kisses.

12. An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

Loving these New Year’s jokes? Feel free to use them as funny New Year’s captions on Instagram.

13. What did the ghost say on Jan. 1?
Happy Boo Year!

14. What do you call always wanting a date for New Year’s Eve?
Social security.

15. What’s a digital camera’s New Year’s resolution?
1080p.

16. This New Year’s, I’m going to make a resolution I can keep: no dieting all year long.

17. Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Abby.
Abby who?
Abby New Year!

18. Where can you go to practice math on New Year’s Eve?
Times Square.

19. Why should you put your new calendar in the freezer?
To start off the New Year in a cool way.

20. What do you tell someone you didn’t see on New Year’s Eve?
I haven’t seen you for a year!

21. This New Year’s, I’ve resolved to lead a better life. Now all I have to do is find someone who will trade lives with me.

22. What happened to the man who shoplifted a calendar on New Year’s Eve?
He got 12 months!

Newyearsjoke2 Edit

23. What is corn’s favorite holiday?
New Ears Day!

24. What’s the one group that hates New Year’s Day?
The New Year’s Eve cleanup crew.

25. What did Adam say to Eve on Dec. 31?
It’s New Year’s, Eve.

26. Why was the telephone late for work on Jan. 1?
It was busy ringing in the new year!

27. What did George Washington do in the days leading up to New Year’s?
He made a New Year’s revolution.

28. What compliment did the drink glass give to the champagne on New Year’s Eve?
“You’re so bubbly!”

29. I don’t know why people flock to Times Square on New Year’s Eve. They always drop the ball.

30. Why is New Year’s a slice of bread’s least favorite holiday?
It has to make a toast.

31. Why did the man stand on one leg at midnight on New Year’s?
He wanted to start the year on the right foot.

32. Why was the Hershey bar bummed on New Year’s Eve?
It got stuck waiting for a midnight Kiss.

33. What do kangaroos say to each other at midnight on Jan. 1?
“Hoppy New Year!”

34. What did the woman say when she was offered a raisin on New Year’s Eve?
“No thanks. I already have a date.”

Looking for more New Year’s jokes and humor? These funny New Year’s memes will have you laughing into 2024.

Q: what did the ghost say on Jan. 1? A: happy boo year!

35. What was the opening line of the spice rack’s New Year’s toast?
“Cheers to the good thymes!”

36. My dad gave up smoking cold turkey for New Year’s. He’s doing better now but … he’s still coughing up feathers.

37. What was Dr. Frankenstein’s New Year’s resolution?
To make new friends.

38. What do you call someone who says they know all the words to “Auld Lang Syne“?
A liar.

39. What’s the worst part of jogging on New Year’s Eve?
The ice falling out of your drink!

40. I made a New Year’s resolution to drink more water. I’ve only gotten as far as “drink more.”

41. What New Year’s resolution should a basketball player never make?
To travel more.

42. Did you hear about the guy who started fixing breakfast at midnight on Dec. 31?
He wanted to make a New Year’s toast.

43. Why did the man sprinkle sugar on his pillow on New Year’s Eve?
He wanted to start the year with sweet dreams.

44. Knock Knock.
Who’s there?
Radio.
Radio who?
Radio not, it’s a new year.

45. What should people never eat on New Year’s Eve?
Fire crackers.

46. What does a caterpillar do on Jan. 1?
Turns over a new leaf.

New Year’s one-liners

New Years Jokes That Will Have You Laughing Into 2024 Graphic

47. This New Year, I resolve to be less awesome … since that is really the only thing I do in excess.

48. Not to brag, but I already have a date for New Year’s Eve—Dec. 31.

49. My New Year’s resolution is to get better at pretending to know the words to “Auld Lang Syne.”

50. My resolution was to read more, so I turned on the subtitles on my TV.

51. I was going to quit all my bad habits for the new year, but then I remembered that nobody likes a quitter.

52. I see no need to make more New Year’s resolutions when the ones already on the books aren’t being enforced.

Submit your best joke here, and get $25 if Reader’s Digest runs it.

Start your morning with a cuppa jokes (and some funny coffee quotes). Drink up these coffee puns based on your flavor-ite songs, bands, movies, TV shows, and books. Cool story, brew! If you like your roast strong, hit the (coffee) grounds running, with these nutty, rich, and stimulating puns! They’re perk-fection for procaffeinating during the daily grind. Stay frappé! (P.S.—save these hilarious wine puns to browse through during happy hour.)

“Pour some sugar on me” with these choc’ n’ roll coffee puns set to music!

“I love brew. I honestly love brew.”

Remember Olivia Brew-ton John’s mega pop hit from the seventies? Her vocal sweetness captures how we all feel about coffee.

“Excuse me while I kiss the chai.”

Imagine if Jimi Hendrix’s legendary rock song “Purple Haze” was really an ode to a chai tea latte? All any of us need is a little caffeine to clear the haze.

“Thank you for bean a friend!”

Of course, The Golden Girls theme song is a celebration of friendship, just like the show itself. Coffee is also your BFF. (Brewed Full-bodied Forever!) Check out these un-beetable vegetable puns for more laughs.

“Wake me up before you cocoa!”

Wham’s totally addictive ’80s pop hit perfectly captures our need for a hot beverage in the morning!

“My coffee amour, milky little cup that I adore.”

Stevie Wonder’s beautiful soul song gets it exactly right when it comes to your love affair with coffee. Why do we love it so much? Check out the things that happen to your body when you drink coffee every day.

Here are your TV show coffee puns—just add streaming and sugar

Pattern with lot of paper cups for coffee or tea on blue background.

The X-Filters

This sci-fi classic follows Scully and Mulder as they hunt for the perfect cappuccino and UFOs—Unidentified Fair-trade Organic coffees.

Pretty Little Lattes

A coffee klatch of teen girls face the mystery of a lost barista in this bold drama that’s fresh and flavorful.

Twin Perks

Tensions percolate in this regional tale about dark roasts that move at a slow drip. Will give you the jitters!

Coffee, the Vampire Slayer

Trouble brews when creatures of the dark try to switch to decaf. So, a robust, young woman, “Cuffy,” fulfills her destiny and gets in hot water as she tracks caf-fiends.

Friday Night Lattes

It’s full steam ahead in this show about a beverage joe and his football bean. It may be a small-town Texas bean, but it boasts the greatest joe on earth. The teenaged beans grind it out with a full cold press in this earthy drama. A true brew-mance! Check out the best coffee shop in Texas, and all the 50 states.

Collection of coffee cups overhead view flat lay

Pour-over these addictive novels about coffee—with puns! Hold my brew!

For Whom the Bean Tolls

It tolls for beans! Ernest Hemingway’s classic novel about the nature and experience of Spanish coffee got its title from John Donne’s famous poem about beankind. Because no bean is an island.

David Coffeefield

The famous first line of Charles Dickens’ epic novel states, “Whether coffee shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by tea, these pages must show.” If you enjoy Dickens, next try Great Percolations, Bleak Coffee House, and A Tale of Two Chicories.

The Count of Macchiato

This strong, saucy tale by Alexandre Dumas follows a man who is wrongly given decaf coffee—for years—and justifiably, must seek revenge.

The Lord of the Beans

J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy about the coffee bean industry of middle earth brims with rich nuttiness.

The Brothers Caramel Mocha

You may find Fyodor Dostoevsky’s bitter, aromatic novel far less sweet than its title suggests. Did you know that people who like to drink their coffee black may be psychotic?

What’s the best band of coffee? Give it your best shot with these coffee pun band names

Pattern of cofee cups on greenish-blue background.

The Smashing Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Their ’90s album “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” may make you a little despresso.

Rage Against the Espresso Machine

These rock purists feature blends of punk, thrash, metal, and hip-hop in their grinds.

The Red Hot Coffee Peppers

Caffeine-infused vibes and intense percolations make for a robust band of Americano brews.

AC/Decaf

Their vigorous album, “For Those About to Rock, We Salute Brew,” uses hard beans with dark, metallic undertones.

Fleetwood Macchiato

Their pop hit, “Don’t Stop Thinking About Your Coffee,” will really perk you up.

More of a tea person? You’ll love these hilarious tea puns!

Coffee puns at the box office—for some good clean pun! It’s a wonderful latte!

There’s Something about Mocha

It’s the adventure of a bunch of brews obsessed with a brew-tiful blonde.

That Thing You Brew!

This feel-good romp features a perky hit song that you’ll like a latte.

Back to the Frother

When it comes to froth, you need perfect timing. Better latte than never.

The Polar Espresso

Kids escape late at night to visit Sanka, and shouldn’t they be grounded?

He’s Just Not That Into Brew

There are a few frappé cup-ples by the end of this brew-mance that features mugs and kisses. Are you the type to annoy your barista? Check out the 10 rude coffee shop habits you can stop doing a latte.

House-training a puppy, taking in an unruly stray or caring for an older dog requires love, patience and a lot of cleaning. Accidents (of the pee variety) will happen, and if you have carpeting, you’ll be cursing the day you decided against plank flooring. The bottom line: You need to know how to get dog pee out of carpet. The good news is that dogs and carpets have been coexisting for years, and cleaning experts have loads of tips to help.

The bad news? “The smell of urine and feces is reinforcing for dogs,” according to veterinarian and pet behaviorist Amanda E. Florsheim, DVM, owner of Veterinary Behavior Solutions in Carrollton, Texas. That means once a dog picks a spot and goes there, it’s likely to go there again if you don’t take the proper measures. Cleaning the pee spot all the way down to the floor is the first step, but you’ll also need to adjust your dog’s behavior.

Reader’s Digest spoke with three carpet cleaning experts and Dr. Florsheim to help you fix this urgent, and potentially recurrent, problem. Yes, sometimes old or large pee stains are tough to remove, and you may have to hire a pro or even replace the carpet. But let’s cross that bridge when we get there—hopefully, never. Ahead, you’ll learn the right way to get dog pee (and pee smell) out of your carpet and other soft surfaces like upholstery and dog bedding.

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About the experts

  • Amanda E. Florsheim, DVM, is a veterinarian and pet behaviorist who owns Veterinary Behavior Solutions in Carrollton, Texas. A graduate of the University of Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Florsheim is the only vet in the Dallas–Forth Worth area whose practice focuses exclusively on behavior medicine.
  • Jeff Cross is a certified master textile cleaner and carpet-cleaning authority. Currently the media director for ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, Cross is regularly featured in cleaning-industry publications and hosts the ISSA cleaning podcast Straight Talk. Cross previously ran his own carpet cleaning and restoration business.
  • Brandon Pleshek is a professional janitor who helms the brand Clean That Up. Pleshek has more than 20 years of experience in the cleaning industry, and he offers his millions of followers proven cleaning tips learned from three generations of cleaning professionals.
  • Karen Cady is the program manager of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval program, which scientifically tests and certifies carpet-cleaning solutions, vacuums and extractors.

Reviewed for accuracy by: Ann Russell, TikTok’s “cleaning auntie” and the author of How to Clean Everything.

What to do before you start stain removal

  • Remove your dog from the area. Don’t scold your dog or “rub his nose in it,” says Dr. Florsheim. Dogs will not put two and two together about the pee and why you’re mad. Just lead your dog into another room or outside while you get to work.
  • Jump on stains immediately. While it is possible to remove dried dog pee from carpet, “fresh urine is easier to remove, by far,” says Jeff Cross, a cleaning expert from ISSA, a trade group for cleaning professionals. (FYI, the same is true when trying to remove dog poop from carpet.)
  • Know your carpeting. Is it silk, wool, synthetic? It’s important to find out, because some cleaners aren’t suitable for certain fibers. Once you know, check the label of your cleaner. The “label is the law” when it comes to cleaning products, according to professional janitor Brandon Pleshek. “Make sure to read it, and use as directed.”
  • Test for colorfastness. Your carpet’s already covered in pee—don’t wreck it further by spraying an untested chemical all over it. First, test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area. This is especially important if you don’t know what kind of carpeting you have.
  • Soak up the pee. No matter what cleaning method you use, you need to get up as much of the urine as possible, Pleshek says. So stock up on plain white paper towels, which will get the job done and prevent color transfer.

How to get dog pee out of carpet with enzymatic cleaner

spraying pet cleaner onto the carpet stain

Every expert we consulted praised enzymatic cleaners, since they work by “digesting” the pee on your carpet. “But you need to follow the directions exactly,” says Cross. Some require diluting, while others should be used at full strength. Certain formulations can be used in a carpet-cleaning machine; others are made just for spraying. You’ll also need to give them ample time to work.

Supplies you’ll need

  • Enzymatic carpet cleaner
  • Plain white paper towels, or towels
  • Vacuum cleaner

Directions

  1. Read the label, since instructions may vary slightly from brand to brand.
  2. Using an absorbent towel or lots of paper towels, soak up as much pee as possible.
  3. Dilute the enzymatic cleaner as directed on the package, or apply it at full strength if indicated.
  4. Saturate the pee spot. Make sure the solution reaches all the way to the base of the carpet.
  5. Allow the cleaner to sit for the recommended amount of time, usually about 10 to 15 minutes (to start).
  6. Blot the spot with a towel to remove excess liquid.
  7. Allow the spot to dry for 24 hours. The enzymes will keep working as long as there’s pee to digest. Keep pets away during this time.
  8. Once the time is up, vacuum to remove cleaner residue.
  9. If you still see a stain or smell an odor, re-saturate the spot with the enzymatic cleaner. Lift up the carpeting to saturate the pad or floor for best results.
  10. Allow to dry completely, usually for 24 hours. Many enzyme cleaners do not require rinsing, but double-check to make sure.

