He’s howling like a wolf
Howling is one of many forms of canine vocal communication. “Dogs howl to announce their presence, to attract attention, and to make contact with others,” says Dr Nelson. Some dogs also howl in response to high-pitched noises, such as singing, sirens, or musical instruments. If you show your dog affection and he stops howling, he may have just wanted some extra TLC.
Can you give your dog too much love?
creates an extremely dependent relationship. You and your dog do need some time apart. After all, as the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Plus, boundaries can help your dog understand what’s expected of him and behave better. “Too much affection can also mean that you can give your dog positive cues at the wrong time to back up bad behaviours, which can lead to behavioural problems like separation anxiety, vocalising for attention, and/or damaging items in the home to get attention,” Dr Nelson explains.
But as long as you’re fostering a healthy relationship, bring on the love! After all, a loved dog is a happy dog. “Dogs are the most selfless creatures on the planet, so give them an inch [and] they’ll give you back a mile,” says Dr Nelson. “Be assured that the affection you give will be returned in spades.” That benefits you in some tangible ways , too. “Interacting with pets has been shown to decrease anxiety in humans, lower your heart rate, and increase the release of endorphins (joy hormones) in the brain,” she adds. “So not only is it fun to play with your dog – it’s healthy, too.”
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