If a single knock at the door sends your dog scurrying under the bed or he starts barking every time the doorbell rings, it’s probably safe to say you both dread surprise guests and package deliveries, not to mention Halloween. But could it mean something’s wrong?

If your dog shows excessive fear toward these and other noises, like fireworks, there’s a chance he may be suffering from noise aversion.

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but that doesn’t mean we’re not occasionally embarrassed or downright disgusted by some of their habits. From rear-sniffing to rolling in anything with a repulsive smell, nothing seems to be quite as offensive to dog lovers as coprophagia—that is, eating poop.

Receiving slobbery kisses from our canine companions is part of the dog-loving package, but do you ever wonder why they do this?

Turns out, there are lots of reasons dogs like to put their tongues on you, ranging from instinct, to affection, to stress. Let’s take a look.

It’s no secret that dogs are sociable creatures who are happiest being with others and having something to do. Not to get overly philosophical, but everyone needs a purpose.

Plus, dogs are like toddlers. If you don’t give them a constructive focus, they’ll find ways to entertain themselves, such as pulling all of the stuffing out of each cushion on your new couch, or enjoying four or five shoes -- each from a different pair. Not that we’ve had any experience with such things…

Most cats love laser pointers. You can press the button and let the red laser land in a pinpoint on the floor, or the wall...just out of reach of your cat, and watch him pounce. It’s entertaining to watch and it’s entertaining for your cat. They’re not so good, however, for your dog. But first, let’s look at how they benefit your kitty. 

If you’re like Sandy, you brought home your cute rescue pup hoping for a cuddly companion. While Cooper is cuddly-- for about 30 seconds at a time -- more than not, he’s chewing on your couch legs or barking at invisible foes.

What’s a dog lover to do?

First, frequent barking and excessive chewing are common dog behavior problems. However, with a little insight, you can probably curb these tendencies in most dogs.

You’ve got a great dog — but is he/she a good citizen?

The American Kennel Club (AKC)’s Canine Good Citizen program was designed to reward dogs with good manners at home and in the community, as well as their owners.  A 10-step basic obedience test is required to earn the official AKC Canine Good Citizen title.

As a professional dog trainer, my dream is that all dog owners aspire to this goal.