How to get dog pee out of carpet with dish soap and vinegar

adding dish soap to bowl for cleaning

Out of enzymatic cleaner? Cleaning expert Karen Cady of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval program says that simple homemade cleaners, like a solution of vinegar and liquid dish soap, can also get dog pee out of carpet. Vinegar works because it can break down uric acid, which is what makes d0g pee smell, and also neutralize bacteria. Like enzymatic cleaner, this method works best on fresh pee.

Before we dive into the directions, a few important notes: Don’t use dish soap that contains bleach or lanolin, Cady says. Bleach could discolor the carpet, and lanolin could make the stain worse. And only use liquid dish soap, never dishwasher detergent or laundry detergent. For more CRI-certified cleaners, check out the CRI database, or look for the CRI seal of approval on the package.

Supplies you’ll need

  • Dish soap
  • Plain white paper towels
  • Small bowl
  • White vinegar

Directions

  1. Remove as much pee as you can by blotting the area with plain white paper towels.
  2. Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon dish soap and 1 cup lukewarm water. Work up some suds.
  3. Dunk a clean paper towel into the solution, and repeatedly blot the stain. Use a fresh spot of the towel each time to avoid transferring pee back to the carpet.
  4. Wet fresh paper towels with lukewarm water. Blot the area repeatedly to rinse it. Move to a new spot of the paper towel each time, until the area is no longer soapy.
  5. Reapply the dish-soap solution. Continue rinsing and blotting with the solution and water as long as you see the stain getting better, or there’s no more pee transferred to the towel, Cady says.
  6. Next, mix a solution of 1 cup white vinegar and 2 cups water. Saturate clean paper towels with the vinegar-and-water solution, and dab it onto the stain. Make sure the solution reaches all the fibers. (Don’t rinse.)
  7. With a fresh paper towel, blot the area dry. Then “apply a half-inch layer of paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy, non-fading object,” Cady says.
  8. Change the paper towels frequently until the area is completely dry—possibly 24 hours or more.

How to get dried dog pee out of carpet

Human Cleaning Carpet In The Living Room Using Vacuum Cleaner At Home

Dried pee can be very challenging to remove. Your dog is likely to smell and revisit the pee spot, and it doesn’t smell so great for you either. Urine is mostly water, but it’s the other stuff, particularly uric acid, that binds to the fibers (and smells) as the pee dries. “Unless an area is cleaned with a good enzymatic cleaner, dogs can still smell the small remnants that regular cleaning can leave behind,” Dr. Florsheim says. That’s why Pleshek recommends an enzymatic cleaner, combined with a carpet-cleaning machine or attachment that fits on a wet-dry vacuum, and he walks us through the steps below.

Supplies you’ll need

  • Enzymatic pet stain cleaner concentrate for carpet machines
  • Carpet-cleaning machine, or wet-dry vacuum attachment

Directions

  1. Dilute the cleaner 50-50 with water, or as indicated on your carpet-cleaning concentrate.
  2. Saturate the stain completely, all the way to the base of the carpet.
  3. Let it sit for 35 minutes to an hour. “The key here is to let the enzymes work,” Pleshek says.
  4. Suck the cleaner out of the carpet with the machine or attachment. (Pleshek recommends the SOS Sub Surface Carpet Extraction Tool.)
  5. Rinse, if indicated on the cleaner. Dump out the dirty extracted water, and fill the machine with fresh water. Make passes over the area until the machine no longer extracts any dirty cleaning solution.
  6. Dry the carpet completely, which could take 24 hours or more. Use fans to speed things along.

Pro tip
If you don’t have a carpet-cleaning machine or proper attachment, follow the enzymatic-cleaner directions for fresh pee, and make sure the cleaner reaches all the way to the pad. If pee remains behind, your dog will smell it, and you may need to keep him out of the area to prevent him from peeing there again.

How to get dog pee out of upholstery

spraying cleaner onto a grey couch to clean dog pee

Cross says to clean upholstery the same way you clean carpeting, but use more care so you don’t damage the thinner fabric on couches and chairs. The first rule is to check your furniture’s care label. Some fabrics and fill material must be dry-cleaned, while others can tolerate carpet shampoos and water. If your furniture has a removable cover or slipcover, take it off and clean it as indicated on the label. You may be able to toss it in the wash, although a gentle cycle is probably in order.

If you don’t have a washable slipcover, follow the steps below, but remember that your specific label should always reign. Furniture is expensive, so always test a small area in an inconspicuous spot before proceeding, especially if you’re not sure.

Supplies you’ll need

  • Enzymatic cleaner, carpet shampoo, dish soap or vinegar
  • Plain white towels or paper towels
  • Small bowl

Directions

  1. Blot the stain with paper towels or towels to absorb as much liquid as possible. If you get to it quickly, it may not soak into the cushion.
  2. Remove the cushion cover or slipcover if you can. This will make it easier to assess how far the pee has penetrated, as well as let you wash and dry the cover separately, whether by hand or in the washing machine.
  3. If pee has penetrated the foam, spray the spot with enzymatic cleaner, fully saturating it. Follow the instructions on the cleaner.
  4. If you can’t remove and/or wash the cover in the machine, and it doesn’t say “dry clean only,” apply enzyme cleaner to the cover and cushion. Allow it to work for the recommended amount of time, generally 10 to 15 minutes to start.
  5. Blot to remove excess cleaner, and allow it to dry for 24 hours. If necessary, repeat the application. Do not rinse unless the cleaner says to do so.
  6. Alternatively, mix 1/4 teaspoon dish soap and 1 cup warm water; 1 cup vinegar to 2 cups water; or a spot cleaner that’s approved for upholstery.
  7. Apply, blot and rinse the spot and cushion until you no longer see or smell pee on the towels or cushion. Use a fresh section of the towel each time to avoid transferring pee back to the upholstery. Make a new solution if it gets dirty.
  8. Do a final rinse by blotting with fresh water and paper towels.
  9. Dry the cover and furniture thoroughly before replacing the cover or using the couch or chair.

How to get dog pee out of dog beds

Gettyimages 1979924245 Clean Dog Bed Jvedit

Your dog’s bed probably smells pretty bad on a good day, but the addition of pee? No thanks. Hopefully, the bed has a removable cover. (If not, someone really should have a word with that dog-bed manufacturer.) Sop up any pooled pee, carefully take off the cover and launder it. Air out the bed while the cover gets clean. If pee soaked into the foam or fill, here’s what to do.

Supplies you’ll need

  • Mild laundry detergent
  • Bathtub or large sink

Directions

  1. Read the care label on the bed. You may be able to wash the entire bed in the washing machine.
  2. If not, fill your bathtub about a third of the way with cool water. Add a small amount of mild, pet-safe laundry detergent, and swirl it around.
  3. Submerge the entire dog bed in the water, and squeeze to get the soap into the foam.
  4. Soak for 15 minutes, then squeeze and agitate to clean the pee from the cushion.
  5. Rinse well by draining and refilling the bathtub until no soapy residue remains. Squeeze out as much excess water as you can.
  6. Air-dry outside, if possible. Alternatively, your dog bed might be able to go in the dryer on low; check the label, and if so, toss in some tennis balls or dryer balls to fluff it. Another option is to use a drying rack or hang it indoors in a well-ventilated area until completely dry.

How to get a dog to stop peeing in the house

Jack Russell puppy waiting by the door to go outside

Cleaning up after your dog is a labor of love, but let’s be real: You need your dog to stop peeing in the house. That’s easier said than done, of course, but getting all the pee out of the carpet and upholstery will help. Remember, dogs aren’t trying to pee in the wrong place—they actually think it’s the right place to go! If you want to spend less time cleaning up after your dog, you need to figure out the root of the problem. If the peeing is new, says Dr. Florsheim, take your dog to the vet “to help rule out problems like bladder infections, stones and pain.”

If everything checks out medically, here are some strategies that can help eliminate accidents.

  • House-train your dog. Every time your dog goes to the bathroom in the house, it is self-reinforcing. They have pressure from their bladder or colon, they go, and then they feel better. That’s a powerful reward, Dr. Florsheim says. That’s why she doesn’t advise using pee pads, unless you always plan to have them available (for their entire life).
  • Use positive reinforcement. Just like peeing feels good to your dog, so does your praise. Never yell at or strike your dog. “Instead, if you catch them in the act, interrupt them as neutrally as you can and redirect them outside,” Dr. Florsheim says. If you find the pee even a second after your dog is done, it’s too late. Just clean it up and work on house-training.
  • Go outside with your dog. “The best way to encourage a dog to go where you want them to is to go with them,” according to Dr. Florsheim. When your pup pees outside, give plenty of praise and a high-value treat. Reward “right as you dog finishes going, not when they come back in the house,” Dr. Florsheim says, or they’ll associate the reward with coming inside and may not even go!
  • Reduce anxiety. Marking, or peeing on things deliberately, can be a sign of stress due to other dogs in the home, or even people your dog is wary of. Does it happen at certain times of day? Is it the weather? Try to narrow down the triggers, and talk to your vet about ways to reduce your dog’s anxiety.
  • Be patient. Dogs newly introduced to your home may have trouble adjusting to the feel of new grass or turf, or strange noises. And puppies and dogs from mills or other abusive conditions may have never seen or felt grass at all, Dr. Florsheim says. They don’t know the yard is for peeing until you show them and reinforce the good behavior.

FAQs

Cute Chihuahua puppy near wet spot on rug indoors

What kills the smell of dog urine in carpet?

Enzymatic cleaners (also called enzyme cleaners). While you can buy any number of products that promise to get rid of odor, they often just mask it. Then, “in times of high humidity, the odor may reappear,” Cady says. Enzymes actually digest the molecules that make up the stain and smell, allowing their byproducts to evaporate. By using an enzyme cleaner correctly, you’re really getting rid of every last drop of pee. No more smells, for you or your dog.

Why does my carpet still smell like pee after cleaning?

Quite simply, because there’s still pee in it. If you don’t get every last bit of pee out out of your carpet, it changes over time and gives off really toxic-smelling odors. Cross says it’s chemistry. “Over time, urine changes from an acid to an alkaline, and that’s why you get the ammonia smell,” he explains. “This is really tough to remove.” If you haven’t tried an enzyme cleaner, do. If it still smells like pee, repeat, lifting up the carpet to get underneath. If that fails, call a pro.

Will vinegar stop a dog peeing in the same spot?

Maybe, maybe not. Vinegar is a great cleaner and it does neutralize the pee odor, but dogs have incredible senses of smell. To really destroy the reason they are coming back to the same spot, use an enzyme cleaner, which leaves nothing behind if used correctly.

Does dog pee destroy carpet?

It can. If you clean fresh pee right away and dry your carpet completely, it will likely be fine. But repeated peeing that’s allowed to sit and soak? That’s definitely going to wreck your carpet. Dog pee reacts with the dyes in the carpet, and prolonged moisture can cause delamination, where the carpet fibers separate from the backing, according to the CRI. Then there’s the smell. Clean up pee immediately for the best chance of success.

If you’ve tried these methods to remove pee and your carpet still stinks, or it’s discolored, bleached or fraying, call a professional. If the problem is confined to one area, they may be able to patch the carpet. Otherwise, you might need to buy a new one.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece on how to get dog pee out of carpet, Ally Childress tapped her experience as a home and cleaning journalist, and then Ann Russell, TikTok’s “cleaning auntie” and the author of How to Clean Everything, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We relied on reputable primary sources, including carpet-cleaning experts and a veterinary behaviorist, verified all facts and data and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.   

Sources:

  • Karen Cady, program manager, CRI Seal of Approval program; email interview, Feb. 5, 2024
  • Jeff Cross, media director at ISSA; email interview, Feb. 1, 2024
  • Amanda E. Florsheim, DVM, veterinarian and owner of Veterinary Behavior Solutions; email interview, Feb. 6, 2024
  • Brandon Pleshek, janitor and cleaning expert at Clean That Up; phone interview, 2022
  • CRI Technical Bulletin: “Pet Urine and Carpet”

If you own a dog, you’ve no doubt been there: You’re eating lunch, and your dog’s eyes are following your movements. You’re brushing your teeth, and your dog is looking up at you. You’re watching TV, and your dog is watching you. You wouldn’t be alone in wondering, Why does my dog stare at me?

Dogs have been at our side for more than 10,000 years, becoming master observers of human behavior. Although being stared at by our pets can be uncomfortable, this behavior serves many practical—and usually harmless—purposes for our four-legged companions.

As a veterinarian, I am well versed in dog behavior and have extensive knowledge about why dogs do what they do. So let’s explore the reasons your dog may be staring at you and how this staring behavior is good for you both.

