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The best in health, wellness, and positive training from America’s leading dog experts
Barking is considered normal behavior for dogs. If you’ve never heard your dog bark, you might find yourself wondering—and worrying—about why not. A lack of barking isn’t always a problem, rather it reflects the dog’s temperament, genetics, and environment.
Your world is most often defined by sights and sounds, but for your dog smell is where it’s at. Your dog’s nose is a marvel of biology, capable of detecting scents that are undetectable to us.
It’s quite amazing, really. “In perfect conditions, a dog can pick up a scent up to 12 miles away, so this indicates that some breeds may be able to smell their owners from miles away,” according to PetRadar, a company specializing in reuniting lost pets with their owners.
The distance your dog can detect your scent varies widely and is subject to the same environmental rules as any other scent, which includes things like wind and humidity, as you will learn here.
That said, your dog knows your specific scent, a unique mix of sweat, breath, skin, hormones, laundry detergent, and diet. To your dog, your scent is as unique as a fingerprint. A variety of studies have shown that dogs are powerfully motivated by their owner’s scent, making them far more persistent in tracking it.
Dogs can even been shown to detect disease through scent. High blood sugar spikes in people with diabetes, those battling Parkinson’s disease, even the onset of seizures. Studies are showing they may also be able to detect cancer.
There is no solid answer to the question of how far a dog can smell, even under “perfect” conditions. That’s because the distance is heavily influenced by factors, including:
For a dog to detect a scent over a long distance, the wind must be blowing directly from the source to the dog. Scientists refer to the path of this wind-borne scent as the scent cone or plume. That is, the scent starts narrow, billows and begins to dissipate.
How dramatic is the impact of wind conditions? A dog downwind of a scent source could potentially detect it over miles. In contrast, a dog positioned upwind would only detect the odor once they were virtually on top of the source.
In ideal conditions (e.g., a steady, favorable wind, moderate humidity, and a strong, concentrated odor) a dog’s effective detection range can extend many miles. For example, search-and-rescue dogs have reportedly picked up human scent trails several miles away under ideal conditions.
Scent molecules adhere better to moisture. Humidity helps keep microscopic scent particles suspended in the air, preventing them from drying out and dropping to the ground too quickly. “Increased humidity could be responsible for increased odor intensity, positively influencing the tracking efficiency of dogs,” according to National Library of Medicine.
A potent, concentrated odor such as a fresh blood trail will be detectable over a far greater distance than a faint, weak odor The stronger the odor, the greater the number of molecules released into the environment, and thus the farther the scent cone will extend.
Most impressive distance feats involve air scenting, where the dog detects airborne particles carried by the wind. Ground scenting—tracking a scent trail left by footfalls—is highly effective for detail, but its distance is usually limited to the integrity of the trail on the surface, which rarely extends past a few hundred yards or a mile before dilution becomes too great. (The sports of scent work and Barn Hunt are rapidly growing as a wide variety of breeds of dogs and mixes excel in this fun new activity.)
“Olfaction [the sense of smell] in dogs is crucial for gathering information about the environment, recognizing individuals, making decisions, and learning. It is far more specialized and sensitive than humans’ sense of smell,” according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Olfactory receptors, according to the NLM, are located on the ethmoturbinates — a complex structure in the nose that increase surface area. The vomeronasal organ is an additional source of odor detection for chemical signals that stimulate behavioral and/or physiological changes
If our dogs knew how our sense of smell worked, they would feel sorry for us. The average human has about 5 million olfactory receptors in their nose. However, a standard dog breed has about 300 million.
But the difference is more than just quantity. A dog’s nasal structure is complex and highly effective:
“The nerves from Jacobsen’s organ lead directly to the brain. They are different from other nerves in the nose in that they do not respond to ordinary smells, but to a range of substances that often have no odor at all. In other words, they detect ‘undetectable’ odors,” according to VCA Hospitals, a national network of hometown hospitals.
This complex system allows a dog to detect an incredible range of scents, but distance depends on other factors.
