Mouthing and chewing on hands and feet is typically associated with teething puppies. But for some dogs, this behavior continues into adulthood. In this month’ s installment of “Why Does My Dog Do That?” we will explore mouthing behavior in adult dogs to understand both why it happens and what can be done to address it. First of all, it is important to distinguish between mouthing behavior and aggression. Mouthing is not the same as biting or nipping. Typically, mouthing behavior occurs during moments when your d ..read more

Stuffed with the meal fit for kings, the Bradley family party retreats to the living room to enjoy this year’s Turkey Bowl. They laugh and tell stories together when a toppling sound drew them immediately to the kitchen.  On the floor, what remained of the turkey dinner looked to have flown off the counter, only to leap into the jaws of the Bradley’s diligent pup, Baxter.  Baxter, realizing that his time was limited, tore as much as he could manage off the turkey bone and scurried away to enjoy his stolen treasure ..read more

Jumbo Halloween candy, check. Matching costumes for the entire family, check. Door decorations complete with pumpkins, hay, and corn, check.  You think you’ve done everything to prepare for a busy night in the neighborhood, but have you ensured your dog can have a safe, stress-free night too?  With all the commotion outside, ringing doorbells, and new visitors dressed in fun outfits, it could get spooky for your furry friend.  Take a look at these three tips to have a safe, relaxing Halloween for your entire househo ..read more

Busy with ice-cream socials, end of the summer cook-outs and football tailgates, the Jackson’s family calendar was packed with outdoor activities to enjoy the fall weather.  This includes Rosie, the Jackson’s sweet Goldendoodle!  Because Rosie is a high-energy breed, Mrs. Jackson needed to find creative ways to keep her stimulated, socialized, and happy.  Meeting and playing nicely with other dogs is a great solution!  Determined to get Rosie socialized early, the Jacksons called Smart Dogs for some tips and advice ..read more

Buzzing like a nest of bumble bees, the Underwood family zoomed around the house in anticipation of their first day of school.  There was so much to do: lunches to be made, bags to be packed, shoes to be tied and rides to be caught.  The front door shut and all was quiet. Then a squeak sounded from the laundry room.  Lucy, the Underwood’s energetic lab, didn’t understand.  “Where did everybody go?” After a few hours of school, the Underwood boys settled into class, but back at home, Lucy was still confused.  “They’r ..read more

It’s already August and winter is coming! Every summer, Mac does her best to soak up the sunshine. This summer, she can’t remember a thing she did!  Searching for answers, Mac looks to social media… Smiling as she flips through her profile photos, Mac regains her memory. That relaxing beach getaway, the few weekends in the city exploring Chicago’s nightlife, and that concert at Soldier Field last month remind her that she is making the most of her summer. Just then, a lazy sigh attracts Mac to look at her feet. Her ..read more

Melissa had carefully prepared for her conference call.  She had worked for weeks to put together this deal.  She knew this opportunity could be a game changer for her business and she didn’t want to leave anything to chance.  She even put her Boxer-Mix, Charlie, in another room and shut the door to her office.  Everything was ready when the phone rang at 4:30pm.  She quickly built rapport with the client and started walking them through her proposal.  Melissa was happy it was going so well.  She heard Charlie barki ..read more

Lisa is all set for her run. Shoes are tied. Water bottle is full. She even has a new hands-free leash for her dog, Bailey. The weather is absolutely perfect. So off they go, just a girl and her best friend hitting the trails for a nice relaxing morning jog. All is well. They turn a corner and Lisa sees a squirrel the size of a chihuahua sitting in the middle of the path. Before she can say “Just Keep Going” the squirrel takes off and so does Bailey, dragging Lisa behind her. The end result? Lisa trying to ..read more

Sometimes, after a long week of work, there is nothing like spending a weekend at home with your best furry friend. Here are some ideas for how you both can unwind and reinforce the human-dog bond right at home. Spa Time Anyone? Nothing says de-stress like some much needed spa time! While you are waiting for your facemask to work its magic, let your dog unwind with you tonight with a nice relaxing oatmeal bath to sooth dry winter skin. Follow up the bath with a nice blow dry and brush out to remove any tangles or mat ..read more

Ever have a dog nudge you, not so gently, toward the food bowl?  Or maybe they are habitual car chasers along the back yard fence.  They may even nip excitedly at the kids when they are running in the yard.  Odds are if you see this behavior you may have a herding breed on your hands.  This month we want to take a look at healthy ways to channel herding dogs’ instinctive need to round up! After all, you are the pack leader and the last thing you need is one more person in your life telling you what to do, am I right ..read more