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Reviewed for accuracy by: Wailani Sung, DVM, a vet with a board certification in veterinary behavioral medicine who owns Bay Area Vet Behavior. Dr. Sung is the co-author of From Fearful to Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears and Phobias.

Why does my dog stare at me?

Dogs can’t talk (although we sometimes wish they could), so they rely on their body language and facial expressions to communicate with us. When our dogs stare at us, they use their eyes to tell us something. It’s up to us to figure out what that something is and respond accordingly.

It’s getting to know you better

Pug's head leaning on tabletop

Over the thousands of years that dogs have been in our lives, they have not tired of observing us. When your dog stares at you, it’s trying to understand various things about you, like your habits, body language, facial expressions and tone of voice.

Your dog will also stare at you to gauge how you’re feeling. If you’re moping around the house, your dog will likely be able to pick up on that negative energy and possibly try to comfort you.

It’s telling you what it needs

Wouldn’t it be nice if our dogs could say, “I need to go to the bathroom” or “I’m hungry”? Since they can’t, they use their eyes to communicate these needs to us. For example, if your dog needs to pee, it might stand by the door and look at you to signal that it needs to go outside.

If your dog stares at you and licks its lips while you’re eating, it’s probably begging for food. Be careful with this type of stare, because giving your dog a tasty morsel of food will only reinforce the begging. Instead, encourage your pup to busy itself with another activity, such as a food puzzle toy, while you eat.

It’s expressing emotion

Siberian Husky wants to play.

Love is one of the most powerful emotions our dogs can express to us through their eyes. A pup’s loving stare—the kind with slightly squinted eyes—will stimulate in its owner the release of oxytocin, the so-called love hormone. According to a study published in the journal Science, oxytocin strengthens the affectionate bond between you and your dog.

Dogs also stare to communicate aggression. An aggressive stare, accompanied by a stiff posture and unblinking eyes, tells you to back off. This type of stare, which you should not return, is often associated with resource guarding (for example, guarding dog toys) and signals a need for behavioral modification.

It wants attention

Quality time with our dogs is the highlight of our day—and theirs. If your dog is staring at you expectantly with a toy in its mouth, it’s urging you to give it attention and play with it.

If your dog shares your bed, it may stare at you to express a desire for some cuddle time before dozing off into dreamland.

It’s confused

Cute dog resting on ottoman stool by plant at home

Quite literally, our dogs look to us for instruction. If your dog does not understand your command or is in an unfamiliar situation, it will stare at you for clarity on what to do.

Let’s say that you’re walking your dog and come to a crosswalk. Your dog might stare up at you, waiting for you to tell it when it’s safe to cross the street.

It’s pooping

Dogs have some odd bathroom habits. (Spinning before pooping, anyone?) You may have also noticed your dog staring at you when it poops, and there’s a reason for that. Squatting to poop puts your dog in a vulnerable position, so it’ll stare at you for reassurance that you will protect it while it’s doing its business. Be a good protector by scanning the area for potential dangers, such as another dog.

It’s sick or injured

Dogs depend on us to take good care of them. If your dog is injured or not feeling well, staring at you is its way of telling you that something is wrong and it needs your help. If your dog is acting out of the ordinary—say, being less active or acting extra clingy—it may be time for a trip to the vet.

It’s experiencing separation anxiety

Portrait Of Dog Lying In Doorway

If your dog follows you everywhere and staring at you to ask for attention, it may be experiencing separation anxiety. Left unchecked, this can lead to destructive behavior and can negatively affect your dog’s physical health, causing issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.

If you suspect your dog has separation anxiety, talk to your veterinarian, who can refer you to a veterinary behaviorist. Severe cases of separation anxiety may require anti-anxiety medication in addition to behavioral modification.

Its brain function is declining

Older dogs can experience cognitive dysfunction, which is like human dementia. Signs of the disorder include confusion, anxiety, sleep disturbances and less interaction with owners, according to a study published in the journal Veterinary Clinics of North America, Small Animal Practice. Another red flag? Staring into space or at you.

If you have an older dog that is staring at you but doesn’t seem quite “there,” schedule a visit with your veterinarian for further examination.

Why it’s OK to make eye contact with your dog

“Why does my dog stare at me?” isn’t the only question you should be asking. Just as important is this: Why does human-canine eye contact matter?

Making eye contact with your dog helps you communicate with each other. Being able to interpret your dog’s stares will help you better understand what it needs and wants from you. Take, for instance, the process of training your dog. This is an ideal time for eye contact—your dog’s stare will indicate a need for instruction and reassurance as it learns new skills.

And let’s not forget the loving gaze! It helps strengthen the bond you share with your dog. As the researchers reported in the Science article, the oxytocin response between humans and dogs is a loop: When dogs stare at us, our level of the love hormone increases, which increases dogs’ oxytocin in turn.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM, tapped her experience as a veterinarian and journalist covering pets, and then Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who owns Bay Area Vet Behavior, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. For this piece, we relied on reputable primary sources, including professional organizations and academic institutions, as well as our writer’s personal experience. We verified all facts and data and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

There are few things more heartwarming than feeling your furry companion pressing up against your leg or cuddling itself against your side. The unconditional love you receive from a dog may be why you added one to the family in the first place. Despite all the love, dogs have some seemingly unusual habits, like eating grass, sniffing each other’s butts—and leaning on their human for seemingly no reason.

Leaning may be the most noticeable of odd dog behaviors, especially with large dogs that may be too heavy to pick up. So why do these animals lean on us?

What it means if your dog leans on you

They’re looking for affection

Karen Reese, the animal behavior manager at Operation Kindness, says, “Dogs lean because they want something: your attention, your affection, your comfort.” As expected, many pet experts believe that dogs lean on you because they love you and seek out your touch just as humans feel towards their loved ones. When you reward these leans with scratches behind the ear and snuggles, your dog will be conditioned to lean for affection. Find out 19 things your dog actually wants from you.

Abhishek Joshi from Dog With Blog says, “Dogs are pack animals, descending from the wolves, and yet centuries of domestication [haven’t] let the proximity-seeking nature go away. I always find my dog leaning against me or putting a paw ever so gently on my foot, seeking attention or affection. In a way, a dog leaning on you is akin to dog hugs. If you weren’t standing, perhaps your dog would be cuddling or resting against your back.”

They are afraid

Peter Laskay, Pet Care Blogger at Petworshiper, says, “In some cases, leaning can mean fear. This is when dogs try to hide and seek refuge because they feel safe with us. However, in this case, there are other signs from which fear can be noticed.”

There are many reasons your dog may be afraid, including thunderstorms, fireworks, loud noises, and other dogs. Your dog may seek your touch in order to ease their anxiety just as a child may reach for your hand. They look to you as someone who can keep them safe from any harm. Find out if this has to do with why your dog follows you everywhere—including the bathroom.

Russell Hartstein, FunPawCare Dog Trainer and Behaviorist in LA, says, “It can also be a sign your dog is nervous and seeking comfort. Dogs are social and gregarious creatures. They also have emotions and feelings like us, so being comforted by a loved one helps a dog cope with whatever they are scared about.”

Is dog leaning normal?

Lynda Taylor, co-founder of Breed Advisor, says, “By nature, dogs are social animals that crave physical contact. Dogs lean on people because they want to be close to them. Whilst small dogs can be picked up and cuddled, bigger dogs do what they can to get close like leaning on you with all their weight.”

Leaning is a completely harmless behavior in dogs as it is usually a sign of comfort and love. However, some pups may suffer from separation anxiety, even going as far as following their human around the house and experiencing panic when left alone. See how to calm down an anxious dog without medication, but if this sounds like your dog, consult your veterinarian who will most likely refer you to an animal behavior specialist.

Many dog owners have backyards that look like they’ve suffered a gopher invasion. But it’s not rodents to blame—it’s the dog. It may be stereotypical, but dogs do bury bones and other goodies all the time. And if it’s not in the yard, it’s somewhere in the house, such as under a pile of blankets. When he was younger, my Chihuahua used to leave all kinds of presents hidden in the bed. I never knew what I’d find under my pillow.

Dog behavior can seem odd to us. After all, they live in our homes and even wear adorable sweaters, but they are animals with a wild history. In more than 13 years as a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KSA), I’ve had loads of exasperated clients request advice on how to stop a dog’s digging habit and ask me, “Why do dogs bury bones?” Understanding why they bury perfectly good bones and other treats or toys is confusing. Why hide something you love?

Let’s explore the reasons for this common dog behavior and how you can address it.

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About the experts

  • Rachel Lane, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, MSc, is a certified behavior consultant, dog trainer and the owner of the dog-training company Leash & Learn in New York City.
  • Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA, is the author of Working Like a Dog, a celebrity dog trainer and an expert dog trainer on Amazon Prime’s The Pack.
  • Sagi Denenberg, DVM, is a veterinary behaviorist at North Toronto Veterinary Behaviour Specialty Clinic. He is the author of numerous articles and book chapters, including the behavior chapters in the Merck Veterinary Manual.

Reviewed for accuracy by: Wailani Sung, DVM, a vet with a board certification in veterinary behavioral medicine who owns Bay Area Vet Behavior. Dr. Sung is the co-author of From Fearful to Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears and Phobias.

Why do dogs bury bones?

jack russell terrier burring a bone

Remember that dogs didn’t always live in houses or apartments. In fact, they were once wild animals and share a common ancestor with gray wolves. Much of what they do today can be explained by looking at that heritage, and burying bones is no exception. Before they got their food in fancy bowls, dogs hunted for their dinner, and there was competition for those meals. So let’s look at some of the reasons why dogs bury bones.

It’s an instinct

Many canid species cache their food, meaning they dig a hole and bury food in it for later. But what purpose does that serve? A study in Behavioural Processes that looked at caching in red foxes, coyotes and gray wolves states that “food caching gives animals a biological advantage over non-cachers, as it allows for the control over the availability of food in harsh or changing environments.” In other words, animals that bury their food for later are playing it safe in case of a proverbial rainy day.

And as dogs evolved from a wolf ancestor, they play it safe too, whether they are free-roaming or living as pets. Rachel Lane is a certified behavior consultant, dog trainer and the owner of the dog-training company Leash & Learn. She says burying food like bones is rooted in a dog’s genetics and may have once been essential for survival, as it serves as an advantage in case of a food shortage. “Even though most companion dogs do not experience a lack of food, they still may bury their bones and other resources because it is instinctual,” she says.

So if it’s an instinct, is it equally strong in every dog? The connection to ancestral roots may seem obvious in wolflike dogs such as huskies or German shepherds, but do dogs like pugs and bulldogs dig and bury too? According to celebrity dog trainer Nicole Ellis, dogs that are bred to hunt and chase are the ones that most often bury things. However, digging is an innate desire of many dogs. “Some dogs may simply enjoy the act of digging without the act of hiding something,” she says.

Indeed, any dog may hide or bury items, even if it’s not typical for the breed. A recent study in Science looked at how dog genetics align with breed characteristics. The researchers discovered that greyhounds weren’t big on burying their toys. In fact, 90% of the greyhounds in the study never performed that behavior. However, three of the greyhound subjects were described by their owners as “frequent buriers.” So even when you might not expect it, a dog can love digging and burying bones.

It keeps their food fresh

dog eating bone outside in the grass

It’s obvious a buried bone is hidden safely for later, but will it be any good when the dog returns to enjoy it? After all, it will be covered in dirt. Ellis says burying meat in the soil is actually a way of preserving it because it won’t go rancid as quickly as it would if it was left sitting in the hot sun. No wonder that instinct to cache is so strong.

But dogs will bury items even inside the house. If you have one of those pets, you’ve probably wondered, Why does my dog hide his treats under my pillow? It’s the same caching behavior. Lane says that when your dog can’t get outside to bury a beloved object, it will do so inside instead. “Burying toys, bones and treats under pillows or blankets serves the same function as burying these items in the dirt–it’s to save them for later and to prevent predators and competitors from accessing them,” she says.

Whether it’s inside or outside, do dogs remember where they buried their bones? Or are they just sniffing for them with their superior sense of smell? Of course, dogs can find hidden food by smell alone, but veterinary psychiatrist Sagi Denenberg, DVM, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behavior, says dogs remember where objects are hidden too. “We know they also use memory because tests show that even if other areas are smell-baited, they still choose based on memory,” he says.

In fact, a recent study in PLOS ONE discovered that both wolves and dogs are able to use spatial memory, the ability to recall the location of objects, to find cached food. When the animals watched the experimenters hide the food, they retrieved more caches and were more efficient for the first few caches than if they searched by smell alone. The researchers concluded that the animals don’t “simply rely on scent to find the rewards.”

It helps them cope with anxiety

Dogs may also bury bones and other items in an attempt to prevent any competitors from accessing them. But due to this, burying can be tied to canine anxiety and resource guarding, a behavior in which dogs feel a need to protect and defend objects they deem important. Lane says this motivation for burying is more common in dogs that live with other dogs and those that have or have had scarce resources.

Dr. Denenberg explains that all resource guarding is rooted in anxiety, whether that guarding involves the owner’s attention, spaces or toys and food. The dog is worrying about losing something it needs now or will need in the future. “It is a question of value and anxiety,” he says. “If the dog values the item [like food or toys], it will protect it.”

