CONTENTS
ANNU AL 2 0 22
36 Lifestyle
Health
10 Puppy milestones
14 6 safety tips for dog toys
26 6 pet-friendly home design tips
enrichment — why it’s 16 Msoental important for your dog
Here are some significant milestones to track as your puppy grows!
Create a home you love with your four-legged friend in mind.
32 Is your dog a good workout partner? Exercising with your dog is a great way to bond — just be sure to take his abilities and safety into account.
36 Compassionate dog grooming
An inside look at this trending term and what it’s all about.
50 S afety tips for water-loving dogs
Follow this advice to help ensure your aquatic pooch stays safe and healthy.
66 Pet theft
There’s lots you can do to protect your dog from being stolen.
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CANADIAN DOGS ANNUAL 2022
Guard against accidental injury during playtime with these toy safety tips.
How and why to introduce more variety and fun into your pup’s life.
46 C an I give human medications to my dog? What you need to know about human drugs and their effects on dogs.
68 T he annual veterinary exam — what it should include
A look at what her yearly checkup should entail.
74 T op 7 ways to naturally boost your dog’s immune system
Healthy immunity is one of the foundations of wellness for your dog!
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Departments 8 Editorial 79 Breed Directory —
The Groups, Purebreds, Rare Breeds
146 Spotlight 156 Marketplace 162 Spot the
145 Dog Speak
differences
Nutrition 20 U nderstanding pet food labels
Learn to understand ingredient lists and terminology.
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Why your dog should eat fruits and veggies
Offering him fruits and veggies can support his health and well-being!
34 H ow to keep your dog hydrated
Follow these tips to ensure your dog is getting enough water.
40 B oost your dog’s nutrition with this tasty topper
This simple recipe will help you make sure he’s getting enough taurine!
58 H ome-preparing food for your dog — what you need to know
These key points about canine nutrition will help you make sure his diet is well-balanced.
72 H ow to make the perfect
doggy charcuterie board
Date night with your dog? Here’s something you can both enjoy!
Dog-human Interest
71 I s sleeping next to your dog good for you? Snuggling up next to your pup is more beneficial than you might think.
76 D oes your dog understand mathematics?
Dogs have quite a bit in common with us when it comes to quantitative thinking.
Training & Behaviour 22 N ew research reveals where dogs feel most comfortable in cars
Do dogs prefer shotgun? Here’s what new findings reveal!
39 How does your dog’s brain process what you say?
Learn what’s going on in your dog’s mind when you talk to him.
42 Training your dog — it’s about more than obedience
Why a science-based positive training approach works best!
54 W hat does your dog’s wagging tail really mean?
Learn how to read your canine companion’s “tail language”.
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3
solutions for excessive barking
Discover why your pooch is too “talkative” and learn how to curb her behaviour!
Social Media Tips, contests and more! CanadianDogs
News, events, and tips! @CdnDogs
Tips, pet photos, and more! canadiandogsannual
Crafts, laughs, and more! canadiandogs
24 1 0 ways your dog says “I love you”
A few surefire signs your dog would say “I love you” if she could speak.
48 C racking the case with Rex, of TV’s Hudson and Rex
Meet Rex — the canine star of this Canadian series.
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56 How dogs benefit our lives What does research say about the advantages of being a dog parent?
64 H ow smart is your dog? Prove it by testing his IQ!
CanadianDOGS.com
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10 WAYS YOUR DOG SAYS
BY EMMA WILLIAMS
You know you love your dog… but does she love you? Here are ten surefire signs your dog would say “I love you” if she could speak.
3 1 THE CLASSIC “I’M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU” If your dog jumps for joy when you arrive home, that’s a clear indication that she’s happy to see you. If she licks your hands and face, brings you her favourite toy or even excitedly lets out a little pee when you get home from work, it’s pretty safe to say that she loves you. In fact, her whole world revolves around you!
SEEKING PHYSICAL CONTACT It doesn’t take a genius to conclude that dogs like attention and affection, and while they may not all love being restrictively hugged, few happy, healthy dogs would turn away a good snuggle from a trusted human friend. Gentle cuddles, leans and affectionate pawing are sure signs of a strong bond.
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Who can argue that dogs make phenomenal pals? They are fiercely loyal, adorable, intelligent and oh-so-cuddly — we simply love them. But do they love us back? The short answer is yes. Like humans, dogs express their emotions both subtly and overtly in a variety of ways. Sometimes, though, it can be hard to decode their behaviour. Here are 10 signs of doggy affection:
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CANADIAN DOGS ANNUAL 2022
ROUGHHOUSING Wrestling, play fighting, roughhousing — whatever you call it, it’s a great way to bond with your dog and work off some energy at the same time. Dogs are also showing you their affection by wanting to engage with you in this way. In fact, it’s another great sign of trust and comfort. Your pup may even let out a breathy laugh when she’s playing and having fun with you.
4 TAIL WAGGING Tail wagging can mean several different things, but if you have a good relationship with your puppy, it’s fairly certain that her fullbody tail wags are a sign of sheer delight at seeing you.
5 SLEEPING IN YOUR BEDROOM If you let your pooch sleep on your bed, all of that nighttime snuggling feels pretty loving, right? But even if you don’t let your dog on the bed, if she still likes to sleep in your room at night, then she really loves you. Wanting to stay close to you when you sleep is a sure sign of loyalty, protection and love.
6 CARRYING YOUR SHOES AND SOCKS AROUND Dogs who love their people can be particularly attached to their scent and may even raid the laundry basket or shoe pile for some stinky mementos! Stealing socks and shoes isn’t ideal behaviour, however, since it often leads to lots of chewing and ruined items. Better to donate something of yours to your pooch for comfort and bonding. Otherwise, keep her jaws entertained with some yummy raw bones or engaging toys.
10 PROLONGED EYE CONTACT
7 GROOMING AND LICKING YOU A doggy kiss on the face is a true sign of adoration! Dogs are social pack creatures, and grooming each other is an intimate sign of a caring bond. Some dogs will gently nose your hand or leg to ask you to interact with them, while others will lick you all over given half the chance!
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8 FOLLOWING YOU AROUND Canines are social by nature, and with a strong pack instinct, will try to stay near those they love and trust.
SMILING Scientists have discovered that dogs actually use the same muscles as humans when expressing their emotions — and that dogs do in fact smile! A doggy smile is usually reserved only for playmates and beloved family members and friends, though — so when you see it, consider yourself lucky and loved!
When your dog maintains eye contact with you, she’s letting you know that she loves and feels safe with you. According to Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, MRCVS, eye contact actually helps to create a deeper bond, too. “When your eyes meet, both of you will release oxytocin, AKA the ‘love hormone’, the same hormone that a mother’s brain releases when she’s bonding with her baby.” It needs to be natural, though — forcing eye contact can turn awkward quickly!
Emma Williams is a professional writer and pet parent who has written for big publishers including Canadian Dogs Annual, The Telegraph, Home Beautiful and Marriage.com. She enjoys sharing her knowledge on pet health, lifestyle topics and pet behaviour.
CanadianDOGS.com
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