Do you know why your dog would meet you excitedly with a wagging tail? Dogs do not have the ability to talk but with they can easily convey their affection and whatever they want to convey to their human friends by using various body movements. Dog can easily show various emotions simply by the movements of the tail. The wiggling of the dog’s tail typifies its friendly personality. Dogs and kids are known to form a legendary bond. Dogs are generally friendly with children thus it is common for these animals to meet a child with an excitedly wagging tail.

Animal behaviorists theorize that the wagging of the tail is one of the body movement dogs do to communicate with humans and with each other and with other animals. Dogs don’t talk, dogs don’t have hands but they can communicate by using various parts of the body. For a dog, the tail is the most effective communication tool. Dogs would recognize the presence of other dogs at a distance by waving the tail. This behavior is believed to be the dogs’ way of greeting each other.

The way the tail is wagged is believed to depend on the emotional condition of the dog. A tail that is raised high with only the tip wagging stiffly is an indication of aggression. Dogs wagging the tail this way may attack. Some dogs are considered “yellow” pets not because of the yellow colored fur but because of its nervous personality. Nervous dogs will be noticed easily because the tail that is held low between the legs is wagged slowly.

Aside from being a form of communication, the to and fro movements of the tail is theorized by dog experts as an indication of submission. Having descended from wolves; dogs are also pack oriented like their ancestors. Wolves that are lower in rank would have to recognize the leader of the pack and the way the tail is held is believed to be a form of submission to the alpha male. In the presence of the alpha male, dogs lower in rank would have a tail that is held lower than the topline and wagged slowly. Alpha male would manifest the dominance by holding the tail high and wagging in a no-nonsense manner.

Dogs wag their tails in different manners and to be able to know the emotional state of the pet, it would be very necessary for a dog owner to make an effort to understand what the pet is trying to convey through the movements of the tail.

Death can be the result if the dog ingests chocolates, the food products that were derived from the seeds of the cacao tree. It seems that dogs have adapted the ways of humans as these pets love chocolates too. People that regularly binge on chocolates would suffer no ill effects from this food aside from getting a thickened waist. In dogs ingestion of large quantities of chocolates can result to death.

Not many dog owners are aware that this innocuous looking people food can have disastrous effects when eaten by the pet. The chemical Theobromine contained by the cacao seeds from where chocolates are derived makes this yummy food toxic to dogs. Chocolates are dangerous to dogs because these animals do not have the enzyme necessary to digest Theobromine. The poisonous effects of chocolates would depend on the weight of the dog, on the kind of chocolate and on the amount of chocolate ingested by the dog. The level of Theobromine contained by chocolate products vary thus the poisonous effects would vary as well.

Not many dog owners would know why and how chocolate can poison the dog thus a lot of pet parents would panic at the sight of the pet eating chocolates. A bar of milk chocolate will certainly be loved by the dog. One milk chocolate bar would not have a dangerous effect on the dog as it would contain less chocolate This means that the pet may not show signs of poisoning.

Signs of chocolate poisoning will be shown by a dog that has eaten large amounts of dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate. A gram of dark chocolate or baking chocolate can contain as much as 16 mg of Theobromine and 130mg of this chemical per kilogram of body weight would already be fatal to the dog.

Large amounts of Theobromine from the chocolates ingested by the dog will cause the dog to show symptoms of poisoning. Abdominal pain and vomiting will be the first signs . The dog’s vomit can be bloody and have bits of chocolate which should cue the dog owner to what had happened to the pet especially if the dog was not seen eating chocolates. The dog will appear to be intoxicated as it would have difficulty walking or standing. Frequent urination and increased heart rate would be seen in dogs poisoned by chocolates. Other symptoms of chocolate poisoning are seizures and coma that can lead to the death of the pet thus immediate treatment would be very necessary. There is no antidote for Theobromine. Urgent medical treatment would be necessary to save the life of the dog.

Dogs are used by man in various capacities. Majority of dog owners keep the dog as pets because these are very loyal and affectionate animals. The dog owner will always receive the credit for the impressive appearance and the good behavior of the dog. Simply put, a responsible and caring owner takes the time to provide the pet with the best care and attention to ensure its health and impressive appearance. The owner would also take time to socialize, obedience train and discipline the dog to mold the dog into a good canine citizen.

Dogs are not treated merely as pets but as members of the family. Considered as the baby of the family, dogs would receive all the love and attention from its human friends. With its lively and playful personality, a pet dog will be a kind of living toy that will be the ideal companion of the kids. The affection to the pet usually gives rise to unwanted behaviors when family allows the pet have its way. This would give rise to the situation where the dog will now own the humans instead of the other way around.

Dogs have the habit of chewing inappropriate items, jumping at people, filching food or raiding the trash and barking incessantly. Some dog owners have this notion that dogs should not be reprimanded for these unwanted habits as these are animals and therefore not expected to understand what is acceptable and what is not. Disciplining the pet though is one of the responsibilities of a dog owner.

The dog may be too effusive with its affection or too aggressive thus it would have to be disciplined. How would you discipline your dog? You know that disciplining the pet is necessary but would you inflict physical punishment or would you persuade the dog to accept you as the leader of the pack with toys and treats?

Dogs are intelligent animals but these animals would not understand the fact that they are being punished because they have done something wrong. The trick is to use something that will be remembered by the dog like being sprayed with cold water or being startled with the sound of rattling can. Every time the pet is at its hobby of raiding the trash can or barking at the passersby or tormenting the cat, use the spray bottle on the dog’s face or rattle the coins in the tin can. These methods that will serve as unpleasant stimuli would be more effective than physically punishing the pet.