Ellis adds that digging is a soothing behavior for some dogs, so anxious dogs may do it more often. Burying can also help a nervous dog protect its resources, even if there is more than one bone or toy available. For example, if there is another dog around, burying the object will help calm the anxious dog, as it knows it can come back to eat or play with the object later when it’s alone and feels more comfortable.

It relieves boredom

Dr. Denenberg lists a final reason dogs bury items: boredom. Dogs that don’t have enough to do or that live in an environment that lacks enrichment often turn to digging as an outlet for excess energy. Plus, he says, “a bored dog may hide a resource if they need [or] want it in the future.”

How to stop your dog from digging and burying things

dog digging in a sandbox

“If the digging is not bothering the owner, becoming compulsive, somehow causing physical harm to the dog or contributing to resource guarding, it’s fine to let your dog dig as much as they want,” Lane says. But if you want to save your garden, the following strategies will help curtail your dog’s digging and burying behavior.

  • Provide your dog with an appropriate outdoor digging spot. For example, Ellis recommends filling a kiddie pool with sand or dirt and encouraging your dog to dig and bury in that location instead of in the yard.
  • Keep a variety of bones and toys in rotation so your dog doesn’t become bored with what it has available. But Lane suggests not having too much of a surplus to encourage your dog to use what’s available versus stashing extras away.
  • Ensure your dog has sufficient resources to avoid the need to resource guard. Dr. Denenberg suggests training your dog to leave toys in a dedicated container in a quiet corner of the house. Show your dog the container and place some treats there so your dog learns to visit the location. Then place its favorite toy or chew inside and encourage it to take the item there instead of burying it somewhere else.
  • Teach your dog to love its crate and go there when it wants to chew or play with a bone or toy. Then encourage your dog to leave the bone in the safety of its crate when it’s finished.
  • Give your dog an indoor digging toy, like the iDig by iFetch. This toy has a plastic base containing layers of machine-washable flaps. You can hide treats inside the flaps and let your dog “dig” them out.
  • Teach your dog to go to its place, like a dog bed or crate, and reward it with its bone when it’s there. This will teach your dog where it’s appropriate to enjoy that treat. Make sure it’s a safe place where other animals can’t steal your dog’s bone.
  • Redirect your dog if you see it digging. Don’t reprimand it but rather call it over to you and reward it heavily for leaving the area and coming to you.
  • Add walks and playtime to your daily routine to fight doggy boredom. If your dog has other stimulating outlets, it will be less likely to dig and bury for entertainment.
  • Put digging on cue. Then, Lane says, you can ask your dog to dig at specific times and in specific places that are convenient for you.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT-KSA, tapped her experience as a certified professional dog trainer and journalist, and then Wailani Sung, DVM, a veterinarian who owns Bay Area Vet Behavior, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

  • Rachel Lane, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, MSc, certified behavior consultant, dog trainer and owner of the dog-training company Leash & Learn in New York City; email interview, March 11, 2024
  • Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA, author of Working Like a Dog, celebrity dog trainer and expert dog trainer on Amazon Prime’s The Pack; email interview, March 5, 2024
  • Sagi Denenberg, DVM, veterinary behaviorist at North Toronto Veterinary Behaviour Specialty Clinic; email interview, March 5, 2024
  • Behavioural Processes: “Revisiting the concept of behavior patterns in animal behavior with an example from food-caching sequences in Wolves (Canis lupus), Coyotes (Canis latrans), and Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes)”
  • PLOS ONE: “Observational spatial memory in wolves and dogs”
  • Science: “Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes”

When my son was diagnosed with autism at age 4, I had mixed emotions. I was relieved to finally have an explanation for his developmental delays and rigid behaviors, but I worried about his future—life is often harder for those who dance to a different drum. It took me a while to embrace some of those unique traits and to see strength in difference.

I was helped along this road by a friend who shared the poem “Kids Who Are Different” by Digby Wolfe. The last lines really hit home:

“For when they have grown, as history’s shown,
It’s their difference that makes them unique!”

Since then, we’ve strived to live life to its fullest and dream big for our son. We celebrate his love of nature by exploring national parks, make travel easier by visiting autism-friendly resorts and try to educate others about autism to promote inclusivity and acceptance.

April is Autism Awareness Month, a designated time to talk about autism, celebrate individuals on the autism spectrum and raise awareness about the neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1 in 36 children in the United States. For parents out there with a recently diagnosed child, or individuals who have received a diagnosis as an adult, let the words of those who have lived, researched and written about autism lift your spirits, like Wolfe’s words lifted mine. Read on for 20 inspirational quotes about autism for Autism Awareness Month.

1. “I am different, not less.” ―Temple Grandin, professor, author, animal behaviorist and autism self-advocate

20 Quotes About Autism For Autism Awareness Month 1 Graphic

2. “There is no ‘real’ child hidden behind the child you know. Look at him—that’s your kid. Love him—he’s your kid. Enjoy his strengths and quirks—they make up the unique person who is your kid. But also help him overcome his areas of weakness—he’s your kid and you owe him that.” —Lynn Kern Koegel, co-author, Growing Up on the Spectrum

3. “People think autistic people don’t have empathy, but that’s not true. Sometimes I can’t tell if someone’s upset, but once I know, I feel lots of empathy … maybe even more than neurotypicals.” —Sam Gardner, character with autism on the hit TV show Atypical

4. “I don’t want to be a genius or a freak or something on display. I wish for empathy and compassion from those around me, and I appreciate sincerity, clarity and logicality in other people. I believe most people—autistic or not—share this wish. And now, with my newfound insight, I’m on the way to achieving that goal. I hope you’ll keep those thoughts in mind the next time you meet someone who looks or acts a little strange.” —John Elder Robison, author, Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s

5. “When raising a child with a disability a parent doesn’t always enjoy the typical things that so many other parents take for granted—i.e. first words, riding a bike, crossing the monkey bars, etc. We parents of children with disabilities don’t take anything for granted. Everything my son did was a miracle. I like to reverse the astronaut’s quote and say, ‘What is one small step for a typical kid is a giant leap for my special child.’ Every seemingly small achievement is a miracle to me.” —Elaine Hall, neurodiversity advocate and pioneer

6. “I used to think, when I was first diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome—a form of autism—about what I can’t do, rather than what I can do, which was a mistake in thinking.” —Merrick Egber, administrative assistant and Els for Autism Foundation Chair of the Advisory Board

7. “There is no doubt that autism makes my life difficult, but it also makes my life beautiful. When everything is more intense, then the every day, the mundane, the typical, the normal … those things become outstanding.” —Erin McKinney, basketball operations assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies

8. “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” —Stephen Shore, professor, autism advocate and person living with autism

20 Quotes About Autism For Autism Awareness Month 2 Graphic

9. “Trying to fit in just seems like too much of a hassle for me, and I would much rather make friends with people who can accept me for who I am, since that is the very thing that makes a friendship a friendship. Though it may be difficult for some people on the spectrum to make and keep friends due to the complexity of friendships, any friend who has the understanding and acceptance they are looking for is going to be very lucky.” —Kaitlin Smith, author, Take It from the Expert: Sixteen Years of Experience Living on the Autism Spectrum

10. “Autism doesn’t come with an instruction guide. It comes with a family who will never give up.” —Kerry Magro, disability advocate, national speaker and bestselling author

11. “I work hard to celebrate my son Bennett’s milestones, like learning to put his shoes on and hopping on one foot and singing ‘Bingo,’ because for Bennett, little triumphs that go unnoticed in other children are huge; they are small steps on his slower, windier road to (fingers crossed) independence. We don’t know where the road will go, so we try to enjoy the bumpier ride.” —Lisa Kadane, journalist whose son has autism

12. “Autists are the ultimate square pegs, and the problem with pounding a square peg into a round hole is not that the hammering is hard work. It’s that you’re destroying the peg.” —Paul Collins, author whose son has autism, from his book Not Even Wrong: A Father’s Journey into the Lost History of Autism

13. “Look, I know I sometimes say or post strange things, but that’s just how my brain works. To anyone who’s been offended, I just want to say I reinvented electric cars, and I’m sending people to Mars in a rocket ship. Did you think I was also going to be a chill, normal dude?” —Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and person living with Asperger’s Syndrome

14. “I might hit developmental and societal milestones in a different order than my peers, but I am able to accomplish these small victories on my own time.” —Haley Moss, attorney with autism and autism advocate

15. “Wanting to be free
Wanting to be me
Trying to make people see
And accept the real me.”
—Scott Lentine, autism self-advocate who writes poetry

20 Quotes About Autism For Autism Awareness Month 3 Graphic

16. “What would happen if the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool? You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing and not getting anything done.” ―Temple Grandin, professor, author, animal behaviorist and autism self-advocate, from her book The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism & Asperger’s

17. “I believe that inside every person who is bullied there is a strength and a tenacity to survive. You don’t always know that this strength exists, but if you make it through those dark times, you become aware. You become a survivor, someone whose courage and spirit is far stronger than all of the hate and cruelty of their bullies. The one thing that I want to impart to children with autism is knowledge of their own inner strength, and the belief that one day at a time, they, too, can get through this.” —Amy Gravino, autism advocate

18. “It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the village.” —Elaine Hall, neurodiversity advocate and pioneer

19. “I’ve learned that every human being, with or without disabilities, needs to strive to do their best, and by striving for happiness you will arrive at happiness. For us, you see, having autism is normal—so we can’t know for sure what your ‘normal’ is even like. But so long as we can learn to love ourselves, I’m not sure how much it matters whether we’re normal or autistic.” —Naoki Higashida, author of The Reason I Jump

20. “No matter how many ways life’s circumstances attempt to restrict me from being ‘normal,’ I’ve learned that when we try to look past ‘labels’ and resist the urge to limit ourselves and others, we will learn to finally start living. We will learn to believe in our greatest potential. We will learn that we are all strong.” —Lamar Hardwick, The Autism Pastor

Source:

To say we’re fascinated by our dogs is an understatement. Truth is, we’re kind of obsessed. It’s as if every little thing those lovable tail-wagging creatures do, from gazing at us lovingly to sighing dramatically, from licking our faces to licking our feet and watching TV with us, is imbued with a sense of mystery and magic. So if you’ve ever “pawsed” to wonder, Why do dogs put their paw on you? you’re not alone. In fact, it’s one of the doggy behaviors that veterinarians and dog behavior experts get asked about the most, according to Colby Lehew, head trainer at Chicago’s Dogletics dog training facility. We talked to Lehew and several veterinarians to get to the bottom of this sweet, if a little perplexing, dog habit.

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About the experts

  • Jennifer Coates, DVM, is a member of the advisory board for Pango Pets. She has more than 20 years of experience writing about veterinary medicine and pets.
  • Colby Lehew is the head of dog training at Chicago’s Dogletics.
  • Sara Ochoa, DVM, is a Texas-based small-animal and exotic veterinarian and a veterinary consultant for DogLab.
  • Gerardo Perez-Camargo, DVM, is the Vice President of Research and Development at Freshpet. He has more than 18 years of experience in pet wellness and behavior.
  • Caroline Wilde, DVM, is a staff veterinarian at Trupanion pet insurance. She has 20 years of veterinary experience.
  • Sarah Wooten, DVM, is a veterinary expert at Pumpkin Pet Insurance. She has 16 years of experience and is a certified veterinary journalist.

Pawing is a form of communication

In its most basic form, “pawing” is a form of communication, explains Gerardo Perez-Camargo, DVM, Vice President of Research and Development at Freshpet. Or, more specifically, it’s a communication initiation, akin to you clearing your throat to signal that you’re about to speak or tapping a friend on the shoulder to get their attention. But your dog could accomplish that just as easily with barking. So when your dog chooses to put his paw on you to get your attention, he’s making a choice. The question is: Why?

Dogs, like humans, speak with their hands

Many dogs are inclined to “speak” with their “hands,” observes Sarah Wooten, DVM, vet expert at Pumpkin Pet Insurance. The reason, according to Lehew, is that we’ve taught them to do so. When your dog hands you his paw, you’re likely to react positively. Sometimes you’ll even offer a reward (for example, praise, physical affection or food). By rewarding our dogs for communicating with their paws, we’re encouraging them to do so again.

Here’s what your dog is saying when they put their paw on you

1. Please keep petting me

Cocker Spaniel And Owner's Hand Dog Asking Owner To Keep Petting

When you get the “paw” while you’re already petting, tickling or otherwise lavishing physical attention on your dog, you probably won’t even have to ask, “Why do dogs put their paw on you?” Chances are, you’ll understand intuitively that your dog wants you to keep doing exactly what you’re doing. This is one of the most common reasons dogs will put their paws on their people, says Dr. Wooten.

2. Why did you stop?

Beige Senior Golden Retriever Gives Paw To Her Female Owner

Similarly, a dog may place a paw on you if you were giving him physical affection but stopped, Dr. Wooten notes. It tends to happen very quickly: As soon as you start to withdraw your hand, he’ll reach out and paw you. It tends to be very effective, leaving little room for interpretation. “Give me more,” your dog is saying.

