If you are a dog parent, you know that it can be useful to teach your dog basic commands. Some commands can help them learn obedience, such as “sit” and “stay.” Others can be fun tricks, such as “roll over” and “shake.” One trick that can serve both of these purposes is “speak.” This means teaching your dog to bark on command.

“Speak” is both a party trick and a useful command. You can teach your dog to bark when they need to go outside, but it can also be taught in conjunction with the command of “quiet.”

Some dog breeds love to bark more than others, but it’s not always a welcomed behavior. By teaching your dog when the appropriate time to bark is, you can improve your mutual trust and communication with your pet.

Read on as we review the basics of how to train a dog to bark on command:

Dog Training: Why Teach the Speak Command

“Speak” usually isn’t the first command you teach your dog; you may want to master “lie down” and “stay” before “speak,” but it’s still just as valuable.

When dogs realize their humans can understand their vocalizations, they might be more inclined to find ways to communicate with you through their voice. With a single, polite “woof,” your dog might be saying they need to go potty, want dinner, or that they want to go play.

So while teaching your dog this relatively easy trick is impressive to show off at the dog park, it also can serve a bigger purpose — improved communication. When it comes to the training process, the more you communicate with your dog, the stronger your bond will be.

1. Teach “Quiet” First

Before you can teach your dog to speak, you will need to teach them to quiet down. Most dogs have no issue with barking — they know how to do it, and they sure love to at times! Getting your pup to quiet down when they won’t stop barking is the real trick. By teaching them “quiet,” you are giving them the space to learn “speak.”

To teach the quiet command, first, we must mark the behavior. Like with all training sessions, use positive reinforcement. Reward the silent moment in between the barking. If you are clicker training, mark the quiet moment with a clicker or saying “yes” followed by a high-value treat. Once your pup is doing well with this, you can then work on the verbal command.

When your dog is silent in between barking sessions, repeat the word “quiet” followed by a treat. This will teach them that the word “quiet” is associated with the silence in between the barks and is the ideal and encouraged behavior.

2. Attach the Quiet Command to the Behavior

Next, slowly move the verbal cue back in time so that you begin saying it closer and closer to the moment that they are quiet rather than after they have stopped the vocalization. Soon, you are saying the cue and your dog is following up by being silent.

Just like with potty training, repetition is key. As long as you continue to reward the behavior and work on this cue, your dog will have it down in no time.

3. Prompt Your Dog To Bark

Some dogs don’t need to be prompted to bark; others may need a bit of encouragement. For this command, you must first motivate your dog to bark. You know your dog best — whether they tend to bark over a treat, a toy, or when they run around with the zoomies, help get them excited enough to vocalize

4. Mark the Bark and Reward

Once they let out a “woof,” mark the bark with the command “speak” and heap praise upon their perfect, fluffy heads. Generally, the goal is to elicit and praise a single bark, not excessive barking. When your pup gives one bark, stop the prompting at this point and reward.

Tip 1: Have a Reward Available

When moving on to the “speak” command, it’s essential to have tasty treats available when your dog behaves the way you want. Dogs don’t always understand praise as a reward, especially when you give them love and pets randomly for being a good dog.

Dog treats are an easy reward for canines to understand because it’s not usually something they get unless they are doing something right. Pick a treat your dog really enjoys, such as soft training treats, for an extra high-value reward. Some dogs even get really excited by a favorite toy. If you have one toy you use during training, your dog is more likely to comply with what you want.

Rewarding our dogs helps them understand which behaviors are encouraged and which are not. Your dog wants to learn how to impress you, so training can be really enjoyable for them! When there’s a treat or toy involved as a reward, this becomes even more like a fun game they get to play with their favorite person.

Tip 2: Involve Hand Signals

Another way to teach the speak command is to use hand signals. Dogs don’t typically know what we are saying most of the time (even if they understand the tone), but they can usually understand our body language, including hand signals.

You can make your own visual command up if you’d like, but a common “speak” signal amongst dog trainers is: start with an open hand, palm facing the dog, and then close your four fingers around your thumb.

Keep using the hand signals, rewards, and verbal cues at the same time so that you can reinforce that all of them mean the same thing. Soon you will be able to communicate with your dog in multiple ways, which can only benefit you and your pup and continue to build your relationship.

AskVet’s Tricks of the Trade

When going through the training process, either with a new puppy or senior dog, having tips and tricks available to you as a resource can make the process a lot easier.

With AskVet, you can get help with building behavioral plans and ask any question you might have about the training process to our Certified Pet Lifestyle Coaches™ (CPLC). Our team of animal experts will work with you to create a plan for your pup and learn more about their overall lifestyle and behavior.

Training isn’t always easy, but you can get help through AskVet! When you join AskVet and schedule your first appointment, you can start asking any question you may have about your animal family members — dogs, cats, horses, lizards, fish — basically everyone.

Our team of CPLCs™ and veterinarians are available 24/7 and are here to help make the pet parent process easier. You don’t have to do all of the heavy lifting on your own when teaching your pup about when — and when not to — bark. Your pet will thank you (and so might your neighbors)!

Sources:

Speak! Tips On How To Train Your Dog To Bark On Command | American Kennel Club

How to Teach Your Dog to Speak and Be Quiet | Best Friends Animal Society

Does Training Method Matter? Evidence For The Negative Impact Of Aversive-Based Methods On Companion Dog Welfare | PLOS ONE

When dogs bark, humans understand | APA

When your dog is done doing their business, they might kick at the grass underneath them in a backward motion, almost as if to wipe their paws and cover up the damage. While it looks like they are trying to be helpful by “cleaning up,” there is more to the act than it seems.

It can be embarrassing enough when out with your dog, and they decide to poop on someone’s front yard or right next to the sidewalk as the homeowner looks directly at you. But it can be even worse when they kick the grass and tear it up in clumps.

In this scenario, you might not even know how to proceed. Do you try to put the clump of grass back into the earth? Will that even work? How about a sheepish wave and apologetic grin to the homeowner?

If you’re wondering why your dog does this behavior and if there is a need to stop it, keep reading to learn more.

Is Kicking Up Grass Normal for Dogs?

The behavior of kicking up grass after using the bathroom is quite normal for dogs of all shapes and sizes. This behavior is known as ground-scratching; it’s a signal that helps other dogs in the area know that your dog is around. Ground-scratching is a way for your dog to communicate with the other dogs in the neighborhood by combining both visual and chemical components.

Most behaviors you see from your dog do have a reason, and this one is no different. While it’s considered normal for a dog to kick their hind legs back and scrap them on the ground after using the bathroom, it might not be so widely accepted by humans.

Many people become embarrassed by the damage it can cause and will try to stop their dogs from doing it: This can be difficult because it is a natural behavior that your dog has ingrained in them.

Reasons Why Dogs Scratch Up the Ground

Dogs don’t just do things to do things, usually. We might not fully understand, but most actions your dog does have a purpose behind them.

