Chances are, these are 8 things your dog wants you to know about – even if you don’t speak fido’s language!

1. “Let’s Go For a Walk”

Exercise is good for you and your dog!

The amount of exercise your dog needs on the regular basis depends on their age, breed, and health.

If you have a puppy, most dog owners know that they need exercise and play time at the park. But did you know that senior dogs need exercise too? While a senior dog may not be able to go for a five-mile walk with you, they still need physical and mental stimulation such as learning new tricks or doing dog agility training.

Exercise is one of the most important factors to avoid obesity in dogs. Make sure you are giving your dog daily exercise. A 30-minute walk, twice a day is ideal.

2. “Ouch! Don’t Pull On My Leash!”

Please never pull or yank on your dog’s leash!

For smaller dogs especially, you could hurt their fragile necks. If you are still using a leash connected to your dog’s throat collar, consider opting for a body harness that will make walks much easier and comfortable for both you and your pup.

A full body harness with the right leash will help to avoid skeletal injuries.

Often times, these injuries don’t show up until your pooch is much older and you’ll wish you never yanked on them!

3. “Don’t Yell at Me, I Don’t Understand!”

We’ve all been there: “I can’t believe you pooped on the floor!”

While you may be mad that your dog destroyed the carpet, dogs are just like small children and can’t understand why you are upset with them.

Instead, dogs pick up on the TONE of your voice. And they also can’t make the correlation as to why you are yelling at them.

If it looks like a toy and smells like a toy, then it’s a toy in your dog’s mind.

Many dog lovers are familiar with the “guilty” look that a dog gives, such as when they avoid eye contact and hide from you, but in reality, fido is trying to appease you with their body language.

“People anthropomorphize dogs quite a bit. We give them so much credit for being masterminds, but fail to recognize if the dog is so smart and understands they’re going to get into trouble for a behavior, why would they do it again and again?

To make their human, the people they love most, super mad for fun? That makes no sense,” said Kris Crestejo, a certified dog behavior consultant to PawCulture.

Next time your dog misbehaves, try using positive reinforcement techniques such as using praise and food for good behavior.

4. “Pet me more please!”

Some dogs don’t like cuddles and pets and can exhibit signs of stress, such as lip-licking, turning away, and moving away from you when you stop. If your pup likes to be pet, massaged, and/or cuddled, give them what they want!

Not only will your dog enjoy the attention, spending time with your dog is known to reduce stress in people.

Cuddle bug or not, don’t let young children hug dogs. If the dog suddenly becomes stressed, the child’s face is directly in the dog’s bite zone. On a similarly important note, if you are out on a walk and see a dog, always ask if you can pet the other person’s pup!

5. “Don’t Leave Me Outside in the Summer Heat”

Summertime can certainly be fun, but the soaring temps can also be dangerous and sometimes even fatal for our furry friends.

• Never leave your dog alone in a car during the summer, even just for five minutes.
• As the Humane Society of the United States notes, on an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees in just ten minutes.

It’s also important to keep in mind humidity.

“Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly,” said Dr. Barry Kellogg, VMD, of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.

During the summer months, you’ll want to limit your exercise time outside. Always carry fresh water with you when you are with your dog and don’t let them walk on the hot asphalt, walk on the grass instead. Add some refreshing ice to their water bowl and/or make some doggy popsicles to help your canine BFF cool down!

6. “I Want to Be Comfortable, Too”

Dogs truly don’t ask for much: food, clean water, toys… and a cozy bed!

Investing in a warm, plush bed (or maybe two) for your house will let your dog know they are part of the family.

Better yet: you can let your dog come up on the furniture with you for cuddle sessions while watching TV… but if you don’t like having companion animals on your furniture, at the very least offer them their own bed!

7. “Play With Me”

When you’re away at work, it’s important to give your pup something to do so that they don’t get lonely or bored.

From plush toys, Kong treats, and dog puzzles, toys make for excellent mental health stimulation.

Take your dog to your local pet store and let them choose a toy that they like best. Not only will your dog get a new toy to play with, but a trip to the pet store together makes for great bonding time!