3. It’s gonna be OK

The Dog Put Its Paw On The Woman S Hand

“Good or bad, dogs feel our energy, and they care about how we feel,” Dr. Wooten tells Reader’s Digest. “When we are feeling sad or down, our dogs can easily pick up on that.” And that’s when your pup may reach out to you with his paw, as if to say, “Hey, I get that you’re going through something, and I want you to know, it’s going to be all right.”

4. I love you

A Young Pregnant Woman Working On Her Laptop At Home While Her Dog Looks For Her Attention

“Touching you with a paw is one way dogs can communicate love,” according to Texas-based veterinarian Sara Ochoa, DVM, who consults for DogLab. “Just as dogs adore belly rubs, they also seem to understand that their people like to be touched as well, and since they love us, they want to make us happy.”

5. I’m not feeling so good

Close Up Photo Of Woman Hand Holding Dog Paw At Home

Dogs associate giving us their paws with getting rewards from us. But not all rewards come in the form of praise, affection or food. Sometimes, the reward is the offer of comfort and assistance when your dog isn’t feeling well. Your dog’s body language will offer clues as to whether he’s offering a happy paw versus an “I’m not feeling so good” paw. But in case there’s any doubt, be on the lookout for warning signs your dog is in pain.

6. I’m anxious

Cynologist Girl Training Her Dog Dog Giving Her Paw To A Master

Our dogs can feel unwell both physically and emotionally, points out Caroline Wilde, DVM, staff veterinarian at Trupanion. So if your dog is feeling anxious or stressed, for example, he may seek out comfort from you by offering a paw. In such a case, you might also notice your dog licking his lips or yawning repeatedly. In addition, if he’s licking his paws, that could be a clue that your dog is feeling anxious or stressed.

The long “pawse”

Most of the time, when your dog offers his paw, the gesture is brief. Sometimes, however, he doesn’t just tap you with his paw but actually leaves it on you. Sometimes, it’s almost as if he appears to be gripping you. “Why do dogs put their paw on you and leave it there?” you might ask.

The reasons behind short and long dog touches are essentially the same, according to Jennifer Coates, DVM, who serves on the advisory board for Pango Pets. However, a long “pawse” tends to happen when a short “pawse” has been ignored or has gone unrewarded. On the other hand, if a sustained paw-touch seems to come out of nowhere, you can probably rest assured that you’ve just received the doggy equivalent of a bear hug.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Lauren Cahn tapped her experience covering canine behavior and dog breeds for Reader’s Digest. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

  • Jennifer Coates, DVM, member of the advisory board for Pango Pets; interviewed, February 2022
  • Colby Lehew, head of dog training at Chicago’s Dogletics; interviewed, February 2022
  • Sara Ochoa, DVM, a Texas-based small-animal and exotic veterinarian and a veterinary consultant for DogLab; interviewed, February 2022
  • Gerardo Perez-Camargo, DVM, Vice President of Research and Development at Freshpet; interviewed, February 2022
  • Caroline Wilde, DVM, staff veterinarian at Trupanion; interviewed, February 2022
  • Sarah Wooten, DVM, a veterinary expert at Pumpkin Pet Insurance; interviewed, February 2022

There are some things we definitively know about dogs, like why dogs get the zoomies or what it means when a dog licks you. We also know they love their toys. It’s one of life’s simple pleasures to watch our pups happily chew and toss around their favorite indestructible dog toy or try to uncover the treats in a challenging puzzle toy. But when it comes to coveted toys, there’s one thing that confounds many people: What’s the appeal of squeaky toys? To mere humans, they’re kind of annoying. Yet, dogs can’t get enough of them. It’s crazy how many times a dog can make a toy squeak in an hour and then return to it later like it’s brand new! So, why do dogs like squeaky toys so much? We spoke to dog behavior experts and veterinarians for answers. Here’s what three experts say.

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About the experts

  • Matthew McCarthy, DVM, is a veterinarian with 25 years of experience and the founder and director of Juniper Valley Animal Hospital.
  • Karen Sueda, DVM, is a veterinarian with a board certification in veterinary behavioral medicine at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital.
  • Adrienne Farricelli is a certified professional dog trainer at Brain Training for Dogs. She has 14 years of experience in dog training and behavior.

Reviewed for accuracy by: Wailani Sung, DVM, a veterinarian with board certification in veterinary behavioral medicine. Dr. Sung is the director of the behavior and welfare programs at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and is the co-author of From Fearful to Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog From Anxiety, Fears and Phobias.

Why do dogs love squeaky toys so much?

1. Squeaky toys mimic the thrill of the chase

Here’s one popular theory shared by canine experts that answers, “Why do dogs like squeaky toys?” The squeaks sound similar to the prey they are hardwired to hunt and kill. Of course, the dogs we have as pets today don’t have to hunt for food; their food is conveniently ready to eat in a bowl each day. Still, that instinct is in their blood.

“Lots of breeds have histories that involve chasing and catching such small animals,” says veterinarian Matthew McCarthy, DVM, founder of Juniper Valley Animal Hospital in Middle Village, New York. For example, labradors and Weimaraners were bred as gun dogs, and adorable small dog breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier were once used to chase and kill rodents.

“Watching your dog tear into, shake silly and disembowel a stuffed squeaky toy until it is ‘dead’ certainly is evidence of this theory/mechanism at work,” notes Dr. McCarthy.

The theory is further reinforced by watching non-hunting breeds. For instance, the Samoyed, a sled dog, isn’t as likely to be interested in squeaky toys because it was bred to stay focused on the trail and not be distracted by small creatures nearby. But Dr. McCarthy points out that this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, as some breeds, regardless of their ancestral past, may still love squeaky toys.

2. Squeaky toys activate the feedback loop

Think of it this way: When something feels good and is fun to do, you want to keep doing it. The same is true for dogs, of course. When a dog chomps down on a squeaky toy, they hear a sound that triggers an immediate gratifying auditory reward, which, of course, is one of the reasons why dogs like squeaky toys.

“Several studies have shown that certain sounds like those a squeaky toy makes trigger reward centers in the brain to release the feel-good chemical dopamine—much like a runner’s high,” says Dr. McCarthy. Those happy feelings encourage your pup to return to the squeaky toy repeatedly, instilling a feedback loop. That makes sense!

3. Squeaky toys are an invitation to play

From the subtle signals of a dog’s tail to the more obvious signs of an anxious dog hiding under the bed, pet parents can pick up certain communication cues from their dogs. But other messages from our pups are more cryptic and charmingly clever. Have you ever noticed that your pup often likes to play with the squeaker toy right next to you? Why do dogs like squeaky toys when they are in your vicinity? There may be an ulterior motive.

According to Dr. McCarthy, as soon as we engage with them by picking up the squeaky toy, it releases dopamine and oxytocin, which cements their bond with us. “When the dog interacts with the squeaker toy, she is reinforced both by the toy itself as well as with attention from the person,” adds Karen Sueda, DVM, a veterinarian at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital.

4. Squeaky toys seem like real prey

A squeaky squirrel has a tail your pooch may love to swing around and chomp on to make it squeak. Or maybe he goes nuts over his favorite goose toy, wildly shaking it to activate the squeaking sound. You’re not imagining it: Your dog likely loves this pastime because these toys look and sound like real prey. And it’s not just the resemblance of prey or the ear-piercing shrieks that makes this so appealing. Dogs like squeaky toys because they go back to that instinctual nature of hunting, killing and tearing up the prey.

“The squeaker hiding inside comes to somewhat mimic the internal organs of critters,” says Adrienne Farricelli, a certified professional dog trainer at Brain Training for Dogs. “No wonder Rover is so intent biting into it! It squeaks like an animal, and on top of that, it’s so fun to unstuff and disembowel—much to the owner’s dismay.”

High-pitched vs. low-pitched squeaky toys

Shall We Play?

Does your dog act differently when playing with high-pitched and low-pitched squeaky toys? Maybe. “Generally, high-pitched, staccato noise tends to encourage activity, while lower-pitched, longer-duration noise tends to be more calming,” Dr. Sueda says.

Still, some dogs aren’t fans of squeaky toys, no matter what they sound like. “If the dog shies away or seems fearful when you squeak the toy, the sound may bother her,” Dr. Sueda explains.

It’s no big deal from an entertainment perspective if your dog doesn’t enjoy playing with squeaker toys, but the lack of interest could point to other mental and health woes. “If the dog experiences a lot of sound sensitivities, consult with your veterinarian about ways to address your dog’s more general fear of noises,” advises Dr. Sueda. Also, your pooch may have dental or oral pain that prevents him from chomping down to activate the squeaker.

How to use squeaky toys for training

Akita Inu puppy portrait with a toy

Just when you thought you knew all the dog trainers’ training secrets, the squeaker toy comes along and proves you wrong. Whether it’s a squeaky rope or chew toy, it can be a sneaky way to reinforce your dog’s behaviors, Farricelli says. “Hide a squeaky toy behind your back, call your dog, and reinforce him for coming to you by praising and providing access to the toy as you squeak it and toss it for him to catch.” The squeaker’s sound can also divert your dog’s attention from something they shouldn’t be getting into or unwanted behavior like nipping.

Perhaps the most fun way to utilize a squeaker toy is to capture your dog’s attention when taking pictures. While your dog is in a solid sit/stay position, squeeze the toy to get his full attention. “I get the best pictures this way as they are sitting nicely composed while their ears are perked up, their eyes are bright, and they have a focused, alert expression,” says Farricelli. If she’s lucky enough, she gets the adorable head tilt, too!

Are squeaky toys okay for dogs?

Beagle dog biting and chewing on rubber toy on a floor.

What’s the danger in some good, old-fashioned, instinctual fun? Nothing … unless your pup ingests the squeaker or stuffing after he’s torn the toy to shreds. Dr. McCarthy says that some of his patients pass the material and squeaker when they poop, while other dogs end up with an intestinal blockage that requires surgery to remove them. That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye on your dog when he’s playing with toys, especially squeaky ones.

Equally important is training your dog early on to “drop it” or “leave it” on cue. But if he ignores this command and you can’t get the toy away from him, Farricelli has a suggestion: a high-value swap. Offer your dog something edible that he goes bonkers for, whether it’s a dog treat or a peanut-butter-stuffed Kong.

“The goal is to make the dog feel that when we approach him to remove a toy, we have something far better to offer,” says Farricelli. “[That helps] prevent resource guarding and teaches the dog to voluntarily give up things rather than give us a hard time—like running away with it, baring teeth or trying to bite.”

How to choose safe squeaky toys

There’s no shortage of squeaky toys to choose from. Some toys are cuter and look more fun to play with than others, but what really matters is durability and safety. Plush toys filled with stuffing are the least durable and most likely to be destroyed quickly, and you’ll have to replace them more often. “I recommend rubber or plastic toys, preferably with a raised, ridged or spiked surface, as this helps clean your dog’s teeth and gums while chewing,” Dr. McCarthy says. “And look for BPA-free, food-grade material, which means it is antibacterial and holds up better over time to dog slobber and repetitive cleaning.”

When you need a break from squeaky toys

Portrait Of Black Dog Lying Down On Bed

As pet parents, we might not appreciate the seemingly endless loop of the squeaker, and we might hope for what Dr. McCarthy calls a “squeakectomy.” Luckily, there’s a way your dog can still go nuts over a squeaky toy without having to sacrifice your sanity. “Dogs can hear ultra-high-pitched noises that we can’t,” Dr. McCarthy explains. “There are ‘silent’ squeaky toys that operate in these human-sparing frequencies that have all the benefits without the noise!”

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Lisa Marie Conklin tapped her experience covering pet behavior and training, and then Wailani Sung, DVM, a vet who works at the Behavior Specialty Clinic part of the San Francisco SPCA, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

For animals that eat out of the garbage and roll around in the grass, dogs sure do love their creature comforts, especially a snugly place to sleep. From a cozy dog bed to your memory foam mattress, the softest location is often your dog’s top pick when it comes to getting some shut-eye—usually after it has twirled in an adorable little circle. But your pup isn’t the only one with that puzzling ritual. In more than 13 years as a certified professional dog trainer, I’ve heard plenty of pet owners ask, “Why do dogs circle before lying down?”

Dog behavior is a mystery to many people. And it’s no wonder! We’re two different species with different evolutionary backgrounds. You would never think of barking at the mail carrier or drinking from the toilet bowl. And you generally don’t walk in a circle before lying down to snooze. My Chihuahua, however, is a different story. He naps on a throw pillow on top of the couch, and before he lies down, he makes a “nest.” He spins in circles and paws at the cushion until his bed is just right.

This circling behavior is common in dogs, whether they’re on a blanket or in the dirt. But what exactly are they trying to accomplish, and can circling ever be a cause for concern? I talked to animal behaviorists and dog trainers and asked them pet owners’ pressing question: Why do dogs circle before lying down? Keep reading to find out what they said.

Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more pet insights, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.

