You’re sitting watching TV — but your dog only has eyes for you. You’re cooking dinner, and the pooch is laser-focused on your face. You head to the bathroom and… you get the idea. If there’s one thing almost all dogs do well, it’s stare at their owners. And stare. And stare.

But why do they do it? There are four main reasons: attention, confusion, desire, and direction.

Attention
Your dog wants you to notice her. This one is often tied into desire because she wants you to do something for her, but it’s not necessarily as specific as “rub my belly” or “throw me the ball.” When your dog wants attention, those things are fine, but she’ll probably be just as happy with any kind of love and affection from you — after she’s had exercise and discipline, of course.

Confusion
Do you ever talk to yourself while engaging in a task and find that your pup is watching you closely, seemingly following every word? Another reason that dogs stare at us is because they are trying to figure out what we want from them. They don’t want to miss a possible cue or get yelled at for doing something wrong. Plus, sometimes they’re just curious about what the heck we’re doing!

Desire
I mentioned desire earlier when talking about attention, but it goes a lot deeper than the examples I cited. In fact, this is the type of staring dog owners tend to notice most often, because it covers a variety of “wants” from their pups — everything from “feed me, I’m hungry” to “toss the ball” to “I need to go for a walk” to, yes, “rub my belly.” Staring while engaging in a specific action, such as holding his leash in his mouth, is your dog’s way of saying: “This is what I want. I will make you give it to me by controlling you with my eyes.” Okay, technically, that’s not exactly what they’re saying, but you get the idea.

Direction
The final reason that dogs stare is they want you to tell them what to do. In some ways, this is related to confusion, but it’s not as straightforward as them making a general attempt to figure out what’s going on. When a dog stares for direction, it’s often because they are in the midst of training or some other kind of specific activity and want to know what to do next.

There is one more stare that it is vital to understand. Some dogs possess an aggressive stare that essentially says, “Don’t mess with me” or “I’m going to take you out.” Before assuming that a dog’s stare is friendly, make sure you pay attention to the rest of their body language, or you could put yourself in harm’s way.

So the next time you notice your dog burning a hole through you with her eyes, don’t assume that she’s just expressing her undying devotion. If you pay attention to the context clues, you may discover that she’s trying to communicate something much more specific.

The post Why Is My Dog Staring At Me? appeared first on Cesar's Way.

It’s perfectly natural and normal for dogs to occasionally chew on their legs, feet, ears, and tails. This behavior is no different than when you scratch an itch — it provides relief.

However, if you notice that your dog is constantly chewing herself, it may indicate a deeper problem — particularly if the chewed area has become sore, red, inflamed, or furless.

So what is going on? It may be because of one of the following problems:

Dry skin
Your dog may be biting himself in an attempt to relieve the itchiness of dry skin, which could be caused by a number of things, such as dry, cold weather or a lack of fatty acids. You may be able to spot flakes of dandruff and cracked, tough skin.

Fleas and other parasites
Fleas, mites, and ticks alike can cause a lot of discomfort to their canine host and are common culprits behind excessive chewing. Often, these pests can be revealed from a visual check or a good brushing.

Allergies
Mold, pollen, bug bites, and other allergens can make your dog’s skin dry or greasy. Similarly, allergies to certain types of soaps and pesticides can irritate a dog’s skin and set off a scratch session. If the behavior just began, consider what environmental changes occurred recently.

Skin infections
Your dog’s skin can become infected because of imbalances in cortisol or thyroid hormones. You can often identify bacterial infections by tiny, red bumps on your dog’s skin. Fungal infections can result in oily, greasy skin. In both cases, your dog may also have a waxy ear discharge.

Aches, pain, and soreness
There’s always a possibility that your dog has stepped or brushed against something that resulted in pain or irritation, such as a burr, thorn, or sharp piece of glass. In addition, dogs sometimes react to arthritis and other orthopedic problems with chronic chewing, scratching, and licking.

Psychological reasons
As pack animals, dogs require constant companionship, attention, and stimulation. If your dog begins to frequently chew an area of her body, it may be because she is lonely, bored, or restless. Find ways to add more socialization and mental challenges into your dog’s life.

Many causes of leg chewing are fairly easy to identify and treat at home, but if your dog won’t stop biting her leg or any other area of the body, it’s a good idea to take her to the vet for examination. Your vet can determine the root of this behavior and make suggestions for treatment or dietary and lifestyle changes.

Do you wonder about the meaning of an odd behavior that dog displays? Tell us all about it in the comments.

The post Help! My Dog Won’t Stop Chewing On Himself appeared first on Cesar's Way.

My friend has a dog who is a very rude crotch sniffer. We work together, and she brings her dog to work every day. She doesn’t do it to me, but our clients sometimes get the business end of her nose. I usually catch her before she goes for it, but her owner can’t always get there in time. She says, “That’s what dogs do!” And, “Cesar says you should let them sniff you.”

I say, “Cesar wouldn’t approve!” What do you think?

Sylvia
Tucson, Arizona

Cesar Millan’s answer:

Dear Sylvia,

I do agree that, to a dog, your “name” is the scent you project – and in the dog world, that begins with the scent of the “private parts”. In that regard, your friend is correct, but we, as owners, can and should learn to regulate the intensity of this very natural behavior and set limits to how close we allow a dog to get to a new visitor. The truth is, a dog is able to get “scent information” from us from as far as three or four feet away! They don’t have to be too “up close and personal” to find out what they need to know about us.

The most important way to create new boundaries is for the dog owner and other pack leaders in the office (as you appear to be!) to stay consistent with supervision of the dog and, of course, to stay consistent with correcting the behavior you don’t want. It seems like sometimes you are catching the dog and sometimes you aren’t. That creates instability because it becomes a competition about who is faster, the human or the dog. That is why it is so important to have hard and fast rules about these limitations that everyone follows. Once you are consistent with reinforcing the behavior that is acceptable, the dog will eventually catch on.

While you are simultaneously working with the dog, you have another great opportunity – the option to teach visitors to your office to move forward, to claim their space, to let them know that it is ok for them to walk toward the dog without hurting the dog or its feelings. You are just letting the dog know that you want your space. That’s a form of communication with the dog. If you can accomplish these things, then this dog will be getting rules and boundaries from the person who owns the dog, from you and your co-workers in the office, and from the new people who come to visit. He will get the same message three different ways, and it will make it very clear for him. But remember, at least one person has to be consistent with it – every time it happens.

Stay calm and assertive,
Cesar Millan

The post Rude Crotch Sniffer appeared first on Cesar's Way.

Dear Cesar,

I have a 3-year-old toy Australian shepherd dog named Gina. She is an absolutely wonderful dog with a few challenges, one in particular that I need some advice on… obsessive licking. She is completely obsessed with licking all the time! My dog licks the air, your arms, your face, in your mouth, other dogs, furniture, herself, etc. She also experiences anxiety and fear and I wonder if the licking may be a result of that. Is there anything that we can do to help control this?

Sincerely,
Jeni & Gina

Jeni,

I think you’re correct that the dog problem here is coming from Gina’s anxiety. And it sounds like a very bad case, almost to the point of self-destruction. I have to ask if there is something neurological going on here. My advice for you is this — first, please get her an exam with the vet to rule out any neurological problems. Second, if there are no neurological issues, consider a holistic vet who can perform acupuncture and massage on Gina to help her relax. Third, try water therapy or swimming for dogs. We need to help her soothe the mind before we can even begin to work on her dog obsessive licking behavior. A treadmill may help as well, but you need to take it slow and steady.

Once you work on helping her to relax, and without knowing any other details about your situation, keep this in mind — dog anxiety is usually caused by a lack of exercise or release of energy. In order for Gina to stop her obsessive licking, she needs to be properly exercised and fulfilled. She has become fixated on licking, and you need to help Gina redirect that frustration into dog exercise and ultimately, balance.

You should also take a look at how you have been reacting to the licking. Have you been rewarding her for being a “sweet” dog? Have you been condoning the problem behavior in any way? Is this her call to you for attention? Be sure to only give her the appropriate affection and attention when she is in a calm-submissive state.

Best wishes,
Cesar

Has your dog displayed obsessive behavior? Share it with us in the comments?

The post Obsessive Dog Licking appeared first on Cesar's Way.

I have a 1-year-old pitbull named Raven. I have followed your methods since day one, and she is well-behaved dog and an awesome ambassador for her breed. But, there’s one problem we are unable to overcome: food obsession.

Raven is walked and or biked twice a day. She’s a low-medium energy dog. I can tucker her out very easily. As far as Discipline goes I use the “touch”, say no, and put the food back (if I can). When I leave the room, I command her to come as well.

Raven gets into trouble when no one is watching her. She’ll eat pretty much anything… you name it, she’s probably tried to get it in her mouth. She’ll try to eat other dogs’ food and there were two incidents that the dog whose food she stole attacked her… and she kept eating!

I don’t want to remove Raven from the “problem” areas because how will she ever overcome this problem if she doesn’t face it? But I can’t leave her alone, or I’m afraid she’ll eat herself to death. Literally! There was ONE incident where I’d left for only SECONDS with a not even half full bag of dog food, she dove into it and almost finished it off, that’s pounds of food. If I hadn’t come out she would have ate it all!

I’d like to get her registered as a Therapy dog but until this is taken care of we can’t pursue that.

-Ashley

Cesar Millan’s answer:
Dear Ashley,

Any powerful breed, especially fighting breeds, will be more likely to have problems with limitations. Just the same way they become so determined to hurt another dog, it will be easier for them to become obsessive. So in this case, your dog needs to practice more activities where patience is required; where food is in front of her and she practices being in front of the food with your supervision. This is a dog that is not ready to be without supervision.

When food is around, the leash should be on. Just put the leash all the way on the top of the neck and pull up gently and slowly block the brain from being excited. So you can help the brain to go back into a different state.

Another thing that might help is not to let her eat with the plate on the ground. If you place the plate a little higher, it causes the dog to slow down while she is eating. Also, you can practice holding the food and gently moving it; lifting the plate up to touch her chin until she relaxes and slows down. You’re using her own body’s mechanics to help her to accomplish a good thing. She will have to turn her head sideways to get the food, and even use her tongue. She will get less food with each bite, and so you are telling her to slow down, chew the food, really FEEL the food. Because when the brain is in a no-limits state of mind, the dog will just go wild and gobble the food down. By forcing her to slow down, youre just sending her brain into a different state.

Another thing you can do is recognize that there are three circles of personal space: the public, social, and intimate circles. It would be ideal if the dog sees the food in the intimate circle. Ask her to wait in your social or public circle, and then slowly bring her in. That is very challenging, and that creates limits by bringing patience into the mind of the dog. Take your time, don’t rush it. Don’t put two or three weeks on the calendar and expect it to get done. Just do it as long as it takes. This is how you are going to feed the body and the mind.

Stay calm and assertive,
Cesar Millan

The post My Dog Eats Everything appeared first on Cesar's Way.

Man’s best friend can provide all kinds of fun and laughter just by being a dog, but perhaps nothing is more amusing than when your pup suddenly starts to obsess over her own tail and begins spinning around in circles, trying vainly to catch it.

This is a sight that can incite laughter in even the most serious of people, but why exactly does it happen? Can it develop into something more serious? Why do dogs chase their tails so suddenly and obsessively?

Why Does My Dog Chase Its Tail?

Here are a few reasons dogs chase their tails.

Boredom

Oftentimes, dogs will chase their tails because they are a bit bored; it’s a way for them to have fun and expend some energy. This is especially true for puppies, who may not even realize that their tail is actually a part of their body, but see it as a toy. Generally, as dogs age, this kind of play dies down.

Attention

Do you tend to watch and laugh when your dog starts chasing his tail? If he is receiving positive attention from you by engaging in the act, it may cause him to do it whenever he wants you to take notice and play with him.

Something’s Wrong

If you notice your dog really going after her tail a lot and trying to nip at it and chew on it, you may want to schedule a trip to the vet. Sometimes dogs will chase their tails because they are being bothered by worms or fleas or experiencing some other kind of medical issue.

Genetics

For reasons that we still don’t really understand, breeds like German shepherds and terriers tend to engage in tail-chasing more than other breeds — even as they grow older. This happens even more when dogs have been trapped indoors for too long.

Compulsion

Some dogs may develop a compulsive disorder that involves chasing their tail. These kinds of behavioral problems can come about for many reasons — confinement, physical abuse, past injury or trauma, separation anxiety, and so on — and need to be addressed.

If your dog is compulsively chasing his tail, he can cause serious damage by biting and chewing on it when he finally does catch it. Dogs have been known to experience hair loss on their tails due to this kind of behavior and even cause themselves injury.

What it boils down to is if you notice that your dog seems to be chasing after her tail an excessive amount, the best thing you can do for her health is to have her checked out by a veterinarian. It’s quite possible that she’s perfectly fine, but if she isn’t, the best way to diagnose the problem is with the help of a medical professional.

Does your dog display any obsessive behavior? Tell us all about it in the comments.

The post Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails? appeared first on Cesar's Way.

Thank you,
JoAnn Morris

Dr. Sherry’s Answer:

Dear JoAnn,

Eating feces is normal with many different animal species. In dogs, it is not part of the digestive process, but it is a normal cleaning behavior in mother dogs with pups. Some dogs eat stool even without puppies in a misguided attempt to clean either the yard or their kennel. This can easily turn into a habit.

Malnourishment

Malnourished dogs who lack nutrients in their diet or are unable to digest the nutrients in their food may resort to eating partially digested food in poop in order to meet their nutritional needs. Consult your vet about the best diet for your dog, and also to rule out any existing medical problem associated with coprophagia, the scientific name for the act of dogs eating their own or other animals’ feces.

Breaking the Habit

After addressing dietetic needs, and ruling our medical conditions, you’ll have to break the habit. There are two approaches to stopping the behavior. The most common approach is to use either Adolph’s meat tenderizer or a product called “For-bid”. These products are supposed to give the stool a bitter flavor when eaten. In my experience, these products are only successful some of the time. Another approach that may work better is to find the stool in the yard and cover it with a hot sauce, such as Habanero sauce, that will be uncomfortable to eat but cause no real damage. After a bite or two, most dogs will decide it isn’t worth it.

Good luck,
-Dr. Weaver

What do you feed your dog? Tell us what your dog’s diet is like in the comments.

The post Dog Eating Feces? appeared first on Cesar's Way.

Dear Cesar:

We have a ten-year-old lab/pit bull mix. He is house broken and can do a few tricks. The only problem is he LOVES to chase his tail. Whenever someone comes into the house, or even if there is any loud noise, he chases and chases and chases until he catches his tail. He can walk down the hall with it in his mouth and even climb into his chair.

He came from the shelter about eight years ago, and I thought this was a behavior he did there to keep himself occupied. Can you help?

Lois Harvey

Cesar Millan’s answer:
Dear Lois,

For dogs, some habits can be harder to break than others. In my experience, a dog chasing its tail is often a sign of boredom. Sometimes, it can just be a physical reaction to excitement. Based on your description, I’m leaning towards excitement. If this behavior is causing your dog physical health problems, then I suggest you remedy the problem by using a correction method that is both calm-assertive and humane. Remember, timing is everything, which means you have only a few seconds to correct the behavior as soon as its displayed. Otherwise, it may be too late for him to connect his actions with your corrections. Hopefully, with a little practice, he can learn to bite a chew toy as a substitute behavior for possibly harming himself by biting his own tail.

Stay calm and assertive,

Cesar Millan

The post Dog Chasing Tail Obsession appeared first on Cesar's Way.

My dog is obsessed with cats, squirrels, birds, lizards, anything alive that moves. Does that mean she’s unbalanced? Is this normal, natural instinct? This summer, she’s been spending more and more time in our backyard stocking her prey, and less and less time in the house with the human pack. What am I doing wrong?