Scientists have studied this phenomenon and come up with a few different reasons for what could be happening when your dog kicks the ground:

Scent Dispersal

For one, when a dog kicks at the ground after they have gone to the bathroom, they are spreading their scent. Not only will this action kick the urine or feces particles further from the spot where they lay, but by scratching, your dog leaves their scent directly from their paws.

Scent can be released from your dog’s paws, so this is a way to leave a mark for longer than the urine scent might last. (PS: dog paws are pretty awesome — dogs sweat through their paw pads!)

Marking Territory

Your dog might be trying to mark their territory when they kick the ground. This often depends on how close to home your dog actually is because you might notice this behavior is strictly happening on and around your own property.

When they do this, it signals to other dogs that they frequent this location. It’s not likely aggressive, either. It might be because your dog wants to let other dogs know that they exist and are not a threat — an “I come in peace” type of thing.

Visual Display

One study found that ground-scratching was noted more frequently when other dogs were present. This means that it might be more likely to happen at dog parks or when surrounded by other dogs. It’s a way for some dogs to show dominance and can deter other dogs from approaching if they see it happening.

It might also attract more canines to come over and smell the ground and maybe even mark it as well, but usually, this is done after the first dog has finished.

Social Display

When dogs are in a space that they’ve never met before, ground-scratching is a way to assert some sort of dominance in the scenario. This is more likely to happen when a dog is unfamiliar with another dog and might want them to stay away from them.

Ground-scratching seems to have some sort of hierarchy to it, with more dominant and self-assured dogs doing the behavior the most to uphold their high status.

Will It Become a Problem?

This is a very natural behavior that you don’t necessarily need to stop, only if it becomes dangerous to the pet or damages a neighbor’s lawn. If your dog exhibits this behavior frequently, you’ll want to keep an eye out for damage to their paw pads.

The scraping, especially if not always done on grass but concrete, can cause cuts or burns on your dogs’ paws that could be extremely painful.

How To Discourage Ground-Scratching 

If your dog kicks chunks of grass up every time they go to the bathroom, you might need to stay vigilant so that they don’t damage you or your neighbor’s lawns.

To stop a pup from doing some personal landscaping after using the potty, you can try to distract your dog with a high-value toy or treat. You could also try to replace the kicking with a trained behavior — a spin, high-five, or similar trick.

Have Questions? Get Answers!

When behaviors that you are unfamiliar with begin to arise, you are going to have questions you want to be answered. With AskVet, you have access to Certified Pet Lifestyle Coaches™ and veterinary professionals who are available to answer any question you may have about your dog’s health, behavior, or overall well-being.

Join AskVet and gain access to 24/7 veterinary support. In order for your dog to live a happy and healthy life, you are going to need to pay attention to their behaviors to recognize changes in them.

With AskVet, ease your anxiety with 24/7 access to veterinary experts for any questions you have, a specially-crafted 360° care plan for every type of pet, a community of pet parents, and a FREE One Pet ID.

Sources:

Ground Scratching by Dogs: Scent, Sight, and Ecstasy | Psychology Today

Scent‐Marking Behavior in a Pack of Free‐Ranging Domestic Dogs – Cafazzo – 2012 – Ethology | Wiley Online Library

Ground Scratching by Male Domestic Dogs: A Composite Signal | Journal of Mammalogy | Oxford Academic

Do Dogs Sweat? | Live Science

No matter how many times you’ve cared for an adult dog, no one can prepare you for what the first few nights with your puppy are like. While puppies bring happiness and fun to your life, the nighttime can be difficult. Not all puppies will cry at night, but a good majority of them will.

Of course, this isn’t going to last the entirety of your time with your new pup, but don’t be surprised when the first few nights are spent listening to your pup whine from the crate. Puppies crying during the night is to be expected (for a while). It can be a stressful transition for a new pup, so we must show them lots of grace and patience.

Keep reading to learn more about the common reasons why your puppy might be crying and ways you can help them.

Why Do Puppies Cry at Night?

When you bring your pup home, most experts recommend beginning crate training overnight. This is so you can help build up your pup’s confidence and create a safe space within their crate. The goal is to get your puppy to enjoy crate time, but that can be quite the challenge.

We love our dogs — so much. Sometimes, hearing your pup cry through the night can feel more distressing for you than for the puppy. In many ways, your pup crying is their way of trying to communicate with you. It’s difficult to know what your puppy needs, but there are a few common causes for your puppy to cry at night.

1. They Need To Use the Bathroom

Puppies have small bladders and often need to use the bathroom every few hours. This means that we will need to wake up in the middle of the night to take our pups outside — sometimes, their cries signify to you that they need to use the bathroom.

In general, dogs try to avoid peeing in their crate. As such, puppies tend to cry out so that we can help escort them outside for a midnight bathroom break. If they know they have to go but don’t want to use their crate, they will try to vocalize their need to you, no matter what time it is.

2. They Are Hungry or Thirsty

Another reason that your puppy is crying is that they are hungry or need water. Puppies might have a unique feeding schedule that isn’t as cut-and-dry as their adult canine peers’ twice-a-day dining arrangements.

Meal schedules tend to depend on the breed size in question. For example, until three months old, young toy breeds will need more meals (around four to six) than large breed puppies (who eat three to four meals).

Younger puppies might nibble on their food continuously throughout the day whenever their energy fluctuates, which means a late-night snack is quite possible. Even the slightest drink of water before bed could result in the need to pee only a few hours later.

3. They Might Be Scared or Nervous

Especially during the first few nights of having your puppy at home with you, they might cry due to nerves. It’s the first time they have been away from their mom and littermates, which can result in some loneliness. Plus, if they know you are nearby, they might think that crying will bring your attention to them (which we all know to be true).

Up until now, your puppy has always had a littermate nearby to play with or snuggle up with. And you could let your puppy sleep in your bed with you if you so choose to, but crate training really does help to build up their confidence! If you ever want to have a night to yourself in bed, crate training will come in clutch.

4. They May Not Be Feeling Well

Another reason for a crying pup could be that they are not feeling well. Puppies can get sick or have upset stomachs, especially if they are nervous or changing foods and routines. It might not be more serious than an upset stomach, but if your puppy is in pain or discomfort, it might be something worth bringing up with their vet.

Puppies are prone to getting sick, especially before they are able to complete all of their vaccinations. They are susceptible to intestinal worms, viruses, vomiting and diarrhea, and growing pains, all of which might keep your pup up at night in pain. In this case, it’s best to contact their veterinarian as soon as their office is open.

If you are worried in the middle of the night and seeking answers, you can also sign-up with AskVet and consult with one of our Certified Pet Lifestyle Coaches (CPLC)™.

Is Ignoring My Pup Recommended?

You might have heard that ignoring your puppy’s cries is the best way to help them get over whatever issue they are having. But that’s not always the case. What if your pup needs to use the bathroom? Or could they use a little bit of water? You want to build up their confidence, not teach them that you aren’t there to be helpful.

