Articles
-
A dog’s ability to smell is far more advanced than ours. The Jacobson’s organ located inside the nasal cavity, opens into the roof of the mouth behind the upper incisors, and serves as a secondary olfactory system designed for chemical communication related to mating. Dogs use their keen sense of smell, along with a visual assessment, to provide vital information about a new canine acquaintance. The way dogs sniff rear ends can establish which of two dogs is dominant and set the foundation of their relationship. Dogs also have a good scent memory that can identify other dogs they have not seen for years.
-
Dogs tilting their heads is a functional necessity for them to be able to both see and hear better than when looking straight ahead. Different breeds may act differently based on ear and face shape. Sometimes a head tilt may be a sign of a medical problem especially if persistent or not associated with a given audible cue. If your dog cocks his head when there is no auditory stimulation, take him to see your veterinarian.
-
Turning around before bedtime has its origin mostly in evolutionary history where dog ancestors were practicing these habits for health or protection. These innate habits remain in their genetic code to this day, but if your dog is seeming to be doing it excessively, it could be a sign of underlying medical problems, such as arthritis or neurological disorders. Contact your veterinarian if your dog appears to have difficulty settling down.