Understanding power and precision of your dog’s nose helps you understand their behavior. When dogs sniff intensely for a minute on your morning walk, they are doing the equivalent of you reading the morning news, scrolling social media, checking the weather, and identifying who walked by last night. Allowing your dog to smell around him is a way to show our love to our canine companion.
One big reason your dog may lick other dogs’ faces is as an appeasing behavior. My past bully breed, Trent, used to groom the other dogs in the house, at least those who allowed it. When done to my female Rottie mix, it was a social bonding thing. They were two peas in a pod. When done to my Doberman mix, it was basically Trent showing respect to the doggie “leader” though my Dobe mix was never bossy or inappropriate acting. He was simply a natural leader. Trent wasn’t, and he was socially awkward, like many dogs who do this.
There are many other reasons why dogs might lick each other, such as saying they are sorry for what they just did when it was likely not well received but, truthfully, that brings us right back to appeasement behavior.
Other causes can include when the dog being licked just had a yummy treat and the dog doing the licking wants a taste. Very young puppies also perform this on older dogs because, quite simply, they are hungry and that is how they instinctively got food from their mother. This is a genetic holdover from their relation to wolves.
Some dogs will retain that trait into adulthood often because they are less confident than other dogs. This can be their default “please don’t hurt me” behavior to show that they are not a threat to another dog. It’s universally understood by dogs. So again, we come back to appeasement behavior. This is not a bad thing. It’s simply conflict avoidance. As long as the recipient dog does not object, there is no reason for concern.
Licking another dog’s mouth or face can also simply be grooming. Many dogs “care for” other dogs or even other animal family members in this manner. It can be considered a sign of affection when done for this reason. An attempt to nurture if you will. Some dogs will groom each other when laying together in a relaxing manner. It’s self-soothing to them.
Yet another reason for licking another dog’s face (or other animal or even a human in the home) is what has been coined as “kiss to dismiss.” That context means “please go away.” It’s a non-threatening ask for space or an exit on the part of the recipient. This is a context that truly needs immediate attention, as in some cases, it can escalate to threatening if not heeded.
In most scenarios, if social licking is not seen as a problem by the recipients, you can simply ignore it. The only potential problem with this type of licking behavior can be when it becomes insistent and obsessive. If licking of this type is a new behavior for your dog, it’s a good time to schedule a visit with your veterinarian to rule out a medical issue. Often obsessive licking caused by a medical issue is gastrointestinal related. If you have any concerns over sudden changes in your dog’s behavior, always speak with your veterinarian first to rule out medical causes. Once cleared, then examine the context to determine the behavior category.
Dog leashes are what keep us attached to our furry friends on walks, hikes, and outdoor adventures. Humans have phone, wallet, keys, and dogs have collar, harness, leash.
Your dog’s paw is a complex piece of anatomy, serving as a shock absorber, climate control system, grip enhancer, and even a form of communications with other dogs.
“Dog paw pads are relatively tough, as they are composed of thick calloused skin, fat, and connective tissue,” says Liza Cahn, DVM, a Seattle-based veterinarian. This design allows them to bear weight, provide insulation against cold, and protect bones and joints from high impact. “However, they still need protection from weather extremes, like hot pavement, snow, and ice.”
“Just like coat and eye color, the color of a dog’s paw pads is determined primarily by genetics. Lighter-colored dogs often have pink paw pads, while those with darker coats may have brown or black. Some dogs have a mixture of pink and black,” says Dr Cahn. “In most cases, these variations are completely normal. However, if you notice a change in the appearance of your dog’s paw pads, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, it could be associated with an underlying medical issue such as allergies, trauma, or infection.
The color difference is caused by melanin. Darker pads are dense with this pigment and are generally considered slightly tougher due to their genetic predisposition for pigmentation. Pink pads, which lack this heavy melanin concentration, are typically thinner, less pigmented, and therefore can be more sensitive, prone to dryness, and susceptible to cracking or burning if exposed to extremes.
