The Top 10 Most Googled
Questions About Dogs: Answered!
Humans and dogs have lived in harmony for
thousands of years now, yet there's still so Much about them that isn't general knowledge. In fact, nowadays, there's so much information Available it can be overwhelming
and actually quite hard to Find the answers you're looking for.
In today's video, we've cross-referenced as Many sources as possible to track down the truth!
So sit back, relax, and learn the answers to the Top 10 most googled questions about dogs!
Question Number 1: Why do dogs wag their tails?
Many believe that dogs wag their tails when
they're happy, but this isn't always the case. Studies show that the pace and position
of the tail wag convey all kinds of Emotions to humans and other dogs.
When a dog is relaxed, their tail Will sit in a resting position.
If then their emotions are evoked, The tail wagging starts.
Moreover, when a dog is frightened Or submissive, they will often hold their tail
down and wag it slightly between their legs, Looking apologetic and guilty!
You will also find that alert or Excited dogs hold their tail higher than the
natural position and often wag furiously. This fast-paced wag usually
means a dog is happy or excited.
They'll also adopt a playful stance
with their rear end elevated. You will see this often when they want to
play or when they are glad we are home!
Meanwhile, a curious dog that is interested in its
environment will hold its tail straight out. Such As when they're sniffing around a new area.
Yet an aggressive dog will tend to Have a very stiff, vertical tail. The next time you see a guard dog barking, Look at its tail to see what we mean. It's also worth remembering that dogs don't Use their tails for communication
only. It also aids in balance and Stability and acts as a rudder when they swim.
However, none of these interpretations are set In stone; a wagging tail simply signifies
a dog interacting with its environment.
That is why speaking to a dog's owner before
petting is vital, as misinterpreting a tail Wag can lead to a nasty bite!
Question Number 2: Why do dogs howl?
There are four major reasons for why dogs howl:
Ancestry, Communications, Sickness or Injury, And Separation anxiety. Often the reason for
Howling is a mixture of different ones, which Can make the cause challenging to figure out. Firstly, as all dogs are related to wolves, They still have the instinctive urge to howl.
They may not even know why they're doing it, But you'll often notice that once one dog in the
neighborhood starts, many others will join in. Howling is normal for dogs to do as long as
it is not chronic, pervasive, or invasive. Secondly, Howling is, of course, one of the
dogs' many ways of communicating with people
And each other. Most dogs will howl when they are
sick or injured to ensure those around them know There is a problem. Before you move forward
and try to stop your dog from howling, ensure This isn't the case, as they could be in pain!
Yet if your dog is howling simply because they're Lonely, anxious, or just wants attention, you may
have a problem on your hands. This is usually when You need to start strict behavioral training.
Lastly, dogs will also howl if they hear certain Sounds that just make them happy! In the same way,
you might feel like singing along to your favorite Song on the radio. In conclusion, dogs howl in
order to present their emotions to the world.
Question Number 3: Why is
chocolate bad for my dog?
Though chocolate is a delicious treat
for humans, it is toxic for dogs.
This is because chocolate contains
theobromine and caffeine.
Both these chemicals are used medicinally as a
diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, And as a smooth muscle relaxant. Dogs simply cannot metabolize theobromine Or caffeine as well as humans can. That is
why dogs are more sensitive to their effects.
In fact, one of the reasons plants produce
these chemicals in the first place is to Prevent animals from eating them! The bottom line is that dogs process These chemicals very slowly, which then
allows for it to build up in their system To toxic and potentially deadly levels.
Various types of chocolate have different Amounts of theobromine and caffeine in them,
but to be safe, all chocolate should be kept Out of reach of dogs. Question Number 4: Do dogs dream?
You may well have noticed your dog twitching or
emitting light barks in their sleep. Research Shows that dogs do in fact, experience dreams. Just like us, dogs dream and go through REM sleep, Which is the main cycle in which
humans experience dreams. It has been found that puppies and older dogs
usually dream more often than middle-aged dogs! It turns out that Dogs have pretty similar
sleeping patterns and brainwave activity To humans. According to one test, small
dogs also dream more than larger dogs. For example, a Toy Poodle may dream once
every 10 minutes, whereas a Golden Retriever Will only dream once every 90 minutes. We can only speculate what exactly they Dream about, but it probably involves
a lot of chasing squirrels!
If you are interested in dog facts and want
to learn more about other breeds check out Some of our playlists. It would make our
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Question Number 5: Why does my dog lick me?
If you own a dog that likes to lick you a lot, Then you already know what it's
like to be slobbered on the face, Hands, feet, and around the mouth.
This usually happens when you're
Stroking them, feeding them, or being
greeted as you step through the door.
Being licked by your dog can signify affection,
but it can have multiple other meanings too. Rember, Dogs have much more sensitive smell
and taste receptors than us, so they will Lick their owner or other people if they find
the taste of their skin interesting. For dogs, Licking also releases pleasurable
endorphins and releases stress.
