Because They're Dogs!

That's why dogs drink out of the toilet.

That's why they bark when you're on the phone, smell each other's behinds, go crazy when they see the letter carrier, jump up to say hello and roll in stuff that stinks.

Everything they do makes perfect canine sense to dogs. And after you read Why Do Dogs Drink out of the Toilet?, it will make perfect sense to you, too. Award-winning pet experts Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori take you on a trip into the canine mind. And it's not at all a scary place. . . .

Dogs live to smell, to feel good, to clarify their relationship with other dogs (and with us), to love, to laugh. When you start looking at the world their way, everything falls into place. Of course they drink out of the toilet—the water is fresher. Sniffing another dog's behind is just like reading their resume, except you know nothing is made up. Barking at the letter carrier makes him go away—every single time! And rolling in stinky stuff just smells like heaven. (Because what smells heavenly is, after all, a matter of taste.)

The better you understand dogs, the easier it is to love the pooch on your couch. Find out why hunting dogs don't mind suppressing their basic instinct, how assistance dogs for the blind get their job done, why little dogs like to mix it up with big dogs, and everything you always wanted to know about canine sex but were afraid to ask.

You'll also find the answers to questions that tend to tickle your curiosity: How do dogs get into dog shows? Which breeds are made in America? Do some dogs really have dreadlocks? Do all dogs need a backyard? How did Lassie always find her way home?

You've got questions? This book's got answers.

Why does my dog take so long to poop?

Who hasn't waited impatiently in the worst of weather and for the dog to sniff, sniff, then sniff some more before dropping a load for all to see, smell or, unfortunately, sometimes step in. (Of course, we recommend that you stoop to scoop!)

While checking the "pee-mail" is an important form of communication for dogs, the deliberations involved in dropping the big loads doesn't seem to make as much senseùto us, at least. But feces are a much more visible territory marker than urine. A dog might well want to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of planting a fecal flag in some other dog's territory. Obviously, this is a decision that requires careful thought.

In some dogs, delaying is learned behavior. They've figured out that as soon as they're done, the outing's overùso they'll delay as long as possible. Give your dog a little extra walking time, perhaps with a fun game thrown in, and she won't feel it's so urgent to carefully schedule her poop.

Is the whole Rockettes leg-lift thing really necessary?

It is to a dog. Better to put your scent mark at nose level, where other dogs can smell it and the breeze can more easily disseminate it. That's why dogs (mostly male, but even some females) contort themselves into precariously balanced tripods to get their urine-squirters into position to splash their pee as high as possible.

Of course, some males never really do get into it, especially if they're neutered. But the most precocious males start lifting a leg at four months of age.

For the most dedicated leg-lifters, the act can get pretty amusing when the dog is one of those small ones with a big attitude. While your average Irish Wolfhound can land the highest squirt with very little effort, if you're a bossy little Irish Terrier, you're going to have to try harderùa lot harder. Some small dogs get that hose up so high in an effort to top some taller dog's mark that they're practically doing a front-paw stand.