Two important anatomical features of the dog’s foot define the functional structure of the canine paw: the webbing and the dew claws.
“Nearly all dogs have some degree of webbing, or fusion, between their toes. If you look closely at a dog’s paw, you’ll notice that you cannot separate each toe completely from the next one,” says Amy Fox, DVM, a New York-based veterinarian. “In some breeds, this webbing may be more pronounced, as they have been selectively bred for jobs like swimming or digging. This includes retrievers like the Labrador and Chesapeake Bay, the Newfoundland, and the Portuguese water dog.”
A dew claw is a small, vestigial toe located higher up on the paw, which is often compared to a human thumb. While often viewed by dog people as useless, the dewclaw, especially on the front legs, have a clear function in specific situations.
“For most dogs, the dew claw does not make contact with the ground when they walk. However, dogs that perform tight turns at high speeds use their front dew claws to stabilize their carpus, or wrist, during these kinds of maneuvers,” says Dr. Fox. When a dog is running and fast and making sharp turns. For example, as in agility sports, the dew claw provides extra traction and stability, acting like a specialized cleat like what human athletes wear on their feet.
Rear dewclaws are less common and often lack bone or muscle attachment, making them more prone to catching and injury. However, due to the stabilizing role of front dewclaws in high-impact movement, handlers of agility dogs typically don’t remove them, believing they play an important role in preventing acute injuries and chronic arthritis.
What may surprise dog parents is that the paw is also a powerful tool for communication. This function is achieved through interdigital glands located in the paw pads. These glands release pheromones, which are potent chemical signals.
When a dog scratches the ground vigorously, especially after urinating or defecating, they deposit a unique scent from their paws onto the ground. This leaves a message for other dogs, broadcasting important information such as their identity, sex, and reproductive status. When your dog kicks backward, they are using their paws to broadcast a lasting, complex message to their canine neighbors.
This sophisticated scent communication system sometimes leads to a familiar smell. You may notice that your dog’s paws sometimes emit a distinct odor — often likened to corn chips, or Frito feet.
“A mild corn chip scent is quite normal and is associated with yeast and bacteria (such as Proteus and Pseudomonas) that live on the surface of the skin. Paws are warm, moist areas of the body, and in some cases, prone to yeast and bacterial overgrowth,” Dr Cahn says. “If you notice a strong or foul odor from your dog’s paws, or other signs of infection, such as redness, hair loss, discharge, or excessive chewing or licking, you should schedule an appointment with your vet. Keeping paws clean and dry can also help mitigate the smell.
While Frito feet is typically benign, according to the Hampton Veterinary Hospital, an AAHA-accredited facility, owners should be mindful of certain conditions that could be signs of an underlying infection or inflammation that requires veterinary attention:
Given a paw’s critical and constantly exposed design, protection is vital to its long-term health.
The main ways to protect a dog’s paw pads are to avoid surfaces that may be extremely hot or cold or use protective footwear. For example, asphalt in full sun on the hottest part of the day is going to be significantly hotter than a dirt path in the shade. A good rule of thumb is the “seven-second test.” If you can’t hold your hand comfortably on the pavement for seven seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Choose walking routes that avoid the hottest or coldest surfaces whenever possible and try to walk your dog early in the morning or in the evening after the sun goes down and the ground starts to cool off on hot days.
In cold weather, it is best to walk dogs in areas where a path has been shoveled and cleared of ice and snow. For dogs that will tolerate them, there different dog booties and shoes that can protect their paws from extreme temperatures as well as irritants like ice melt.
Whether you just need to wipe down your dog’s dirty paws or want to give their coat a refresh in between baths, dog grooming wipes are a convenient solution.
The best dog grooming wipes are ideal for pups with oily coats and can help keep your pup odor-free between full grooms. If your dog has allergies, wiping them down with a wipe can help remove allergens from their coat as well.
Read on for how to choose the best dog grooming wipes for your pooch.