Of course, once you make sure all of their needs are met, closing your eyes and attempting to sleep might be the best course of action. It is true that they will tire themselves out, but ensuring they aren’t in distress before moving on can strengthen your bond and communication with each other.

How Can You Help a Crying Puppy

Finding ways to help comfort your dog in the crate and through the night will reduce the crying. Many methods could be used to crate train, and help soothe your puppy through the night, but not all will work for your dog. Every dog is unique, and you have to learn what brings them comfort so that you can help build their confidence.

You might realize your dog thrives when laying on blankets and pillows, so you add in some extra comfy cushioning to help make a little nest. Whatever your pup needs, you will likely be on top of it. You’re a pet parent now, and that means anything goes for your baby!

Take Them Outside for a Potty Break

The first thing to try if your puppy is crying in the middle of the night is to take them outside for a bathroom break. It’s very likely that your pup needs to use the bathroom. They can only hold so much in their bladders, so a few trips every night is to be expected.

Offer Them a Comfort Toy

Some puppies really bond with a soft plush toy. Whether it’s because it simulates having one of their littermates with them or if it’s comfortable, having a comfort toy can soothe your pup at bedtime.

Over time, this toy will pick up your dog’s smell which can bring an additional level of comfort to your dog. You can try bringing this toy around when your pup settles for naps throughout the day and have the toy snuggle up against them.

Put a Piece of Your Clothing in the Crate

Your puppy will bond with you almost immediately. As soon as they recognize that you are the one providing food, water, love, play, and snuggles, you will become a source of comfort. If they can’t have you every night to be with, the next best thing is a piece of clothing that has your scent on it: Extra points if it’s fluffy and soft!

Your scent in their crate can bring a sense of peace to your pup and encourage them to fall asleep. Sometimes their cries signify that they want your attention, but in the middle of the night, that’s not always what you are willing to give. But a piece of clothing from your closet or something you’ve recently worn will do the trick!

Answers for the Whole Family

If you are looking for answers or suggestions on how to help this issue, consider signing up with AskVet so you can ask any question you might have.

AskVet’s Certified Pet Lifestyle Coaches™ are here to help guide you through puppyhood, coming up with behavior goals and helping to monitor any health changes in your pup. Being a new puppy parent is hard work, and not everyone gets that. Once you have a puppy, your whole life becomes dedicated to giving them whatever it is they need, and hearing them cry can hurt your heart.

When you sign up for AskVet, you can chat with a veterinarian or CPLC™ 24/7 — no wait time needed. Whether you have a question about your puppy’s first tooth falling out or your goldfish looking a tad tired, AskVet has the experts with the answers.

Sources:

Housetraining Puppies & Dogs | American Humane

Canine Separation Anxiety: Strategies For Treatment And Management | NCBI

Crate Training Your Dog | Brown University

How to crate train your dog or puppy | The Humane Society

What to Do if Your Puppy Keeps Going Potty in the Crate | AKC

Feeding Your Dog: How Often Should Dogs Eat And How Much? | AKC

When a new puppy enters your home, there is a lot to think about and prepare for. You have to get toys, food, treats, a leash and harness, a collar, tags, a comfy bed, and a crate. The list never seems to end. The parts leading up to bringing your new four-legged best home are exciting and carefree.

That’s not to say that when you get your puppy, the excitement goes away, but really the anticipation of what comes next sets in. How will your puppy behave? Will they have funny quirks? Will they require special needs and assistance? You never know how your puppy will behave until you have them in your home.

What comes next is the hard stuff: training your puppy to become a well-behaved dog. Everyone’s definition of well-behaved is different, and there might be some training that you do differently than others.

This all depends on what your goals are for your dog, as well as their breed. It’s important to thoroughly research the breed (or breeds) your soon-to-be pup is; for example, Border Collies will likely need a significantly different lifestyle than a pug.

When it comes to training and disciplining your puppy, there can be conflicting messages out there, and every dog is unique.

Read on to learn more about the variety of methods you could use to help train your pup.

Is Punishment OK When Training a Puppy?

The short answer is: no. Punishment is never OK to use with your puppy, simply because they don’t understand what it means to be punished. Instead of teaching good behaviors, it can instead traumatize them.

When you first get your puppy, you’ll want to show them that you can be trusted and that you are a safe space for them. They should know that you are a consistent and predictable part of their life. They should never fear you — that does not set up a strong foundation for trust.

Your puppy doesn’t necessarily know why you’re angry at them. Therefore, puppies will associate scary behavior with you as a person, not resulting from something they did, like chewing the sofa. We want the opposite of that. We want to be seen as safe people that they can always come to.

A dog is less likely to respond positively to their pet parent’s requests if they tend to be unpredictable people. Dogs thrive on routine, including what is expected of them. It’s sort of like how human kids struggle if one parent allows candy before dinner while the other doesn’t.

Patience, kindness, love, and consistency are all you need to begin seeing the changes in their behavior that you are seeking. Your puppy wants to please you! You just have to learn the best way to communicate your needs with them and learn their needs as well. Soon enough, you’ll be the picture of the perfect duo at the dog park!

Basic Puppy Training Methods

There are four basic puppy training methods that can help you to get desirable behaviors from your pup. Your puppy is going to make a mess or a mistake every once in a while, and you need to be prepared for that. Even brilliant German Shepherds and Poodles can’t be potty trained overnight. The most well-meaning Golden Retriever might destroy unattended shoes for months before you see improvement (or learn to place your belongings out of reach).

As mentioned above, patience, kindness, love, and consistency are key. We all must remember that puppies are young and navigating puppyhood without a litter of pups beside them. They aren’t getting corrections from their mother anymore, which means we have to learn how to do so. By behaving calmly but sternly, we can set a tone that informs our dogs we would rather they didn’t bite through our new sunglasses.

Positive Reinforcement

One of the easiest ways to train your pup is to associate good behaviors with positive reinforcement. If your puppy barks or whines at the door to go outside for the bathroom, you reward them with a treat and a command similar to, “Yes!”

When coming up with commands, it’s always best to keep them simple and different from the rest so your dog can easily identify them. You should begin by pairing the command with a treat so that your pet develops a positive associate with the action and the word.

In many cases, clicker training can help during positive reinforcement training. Like with the command “Yes!” the clicker sound becomes associated with a reward. Your dog might end up “sitting” over and over, looking for a treat.

If your dog barks a lot and it’s beginning to become an issue for your neighbors, you might try a “Quiet!” command associated with a click and reward with a treat whenever they listen and quiet down. Positive reinforcement is used in training frequently and can help teach your dog desired behavior. It’s used in leash training, potty training, crate training, and when trying to calm an excited pup down.

Conditioning

Conditioning is paired with positive reinforcement, but the goal is to teach a dog a desired behavior. This can be very helpful in learning how to train a puppy without punishment because it focuses on positive associations.

