Greetings, dog lovers! 🌞

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

• Should You Wake Up Your Dog From a Dream? 💤

• What Is the Best Way to Clean a Dog’s Teeth?

• Thread: Maltese dog won't eat any food

• Video: Never delay food

Bark Bulletin of the Week

Join some of the most buzzing discussions on our forum!

DOG HEALTH

Should You Wake Up Your Dog From a Dream? 💤

Ever watched your pup twitching and 'running' in their sleep and wondered if you should wake them from what looks like a wild chase? Let's find out what the experts say about those doggy dreams!

The Age-Old Question

You've probably heard "let sleeping dogs lie," but is this just an old saying or solid advice? According to Dr. Julia Albright, a veterinary behaviorist, there's actually some real wisdom behind those words.

Think about it - how would you feel being jolted awake mid-dream? Not great, right?

Yes, Dogs Really Do Dream!

Those little woofs and twitching paws aren't just random movements! Dogs have sleep patterns surprisingly similar to ours, complete with their own version of REM sleep.

And get this - small dogs actually dream more often than big ones! Your tiny Yorkie might be dreaming every 10 minutes, while that sleepy Lab might have fewer but longer dreams.

What Are They Dreaming About?

While we can't ask them about their dreams (wouldn't that be amazing?), research suggests they're probably reliving their daily adventures.

That Pointer might be dreaming about birds, while your backyard champion is probably chasing those pesky squirrels all over again in dreamland!

Signs Your Dog Is Dreaming

Look for these adorable sleep signals:

• Rapid eye movement under those closed lids

• Little paw twitches or 'running' movements

• Cute sleep barks or whimpers

• Full-body wiggles (the whole "chasing rabbits" package)

The Wake-Up Debate

Here's the scoop: Unless there's a really good reason, let those sleeping dogs lie! Dr. Albright says there's pretty much never a time when you absolutely need to wake a dreaming dog.

Even if they seem to be having what looks like a bad dream, the emotional impact is probably tiny compared to the startle of being woken up.

But What If You Really Need To...

If you absolutely must wake your furry friend, channel your inner princess:

• Speak their name softly

• Give them gentle pets

• No sudden movements or loud noises Think "wake up, sleeping beauty" rather than "WAKE UP, IT'S TIME FOR SCHOOL!"

Remember, those doggy dreams serve a purpose - they help with memory, cognition, and probably let them relive all those awesome park visits and belly rubs! So next time you see your pup running a marathon in their sleep, just smile and let them finish their race. After all, they let us sleep through our weird dreams too! 🐕✨

Source: KinShip

Playful Picks

doglovebark

View more on Instagram

3. Never delay food

Fun Indoor Activities to Keep Your Dog Active This Winter ❄️

Baby, it's cold outside! When the weather turns frightful, and your pup gives you those "Do I really have to go out there?" eyes, it's time to get creative with indoor fun. Let's turn your living room into a doggy wonderland!

Create Your Own Puppy Playground

Who says you need a fancy agility course? Turn your living room into a tail-wagging obstacle course using stuff you probably already have!

Think cardboard box tunnels, pillow mountains to conquer, and hula hoop jumps. The best part? You don't need to brave the winter winds to get your pup moving!

DIY Obstacle Course Ideas

Time to raid your home for some pup-friendly equipment:

• Those old IKEA couch cushions? Perfect for landing pads and tunnels!

• Amazon boxes (we all have too many anyway) make awesome hurdles

• Floor poofs become adorable puppy platforms

• Rolled-up blankets create fun weaving paths

Indoor Boot Camp Time

Not feeling the obstacle course vibe? Turn your living room into a training zone! It's the perfect time to polish those basic commands. Plus, mental exercise can be just as tiring as physical activity - win-win!

The Ultimate Indoor Treasure Hunt

Here's a fun game that'll have your pup using their super-sniffer: Toy Search! It's like hide-and-seek but with their favorite squeaky friend. Start simple:

• Get your pup to sit (looking extra adorable, of course)

• Place their toy where they can see it

• Let them "find" it and shower them with praise

• Gradually make it trickier by hiding toys further away or under things

Remember, just because you're stuck inside doesn't mean the fun has to stop! These activities aren't just about keeping your dog physically active - they're about building that special bond between you and your furry friend. And hey, you might even work up enough of a sweat to skip the gym! 🐾

Pro Tip: Always celebrate those victories with treats and plenty of "good dog!" moments. After all, being stuck inside is way more fun when there are snacks involved!

Source: KinShip

Quiz Answers

False

The Norwegian Lundehund (also known as the Puffin Dog) is a rare breed that evolved to have six fully formed toes on each foot, instead of the normal four.

These extra toes, combined with unusually flexible joints, helped them scale the near-vertical cliffs of northern Norway, where they were used to hunt puffins for food and feathers.

This unique anatomical feature made them excellent climbers and essential working dogs for Norse communities between the 16th and mid-20th centuries.

They're the only dog breed known to have this specific six-toed adaptation

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

Please let me know what you think about this release in the poll below (Feel free to leave any recommendations. I take into consideration every comment).