Dogs
Dogs are super-senses superheroes! They have an incredibly well-developed sense of smell that is far superior to ours. They can also see better than us in dark and dim light, as well as hear in ultrasound and detect sounds up to four times quieter than humans can hear. On this page, learn how dogs behave, how to read their signals, and how best to care for their needs.
Common name
Domestic dog
Scientific name
Canis lupus familiaris
Type
Mammal
Diet
Carnivore
Dos and don'ts
How to be a dog expert
To be a great dog owner, you have to understand how a dog's body works. Dogs are amazing biological machines with super senses and special needs. Here’s how you can help them stay happy and healthy.
Do
- Be a Body Language Detective: Watch how your dog moves. If they act differently, they might be feeling poorly or hurt.
- Be a best friend: Spend lots of time playing! Dogs love their humans and get very attached to their families.
- Give a daily check-up: Every day, check your dog for any bumps or scratches to make sure they stay healthy.
- Keep their ID on: Make sure your dog has a collar and a microchip. It’s like a nametag that helps them get home if they get lost!
Don't
- Don't forget the toothbrush: Dogs get yucky teeth too! Use special doggy toothpaste to keep their smiles bright.
- Don't overdo the exercise: Even though dogs love walks, don't force a tired or old dog to run too far.
- Don't leave things out: Keep things like chocolate or cleaning sprays away. Some human things are like poison to dogs!
Super Smart Pups!
Dogs can learn the names of their toys! Some very clever dogs have been able to learn the names of over 200 different items. They can go and find the exact toy whenever their owner asks for it!
Train your dog
Use rewards to train your dog to behave from an early age so they can learn to respond to basic commands, come back when you call them, and go to the toilet in the right place. Good training makes your dog easier to control and enhances their quality of life and your relationship with them.
Always encourage good behavior with rewards and never shout at or punish your dog, as they are more likely to behave badly if they are scared. Be consistent in the way you, your family, and your friends react to your dog, and why not try teaching them to wave for a fun challenge at home?
Top training tips
Use rewards to train your dog to behave from an early age. This training helps them learn to respond to basic commands, come back when you call them, and go to the toilet in the right place.
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NEVER shout at or punish your dog. Dogs are more likely to behave badly if they are scared or suffering.
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Always encourage good behaviour with tasty treats or praise.
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Be consistent! Make sure your family and friends react to your dog in the same way.
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Keep it fun. Teaching your dog a new trick, like how to wave, is a great way to bond!