Potty training can be a process. You aren’t always sure when your pup is going to go, and not every pup lets you know when they need to go. Puppies have accidents, which means you are the one who has to clean them up every day. To minimize these accidents, potty training is essential.

One way to use conditioning during potty training is to get a set of bells that you can hang on whatever door brings you outside. Whenever you bring your puppy outside to use the bathroom, gently guide their nose to the bells and have them ring. Then take your pup outside and let them relieve themselves. Soon, they will begin pairing the bells with their need to use the bathroom.

Now, dogs can make mistakes and mess up from time to time; stay calm and guide them back to the door to ring the bells before going outside. If your dog does have an accident, it’s important to still bring them outdoors. That way, puppies (or adult dogs) can understand that there is a difference between the two locations.

One of the most critical aspects of successfully training a dog is remaining consistent. Conditioning can work and does work, but if you aren’t upholding the reaction to certain behaviors, your dog will get mixed signals and not understand what you want from them.

Timeouts

While puppies don’t have the longest memories, timeouts after bad behavior can work to correct behavior. If your pup is exhibiting undesirable behavior, like jumping, nipping clothing, overstimulating another dog, or mouthing your hands and arms, taking them away from the stimulus can help calm them down.

If every time this behavior occurs, you remove yourself or the dog from the scenario, your dog can begin to associate the bad behavior with a total halt in interaction. This signals to your dog that something they have done is not wanted.

These timeouts do not need to last very long, especially because your dog will forget what it is you’re correcting them for if it goes on for too long.

An example of this behavior would be turning your back to a dog who is constantly jumping up on you to lick you. Eventually, your pooch will realize that they aren’t getting the attention that they want by jumping. Pair this with positive reinforcement when they sit and wait for you to pet them; they will understand what you want a whole lot faster.

Replace Forbidden Objects With Toys

When your puppy participates in undesirable behaviors, you can replace what they are doing with acceptable behavior to deter them. For instance, if your dog is chewing on your shoes, don’t get angry and yell at them. Instead, tell them “No” and replace the shoe with something they are meant to chew on, like a toy.

If your dog nips at your hands, grab a toy to act as a replacement. If your dog won’t stop jumping on you and trying to play, providing an acceptable alternative is the best way to distract them and divert their energy elsewhere.

How Not To Discipline Puppies

While there are many methods that you could use to help discipline your puppy without punishment, there are clear actions you should avoid. The golden rule applies to dogs, just like people.

Yelling or Intimidating

We don’t want to try to scare your dog by raising voices, screaming, staring down, or intimidating. A tone of voice is telling enough.

They don’t associate intimidation with their individual behavior but rather with that of their pet parents. Yelling and raising your voice will not produce the results you think they will, and rather a calm and firm tone will do the trick. If you want your dog to understand and listen to you better, keeping your tonal flares to a minimum can help with the training process.

Physical Punishment

We feel as if this should be a given, but it needs to be addressed. You should never move to physical punishment in order to discipline a dog. When you physically punish your dog, you are telling them that aggression is acceptable as a means to communicate. Punishment provokes fear and aggression in your dog, as two wrongs do not make a right.

Shock Collars and Electronic Fence Collars

Shock collars have been in the dog training community for a long time. However, these are never recommended for general use. Some dogs might not understand why they are being shocked or hurt.

Since the dog doesn’t necessarily pair cause and effect, these collars might not even help solve long-term behavioral issues. Instead, these collars can instill fear or anxiety into the dog. They can never be too sure when they might be hurt, so they are always tense and on edge.

E-collars or electronic fencing collars are used to establish boundaries when a physical fence isn’t present. Often these collars will emit a tone to a pet, letting them know the boundary is approaching, and then issue a shock when the perimeter is crossed. However, since the collar will also shock the dog upon re-entry, some pups will opt not to come back inside, potentially leading to a lost dog situation.

Training the Trainer (You!)

With puppyhood comes a variety of new questions — almost daily. If you don’t know many others who have raised puppies before, seeking professional help might be useful. When you sign up for AskVet, you have the ability to ask as many questions as possible.

We get that raising a puppy can be scary, so we want to be there for you through it all. Whenever something pops into your head, you can go into the AskVet application and chat with a Certified Pet Lifestyle Coach™ at any point in the day. Your CPLC™ will create a 360° Lifestyle Plan to help keep your dog (or cat, lizard, horse, or fish) on the best path possible.

If you have questions about your puppy’s health, behavior, or training method recommendations, AskVet is there to help you for just $9.99/month.

Sources:

The Effects Of Using Aversive Training Methods In Dogs—A Review | ScienceDirect

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training: The Science Behind Operant Conditioning | American Kennel Club

Behavior Guide for Your New Puppy | OSU Veterinary Medical Center

Mark & Reward: Using Clicker Training to Communicate With Your Dog | American Kennel Club

Dog Collars | The Humane Society of the United States

Although we often talk to them, dogs don’t necessarily talk back to us, or do they? Yes, actually they do! Dogs do indeed express a wide range of emotions through a well-developed method of body language. They use their bodies to effectively communicate with each other and other animal species, humans included! 

Using different sounds, facial expressions, eye and body movements, ear positioning, posture, fur and tail position (and sometimes even emitting smells!) dogs communicate very effectively with each other, and us too … maybe it is US that are just not understanding THEM sometimes? 

 Veterinarians and animal behaviorists learn the “language of dog” pretty quickly in order to find out what might be hurting our pups or causing them to be fearful. Sometimes we analyze dog body language to figure out what might be provoking certain behaviors that pet owners can’t quite figure out. Better yet, we use these clues to devise plans for what we can do to help our dogs live a confident, happy life with you–their favorite person. 

The Benefits of Understanding Dog Language to Prevent Human Injury

It is extremely important for pet parents to try to get to know their dog’s body language accurately–not only to make their dog confident and comfortable, but also to protect any vulnerable humans that their dog may encounter. In this way, understanding dog body language is essential to creating a peaceful and harmonious mixed-species household!  

The ability to detect when your dog is not feeling comfortable will also assist with early medical intervention in times of illness. For example, if your dog normally loves scratches on his back but you notice fearful behavior when you start petting that area, it may indicate they are experiencing pain. 

By reading the body language of both your own dog and others you may encounter, you can also protect other humans and animals when a dog is showing signs of being nervous, fearful, or potentially aggressive. In this way, you can be a hero who helps avoid a confrontation!

While the brain and actions of a pup can still be perplexing at times, the following are some descriptions that pet parents can recognize to help decipher what your pup may be trying to say. After all, since we can’t educate dogs on how to speak OUR language, it is up to humans to learn how to speak theirs. While perusing these descriptions, you may realize that you actually do speak a little “dog” without even knowing it, as the years of bonding with your pup have already taught you a lot about their likes and dislikes!

Common Body Language of Dogs

Relaxed

Dogs that are feeling relaxed and approachable show that they are calm and happy about your presence through their body posture and expressions.