Ingredients: Look for ingredients that are gentle on the skin. Opt for wipes that are PH-balanced for your dog’s skin, and avoid using wipes designed for humans, cats, or other species. Avoid options with soaps, sulphates, and parabens. Note that alcohols (like propylene glycol) may dry out some dogs’ coats.
Natural ingredients like aloe and oats can help soothe dry, irritated skin. Ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are antimicrobial and antibacterial.
Some ingredients (especially those in medicated wipes) may only be suitable for adult dogs, so check the labels on your wipes before using them on young puppies and talk to your vet about suitability.
Durability: Wipes that shred to pieces during use are no help, so choose for a wipe that’s durable enough to withstand firm wiping.
Scent: Dogs are more sensitive to scents than humans are, so unscented or lightly-scented wipes are best.
| Whole Dog Journal Rating | Product | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Earth Rated Thick Hypoallergenic Dog Grooming Wipes | $10 | These gentle, unscented wipes are made with hypoallergenic ingredients that help moisturize your dog’s skin and coat. |
 | Furbliss Refreshing Scent Dog & Cate Grooming Wipes | $13 | The Furbliss Refreshing Dog Wipes made my dog’s oily coat feel soft and clean, but they contain an alcohol ingredient that may be drying for dogs with sensitive skin. |
| Douxo S3 Pyo Pads | $19 | For everything from minor skin irritation to hot spots, these Duoxo antiseptic and antifungal wipes are commonly vet-recommended—and are easier to use than over-the-counter medicated shampoos. |
| Earth Rated Pet Ear Wipes | $12 | These pleasantly oat-scented wipes did a great job of cleaning out my dogs’ ears and didn’t rip during testing. |
| Vet's Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes | $18 | These finger wipes are an innovative design to get in the small crevices of your dog’s ears but the shape may encourage pet owners to clean the inside of the ears instead of just the exterior. |
| Earth Rated Pet Eye Wipes | $12 | Though they’re made with gentle ingredients and are unscented, during testing, these wipes were too sudsy to comfortably use to wipe away eye crusties. |
The Earth Rated Thick Hypoallergenic Dog Grooming Wipes are gentle and are completely unscented (though they also come in white tea & basil and lavender scents). Soothing ingredients like aloe, shea butter, chamomile, and cucumber help moisturize skin and coats and leave them feeling soft.
My only qualm about these wipes is that because they contain moisturizing ingredients, they leave a bit of residue on your hands and on some dogs’ coats (especially on short-coated dogs with very oily coats).
This is a good option for dogs with skin folds, like Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs, who need regular wiping to prevent dirt buildup and infection. Earth Rated wipes are also a good option for regularly wiping down muddy paws. They won’t dry out your dog’s paw pads and are durable and textured to help get mud and other debris off your pup’s feet.
Since they’re made of plant-based cellulose fibers, these wipes may be compostable at some composting facilities based on their guidelines.
The Furbliss Refreshing Scent Dog Grooming Wipes have a light fresh scent that smells like clean laundry. I have a dog with a coat that gets quite oily in between baths and these wipes helped her coat feel less greasy. They also leave slightly less residue on your hands after use than the Earth Rated wipes.
However, this option does contain an alcohol ingredient (propylene glycol), which can dry your dog’s skin out with frequent use—especially on dogs with sensitive skin or allergies.
When my Collie got a hot spot on her tail, my vet recommended the Duoxo S3 shampoo and pads to keep the hot spot clean. I found the Douxo S3 Pyo Pads much easier to use on a regular basis since I didn’t have to put my dog in the bath every time I wanted to clean her hot spot. After about five days of regular use, my Collie’s hot spot had drastically decreased in size and irritation thanks in part to the use of these wipes.
The Duoxo S3 Pyo Pads work best for small areas of minor skin irritation, itching, and hot spots. For dogs with large areas of irritation, a medicated shampoo or mousse may be better suited since they can be more evenly distributed.
These wipes contain Chlorhexidine and Ophytrium and are both antiseptic and antifungal. During testing, I found that they weren’t overly drying (they actually seemed to help moisturize my dog’s skin) and had a pleasant vanilla-like scent.