About the experts

  • Devan Amundsen, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, is a certified behavior consultant and dog trainer with over a decade of experience working with dogs. He’s the owner of Animal Welfare United and an instructor at Bergin College of Canine Studies.
  • Mary Burch, PhD, is a certified applied animal behaviorist, dog trainer, award-winning author of more than 20 books and over 200 articles, and the director of the American Kennel Club Family Dog program. She’s considered an international expert in therapy dogs, with dog experience spanning more than 25 years.
  • Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA, is the author of Working Like a Dog, a celebrity dog trainer and an expert dog trainer on Amazon Prime’s The Pack.

Reviewed for accuracy by: Wailani Sung, DVM, a vet with a board certification in veterinary behavioral medicine who owns Bay Area Vet Behavior. Dr. Sung is the co-author of From Fearful to Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears and Phobias.

Why do dogs circle before lying down?

mini aussie standing on bed

Although it’s hard to imagine your cuddly Cavapoo living in the wild, dogs share a common ancestor with gray wolves. And that ancestor defended a territory, hunted for food and slept on the ground. That heritage has left an impact on today’s pet dogs that has likely contributed to their habit of circling before they lie down.

Keep reading for the top four reasons your pup is circling before lying down.

They’re acting on instinct

Certified professional dog trainer Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA, says there is no definitive answer as to why dogs circle. What we do know is that this isn’t a modern impulse. “It’s something dogs and wolves have been doing for a very long time,” she says.

Some experts believe a dog’s circling tendency is a genetic predisposition that stretches back to its wolf ancestors, says Mary Burch, PhD, a certified applied animal behaviorist and dog trainer. In other words, your pet’s motivations may be connected to the wolf’s reasons for circling up before bedding down.

One of those reasons could have to do with their powerful sense of smell. Ellis says some people think wolves circle before lying down to suss out the direction of the wind. Then they can arrange themselves to better sniff any intruders approaching in the night.

They’re doing a safety check

Adorable pug doggy with black ears and sad eyes lying on a sofa.

Circling before they lie down might also serve as a 360-degree safety check. Ellis says dogs’ ancestors could have circled to scan the environment and ensure their pack members were accounted for before going to sleep. Or it could have been one last look out for approaching danger.

It could have been a way to focus on nearer dangers too. Remember, the habit hearkens back to a time when plush doggy beds weren’t an option. Dirt and grass—dogs’ former sleep spaces—are very different from the environments most dogs live in today. “Some believe that their ancestors did this to stomp down tall grass and move away any snakes and insects, and it’s carried down through generations,” says Ellis.

They’re regulating their temperature

Along with circling, dogs often dig in their beds. And that may serve to help them regulate their temperature. Think about it: Digging in the dirt on a hot day will expose cooler soil underneath. And digging and circling in the snow can create a compacted nest for holding in body heat.

Burch once had a Siberian husky who loved to sleep outside in the winter, even though he was welcome inside the house. “He would turn around two to three times, as though he was patting down the snow, and lie down in a ball,” she says. “The only one who didn’t sleep well when he was outside in the snow was me—I was constantly checking to make sure he didn’t want to come inside.”

Certified behavior consultant and dog trainer Devan Amundsen, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, believes that modern dogs sleep curled up because the position is great at conserving heat around the core of their body. (Some of us humans even sleep curled up on our sides when we’re extra chilly!) Amundsen’s dog has a short coat with an almost bald chest and belly. “When he curls up into a little ball, it’s super obvious that his bald chest/belly gets toasty warm,” he says. “If it’s too hot out, he’ll start uncurling.”

They’re getting comfortable

Cute red sleeping shiba inu dog laying relaxing in white bedsheets dreaming. Fluffy Japanese breed oriental puppy pet napping

Amundsen says a reason dogs’ ancestors spun around before lying down could be as simple as getting more comfortable. “My understanding of the circling behavior is that it’s creating a relatively flat, circular spot to curl up in,” he says. “Think of how it might look if the dog was in tall grass or soft soil and did those circles. It might pat down the area, find any big uncomfortable rocks, etc.”

But what about when your dog is sleeping inside? Could comfort still be the issue? Absolutely. “With modern dogs who sleep in a cozy dog bed with padding or blankets, the dog can be circling to get the bedding just right,” Burch says. “Think of the dog who does this at bedtime as arranging the blankets and fluffing his pillows.”

When is a dog’s circling behavior a problem?

If you’re worried about your furry best friend’s over-the-top circling, take heart: Turning in circles is normal dog behavior. And it’s not limited to naptime.

Ellis notes that dogs spin in circles at other times too, such as when they are excited. Some dogs even spin around before pooping, which may be an effort to line themselves up with the Earth’s magnetic field. (A study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that dogs prefer to go to the bathroom with their bodies lined up in a north-south direction.) All of that points to the fact that spinning doesn’t signify something’s wrong with your pup—but unusual or too much spinning could.

“Spinning that is excessive or out of the ordinary can be a sign of trouble that indicates the dog has a problem, such as pain [like hip dysplasia], a neurological problem or an inner ear problem [like vertigo],” says Burch.

Cognitive dysfunction in dogs may also lead to spinning, according to Ellis. This medical condition is similar to dementia in humans and can cause a dog to become disoriented and exhibit repetitive movements. Some of those movements can include head bobbing, pacing or walking repeatedly in a circle.

So how do you know when your dog’s circling behavior is cause for concern? Ellis recommends observing your pet for unusual behavior, like spinning away from the bed or having trouble walking in a straight line. Those actions would necessitate an immediate visit with your vet. Also look for signs your dog is experiencing discomfort. “If your dog is spinning for longer periods or getting up a lot after lying down and it seems it may be hard for them to get comfortable, it might be time to speak to your veterinarian and see if there is arthritis or other pain that could be affecting your pet,” she says.

FAQs

dog curled up in the fox position sleeping in a brown dog bed

What is the fox sleeping position in dogs?

The “fox position” is a tight ball that dogs curl into before sleeping. Like circling before lying down, this common canine sleep position is also connected to dogs’ innate need for safety.

“From the early days of the ancient dog, it is thought that dogs sleep in the curled-up ‘fox position’ as a way to stay protected from animals who might be inclined to attack,” Burch says. “Sleeping in a balled-up position will ensure that an attacker can’t get to your vital organs.”

Why do dogs sleep curled up next to us?

There are a lot of reasons dogs sleep curled up next to their humans, including a desire for comfort, a sense of safety and the reminder of sleeping with their littermates when they were puppies.

Burch says dogs sleep next to us because they like us. “We give them security, and in some cases, they want to protect us,” she says. “Dogs sleep next to us as a way of being affectionate. Curling up next to one’s person can be a comfortable way for a dog to sleep—it can keep the dog warm.”

In the end, says Amundsen, it comes down to companionship. “Dogs have been by our sides for so long, both literally and metaphorically,” he says. “My own dog is curled up on his bed next to my desk right now, despite there being other bigger/softer beds available in other places in the house. Dogs are social animals. They like being around us because we’ve [selectively bred them] for exactly that for thousands of years.”

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece on why dogs circle before lying down, Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT-KSA, tapped her experience as a certified professional dog trainer and journalist, and then Wailani Sung, DVM, a veterinary behaviorist who owns Bay Area Vet Behavior, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

  • Devan Amundsen, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, certified behavior consultant, certified dog trainer and owner of Animal Welfare United; email interview, March 1, 2024
  • Mary Burch, PhD, certified applied animal behaviorist, dog trainer, author of Citizen Canine and director of the American Kennel Club Family Dog program; email interview, March 11, 2024
  • Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA, celebrity dog trainer, author of Working Like a Dog and expert dog trainer on Amazon Prime’s The Pack; email interview, March 10, 2024
  • Journal of Veterinary Behavior: “Directional preferences of dogs’ changes in the presence of a bar magnet: Educational experiments in Israel”

Dog parents love their pets—and want them to love them back in equal measure, as evidenced by the billions of dollars pet owners spend each year on treats, toys and more for their four-legged friends. Given this desire for affection, it’s natural that some pet parents might interpret a dog licking their face or hands as kisses or as expressions of love. But is that what they are, really?

As a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, my favorite part of what I do is educating pet parents on dog behavior and answering the multitude of questions that start with “Why does my dog … ?” One of the most common questions I’m asked is “Why does my dog lick me?”

A simple scientific answer would be that human skin is salty and dogs like the salty taste of our skin. The anthropomorphic response would be “He is telling you he likes you.” Which one is correct? Is your dog just treating you like a salt lick or do dog licks mean kisses? Read on to find out.

Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more pet insights, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.

About the experts

  • Wailani Sung, DVM, is a vet with a board certification in veterinary behavioral medicine who works at the Behavior Specialty Clinic part of the San Francisco SPCA. Dr. Sung is the co-author of From Fearful to Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears and Phobias.

Reviewed for accuracy by: Amy Attas, VMD, an award-winning veterinarian, the founder of City Pets and the author of Pets and the City: True Tales of a Manhattan House Call Veterinarian.

Why do dogs lick you?

Dog and Owner Love

In general, licking is your dog’s way of communicating and learning more about the world. The reason (or reasons) a dog licks you depends on the animal, the situation and the person being licked.

They want a taste

Dogs receive sensory information regarding the item they lick. For example, dogs lick food to get a taste to decide if they do—or don’t—want to bite into said item. When it comes to people, some dogs may like the taste of the salt and may be more likely to lick people when they are crying or sweating. Some dogs may also lick you when your skin is wet, such as when you just stepped out of the shower.

A dog might lick your face or hands after you eat to clean up anything you did not wipe off with your napkin. (If you have toddlers, your dog may need to work extra hard.) Here, dogs are doing double duty in cleaning up the person or child and also getting a taste of human food.

They want a better sniff

The moisture from dog saliva can reactivate some volatile compounds left in dried residues, such as dried saliva or urine. Dogs may lick a person’s hands if they smell food residue on them. After a dog licks the residue, leftover volatile compounds are released into the air again and may provide the dog with additional smells.

They are saying hi

Some dogs might lick as part of their greeting behavior when they are comfortable and happy to see a person. Instead of staring at their owner to get attention, some have learned to use licking as a way to get the person’s attention. Most people find it difficult to ignore a dog that licks them, whether the lick is wanted or not, and will have some type of reaction, be it positive (looking at, speaking to or petting the dog) or negative (moving away).

They’re showing their submissive side

A puppy or other subordinate dog might lick a more confident or assertive adult dog as a way to appease it. This instinct may transfer over to a person they’re uncertain about too. Here, they’re demonstrating “I don’t know where I stand with you or whether you like me or not, so I’m going to lick you to show you that I am not a threat so you don’t get upset with me.”

Should you let your dog lick you?

Most dogs will lick you on your hands or arms, your legs if you’re wearing a skirt or shorts, or your face if they can reach it. In most circumstances, it’s fine for a dog to lick a person, as long as the person is OK with it.

When is it not OK for a dog to lick you?

Blonde female sitting at the coffeehouse patio with her pet.

When a person is allergic to dog saliva, immunocompromised or simply does not like being licked, a dog should not lick them. People who are allergic to dog saliva should immediately wash the licked area or wipe it down with a skin-safe disinfectant wipe. Dogs should not be allowed to lick a person’s open wounds, especially if they are immunocompromised, as numerous bacteria, such as clostridia, enterococcus and streptococcus, can live in a dog’s mouth.

When is licking a problem?

Licking is normal dog behavior, and some dogs lick more than others. Licking becomes problematic when:

  • A dog won’t stop licking you and you don’t want them to. Some people may be grossed out by dog saliva, and others just prefer not to feel a moist dog tongue on their skin.
  • The dog continually licks you in one spot on your body. Repeated dog licks on the same area can be a bigger issue, as it has the potential to irritate your skin. The dampness and bacteria present in your dog’s saliva and on your skin can form a perfect condition for a skin infection to occur.
  • A dog repeatedly licks the air or an inanimate, inedible object. This may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as dental disease or gastrointestinal discomfort.
  • A dog licks one area of its own body repeatedly. This may be an indication that that area is itchy or painful.

Dogs that lick the air, inanimate objects or one area of their body repeatedly should be examined by a veterinarian.

How do you teach your dog to stop licking you?

Great love

Even though licking is a normal dog behavior, if you do not like it, you can teach your dog to stop licking.

1. Redirect the behavior

The best strategy is to teach and reinforce alternate behaviors. Here’s how that works: If your dog always licks you when he approaches you, ask your dog to sit before he has a chance to lick you, then reward that behavior with a treat, a toy or praise.

2. Ignore the behavior

Another option is, the next time your dog starts licking you, simply get up and walk away, go into another room and shut the door so your dog cannot follow. Your pup will gradually learn that licking makes you go away and, if they don’t want you to leave, then they need to stop licking you. Keep in mind that you need to be consistent with your training, because it takes some time for even the smartest dog to learn the association that licking causes people to ignore him and potentially walk away.

The bottom line of dog licking

I don’t know of any research that definitively states that when dogs lick people it releases endorphins, the feel-good hormone, for the dog. However, if a dog finds licking people to be a rewarding behavior, then endorphins can be released. I think that licking causes people to pay attention to their dogs, and the positive interaction between the person and the dog is rewarding and also may release endorphins for both the human and the dog. While I do not enjoy being licked on the face by my dog, I do see it as a sign of affection.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Wailani Sung, DVM, a vet with a board certification in veterinary behavioral medicine, tapped her experience as a certified professional dog trainer and then Amy Attas, VMD, an award-winning veterinarian and the author of Pets and the City: True Tales of a Manhattan House Call Veterinarian, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

As every pet owner knows, the spectrum of dog behavior can run the gamut from charming (you know you love that doggy head tilt) to slightly spooky (you know you’ve asked yourself, Why does my dog stare at me?).