Head, Eyes, Ears: The head will be up with eyes, ears, and facial expressions all in a soft, natural, and relaxed position.

Facial Expressions, Mouth: The mouth will be open and the tongue exposed, almost like they are grinning at you! 

Body Position and Tail: Their weight will be evenly distributed on all 4 paws (or comfortably laying down), with the tail wagging in a relaxed and natural position. 

This dog is telling those around that they are not feeling threatened by anything at that moment. Still use caution if approaching this dog, especially if they are unfamiliar to you. Be on the lookout for changes in their facial expression and body position because even if they are not feeling threatened, changes in the surroundings could alter their mood.           

Playful

Many of us easily recognize a dog that is feeling playful and ready to have a good time! 

Head, Eyes, Ears: The ears are usually up or perked forward, with pupils dilated and eyes focusing on their potential playmate.

Facial Expressions, Mouth: The mouth is usually open, tongue out, and they may be egging you on with a toy in their mouth or at their feet.

Body Position and Tail: They may take a crouching position with their front end, and lower their chest to the ground with elbows bent, rear end in the air,  and with the tail up and probably wagging.

This position may be followed by a run or leap as well as some playful barking. Excited jumping around indicates playfulness and his willingness to bring you into the fun!

Alert/Interested

A dog that is alert and interested in something, like a squirrel in the yard or some friends walking by on the sidewalk outside, will be laser focused with his body very still, sizing up the situation.

Head, Eyes, Ears: The head will be up and alert, ears pricking forward, eyes will be wide.

Facial Expressions, Mouth: The mouth will be closed, lips relaxed, and very still.

Body Position and Tail: They will be standing very straight and tall, sometimes leaning forward slightly, and the tail may be sticking out horizontally and gently wagging.

This dog is interested, focused, and assessing whether a threat is present, and if action needs to be taken, like bolting towards that squirrel if given the opportunity!     

Dominant/Aggressive

This dog is perceiving a threat, like a postal worker “invading their territory” by approaching their front door. In response to the perceived threat, he shows that he is feeling aggressive, dominant, and confident in his position protecting the house. 

Head, Eyes, Ears: The ears are forward and spread slightly, and pupils are dilated, eyes holding a firm stare at the “enemy.” 

Facial Expressions, Mouth: The face may show wrinkles in the forehead and nose, with the lips curled, showing their teeth as potential weapons, sometimes with an open mouth. This dog may be growling and/or barking as a warning as well.

Body Position and Tail: The tail is raised, stiff, and bristled, the fur on his upper and lower back (“hackles”) are raised. Their body is stiff, and they are standing on all 4 legs evenly, leaning forward to express dominance and the willingness to move forward.

This dog is telling everyone that he will act aggressively if he feels his turf is being threatened. When dogs are in the dominant/aggressive state, they are highly stimulated and may attack or bite — not just their target, but anything closeby — when they are feeling this level of arousal. Use extreme caution around this dog and if you are noticing this unwanted behavior in your pup, check out our blog for what to do with an aggressive dog.

Fearful/Aggressive

When a dog is fearful of something, like a new visitor into the home, they may also respond with aggression in order to protect themselves against a perceived threat. This dog is not submitting to the threat, but instead sending a warning that they are scared but willing to defend themselves by responding to a conflict with a bite or aggressive behavior. 

Head, Eyes, Ears: The head will be lower and bowed down a little, ears will be back, and pupils dilated and focused on the threat. 

Facial Expressions, Mouth: The face will have wrinkles at the nose, and the lips may be curled showing some teeth. They may be growling a warning as well. 

Body Position and Tail: They will face the individual that is the perceived threat, tuck their tail between their legs, and raise the hackles over their upper and lower back. Their body will be lowered and muscles tight and stiff.

Fearful dogs may also release their anal glands (small sacs that contain a fishy-smelling fluid, located under the skin on the left and right of the anus). This dog is feeling threatened and scared but also sending the message that he is willing to bite if he feels provoked, so use extreme caution if you see these signs.  

Fearful/Stressed But Submissive

Some dogs that are fearful will actually not respond with aggression, and instead will offer signs of submission. They want to avoid conflict with individuals that they feel are threatening to them. Unfortunately, veterinarians tend to see this body language often, as dogs can be quite nervous during their exams — but we do our best to ease their fears with slow, gentle handling and lots of snacks! 

Head, Eyes, Ears: The ears will be back, and eye contact will be brief and indirect with the dog choosing not to look at the source of the stress directly, in hopes to avoid confrontation. Often, you will notice the dog physically turns his head away from someone trying to interact with them–like a child–in hopes of avoiding a stressful situation.

Facial Expressions, Mouth: They may be panting, licking at the air, their lips, or the face of the threat (dog or human), and they may also yawn (dogs may yawn due to stress, not because they are tired!). 

Body Position and Tail: They will tuck their tail down, and maybe slightly wag it, lower their body and cower. Their front paw may be raised, and their body may be slightly crouched and leaning back.

The fishy-smelling anal glands may be released here too, since they are nervous. A dog exhibiting this body position is feeling very anxious and uncomfortable. He is telling those around him that he is feeling nervous about his surroundings but not wanting to be aggressive.

Extreme Fear/Submission

Occasionally, you will meet a dog that is very submissive, meaning that they do not want to be perceived as a threat or aggressor in any way to a person or dog. As a person (even a well-loved pet parent) or dog approaches, they may possibly urinate a small puddle and this action is called “submissive urination”.

Head, Eyes, Ears: The eyes will be squinting, and ears back and flat.

Facial Expressions, Mouth: The mouth will stay closed. 

Body Position and Tail: As they are approached, they will cower and then lay down and roll to their back with their head outstretched, exposing the stomach, chest and neck. They may tuck their tail between their legs.

It may look like they are inviting you in for a belly rub, but instead, these submissive dogs are indicating to the other animal that they willingly accept their low social status and are surrendering themselves in hopes of avoiding conflict and physical confrontation.

Sometimes some of the above fearful and aggressive messages can be followed by a bite or attack if the threat crosses over the threshold of that dog. Dogs rarely bite or attack unprovoked, and understanding the visible “warning signs” that dogs communicate can keep both dogs and humans safe. Children are especially vulnerable to altercations with dogs, as they want to snuggle every dog they see and often are oblivious to the warning signs that dogs are trying to communicate. That’s where YOU come in as the doggie translator!

If a dog is showing aggression toward humans, even if he is a young puppy, it is extremely important to seek the opinion of a veterinarian. By performing a physical exam and discussing the pup’s behavior with you, your veterinarian can identify any physical problems that may be contributing to the aggressive behavior. Ultimately, your veterinarian can assess if the behavior problems you are seeing in the home need the intervention of a canine mental health professional (board-certified veterinary behaviorist) or simply a reputable dog trainer. 