Though this is an over-the-counter product, always consult with your vet before using any product on a dog with sensitive or itchy skin.
The Earth Rated Pet Ear Wipes come in a pleasant wild oat scent that isn’t too strong. These wipes are quite big, which is helpful for larger dogs with big, floppy ears, like the hound breeds. The large size allows you to move the wipe around to a clean spot as needed. However, they may be a bit too large for small- and toy-sized dogs.
During testing, these wipes did a great job at clearing dirt and wax buildup in my dog’s ears and removed more gunk and grime than the Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes. They’re made with gentle, hypoallergenic ingredients, like aloe and chamomile, that can help soothe your dog’s skin.
The wipes themselves are quite durable and, as an added bonus for eco-conscious pet parents, they’re made of plant-based cellulose fibers.
The finger cover design of the Vet’s Best Ear Relief Finger Wipes is handy for getting into small crevices in your dogs ears and is especially helpful for toy-sized dogs. However, there is alcohol in these wipes which may be drying for some dogs’ skin. The finger wipe design may also encourage pet parents to clean the inside of their dog’s ear canals, which isn’t recommended.
The Earth Rated Pet Eye Wipes are meant to help wipe away discharge, crust, and tear stains from your dog’s eyes. However, they were very sudsy and tended to get suds too close to my dogs’ eyes for comfort during testing. I also wish they wiped away dried-on eye discharge a little bit more effectively.
For anyone who transports their dogs via car—which is pretty much all of us—dog car safety is a must. It’s not just about preventing the dog from interfering with the driver. Good behavior won’t protect a dog in the event of a sudden stop or car accident. Thankfully, there are products designed to do just that.
Some of these are more successful than others. When shopping for dog car safety devices, pay attention to what the product actually does. Look for products that have been thoroughly crash-tested—preferably by an independent organization such as the Center for Pet Safety. Given that there are no established standards for crash testing car restraints for dogs, independent testing provides an important second look at the product’s safety.
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Dog seatbelt tethers are one of the easiest methods for securing a dog in the car as well as being the least expensive. They are usually designed with a clip on one end and an attachment for a car’s seatbelt latch, latch bar, or backseat headrest.
While a dog seatbelt can help keep your dog in the car and out of the driver’s seat, it isn’t really enough to protect her in an accident. Dog seatbelt tethers are rarely, if ever, crash-tested, and typically give the dog a good amount of room to move around. On the plus side, this makes dog seatbelts one of the more comfortable and least restrictive options for securing your dog in the car. However, that also means there’s not much preventing the dog from getting hurt in a crash.
It is also extremely important to note that a dog seatbelt should always be clipped to a harness rather than the dog’s collar. The reason for this is that if too much pressure is applied to a collar through the seatbelt—such as during an accident or sudden stop—severe head and neck injuries are a significant risk. A harness will spread the pressure out across less vulnerable areas of the dog’s body.
In addition to keeping a dog contained in the car, dog car seats are useful in that they can elevate your pup so she can see out the window. This can be especially helpful for dogs who get carsick as it gives them a better chance to visually orient themselves and often gets them more airflow from car vents (which are designed with sitting humans in mind).
Most dog car seats attach to the vehicle’s seat using a seatbelt and include a short tether designed to clip to the dog’s harness. As discussed above, it’s not safe to attached a tether to a dog’s collar in a vehicle.
While dog car seats may improve comfort and limit movement, most are designed more for convenience than true crash protection. With a few exceptions, many are lightly constructed and are not crash-tested, meaning they may collapse or detach during an accident.
Dog car harnesses are a good middle-of-the range option for increasing safety on car trips. These harnesses are designed to distribute force across the dog’s chest and shoulders and attach to a seatbelt or tether system.
Some car harnesses for dogs have been crash-tested, with mixed results. The best-performing models significantly limit forward movement and reduce the risk of serious injury but do so by significantly restricting the dog’s movement.
For detailed recommendations, see “Dog Car Harnesses Review”.