Dogs are extraordinary beings, in part because humans have been breeding them that way for the past 20,000 to 40,000 years. We’ve also studied their senses, answering questions like, “can dogs see in the dark?” and “can dogs see color?” Dogs can sense impending bad weather, and they know when you’re about to come home. But can dogs see ghosts?

Lots of people, including psychic crime solver Kristy Robinett, believe they can. Robinett shared a tale with Reader’s Digest that may make even nonbelievers believe. (More on that below). We also posed the question to a number of dog experts, including doctoral-level dog behaviorists and veterinarians. Here’s what we learned.

Do you believe in ghosts and spirits?

When trauma therapist and spiritual expert Audrey Hope sees her dog behaving as if he’s seen a ghost, she believes that he has. But underlying that is Hope’s own belief in the paranormal. Before you get to the question of whether dogs can see ghosts, you first have to address whether you believe ghosts even exist.

“There is plenty of documentation that could support the notion that dogs can sense paranormal activity,” says Jesus Aramendi, DVM, a senior veterinarian for Chewy. But it’s only meaningful to the extent that you believe paranormal activity exists and is capable of being sensed by the living. After all, there aren’t any scientific studies that prove the existence of the paranormal, such as spirits, demons, or ghosts. And there certainly aren’t any studies that prove dogs can (or can’t) see spirits, demons, or ghosts.

That said, while science loves to debunk ghost stories, a good 45 percent of Americans believe in ghosts. In other words, for slightly under half of all Americans, the question “can dogs see ghosts?” isn’t about whether ghosts exist but rather, whether dogs are capable of seeing them. Keeping dogs’ superpowers in mind, anything is possible.

Can dogs see a ghost?

Humans are much better than dogs at sensing colors and clarity. But dogs can detect movement far better than humans can—something that’s especially true in low light conditions, says Jill Villarreal, PhD, head animal behaviorist for the pet food company Open Farm.

So, if you believe in ghosts and subscribe to the notion that ghosts tend to make an appearance under the cover of darkness, then dogs would be in a far better position to see them than humans would. If you believe in ghosts and you’re hoping to see one, consider visiting one of the most haunted places in America.

The doggy version of ESP

“Dogs are naturally equipped with one of the best senses of smell in the animal kingdom,” Dr. Aramendi tells Reader’s Digest.A dog’s sense of smell can be 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than a human’s.”

In that sense, dogs have ESP—as in extra smell perception. And if you believe in ghosts, then Dr. Aramendi doesn’t think it’s a stretch to imagine that dogs would be able to perceive them via scent. After all, there are many things dogs can smell that humans can’t.

But if it appears a dog is “smelling” a ghost, there is likely a logical scientific explanation for it. “After my husband passed, our dog would often sit in my husband’s favorite chair as if he could sense my husband’s presence,” Villarreal recalls. “And it’s likely he could—just not necessarily in a paranormal way but rather in the sense that my husband’s scent still lingered on the chair’s fabric.”

Why do dog’s hair stand up on its end?

“Next time your dog’s hair seems to stand on end for no reason, take a look around and see if you can perceive the cause,” suggests Villarreal. Scientists have been investigating how dogs sense the world around them through their skin (and by extension, the movements of their hair), and it’s well known that dogs can detect movement as well as temperature changes in ways humans cannot.

Another amazing dog fact is that dogs can hear twice as many frequencies as humans. According to Dr. Aramendi, they can pick up sounds that are four times farther away than humans would be able to detect. So, if ghosts exist, dogs could very well have such a powerful sense of hearing that they could recognize them by sound.

If you believe in ghosts, then your dog does too

Over the course of thousands of years, dogs have become not only astute observers of human behavior but also skilled impressionists, according to veterinarian Matthew McCarthy, DVM. If you believe in ghosts and sense that something paranormal is afoot, your dog might sense your energy and pick up on the fact that you’re feeling something.

If your reaction is fear, your dog may tuck its tail between its hind legs or growl. If your reaction is excitement, your dog may spontaneously come down with a case of the zoomies. In turn, you may be inclined to react to your dog’s reaction with positive attention (for example, petting and reassuring it). Your dog will then be inclined to continue and repeat this behavior.

Can dogs sense ghosts?

There’s overwhelming evidence that dogs can hear, see, and smell things that we cannot. So (if you believe in ghosts) the next time you see your pup acting oddly, it could be that it has, in fact, seen a ghost. (Want a clue as to how it’s feeling? Translate what its tail is trying to tell you.)

Robinett, the psychic crime-solver, relayed the tale of a widow whose dog, Elmer, seemed to be in contact with her deceased husband. In the days following the funeral, Elmer would sleep on her late husband’s side of the bed, laying his head on the pillow in an almost human way. As time went on, Elmer took to running to the front door in the evenings and playfully greeting an unseen visitor. To the widow, it was as if her deceased husband were returning home. According to Robinett, that is precisely what it may have been.

Will your bond with your dog last into the afterlife? Learn these signs your dog trusts you.

Sources:

Are you excited about the arrival of some furry bundles of joy? Or maybe you’re worried because you’ve noticed a few changes in your dog’s behavior and your girl’s gotten a little wide in the middle. I’ve been a veterinarian for more than 25 years, and I’ve helped more pet parents than I can count navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of their dogs’ pregnancies. So you’re in the right place to get the answers to your dog-pregnancy questions, including: How long are dogs pregnant?

In my experience, knowing when puppies are due can make a big difference between enjoying the thrill of your dog giving birth or having it be an incredibly stressful time for everyone involved. Being prepared is vital, because it’s important for a dog’s labor to be monitored, and if problems pop up, you can call your veterinarian for advice. Even more dramatically, some dogs, like English bulldogs, should only give birth via C-section. These surgeries need to be scheduled during that small window of time when the puppies can survive outside the womb but the mom’s labor hasn’t started on its own.

Ahead, I’ll answer the question of how long it takes a dog to have puppies, as well as walk you through the stages of a dog’s pregnancy. Here’s everything you need to know.

Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more pets, cleaning, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.

Reviewed for accuracy by: Amy Attas, VMD, an award-winning veterinarian, the founder of City Pets and the author of Pets and the City: True Tales of a Manhattan House Call Veterinarian.

How long are dogs pregnant?

Dogs are usually pregnant for around nine weeks, and canine pregnancies follow a trimester pattern that’s similar to human pregnancies—but over the course of weeks instead of months. Of course, every dog (not to mention every pregnancy) is a little different, but big dogs generally have slightly longer pregnancies than small dogs.

The most accurate way to measure a dog pregnancy is in days, but you need to know when to start counting. Dog pregnancies can last anywhere from 57 to 72 days, with the average being around 63 days (or two months). For this kind of accuracy, you’d consider the first time a dog mates during her heat cycle as day one. If you know when your dog’s heat cycle ended, you can narrow things down even further: She will probably give birth 56 to 58 days later.

What are the signs that a dog is pregnant?

If you’re wondering whether your dog is pregnant, there are some telltale signs you can look for, both in their behavior and their bodies. That said, these early signs are very easy to miss, so you may not be aware that anything is going on until a few weeks before your dog gives birth. Talk to your veterinarian if there is any chance that your dog could be pregnant; they can also help you determine how far along she might be.

  • 3 weeks pregnant: Poor appetite and possibly some vomiting are often the first signs that a dog is pregnant. This usually lasts for just a few days.
  • 5–7 weeks pregnant: The dog’s nipples get larger and darker, and the hair around them may thin. Her belly will also get rounder (and may eventually hang lower to the ground).
  • 8–9 weeks pregnant: The dog will engage in nesting behavior—either by digging or gathering blankets, pillows, clothes and paper in a quiet location.
  • Early labor: The dog will start pacing and panting. Some dogs get clingier, but most want to be by themselves.

These signs can vary from dog to dog. For example, a large dog that is carrying only a few puppies probably won’t look too big, while the belly of a small, thin dog having a large litter can be enormous.

One caveat: All female dogs go through the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy after their heat cycle, even if they are not pregnant. This can make dogs look like they’re carrying puppies when they are not. And while the physical and behavioral changes can sometimes be mild, they can also be very convincing—with a non-pregnant dog sometimes even experiencing what appears to be labor! The best way to know whether your dog is pregnant is to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian, who can perform an ultrasound exam about four weeks after mating has occurred.

How long are dogs in labor?

The answer depends on how many puppies are going to be born and how fast the labor progresses. Starting from the very beginning of labor, anywhere between 12 hours and two days could be normal. Understanding the three stages of labor is key.

Stage 1

As labor begins, dogs will experience mild contractions, and the cervix will start to open to allow passage of the puppies. Dogs in stage 1 labor are often restless. They may pant, pace, tremble and work on their nest. Some dogs may vomit, and most have no interest in eating. You may also notice some clear, watery fluid emanating from your dog’s vulva. This stage of labor usually lasts between 12 and 24 hours.

Stage 2

Stage 2 labor is when the puppies arrive. You will see your dog actively pushing. Most of the time, one puppy will be born every 30 to 60 minutes. If more than two hours have passed between puppies, it’s time to call a veterinarian. Discharge may be clear, bloody or slightly green. Stage 1 signs often return between the arrival of puppies.

Stage 3

During stage 3, the dog will pass a placenta. Because each puppy has its own placenta, stage 2 and stage 3 labor should alternate. A puppy is born, followed by its placenta, and then another puppy and its placenta, and so on.

How many puppies can a dog have?

Boston Terrier Puppies

Normal litter sizes range from one to 12 puppies, although larger litters are certainly possible. Bigger and younger dogs tend to have larger litters than smaller and older dogs. It wouldn’t be unusual for a Chihuahua to have a litter of just one or two puppies, while the Guinness World Record holder is Tia, a Neapolitan Mastiff who had 24 puppies in a single litter in 2004.

It’s important to schedule X-rays seven or eight weeks into your dog’s pregnancy so your veterinarian can tell you exactly how many puppies to expect. This lets you know if your dog is done giving birth or if labor has stalled and you need to call your vet for help.

In how many months can a dog get pregnant again?

On average, dogs have a heat cycle every six months, so they can get pregnant about four months after giving birth. This means that dogs typically can get pregnant twice a year. However, a dog’s size plays a big role in this. Small dogs may go through a heat cycle three times a year (every four months), while large dogs and certain breeds like the Basenji often have only one heat cycle each year.

If you do the math, dogs can theoretically have 10 or more litters over their lifetime, but this is usually not in their best interest. After all, being pregnant and raising puppies through weaning is hard work: A dog’s need for energy (calories) goes up by 60% in late pregnancy and can increase by 200% to 400% when they are nursing a litter of puppies. Older dogs are also at a higher risk for having their own health problems, which could make pregnancy and delivery a riskier proposition. Good breeders often limit their dogs to three to five litters, after which the dogs can enjoy their retirement years.

What is the oldest age a female dog can have puppies?

Dogs do not go through menopause, so they can continue to have puppies well into their senior years. However, pregnancies tend to become more difficult and litters tend to be smaller after dogs are 5 to 7 years of age. This is a reasonable time to stop breeding. Except under special circumstances, the American Kennel Club will not register puppies that have been born to dogs who are more than 12 years old at the time of mating.

What is the youngest age a female dog can get pregnant?

Pragnant Dog relaxing on sofa

Smaller dogs usually start having heat cycles when they are between 6 and 12 months of age, and it’s possible for these dogs to become pregnant as soon as that happens. Larger breeds, on the other hand, may not have their first heat until they are 12 to 18 months old and aren’t able to get pregnant until they do. If you don’t want your dog to become pregnant, it may be best to schedule a spaying appointment before their first heat. Talk to your veterinarian about the optimal timing for your dog.

Dogs should never have to deal with the demands of pregnancy and caring for a litter while they are still growing and developing themselves. They may simply not be able to take in enough nutrition to fuel their own bodies and also provide what their little ones need, leading to nutritional deficiencies for both. Breeders typically wait at least until a dog’s second heat cycle before they will allow her to become pregnant.

FAQs

Can you tell if your dog is pregnant at home?

You can order a dog pregnancy test online, but keep in mind that it is only accurate after a dog has been pregnant for four weeks. It also may not pick up very small litters. You can, however, look for signs that your dog might be pregnant, including her nipples becoming larger and darker and her belly getting bigger. However, as noted earlier, all female dogs can experience similar symptoms after their heat cycles, so this isn’t a reliable gauge of pregnancy.

Do dogs get pregnant every time they mate?

Healthy dogs typically become pregnant after mating. One study found that under certain circumstances, 95% of breedings were successful. The best way to know for sure if your dog is pregnant is to have your veterinarian perform an ultrasound exam about four weeks after the mating.

Do dogs know they’re pregnant?

