Fun Facts

Riding through the drive-thru with you can be frustrating for your furry friend. They have to watch you order and snack on savory fast food while they get nothing for themselves. That’s why many dog parents order their pooches a puppuccino when picking up Starbucks. But the famous coffee chain isn’t the only business with a special dog menu item. Dairy Queen has its very own secret menu item for dogs: a Pup Cup! If you’ve never ordered it before, … Read more

Celebrating dogs comes pretty effortlessly to those who adore them. Since most of us consider our four-legged pals fuzzy family members, it’s only natural that we enjoy celebrating their birthdays! Whether you know your pup’s actual birth date or you just want to honor the day he came home with you from the shelter, we’ve got some great ideas to help you get the fun started! 1. Pick the Perfect Location Location choice will depend on a number of different … Read more

If you’re a first-time dog owner, finding a puppy can be overwhelming. You might be tempted to take the easiest route possible, but if you do that, you could unknowingly support a puppy mill. If you’ve heard of puppy mills, you know they’re bad. Yet, you might not know where these horrific facilities sell their puppies. And if you don’t know what a puppy mill is, be prepared to have your heart broken when you Google it. Most people who … Read more

While every dog loves being with their human, there are some that really, really love to be with you. Dogs are sensitive creatures, and their desire to be near you is very strong–but for some, it’s more than that. Do you like a dog that clings to your side, ready to be your pal wherever you go? Then one of these clingy dog breeds, or “velcro dog breeds,” might be just the one for you! #1 – Labrador Retriever Labs are … Read more

We all pick favorites, whether we admit it or not. When it comes to dogs, they pick a favorite human and see no reason whatsoever to hide it. Some may call them clingy. You just call them yours. Here are 12 signs that you are one of those lucky dog moms with a mama’s dog by your side. #1 – Will Not Leave Your Side Mama’s dogs want to be with their mama. Not some of the time. Not part … Read more

Dogs are incredibly intuitive and aware of their surroundings. They know when their person is sad and can pick up on stress when their household is in chaos. Some people believe that dogs can predict when someone is going to die or can see spirits. Below are some of the other amazing things dogs can sense, for one reason or another. 1. Earthquakes Records as far back as ancient Greece tells of dogs fleeing the city of Helice before a … Read more

Have you ever seen a dog watch television? Whether or not dogs show interest in the TV comes down to their individual personalities and breed mixes. According to Nicholas Dodman, a veterinary behaviorist at Tufts University, dogs can definitely perceive images and sounds coming from the television. How they react to them is another matter! When dogs watch TV, what do they see? A 2013 study published in the journal Animal Cognition found that dogs could visually identify images of other dogs among … Read more

The bond between a dog and his person is nothing to underestimate. It’s based on mutual love, appreciation, and most of all, trust. Contrary to popular belief, earning a dog’s complete trust isn’t as simple as giving out a few treats and belly rubs. If you want your dog to trust you with his life, you need to earn it. It can take months, and even years, of dedicated love and attention to earn a dog’s trust. Not every relationship … Read more

Have you ever in your life eaten dinner on a plate, left the plate sitting on the counter over night without so much as a rinse and then used that same plate for breakfast the next morning? Of course you haven’t! The very thought of it is enough to send your tummy turning. Despite that, so many of us feed our pup in the same dish over and over without cleaning it. Or, maybe we are really on top of … Read more

Have you ever wondered if your rescue dog was abused before they became part of your family? Maybe they jump at every small sound or cower if you raise your hand or pick up the newspaper. While it’s usually impossible to know for sure what sort of situation your dog lived in previously, there are some signs that could indicate a history of abuse. Here are 5 signs that your dog may have come from an abusive home. #1 – … Read more

It’s no secret that life is much better with a dog. They can change your life in ways that you never would’ve expected before. Sure, they make a lot of everyday things harder than they have to be, but because we love them and they love us, we gladly accept the challenges! Any dog lover knows that the following 10 things are much harder when you have a dog, but they also make life so much better…and exciting. #1 – … Read more

You know your rescue dog had a life before you walked into the shelter, but how much of that time do they actually remember? Would your dog recognize their old owners or where they used to live? Can they recall specific experiences whether they were good or bad? For some rescues, forgetting a painful past might be a good thing, but is that even possible? Here’s a closer look at how your dog’s memory works and what scientists think they … Read more

If you recently adopted a dog, you might be wondering whether or not they’re already bonded to you. Some dogs may be so grateful to be adopted that they’ll bond to you almost immediately. Other dogs are shy or may have had a rough life prior to meeting you, so they may take a little longer to warm up. Here are 5 signs that your dog is bonded to you. #1 – They don’t try to race out the door … Read more

Scientific research has helped us understand the complex thoughts and emotions our beloved dogs are capable of. They may feel, interpret and express love differently than humans, but they definitely understand the sentiment. Dr. Brian Hare is an associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University and founder of the Duke Canine Cognition Center. When asked by People Pets whether dogs realize how much we love them, he answered: “Yes, your dog knows how much you love him! Dogs and … Read more

