In this video, we’ll talk about 30 things that your dogs can’t tell you, but wish you knew.









If I yawn, it doesn’t mean I’m sleepy
While I may sometimes yawn when I am tired, I also yawn when I’m stressed or scared. If you see me yawning a few times, pay attention to the environment around me.
If I’m acting differently or hiding, I’m sick
if you notice me acting strange or different, chances are I'm not feeling well. I might be in pain or sick.
I don’t understand why you change up the rules all the time
Don’t rile me up when you leave the house
The more you make a fuss about saying hello or goodbye to me, the more I’ll feel anxiety—and my destructive symptoms will play out when you’re not home.
Just like you, I can’t hold it for more than a few hours
My bladder and muscles can’t “Hold it” for more than a few hours. If I have a potty accident, don’t get angry with me. I did it because I am physically incapable of holding it for too long.
My Memory Isn't as Good as Yours
If I do something wrong, you need to tell me right away, because I’m simply not going to remember later.
I don’t feel guilt or shame, even if you think I look like it
I don’t really feel the complex emotions that you do.
I don’t try to be funny when I lick my behind.
If you notice me licking my behind, or dragging my bottom on the ground, it’s a sign that something is irritating me. I usually relieve my pain by licking myself or scooting.
I only have YOU
You have your work, entertainment, and your friends. I only have you.
I know it is cold or hot, but please don’t rush me when you take me out to go potty.
I can’t handle heat as easily as you do
I can get heat stroke easily, even in the spring.
During summer days, the asphalt and pavement can get really hot. You wear shoes and you can dress lighter, but I have lots of fur and I don’t wear sneakers to guard my paws against the hot pavement. Plus, I don’t sweat, and my internal cooling system isn’t as effective as yours.
My bad breath could be a sign that I am sick
My bad breath could be a sign of kidney problem, dental disease, a rotten tooth.
Please don’t watch horror movies with me
I have a much greater hearing sensitivity than you do. I hate the loud noises, bangs or shocks, such as those found in horror movies.
Give me the right food
I don’t choose my food, and I have to eat whatever you feed me. Please don’t change my food just because something is on sale. Some foods don’t agree with my stomach, and a sudden change of diet can cause me health issues like vomiting or diarrhea.
If lick my lips, it doesn’t always mean I’m anticipating food.
While I may lick my lips when I see a yummy treat, I also lick them when I am anxious, or when there is a threat around me. This is how I try to appease a person or dog who I perceive as a threat. And that’s why you see me licking my lips when you scold me.
Please watch my body language and remove me from stressful situations.
I prefer blue and yellow toys.
I don’t see colors the way you do. I see mainly blue and yellow wavelengths, which means I am redgreen color blind. To me, red looks brownish. If you throw a red ball for me to fetch, it blends in with the grass color and I can hardly see it.
Honestly, I don’t understand what you’re saying
When you speak to me, I don’t understand your words.
Your couch saves me from your hardwood floors
My paws are made for gripping natural terrain. I am not designed to walk on hardwood floors and smooth surfaces such as tile. These surfaces are especially painful when I am old and suffer from arthritis.
If you see me hiding, barking, whining, or acting erratically, chances are, something is wrong. My sense of smell and hearing are much better than yours. I can smell things that you can’t. To put it into perspective, I can smell a spritz of perfume in an enclosed stadium. I can even smell precisely how much sugar is in your coffee.
I don’t like the scents you like
What smells good to you doesn’t smell pleasant to me. When you wash me with a scented shampoo, I have to roll on the stinkiest thing I can find to change my smell. Don’t get mad at me. It’s just in my nature and I have a very powerful nose.
Take me to the vet every once a while…I can’t tell you when I am sick.
I’m not always happy when I’m wagging my tail
I express many different emotions by my tail movements. Sometimes I wag my tail to say I am friendly and happy, but I also wag my tail to tell people or dogs I’m nervous, threatened, or angry.
Take me with you when you travel.
Instead of leaving me at pet sitter’s home, take me with yourself. I certainly deserve a trip to a new place.
I don’t enjoy crowded parties
While I am a social animal, I don’t like loud or crowded places.
I always love you!
I wish I could tell you how much I love you. Even when you’re upset with me, I’m so grateful to live with you.