Licking is a natural and
instinctive behavior in dogs. For them, it's often a way of grooming,
bonding, and even expressing themselves. Your dog may well lick you to say that they
love you or to get your attention and sometimes To help soothe themselves if they're stressed. Studies show that they also lick to show empathy With other creatures. However, excessive licking
can sometimes signal that your dog is anxious, Uncomfortable, or in pain. So if
you're concerned about your dog, Speak to a vet or behaviorist for advice.
Question Number 6: Why do dogs have wet noses?
There is no singular reason why
a dog's nose would be wet. For one, dogs are continually licking
their noses to clean themselves from all The trouble they're sticking their nose into. Additionally, there's the Scent Detection aspect. Dogs' noses likely perform better when wet; this
is because it helps absorb water droplets that Carry the scent. They also naturally secrete a
thin layer of moisture, enabling them to trap Those scents better. Then, they lick their nose,
so they can essentially taste those scents.
Finally, it's a way of regulating body
temperature: Dogs can't sweat in the same Way we do, so they dissipate body heat from their
mouths via panting and by having wet noses. They have special mucus glands inside
their nostrils, which produce a fluid That helps them radiate heat faster
and, therefore, cool down quicker. So, all in all, it is very normal
for dogs to have a wet nose, And a notably dry one could actually indicate a
health problem that should be checked out.
Question Number 7: Why do dogs have whiskers?
Dog whiskers have special follicles at the base. These contain nerves that send messages to the
dog's brain. So the whiskers essentially serve As receptors for additional information, such
as size, shape, and the speed of nearby objects, People, or animals. While cats rely on Their whiskers to survive, dogs don't.
So why do they have them in the first place? Well, even if they are not a survival tool, they
still use their whiskers to sense the air around Them to determine which direction a scent is
coming from. Dogs depend on their sense of smell More than they do their eyesight, so being able
to find those scents more easily is important. They also serve as a sort of night
vision, acting as a radar in the Dark to let them know where they are. Studies have also shown that whiskers
Even help them with balance, but
thankfully trimming them while grooming Shouldn't have a significant effect on this. Finally, the whiskers on their eyes are equivalent To human eyelashes and help stop dirt and other
detritus from irritating their eyes. Question Number 8: Why do dogs bury things?
What makes dogs want to instantly run out back And bury the $15 bone we just bought from the
store? Well, we can confidently say that they're Not just playing hide and seek with themselves
or trying to create a treasure hunt. According to Long-standing research, the act of hiding things
like bones and toys around the house or burying Them in the yard is actually survival intuition. It seems to be an instinct adopted from their Wolfish ancestors that once enabled them to
sustain themselves when prey was scarce.
Even today, it is common for
Wild dogs to bury their food and Hide it so other animals can't steal it. Now that domestic dogs have plenty of food, There is no reason for them to still bury
things. But just because they're no longer Wild animals doesn't mean they lose that urge. Another reason could be that the owner is giving Them too much food or toys, so the
dog wants to save some for later. Lastly, they could be bored and be playing a
game. If your dog wants your attention, they may Steal valuable items from you, such as shoes or TV
remotes, in order to get you to play with them.
What questions do you have about dogs? Let us know in the comments and share Your thoughts with other enthusiasts!
Question Number 9: Why do dogs chase their tails?
It may be some comfort to doggie parents
that a dog chasing its tail is very Comparable to a baby grabbing its toes. Chasing one's own tail is also known as 'Whirling,' and is a natural behavior and
a form of play for many predator animals. As a puppy, chasing their tail can be a short-term
cure for boredom or a way to gain attention. They're merely exploring their bodies, so
it's generally nothing to worry about. However, if your adult dog becomes obsessive and
does it all the time, then try distracting them. And if you find they would rather chase their tail
than go outside and play, that is when you should Consult your vet as it may be part of a more
extensive issue, such as fleas, worms, or even A behavioral problem or compulsive disorder.
Question Number 10: Why do dogs eat grass?
This is Google's most asked question about dogs. Well, as it turns out, there are multiple reasons Why your dog could be eating grass. There is
some debate about dogs eating grass when they Don't feel well to make themselves vomit, but it
was found that only 10% of dogs that were studied Eating grass were actually sick beforehand.
Other reports indicate that dogs will often Eat grass to improve digestion, treat intestinal
worms, or even fulfill an unmet nutritional need, Such as a lack of fiber. Then, of course,
there is the age-old culprit: boredom. This may mean you need to give your dog more
exercise or switch up their food. Generally
Speaking though, experts see no danger in
letting your dog eat grass in small amounts, Assuming there are no pesticides and chemicals
in the grass. If your dog has a sudden increase In grass eating, there could be an underlying
issue that requires veterinary assistance. So now you've been fully informed on all
the most common dog-related google searches!