What if the worst-case scenario happens, and a dog bites a person? Dog bites should be followed up with appropriate medical attention and reported to animal control as required by local state and county regulations. Unfortunately, the consequences of biting a human are much more severe when the dog is not appropriately vaccinated for rabies–so make sure your pooch is up-to-date on his boosters, just in case!  

Better Communication, Happier Team!

Just when you thought that dogs don’t talk, take a moment and watch your buddy react to sights while walking down the street and meeting friends at the dog park. Watch his body position and facial expressions when you coax him into the lobby of the vet clinic versus him pulling you into PetSmart. You’ll probably recognize some of those postures, ear, and tail positions that we described earlier, and now you know what your pup has been telling you for so many years! Understanding how dogs communicate is an important part of responsible dog ownership and will help provide a happier, safer, and more comfortable life for you and your dog together!

Our AskVet Veterinarians are available to discuss all of your pet’s behavioral needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have an immediate need or are looking to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing, just sign into your account and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs, no appointment required!

Written by:

Alexa Waltz, DVM
Dr. Waltz was raised near the beaches of Southern California but has spent her adult life living all over the beautiful United States while serving in the military and as a military spouse. She left California for the first time to pursue a career as a veterinarian at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She was accepted into the US Army Health Professionals Scholarship Program during vet school and upon graduation spent her military years as a veterinarian in San Diego working for the US Marine Corps and US Navy Military Working Dog programs as well as caring for pets of service members. After her military service, she became a civilian veterinarian and continued as a small animal general practitioner at clinics in California, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Maryland. Dr Waltz loves to see her “in person” patients just as much as communicating with and assisting pet parents virtually on AskVet. Dr Waltz is also a Mom to 3 humans, 2 guinea pigs, and 1 Australian Shepherd and in her spare time she loves traveling, adventures, exercising, and doing just about anything out in nature!

Humans and dogs have been coexisting together for thousands of years, and the amount of love, joy and support that dogs contribute to society is undeniable. However, aggressive behavior leading to dog bites is a serious matter not to be taken lightly. Education and awareness are the key tools for dog lovers (and every other human!) to prevent a tragedy.

So, if we love and depend on each other so much, what causes a dog to bite a human?  How can we tell if a dog is feeling uncomfortable or aggressive? What should you do if you recognize aggressive behavior in your dog? How do we protect children and educate them about dogs? Let’s explore how the brain of a dog works in order to answer these questions …

Dog Aggression and Biting

Puppy Socialization

A common misconception is that aggressive dogs were “abused” as puppies, explaining their fearful, unbalanced, protective, and unpredictable behavior. Although there are certainly very sad cases of dog abuse or abandonment causing lasting mental health problems, abuse is not actually the origin of most episodes of human-directed dog aggression. 

Instead, puppy socialization, specifically the lack of puppy socialization between the ages of 3-14 weeks, will often dictate how a dog is able to process and cope with his surroundings as an adult. At a young age, your puppy’s brain is developing and soaking up knowledge about what to expect throughout his life. They are learning what is considered “safe,” and what is considered “unsafe.” Puppies that are lacking socialization and basic obedience and dog training are less likely to have the coping skills needed to manage their fear in varying situations. Once a dog is fearful, it is normal and natural for him to use aggression to communicate his feelings and go into protection-mode.

So, what can you do? If you are raising a puppy, make sure to expose him in a positive way (with plenty of treats!) to varied experiences, sights, and sounds. This includes walking on different surfaces, being close to different types of vehicles, other dogs and animals, and a meeting variety of people and children. See our article on “Things You Need for a Puppy” for more tips. Taking the time to socialize your puppy at a young age means he will become a confident, happy companion for you and your family.

Crate training and basic behavior training for puppies will also help them learn how to calm themselves and to look to their pet parent for direction and comfort in times of uncertainty.

 How Dogs Express Irritation and Fear

In order to understand how dog bites and fights happen, deciphering how dogs communicate is key. Dogs rarely bite without first being provoked, and dogs indeed give signals to us that they are feeling upset. We know that dogs speak a different language than humans do—and it is our responsibility to learn how to “speak dog” and understand what our canine companions are telling us!

What clues do dogs give that they are feeling fearful and uncomfortable? It turns out that dogs use very recognizable forms of body language to tell other dogs, humans and other species how they are feeling. Dogs use different sounds, facial expressions, eye and body movements, ear positioning, posture, fur and tail position to communicate how they are feeling. We just need to be able to recognize these clues! 

Dominant/Aggressive: A dog who is feeling dominant and aggressive in a situation will have their ears forward, pupils dilated, with eyes holding a firm stare at the “enemy.” Their face may show wrinkles in the forehead and nose, with the lips curled to show their teeth as potential weapons, sometimes with an open mouth. This dog may be growling and/or barking as a warning as well. The tail is raised, stiff, and bristled, the fur on his upper and lower back (“hackles”) are raised.  This dog is telling everyone that he will act aggressively if he feels his turf is being threatened. When dogs are in the dominant/aggressive state, they are highly stimulated and may attack or bite at ANYTHING that draws their attention — use extreme caution around this dog. 

Fearful/Aggressive: Fear aggression is likely the most common cause of dog bites—simply because we humans are not very skilled at recognizing fear in our dogs. The result? A dog tells us in subtle ways that he is feeling fearful, and as these subtle signs are ignored, the dog feels he has no choice but to “go big or go home” to protect himself—resulting in a bite.

A dog who is fearful will hold his head lower and bowed down a little, and he may be holding his ears back. You might notice his pupils are dilated and focused on the “threat” he is perceiving. His face will have wrinkles at the nose, and the lips may be curled showing some teeth. He may also be growling a warning as well. A fearful dog will sometimes face the individual that is the perceived threat, tuck their tail between their legs, and raise the hackles over their upper and lower back. Their body will be lowered and muscles tight and stiff. 

Alternatively, a fearful dog may turn his head away from the object causing him to be scared, and move his eyes to keep tabs on what is going on—you can see the whites of the dog’s eyes in this situation, called “whale eye.” If you see a dog with a whale eye, be mindful that this dog is feeling threatened and scared. The next step for him to protect himself is to attack if he feels provoked, so use extreme caution if you see these signs.

Situations That Commonly Cause Aggression

Just like us, dogs have feelings, fears, and the instinct to protect themselves from what they perceive as threats. Each dog has her own boundaries, and it is our job as pet owners to prevent those boundaries from being disrespected. One of the most difficult conundrums associated with protecting our dogs from fearful situations: many times, dogs and humans do not even see eye to eye on what constitutes a “threat”! This is where learning dog body language is key to understanding your dog’s needs. 

For example: We see our friends coming over to hang out at the house as a great way to spend the day–and some dogs may see the situation as unpredictable strangers invading their turf, possibly to harm them. 

Another example: We see a sweet child who loves to hug and love on dogs–and some dogs see it as an unpredictable animal who is invading their personal space, and potentially may hurt them. 