When we love our dogs like family, we sometimes forget that they don’t understand us quite like our human relatives. Sometimes we try to have full-on conversations with them or unknowingly send them body language signals that are interpreted differently in the animal kingdom. For these reasons, we’ve compiled a list of 9 common things that humans do that stress dogs out. If you’ve done any of these things, don’t worry–we all have! But by being more aware, we can try to communicate with our … Read more

Did you know 25% of shelter dogs are purebred? Why are some breeds more likely to be in shelters, and how can it be prevented? Let’s look at the 10 breeds most common in shelters and reasons they end up there. #1 – American Pit Bull Terrier With more breed specific legislation popping up, “pit bulls” are the most common breed found in shelters. Even where they’re legal, many apartments forbid them. Dangerous in the hands of bad people, they … Read more

Looking for a companion but don’t want to deal with excessive grooming? Maybe you have allergies and want a dog but not all the excess hair that goes everywhere? Truthfully, all dogs shed. But some certainly shed more than others. We’ve put together helpful list of the dog breeds that shed the least for those of you that are curious. Keep in mind that these are not hypoallergenic breeds, just breeds with minimal shedding. #1 – Bichon Frise A favorite … Read more

If you are looking for a family dog, one of the things to take into consideration is how much work the dog needs. Busy households with not a lot of time may want to consider one of these low maintenance dogs. They don’t need the “frills and pampering” or many vet visits other breeds require. For our list, we did not take into consideration activity or “energy” level. After all, every dog should be exercised and played with to stay … Read more

What could be better than dog kisses and canine cuddles? These breeds aren’t afraid to show their love for you, in fact, they insist on it! Having one of these breeds means having a personal snuggle machine in your home. If you’ve got space in your bed or on your couch for a cuddle buddy and free hands for belly rubs, consider adopting one of the dogs on this list! #10 – Brussels Griffon This charming little dog steals the … Read more

Dogs are extremely keen, intuitive animals that we learn more about every day. It’s recently been discovered that some dogs are able to warn their epileptic owners before a seizure happens, or notify their diabetic owners if their blood sugar is too low. These amazing things haven’t yet been able to be trained and only some dogs display the behavior. But there are things that all dogs can sense about humans, and they’re pretty amazing. #1 – Your Mood It … Read more

Both male and female dogs have been known to do it, the kicking grass after using the restroom routine. Dogs kick grass after going to the bathroom, and when they’re done, your yard is left with some not-so-appealing reminders. It happens after dogs pee and poop, and dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments have been known to do it. Your dog may look silly acting like a cat in a litter box, but it’s actually a natural canine behavior … Read more

If you recently adopted a dog, you might be wondering if they’re bonded to you. Some dogs may be so grateful to be adopted that they’ll bond to you almost immediately. Other dogs are shy or may have had a rough life prior to meeting you, so they may take a little longer to warm up. Even if your dog doesn’t seem bonded to you yet, don’t fret – humans and dogs have created strong, long-lasting bonds for centuries, and … Read more

At iHeartDogs.com we often write about coping with the loss of a beloved pet. We do this because we understand that saying goodbye is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do, and we hope that somehow our words can provide a bit of comfort. Having experienced the love and compassion of dogs and cats all my life, I believe they would want us to keep these 6 important messages close to our hearts after they have … Read more

There are certain items your local animal shelter can never get enough of. Whether it’s dog treats, cleaning supplies, or snacks to energize the volunteers, these 21 donations are always appreciated! Best of all, you don’t have to break the bank to help the animals in your community. The variety of items on our list ensures any pet lover can find something within their budget. To compile our list of essential items, we checked out the Amazon wishlist of our friends … Read more

Loyalty is something that most people think of when they think of dogs and it’s a truthful generalization to make. While some are certainly more independent than others, most dogs are faithful to their families in some form or another. In fact, some are even faithful to strangers. If you’re looking for a dog that’s known for its attachment and devotion to its owners, look no further than this list! #1 – Pointer Pointers are one of the oldest hunting … Read more

Which is better – cats or dogs?  The debate on this question is perhaps one of the most long-lasting of all time, with endlessly diverse answers. And after many, many years of discussion, it seems as though a newly released poll may finally have settled the arguments. “It’s a debate as old as man – cats or dogs?” stated Time2Play, “We surveyed over 3,000 Americans to find out which US states prefer cats to dogs, and vice versa.”  Following a … Read more

Any dog can be sensitive or emotional from time to time. It’s often more common for rescue dogs with an unfortunate past, but any dog can have a sensitive soul. Dogs are sensitive for different reasons, whether it’s due to fears or just a part of their personality. In fact, there are a few breeds that are more likely to be emotional than others no matter what they’ve been through. “Sensitive” definitely isn’t a bad thing, though. It really just … Read more

You would think that a dog’s favorite person would be whoever gives them the most food and attention, right? While that is often the case, it’s not always that simple.  Maybe you have a friend or family member that your dog loves so much they would knock you over to get to them. Why is that? It turns out that there are several factors that can influence your dog’s decision about who their favorite person is. Here are a few … Read more