Sometimes, we witness our dogs acting strangely or doing something that makes us curious. Much like humans, dogs have habits, rituals, and personality traits that make them unique, and we're left to decipher what they mean in the absence of human conversation.

From wrapping their paws around your arm to tilting their head, we've compiled the top 10 most commonly asked questions about dogs and their surprising answers.

Dogs are awesome. Some of their behaviors aren't always so great, though. From incessant begging to jumping up on people to begging for food, there are plenty of ways that even the most loveable dog can be pretty annoying. Dogs develop obnoxious behaviors and strange habits for countless reasons, and even the most loving pet parents often become frustrated and unsure of how to put a stop to them.

Fortunately, we have some good news for you.

August 26 is National Dog Day, founded in 2004 by Colleen Paige—a pet and family lifestyle expert, animal rescue advocate, conservationist, dog trainer, and author. This day honoring dogs of all breeds marks when Colleen and her family adopted their first dog, Sheltie, from a local animal shelter when Colleen was 10 years old.

Are you planning to visit a local dog park so your canine companion can blow off some steam? Dog parks are perfect for exercising, socializing, and bonding with your pet. It's not all fun and games, though. Every dog park has rules and regulations to keep all visitors — canine and human — safe. Being a responsible pet parent means following those rules and practicing proper dog park etiquette.

A common myth about dogs is that barking, growling, lunging, biting, and baring their teeth means the dog has an aggressive demeanor. Presenting any combination of these behaviors often leads to a dog permanently labeled as aggressive and needing supervision around other pets and children. Even worse, this increases the dog’s chance of being euthanized at shelters.

If you’re witnessing your dog constantly itching, licking, or running their ears or rear along the carpet, you might be scratching your head, wondering what is wrong. They might even wake you up at night as they scratch incessantly and shake the bed or rattle their dog tags. While occasional scratching is normal, there are many reasons why your dog’s itchiness has elevated to an obsessive level.

Chew toys for dogs can be kind of a controversial topic for numerous reasons. There's so much mixed information, especially online, that it's hard to sort through and find a genuinely accurate source. It's so important to be able to stimulate your dog's mind and give them something to do during the day. Safe and effective toys are hard to find, though, so that's why we're here to help you make educated decisions. Enjoy this blog all about safe chew toys and how to find them!

National Dog Bite Prevention Week occurs during the second full week in April. In 2022, this important event runs from April 11th through the 17th, and it’s an excellent time to learn more about dog bites and how to prevent them. More than 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year.