Not all dogs will react the same way to the same situation, of course! It is the pet parent’s responsibility to read their dog’s body language and gauge the safety of a given situation. If your dog feels uncomfortable, it is essential to alert the humans involved and remove your dog from the situation for the collective safety and security of dogs, humans, and other animals. It is also important for children to learn that not all dogs love to be pet and hugged, and to always ask the dog’s owner for permission to approach a dog and also where the dog likes to receive scratches. 

Common Situations Leading to Dog Bites

It is also important to recognize situations that are inherently more likely to lead to an uncomfortable dog and an unwanted dog bite. Here are some common situations where dogs can potentially become aggressive if they are pushed beyond their threshold:

–   Dog parks where emotions are heightened, and dogs are unleashed

–   Children approaching, petting, or hugging them

–   Taking away a prized toy, food item, or food bowl (resource guarding)

–   Other dogs or animals approaching

–   “Protecting” their home territory from passers-by on the street, or delivery/postal workers

–   Unfamiliar visitors into the home

–   At unfamiliar locations like the veterinary clinic, grooming salon, or boarding facility

–   Petting or touching them while eating

–   Protecting an injured body part, or if they are feeling pain

–   Sudden movements around them (especially children) 

–   Protecting body parts that they do not like handled (especially if a child is pulling ears, petting their fur in the wrong direction, touching paws, pulling the tail, etc) 

–   Redirected aggression towards something nearby when the stimulus is out of reach

–   Male or female competition (especially male dogs that are not neutered)

–   Frustration from being restricted

–   The instinctive prey drive (especially towards smaller animals)

–   Overexcitement

–   Older dogs, and senior dogs with cognitive decline (dementia)

A Word About Dog Breeds and Aggressive Behavior

We’ve all been pretty conditioned to recognize certain types of dogs as the “dangerous breeds.” The classic image of Pitbulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds is that these dogs were bred to protect humans, and therefore all members of the breed are aggressive and not worthy of our trust. Sometimes certain breeds are even “banned” from living in certain places. However, those stereotypes are just that and these dogs continue to endure the stigma. 

The reality is that any dog– no matter the breed– can become fearful, irritated, uncomfortable, and territorial — and potentially become aggressive and bite. 

Shih Tzus, Terriers, Shelties, Labs, Bulldogs, Yorkies, Cocker Spaniels, Chihuahuas (especially chihuahuas!), Dachshunds … these breeds might not be the typical “poster dogs” for aggressive behavior, but are certainly responsible for their share of dog bites. 

Here are the position statements that animal groups in the United States take in regards to breed bans, breed aggression, and blanket labeling or some dog breeds as “dangerous”. 

American Veterinary Medical Association “Dog bite statistics are not really statistics, and they do not give an accurate picture of dogs that bite. Invariably the numbers will show that dogs from popular large breeds are a problem. This should be expected, because big dogs can physically do more damage if they do bite, and any popular breed has more individuals that could bite. Dogs from small breeds also bite and are capable of causing severe injury. There are several reasons why it is not possible to calculate a bite rate for a breed or to compare rates between breeds.”

“Statistics on fatalities and injuries caused by dogs cannot be responsibly used to document the ‘dangerousness’ of a particular breed, relative to other breeds, for several reasons.”

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior “Any dog may bite, regardless of the dog’s size or sex, or reported breed or mix of breeds. The AVSAB’s position is that such legislation—often called breed-specific legislation (BSL)—is ineffective, and can lead to a false sense of community safety as well as welfare concerns for dogs identified (often incorrectly) as belonging to specific breeds.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The CDC recommends against using breed as a factor in dog-bite prevention policy and states: “Any dog of any breed has the potential to bite.”

The bottom line: EVERY dog has boundaries (just like people!), and ANY dog can bite when their personal threshold for fear or pain is exceeded. 

What if Your Dog Shows Aggression?

First of all, well done for recognizing that your dog is exhibiting some problematic behavior and needs help. We all love our dogs so deeply that it can be very difficult for pet parents to acknowledge that their beloved pooch may be dealing with some real mental health issues. However, the sooner that aggression is noted, and treatment or rehabilitation is initiated, the better the possible outcome. This is especially true for puppies: play-biting can be cute when they are small, but your cute puppy will soon be an adult who also thinks using his mouth on people is okay, and at that point it is much more difficult to curb the issue.  

Visit Your Veterinarian First

If you witness aggressive behavior and biting by your dog, take note of the context surrounding the incident, who was involved, how people around your dog reacted, and how your dog acted throughout the event. 

Your veterinarian should be the next stop for a physical exam to check for any painful conditions that might have led to your dog’s aggression, diagnostic blood and urine testing to assess internal baseline body functions, and an in-depth discussion about the situation. Your veterinarian will ask what may prompt your dog to act aggressive, fearful, or stimulated to bite (videos of incidents are invaluable!). 

Just like in people, some dogs suffer from anxiety, especially in new unfamiliar situations. Your veterinarian can determine if your dog’s anxiety may serve as an underlying cause. If anxiety is determined to be a contributing factor, medications to calm your pup may be prescribed.  Training with desensitization and counterconditioning techniques are often beneficial to calm your dog’s fears and help him learn to regulate his emotions in certain situations. 

Medications are not meant to sedate dogs or change personalities, but instead to calm dogs with anxiety enough so that they can learn how to cope with their emotions and form a positive view of something that was previously very scary to them. Some will benefit from a referral to a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist for a thorough evaluation and treatment plan to help your dog.

Avoid the Stimulus

Avoiding situations that will stoke your dog’s fear and potential aggressive tendencies can be an effective way to control the issue. Just do not put your dog in a situation where he may feel fearful and become aggressive. For example, if your dog is aggressive towards other dogs—simply keeping your dog away from other dogs can almost entirely eliminate the issue. 

If your pup is scared of new people, make sure to discourage people from approaching and petting her while out on walks, and don’t bring her out into crowded, unpredictable public spaces. Crate-training her and utilizing the crate to secure your dog in her “safe space” prior to visitors entering your home is another simple, effective tool to prevent stressful situations. 

Basket Muzzles

In some situations, avoiding the stimulus may not be possible. For dogs encountering known stressful triggers, basket muzzles can be literal lifesavers! When used properly and appropriately, basket muzzles are an excellent way to protect both people AND your dog from a dog bite situation. (Note: Nylon muzzles are not recommended because they do not allow the dog to pant and are not secure.)

You can train your dog to wear a basket muzzle happily and associate the muzzle with positivity and yummy treats. See “The Muzzle Up Project” for a step-by-step guide, complete with videos, to train your dog to wear a basket muzzle with zero stress. 

Using your dog’s basket muzzle in situations where she is known to bite can make both you and your pup more relaxed and confident that no injuries will occur. Consulting your vet for advice on use, type, and fit will ensure that your dog is comfortable and safe while wearing her new “outfit.”