It’s impossible to know if dogs understand the reason behind the changes they go through when they are pregnant. Are their behaviors instincts or evidence of a deeper understanding? We may never know enough to consider this a dog fact, but once the puppies are born, there’s no doubting the attachment that forms between the mom and her babies.

What does nesting look like in dogs?

Dogs that are nesting typically gather soft items like blankets, pillows, towels, clothing and paper products in an out-of-the-way location. Then, they will arrange (and rearrange) them to their liking. One word of warning: Dogs may rip up their bedding material to make everything just right for them, so make sure they have access to things you don’t mind throwing out after the nest is no longer needed.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Jennifer Coates, DVM, tapped her experience as a veterinarian with more than 25 years of experience, and then veterinarian Amy Attas, VMD, founder of City Pets and author of Pets and the City: True Tales of a Manhattan House Call Veterinarian, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

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Even if you don’t have a pet, you probably have a basic idea of what whiskers are. Even as a little kid, if you were sketching a dog or cat, you made sure to draw the little lines sticking out from its nose. But why do dogs have whiskers?

What are whiskers?

No, they aren’t extra-long facial hairs, like the dog version of a mustache. The purpose of dog whiskers is something totally different. Whiskers, also known as “vibrissae,” are the coarse hairs around dogs’ noses and jaws, and above their eyes as well. To be exact, “whiskers are specialized hairs that are tied to sensory nerves around a dog’s face,” explains Dr. Jennifer Coates, Chewy vet expert. Cats, rabbits, rats, and lots of other animals have whiskers as well.

Do dog whiskers have a purpose?

So what do dog whiskers do? It turns out that they play a crucial role in the way dogs approach the world around them. Different from ordinary hairs, the hair follicles at the base of whiskers are equipped with nerves. So whiskers are very sensitive to everything from physical objects to shifting air currents. When whiskers come into contact with something, the nerves send signals to the dog’s brain, allowing the dog to evaluate what’s close by. “A dog’s whiskers can help them sense a nearby object, even in the dark, before they bump into it and potentially injure themselves,” Coates explains. It’s similar to the way humans feel things (especially when visibility is poor) with their hands.

This is a particularly important function for a couple of reasons. Firstly, dogs’ vision is not as strong a sense as vision is in humans—their sense of smell is much more adroit—especially when it comes to close-up vision. And, of course, dogs don’t have hands—they have four legs. So whiskers serve a major purpose in helping dogs discern what’s in front of and around them.

What else do dog whiskers do?

Is there a purpose of dog whiskers besides helping dogs feel things around them? Well, that is the primary purpose. But another answer to the question “why do dogs have whiskers” involves how the dog is feeling, and how they show it. “Dogs also appear to use their whiskers to convey their state of mind,” Coates told RD.com. “For example, when a dog is alert and engaged with their surroundings, their whiskers tend to be upright, while the whiskers on a reserved or timid dog often will be held close to the face.” A dog that feels threatened may “flare” its whiskers and then point them forward as an instinctual defensive reaction. Your dog’s tail has plenty of things it can tell you, too.

Should you cut your dog’s whiskers?

Now that you know what dog whiskers are for, you may be wondering if it’s OK to cut them. Trimming whiskers won’t hurt the dog, since whiskers don’t contain pain receptors, nor is it permanent because whiskers will grow back. But losing part or all of their whiskers can alter your dog’s spatial awareness, which can lead the dog to become confused and disoriented. So “I’d prefer if you didn’t cut my whiskers” is definitely one of the things your dog wishes he or she could tell you.

When my husband and I adopted our first dog in 2010, we never asked ourselves the question, “Why do dogs bark?” Instead, we spent time wondering whether our dog would ever let out a woof. Rio, a Labrador retriever mix, didn’t bark for the first several months in our home. We even wondered if he was part basenji, known as the “barkless dog.” Then one night as we were sleeping, a mighty woof sounded throughout the house. It turned out that Rio was having a little stomach upset and barked to let us know. Though initially startled, we appreciated him giving us a heads-up that he needed to go outside to do his business. A decade later, when arthritis prevented him from climbing stairs, he’d rest on a bed at the base of the stairwell and bark to let us know he wanted company.

Our newest member of the pack, a Yorkshire terrier mix, does not save barking for special occasions. Tux loves to race along the fence line, barking at passersby. He barks when the doorbell rings. He barks at random dogs on leashed walks. Sometimes he even lets out little yips in his sleep. Clearly, Yorkies are not a quiet dog breed.

While some dogs may bark more than others, barking is a normal part of dog behavior and an important way that they communicate, according to veterinarian Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, co-founder of the Center for Canine Behavior Studies. While it might seem like dogs bark for no reason, “it’s always related to something,” he says. “It signals different things.”

Ahead, veterinarians, dog behaviorists and dog trainers explain why dogs bark and how to stop your dog from barking quite so often. Read on for help translating this common doggy language.

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About the experts

  • Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, DACVAA, DACVB, professor emeritus at Tufts University, is co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit Center for Canine Behavior Studies. As a world-renowned animal behaviorist, he has written more than 100 articles and contributions to scientific books and journals, as well as numerous books, including The Dog Who Loved Too Much, The Well-Adjusted Dog and If Only They Could Speak.
  • Andy Roark, DVM, MS, a veterinarian at American Animal Hospital Association–accredited Travelers Rest Animal Hospital in South Carolina, is the founder and CEO of the Uncharted Veterinary Conference and the co-host of the Uncharted Veterinary Podcast. The international speaker is also the host of the podcast The Cone of Shame and the recipient of numerous awards, including the Veterinarian of the Year Award from the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians.
  • Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA, is a Fear Free certified dog trainer, a pet lifestyle expert and the author of Working Like a Dog. The certified professional dog trainer has trained over 1,000 animals and is an American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator, as well as a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

Reviewed for accuracy by:Wailani Sung, DVM, a vet with a board certification in veterinary behavioral medicine who owns Bay Area Vet Behavior. Dr. Sung is the co-author of From Fearful to Free: A Positive Program to Free Your Dog from Anxiety, Fears and Phobias.

What does it mean when a dog barks?

Veterinarian Andy Roark, DVM, host of the podcast The Cone of Shame, says we can better understand why dogs bark by imagining what it would be like if humans could not speak and our primary communication tool was a horn. “You can’t speak, you can’t make elaborate hand gestures, you can’t do anything except honk this horn,” he says. “Think about how you would use that horn.”

Chances are, you’d use that horn much like our four-legged pals use their voices. Keep reading to find out the top reasons why dogs bark.

They’re bored

If a high-energy dog is locked in a crate while its humans are at work, it’s probably going to bark either to pass the time or to summon someone to release it. “Boredom is hard on people. We whip out our cell phones and start scrolling,” says Dr. Roark. “Our dog doesn’t have a cell phone. They’ve just got this ‘horn.'”

They’re protecting their territory

A Dog Howls Protectively In Front Of A Gate

Barking an alert—aka territorial barking—has long been ingrained in dogs. It’s one reason why some people still consider the top guard dog breeds when choosing a pet. “Fifteen thousand years ago, when human beings were sitting around a fire, dogs were lying on the periphery. If anything rustled in the bushes, the dog would start barking,” says Dr. Dodman. “That was a useful warning of approach by a different tribe or some dangerous wild animal. Of course, we don’t have the campfire and the wild animals so much these days, but you will notice that dogs will bark in the house when the mailman comes.”

They’re fearful

Why do dogs bark when fireworks burst in the sky or thunder booms overhead? For the same reason they bark at other dogs on walks: They’re afraid. “When a dog is frightened, he has the opportunity for fight or flight,” Dr. Dodman says. “But when you’re on a leash, you can’t run away.”

They’re excited

Labrador Dog Barking And Playing In The City Park

In contrast to a fearful dog, an excited dog barks during the thrill of play with people and pets. Think of the adrenaline rush! People can confuse play barking and fear barking, so it’s important to pay attention to canine facial expressions and body language to avoid a bite, according to Dr. Dodman.

“With play, the mouth gives a lot away: It’s usually open, and the tongue may be falling out the side. The ears are not pinned back—or forward—and the tail may be wagging,” he says. “With fear, it could be that the jaw is clamped tight, the tail may be somewhat tucked and the hackles will be raised. The dog may be looking tense and/or backing away, and [it may be] barking with a lower tonality, more threatening and warning.”

They want something

There’s a long list of what dogs want—yours might bark because it wants attention, food, a walk or a game of fetch. When we respond by giving them what they want, it reinforces that behavior.

For instance, Dr. Roark’s dog, Skipper, expects dinner every evening at 5:50 p.m. and barks if Dr. Roark loses track of the time. Sometimes Skipper tries to push his luck and barks early at 5:30 p.m. “I don’t respond to his bark then because if I do, he will simply push dinnertime earlier,” he says with a laugh.

They have separation anxiety

Small Mixed Breed Dog Barking At Carpet

When left alone, dogs with separation anxiety might destroy furniture, stop eating, urinate indoors … and bark incessantly, as research published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science shows. “There are about 10 different signs of separation anxiety, but one of the key signs is barking really continuously or for long periods of time when they’re left alone—much to the dismay of neighbors, especially in an apartment situation,” Dr. Dodman says.

There’s a medical issue

“If they’re yipping or vocalizing as they’re getting up or laying down, I’m worried about back pain, hip pain, things like that,” Dr. Roark says. “Is there something that’s causing them to cry out from their movements? I would be very aware of that.”

Why do dogs bark when they’re not feeling well? They have few ways to tell us, “I’m in pain!” So it’s important to pay attention to how and why your pooch is communicating.

Unusual barking in senior dogs can also indicate the onset of dog dementia, Dr. Roark adds. If you’re concerned about the noises your dog makes, contact your veterinarian.

How to prevent or stop unwanted barking

While some pet parents train their dogs to bark on command, many others wish their dogs weren’t quite so noisy. Fortunately, there are ways to address a dog that barks too much once you’ve figured out why it’s barking.

Offer enrichment

“We need to make sure their physical and mental needs are being met,” says certified professional dog trainer Nicole Ellis, CPDT-KA. For instance, if a dog is a fan of “demand barking” whenever it’s bored, take a long walk before a Zoom meeting and offer it a puzzle feeder or a Kong stuffed with canned dog food and then frozen. One of Ellis’s dogs, Rossi, will work on a frozen Kong for over an hour while Ellis works.

Redirect your dog

Dog Person And Hand Point For Discipline On Apartment Sofa For Behaviour Warning Command Or Teaching

“When guests come over and your dog is barking with excitement, redirect them and ask them to sit, and reward that,” Ellis suggests. If your dog likes to bark every time it sees cats, practice the cue “come” with your dog. Then, whenever a cat saunters by, call your dog and reward it for coming by offering praise and a delicious treat, like chicken.

Erect visual barriers

If your dog barks whenever another dog walks past the window, simply close the curtains or blinds. You can also buy film that makes windows look foggy. “We add a little barrier so our dogs cannot just stare out the window and see these things that are really exciting for them,” Ellis says.

You can also create a sound buffer for outside noise by playing reggae or classical piano music, turning the TV to a calm station like the Weather Channel or using a white noise machine, she adds.

Ignore attention-seeking barking

Barking Howl Beagle Dog In House Environment

A couple once asked Dr. Dodman for help with their Labrador retriever, who barked whenever they were having an in-depth conversation with each other. They dealt with it by giving the dog a “time out” in their truck—but the dog loved being in the truck and considered it a reward, so he kept barking to interrupt their conversations.

“You can eliminate attention-seeking barking by completely ignoring it: You continue what you’re doing. You don’t pay the dog any attention until the barking stops,” Dr. Dodman says. “Initially the dog will increase the intensity—it’s called an ‘extinction burst’—but if you can persist, after one week, the attention-seeking barking will be about 50% reduced. … After three weeks, it will be completely gone because it doesn’t work anymore.”

Practice triggering scenarios at home

For dogs that react to other dogs by barking, try playing YouTube videos of dogs (on a low volume) for your pup. “When he doesn’t bark, reward him,” Ellis says. You can also record a doorbell ringing on your cell phone and play that (again, at a low volume) and reward your dog for looking but not reacting.

Stay positive

Don’t yell or hit your dog if it barks too much. “With barking, it’s easy to become overly frustrated. It can be embarrassing and simply annoying,” Ellis says. “But it’s important to keep your cool because [when we get] frustrated, our dogs might actually start barking more. And we can create other problems if they become nervous with how we handle the situation, which can lead to reactivity and other problems.”

Get professional help when necessary

Female Dog Owner Talking To Male Veterinarian While He Writing Medical Prescription For Her Pet

If your dog seems to bark because of stress and anxiety, Ellis recommends talking to a veterinarian. They might prescribe medication or recommend a pheromone diffuser to help your dog relax.

If your dog seems like one of the hardest dogs to train, a positive-reinforcement dog trainer can also help develop custom strategies for your pup.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, Jen Reeder tapped her experience as a longtime pet journalist and former president of the Dog Writers Association of America, and then Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who owns Bay Area Vet Behavior, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. For this piece, we relied on reputable primary sources, including professional organizations and published research studies, as well as our writer’s personal experience. We verified all facts and data and backed them with credible sourcing, and we will revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources: