That meant we had to do things a little differently from friends who’d devolved from articulate professionals into baby-talking, treat-dispensing dog people. Instead of joining us for cocktails or concerts, we lost one set of friends when they began declining dinner invitations unless their Labradoodle was included.
“I’m a little worried about you,” she finally says, and I have to admit, that wasn’t the first time I’d heard it.
If you’d like to test your dog’s DNA too, you can find an easy-to-use kit these days on Chewy here.
And behind those wide-set imploring eyes, beneath that luscious cocoa fur, is the most gentle, sensitive little soul ever to draw a breath.
It didn’t stop there. I became fixated on finding out more about Uno. We’d never know how or why he ended up at the shelter, but I had heard about a way to get us some answers about his breed makeup. So, in an act that tested the limits of even our most tolerant friends, Mike and I sunk 70 bucks into DNA testing.
Sign #3: Everything is Handed to Your Dog on a Silver Platter
Do you fill your dog’s bowl with food so he has little bites available all day long? Are his dog toys neatly piled in their regular place? Do you fill his bed with all his favorite things? While that is nice of you, it may not be entirely necessary. Instead of having everything ready at your pet’s paws, he may want to do a little hunting for them – and that can be good for him.
“Pet parents should give their dogs intellectual stimulation,” Bright says. “Dogs need to be able to think and problem solve in order to stay smart.” Bright suggests that instead of filling your dog’s bowl with food twice a day, let your pup use his brain to find the food in a toy. “Respect that he is an animal; respect the fact that their ancestors looked for their food and let him do the same.”
Sign #1: You Take Your Dog Everywhere
Believe it or not, while your dog is a loyal companion, he might not always want to be by your side. It’s not that he doesn’t love spending time with you, it is just that he may prefer to have a little alone time in place of being toted around while you complete your daily errands.
“You may love your dog and want to take him everywhere, but your dog probably wants to stay home,” says Bright, “He doesn’t want to go to work with you every day [and may not] want to be in a crowd. Some dogs will tolerate it, but that doesn’t mean they like it.”
Try to remember that the average dog also sleeps 12-14 hours a day, according to the National Sleep Association—so your dog wanting a little quiet time to rest is natural.