We understand the stigma you may feel from others if your dog is wearing a muzzle. Try to keep in mind that for anyone who understands dog behavior, a basket muzzle is the sign of a responsible pet owner! Situations in which your dog bites need to be avoided, and the safety of others is paramount. 

Knowing that your dog will react aggressively in a situation requires the pet parent to be an extremely responsible and observant caretaker in order to protect everyone they may encounter with their dog. A professional evaluation by your  veterinarian and a licensed dog trainer/veterinary behaviorist is always recommended to maximize safety.

When a Dog Bites a Human

Since we share our world with dogs, it is very important that we recognize how other dogs are responding when approaching them on the street, in a dog park, in a home, or inside a building. If a dog’s warnings to “stay away” are ignored, she may be pushed beyond her threshold and feel the need to become aggressive and bite. Dogs rarely bite or attack unprovoked, and understanding the visible “warning signs” that dogs communicate can keep both dogs and humans safe. Children are especially vulnerable to altercations with dogs, as they want to snuggle every dog they see and often are oblivious to the warning signs that dogs are trying to communicate.

What if the worst-case scenario happens, and a dog bites a person? Dog bites should be followed up with appropriate medical attention and reported to animal control as required by local county and state regulations. Unfortunately, the consequences of biting a human are much more severe when the dog is not appropriately vaccinated for rabies–so make sure your pooch is up-to-date on his boosters, just in case!  

Keeping the Peace

Dogs have been wonderful human companions for thousands of years and our relationship is mutually beneficial. Sometimes though, people may not realize when a dog may be feeling threatened or provoked, nor do they understand the dog’s body language, sometimes resulting in an aggressive encounter. Dog bites are common and serious, can be severe, and happen very quickly–so avoidance of these situations is our greatest tool in preventing them. 

By socializing your puppy at a young age, you can prevent a great deal of future mental distress and fear. If your dog is exhibiting fearfulness in certain situations, train him to wear a basket muzzle, and seek veterinary guidance on how to desensitize him to triggers—reminding him that the world is a happy place! Avoid stressful situations for your dog when it is practical, and communicate with other humans about your dog’s personal boundaries. 

As a pet parent, it is important to know your dog’s comfort level with different situations and act accordingly to keep everyone safe. Enlisting the help of your veterinarian or a Veterinary Behaviorist and licensed certified trainer can help give your dog the help she needs, and the best chance to modify her behavior and live peacefully in your home and society.

Our AskVet Veterinarians are available to discuss all of your pet’s needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether you have an immediate need or are looking to improve your pet’s overall wellbeing, just sign into your account and one of our friendly and knowledgeable veterinary experts will attend to your needs, no appointment required!

Oh, say can you see…a dog who is terrified of fireworks? It’s that time of year again: humans celebrate our independence, and many of our dogs (and cats!) cower, tremble, and even destroy household items if they are terrorized by the loud random noises accompanying human celebrations. 

At AskVet, we’re here to help you prepare for this noisy season! It’s best to have a plan ahead of the holiday and start to help your pet become accustomed to seeking a safe space in times of distress, decrease the noise he or she is hearing from outside, and obtain any needed medications or supplements from your family veterinarian. 

Tips for What You Can Do at Home:

• Create a Safe Space for Your Pet—Every pet needs a spot to escape to where they can feel more secure. When avoiding the noises of fireworks or thunderstorms, that space is best if it is dark, quiet, and away from any windows. Bonus points if there are noise-cancelling features involved, such as lots of clothes (think of your cat seeking refuge deep within a walk-in closet!) or thicker walls (like a bathroom). Train your pet to “go to your safe space” and reward them with their favorite treat—or even a MORE special treat that only comes out during storms/fireworks! By prepping your pet to be in their safe space before anything scary happens, you can have your pooch or kitty ready BEFORE you expect the neighborhood noise to begin. This safe area should always be open and available to your pet, even when you aren’t home.
• Reduce the Noise—Although you can’t control how crazy your neighbors get with the banging and booming, you CAN control the noise that reaches your pet—to a certain extent, anyway! Try putting a white noise machine near your pet’s safe space, or turn a nearby TV on low volume, or even play some classical music through a nearby speaker. Mutt Muffs are a doggie earmuff device to reduce the noise, but will require training (using lots of treats!) to get your pup used to wearing them BEFORE the 4th of July. 
• Comforting Your Pet—If your pet seems to derive comfort and exhibits calm behavior from seeking out contact with you, then please continue to comfort them! If, however, your soothing words and scratches only seem to make your pet more anxious, it’s best if you distract them with a favorite long-lasting treat in their safe space.
• Long-Lasting Toys and Treats—There are many different long-lasting treats, toys and puzzles on the market today. Figure out your pet’s favorite BEFORE the fourth—and then bring it to them in their safe space before you anticipate the fireworks to begin. This way, your pet’s brain is focused on something positive and distracting before and during the scary event. We like the Licki Mat and Kong’s various long-lasting treats and stuffers. 

Consult Your Veterinarian:

• If your pet is terrified enough to urinate, defecate, or destroy household objects in their quest to escape scary noises, then he or she will almost certainly benefit from some pharmaceutical help from your family veterinarian. 
• Some supplements can be used to “turn down the dial” on your pet’s anxiety and make it more difficult for them to reach the terror threshold—but supplements require several weeks of daily use to take effect. Different options that your veterinarian may recommend include Zylkene and Solliquin. A special food called “Calm” from Royal Canin also accomplishes the same goal, too. 
• Ask your veterinarian if happy pheromones (chemical signals between animals that humans cannot smell) may help your pet. For cats, a product called Feliway is available in diffusers and sprays (perfect for their safe space!). For dogs, a product called Adaptil is effective and available in diffuser, spray, and collar formulations! 
• Ask your veterinarian if short-acting anxiety medications or sedatives may be an option for your pet. For best results, these medications need to be administered one to three hours BEFORE anything scary starts, so make sure you understand your veterinarian’s instructions and follow them exactly. 
• Make sure your pet is MICROCHIPPED before the holiday! Did you know that July 4th is the most common day of the year for pets to run away and go missing? A microchip is essential to reunite you with your beloved pet in case the worst happens and he or she escapes!

Whether you are celebrating at home or going out on the town to enjoy the Fourth of July show, we hope these tips save your pet from a scary evening of bangs and booms! Our AskVet team is here to help you navigate the stresses of an anxious pet. Please reach out to chat with us and our veterinary team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! 

Written by:

Allison Ward, DVM
Dr. Allison Ward grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and started working in veterinary hospitals when she was 14 years old. After graduating from veterinary school in 2011, she completed a small animal rotating internship in New Jersey, followed by a neurology/neurosurgery internship in Miami. After completing this advanced training, Dr. Ward then moved on to general small animal practice. Dr. Ward’s professional interests include feline medicine, neurology, and pain management. Her passion for educating pet owners carries over into her work with AskVet, and she loves being able to help pets and their parents at all times of the day (and night!). She currently resides in sunny south Florida with her two cats, Larry and George.