When you are home, spend 20 minutes a day or more playing fetch (or whatever your dog’s favorite game is) to give them the mental and physical stimulation they need.

A well-engaged pup is a happy pup!

8. “You Are My Entire World”

While you have friends, family, and work engagements, your dog only has YOU!

Your dog wants nothing more but to love you unconditionally and make you happy. It’s important to keep this in mind when caring for your dog or when making the decision to adopt a new family member.

Your dog puts you first, so you should put them first too!

The post The 8 “Commandments” Your Dog Secretly Wants You To Know About (#5 Is Very Important) appeared first on PawSoCute.

Lola was living a difficult life of cruelty for eight years.

Lola, a pit bull, was chained inside a garage. In the dingy, dark setting she was forced to lie on a concrete floor. No vets came to care for her, and she was never given any attention. Not once in her eight years was she allowed off of her chain.

Fortunately, a woman noticed Lola and called AMA Animal Rescue, an animal rescue organization from NY. Rescuers came to the scene and talked to Lola’s owner. After some discussion, Lola’s owner surrendered Lola to the rescuers!

After the life she had, rescuers expected Lola to be hostile and dangerous towards people. But instead, Lola was quite the opposite. Lola was loving and kind to the rescuers – with her tail wagging!

“We called her ‘wiggly butt,’” Michele Walsh told The Dodo. “She was wagging her cute little tail, super friendly, giving kisses and so happy to meet her rescuers. She let them take her off this chain, and they walked right out with her.”

Once rescued, Lola was brought to Animal Kind Veterinary Hospital. After looking at her, a few tumors needed to be removed. Once she was done with surgery, Lola was off to foster care in Manhattan with Charlene von Saher.

After seven weeks with von Saher, Lola is certainly embracing the comfortable lifestyle. She’s managed to find all soft and comfortable spots in the house.

From the couch….

To the bed…

To outdoor furniture.

Lola even took pillows off of the bed to put into the dog bed! “When I came home, her head was on it — she literally made herself a little bed in her bed with my pillow. It was like ‘The Princess and the Pea’ — I guess she liked having multiple cushions underneath her.”

Lola has even enjoyed laying across two beds…

And on top of two beds!

“I was out for a minute, and when I came back, Lola had moved the smaller bed on top of the other bed and put herself on top of it,” said von Saher. “It was hysterical. I couldn’t believe it when I came in.”

When the sun comes out, Lola loves to soak up the sunshine! After spending years in the dark, Lola loves being in the light.

Since being rescued, Lola has become a spoiled dog that loves life. Lola has shown von  Saher how important it is to relax.

“I think she looks better and better each day,” von Saher said. “They always say, ‘When you adopt a dog, you’re really saving two.’ That’s because you’re taking one, and you’re opening up a space for another dog to come into the shelter or the rescue group.”

Lola is loved by von Saher and is having a great life.

Source: The Dodo

The post Dog Mistreated for 8 Years is Finally Comfortable for Good appeared first on PawSoCute.

Look at this sweet and happy face!

Pit Bulls certainly love to make new friends…

And hold close those that are near and dear to their hearts.

Fun in the sun is a favorite pastime!

Pit Bulls are lovers of long strolls through nature…

And boy do they love a good time! These two are cracking up.

All animals love Pit Bulls, and even give them kisses!

Some just need a stuffed animal to hold and love.

Warm and fuzzy clothes?  Yes, please!

Wearing sunglasses is just too fun…

And so is playing on the swings!

Look at this Pit Bull cheesing with his kitty friend!

Prepare for the aw – dressing up in cute outfits is too great.

Don’t you just want to give this little one a big hug and kiss?

Pit Bulls feel so much joy!

“Take a picture, look I’m balancing on the tree!”

Pit Bulls are always ready for fun.

“Oh hello, goat friend!”

This guy is just too amused!  Pit Bulls are the sweetest!

(h/t One Green Planet, Bored Panda, Bark Post, Buzzfeed, Dog Time, and Imgur)

The post 20 Photos That Show Pit Bulls Are the Most Loving Animals appeared first on PawSoCute.