-Lindsay

Cesar Millan’s answer:
Hi Lindsay,

First, I’d like to remind you that the human tells the story and the dog tells the reality. Prey drive is a natural instinct because dogs are predators and hunters – this is something the human has in common with the dog. A dog and a man relate at a primal level better because of this ability. But, modern dogs need to have an understanding of where to practice playful hunting activities in domesticated settings, just as most humans go to their local butcher or grocery store for their sustenance. The danger in prey drive comes from two things. One, the prey itself can be harmful, such as snakes. And two, chasing a squirrel or cat into a street where they can be hit by a car is not safe.

“Play” and “hunt” are different states of mind, and what you need to do is find ways to challenge that instinctual desire so it becomes more “play” and less “hunt.” Try this – come to the backyard with the dog’s leash on and practice activities in the yard with food or toys before the dog sees a squirrel. The leash gives you access to redirection, or luring the dog to other fun activities. Two things you need to teach before this – sit and stay. When your dog knows those commands and responds to them, you can reward her with food or a toy. Do this for at least a month. Then – you’re going to use what she’s already familiar with as a way of rewarding. You can then ask her to chase the squirrel on command. Remember that you are in a situation where you have to work with Mother Nature. Since the dog has already developed prey drive, you have to work with it.

So, once she’s at the tree, don’t call her. You know she won’t come and you don’t want to show her that this is acceptable behavior – to ignore you. This is the perfect time to bring out a piece of chicken, hot dog, or leftover steak (and don’t show it to her). Hide it in your hand so you can wave the scent in front of her nose – that’s what’s driving her the most. Once the dog is attracted to your scent and her attention is away from the squirrel, put the leash on and give the treat. Then walk away from the tree, make sure you’re at least 10 feet away before you ask the dog to sit, and wait until she completely relaxes there before you bring her into the house. This is the process to teach her that she has an on and off switch to prey drive, created by you and controlled by you.

Don’t worry or feel bad when she goes towards the squirrel again or makes a mistake. It doesn’t mean she didn’t learn the lesson – she’s still learning – and this is one instinct from Mother Nature that is very difficult to overpower. However, for a dog to be controlled by instincts, the humans are not giving the dog what he needs. The dog is telling you, “You don’t challenge me at a primal level.” You have to be more than a dog lover to be a good pack leader – you have to be a knowledgeable dog lover because knowledge gives you access to instincts.

Prey drive is scent driven, and dogs experience the world through their noses first. Find activities where you can challenge this sense as often as you can, such as hiding treats and playing hide-and-seek, using a treat ball or toy that encourages the dog to use her mind, or try participating in a search-and-rescue group. Prey drive is almost always a rehabilitation case that will take some time. Be patient and remember to always maintain your calm-assertive energy through the process.

Stay calm and assertive!
Cesar Millan

The post Prey Drive Problem appeared first on Cesar's Way.

I have a nine-month-old female Yorkshire terrier with several issues, most importantly one that may get her killed. She is only five pounds and wants to chase cars. A very dangerous combination. Correcting her, having her sit and look at me, walking in the opposite direction and even distracting her with toys is not working. What should I do? I try to walk her for an hour every day and play games with her and other dogs in my apartment complex.

What is the next step? Please help!!!

There are other issues I am working on, but this issue is a matter of life or death.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Lynn Fiore
Long Island, New York.

Cesar Millan’s answer:
Dear Jennifer,

Your issue is indeed one of life or death, but I am at a disadvantage not being able to see your dog or work with her directly. My instinct, however, is that the correction that you describe may not be strong enough to redirect your dog, because it doesn’t match the level of intensity of her instinct and desire to chase the cars. Whenever you want to correct a dog’s unwanted behavior, you have to match the intensity of that behavior.

While positive reinforcement like food and toys are excellent ways to redirect many behavior issues, if a dog is fixated on something, those tools often won’t match the intensity of the fixation. Sometimes it takes a more physical-psychological approach. That’s why I suggest you hire a professional trained in blocking or redirecting serious behavior issues, who won’t use force or hurt your dog, just block and redirect. Right now, the important thing is to condition your dog to stop her dangerous behavior before she seriously injures herself.

Stay calm and assertive,

Cesar Millan

Does your dog have an obsession? Tell us all about it in the comments!

The post Chasing Cars appeared first on Cesar's Way.