A properly secured, strongly built dog crate is by far the safest way to travel with your pet. Even if the crate is not crash-tested, it can provide protection in the event of an accident. The best crates will be crash-tested and have a number of anchor points which allow you to easily secure the crate in the car.
Hard-sided crates or reinforced metal crates designed specifically for vehicle transport perform far better than wire crates or soft-sided carriers, which can collapse or break apart during an impact.
Seat hammocks and vehicle dividers are popular for keeping dogs confined to the back seat or cargo area. Depending on the model, dog car hammocks can also help keep your dog from sliding off the seat and falling into the footwell. Dog car hammocks and dividers typically attach to the vehicle’s headrests with either clips or loops.
While these products are useful for protecting upholstery and preventing driver distraction, they offer no real crash protection.
While crash-tested, secured dog crates remain the gold standard in dog car safety, they’re not feasible for everyone. At the end of the day, choosing the right car safety option for your canine companion depends on your dog, vehicle, and budget. Just remember, every little bit helps.
Yak cheese chews have become a popular, natural treat for dogs, loved for their durable qualities and minimal ingredient list. Originating from a traditional preservation method in the Himalayan regions of Nepal and Tibet, the hardened cheese was initially developed as a way for people to preserve milk for human consumption. Today, this same recipe, made from a simple blend of yak’s milk, cow’s milk, salt, and lime juice, has been adapted into a dog-friendly version that has captured the attention of many pet owners. Once formed, the cheese mixture is compressed, dried, and aged, creating a hardened, long-lasting chew that dogs love.
Even though these treats are made of milk, yak cheese chews have extremely low levels of lactose, a milk sugar that adult dogs are unable to digest. During the cheese-making process, most of the lactose is removed, making the finished product easy to digest for most dogs. Because of this, they are very unlikely to cause any gastrointestinal upset, such as gas, bloating, or diarrhea. However, if your dog has a sensitivity or known allergy to dairy products, it would be best to avoid feeding these chews.
One of the main benefits of yak cheese chews is their exceptional durability. Unlike soft treats or biscuits that are consumed in seconds, yak chews can keep dogs busy for hours. Providing both mental and physical stimulation. Chewing is a natural, soothing behavior for dogs and helps release pent-up energy, reduces boredom, and can even help alleviate mild anxiety. The firm, abrasive texture also helps promote dental health by helping to mechanically scrape away plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth as dogs gnaw.
Nutritionally, yak chews are high in protein and relatively low in fat, with no artificial preservatives or additives, making them a wholesome alternative to many dog dental treats available on the market that are heavily processed and carb heavy. They are free of artificial preservatives, colors, and flavorings and provide a naturally rich source of calcium and other nutrients.
However, as with any hard chew, yak cheese chews do come with some risks. Because they are hard and dense, there is a very real potential for tooth fractures, especially in aggressive chewers. Because of this, you should always supervise your dog during chewing sessions and choose appropriate size chews to reduce the risk of injury. Another risk arises when the chew becomes small enough to become a choking hazard. Dogs may try to swallow the remaining nub, which can lead to not only choking, but gastrointestinal obstruction as well.
Fortunately, there is a clever and safe way to repurpose any leftover pieces of yak chews: Turn them into yak cheese puffs! When the chew becomes too small to safely gnaw, you can take the remaining piece, soak it in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes, place it on a microwave safe plate, and microwave it for roughly 30 to 90 seconds, depending on its size. The piece will puff up into a light, crunchy treat, like the texture of a cheese-puff snack. It will be extremely hot, so do not handle it until it cools. Once it cools completely, it can be given to your dog as a safe, tasty, and easily digestible treat.
Constipation is uncomfortable for anyone and dogs are no exception. If your dog is straining to poop, a laxative may provide the relief he needs—but only when used correctly. To help identify any potential problems early, monitor your dog’s defecation routine to ensure that everything that goes in is indeed coming back out easily and without drama. If something seems slightly amiss, there are things you can do to help your dog at home.
