Greetings, dog lovers! 🌞

This Week's Dog-Centric News and Tips are in: 

• How to Read Your Dog's Face

• Anticipatory Pet Grief

• Thread: Any fussy eaters out there?

• Video: Problem fixed

Bark Bulletin of the Week

Join some of the most buzzing discussions on our forum!

DOG BEHAVIOUR

How to Read Your Dog's Face: A Guide to Canine Body Language 🐕

Think you can read your dog's mind when they give you "that look"? Well, you're not completely wrong! According to experts Dr. Camille Ward and Dr. Amy Fox, our furry friends are actually master communicators - we just need to learn their language!

The Face Says It All (Usually)

Just like us, dogs have a whole repertoire of facial expressions, each telling its own story. But here's the catch: just like humans might fake a smile while feeling tense inside, dog expressions need to be read in context.

The Happy Face

When your pup is feeling good, look for:

• A relaxed, wrinkle-free brow

• Gentle, slow blinks

• A softly open mouth

• Casual panting (if they're active or warm)

• Perked-up, but relaxed ears

The Worried Look

Keep an eye out for these anxiety signals:

• The famous "whale eye" (side-eye glance)

• Frequent lip-licking

• Nervous yawning

• Ears pulled back

• Avoiding eye contact or staring at floors/walls

• Mouth pulled back in a grimace

Warning Signs of Aggression

Watch carefully for escalating signals:

• Hard, direct staring

• Stiff body posture

• Raised fur

• Ears pulled back

• Lip curling or showing teeth These are serious warning signs that need immediate attention!

The Language of Barks

Dogs use different types of barks to communicate:

• Hard barking: Deep, loud - usually a warning

• High-pitched barks: Often show frustration or playfulness

• Growling: Usually a warning, but context matters (play growls exist too!)

Important Note About Growling

Never punish a dog for growling! It's their way of warning us something's wrong. If we punish the warning, they might skip straight to more aggressive behavior next time.

Reading Body Language

Look for these key signals:

• Play bows: The classic "let's have fun" invitation

• Stiff body: Could signal fear or pending aggression

• Overall stance: Loose and wiggly usually means happy, stiff means concerned

The Tail Truth

Tail wagging isn't always happy:

• Mid-level, loose wags with a wiggly body = happiness

• High, stiff wags like a flag = high alert or possible aggression

• Tucked tail with tiny wags = nervousness

Communication is a Two-Way Street

Dogs have spent thousands of years learning to read us too! They pick up on our:

• Body language

• Facial expressions

• Voice tone

• Specific words

Remember, these amazing communicators deserve our attention to their signals. Skip the myths about "dominance" and focus on learning their genuine language. Your relationship will be stronger for it! 🐾

Source: KinShip

Playful Picks

3. Problem fixed

Anticipatory Pet Grief: It's Normal to Feel Loss Before Goodbye 🐾

Ever caught yourself getting emotional about losing your pet... even though they're still right there beside you?

You're not alone.

Veterinary social worker Haley Engelman explains this very real phenomenon called "anticipatory grief," and why it's completely normal to feel these emotions.

What Is Anticipatory Grief?

It might hit you during a regular walk when you notice your dog's slower pace, or while scrolling through old photos. That sudden knot in your throat thinking about a future without them - even if that future is far away. This is anticipatory grief, and it's just as valid as any other form of mourning.

The Double Challenge

People experiencing anticipatory grief face a unique struggle. They're dealing with all the usual grief emotions PLUS extra anxiety about the unknown future. It's like mourning in two timelines at once - the present and a feared future.

Common Feelings You Might Experience

• Typical grief emotions (sadness, numbness, guilt, anger)

• Extra anxiety and fear about the future

• Worry about leaving them alone

• Difficulty concentrating when apart

• Overthinking about what's to come

It's Okay to Feel This Way

Engelman emphasizes that you shouldn't feel silly for grieving when your pet is still here. These feelings are real and valid - whether your pet is young or old, sick or healthy. The key is giving yourself permission to experience these emotions without judgment.

How to Cope

• Let yourself feel everything - cry if you need to, be angry if you feel it

• Stay present in the moment with your pet

• Spend quality time together NOW

• Find a support system (friends, family, or professionals)

• Join a grief support group if needed

Supporting Someone Going Through This

If you're helping a friend dealing with anticipatory grief:

• Listen without judgment

• Let them tell the same stories over and over

• Be patient and understanding

• Remember there's no timeline for grief

• Just be there - it's the most important thing you can do

Remember, you're not alone in these feelings. Whether your pet is entering their golden years or still bouncing around like a puppy, it's okay to acknowledge these emotions while still cherishing every moment you have together. 🐾

Source: KinShip

Quiz Answers

True... but there's more! 🐕

hose tiny newborn puppies have a secret superpower - heat sensors in their noses! Since they're born with their eyes and ears closed, nature gave them these special sensors to help them find their way to mom for warmth and milk. It's like having a built-in thermal camera!

These sensors, along with their already amazing sense of smell, help them navigate their world during their first few weeks of life.

So next time you see a wobbly newborn pup finding their way to mama, remember - they're using their own tiny version of night-vision goggles! Nature is pretty incredible, isn't it? 🐾

That’s it for this edition of Dog Forum’s newsletter.

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