In today's issue:

-Meet our dog of the day

-Enjoy a laugh with our dog meme of the day

-Get great information in our featured article

-Take our action of the week

-Check out our family photo of the day

Want your pup to be featured here?

Join our Facebook group - Post Your Pooch!

The "Paws-on" Approach: Why Your Dog Is Reaching Out to Their New Best Friend

We’ve all seen it at the dog park. Two pups approach each other, tails wagging in a frantic blur of excitement. Then, it happens: one dog raises a front limb and firmly—sometimes quite clumsily—plants a paw right on the other dog’s shoulder or back.

To us, it looks like a canine version of a "bro-hug" or a heavy-handed pat on the back. But in the world of dog communication, that simple gesture carries a lot of weight. If you’ve ever wondered why your furry friend is so "handsy" during introductions, here is the scoop on the science and social etiquette behind the paw.

The Universal Invite: "Let’s Play!"

The most common reason for a paw-on-shoulder move is an invitation to play. Dogs don't have words, so they use physical touch to gauge interest. Think of it as a conversational "icebreaker."

• The Intent: By placing a paw on a peer, a dog is often trying to initiate a wrestling match or a game of chase.
• The Context: If the pawing is accompanied by a "play bow" (front legs down, rump in the air) and a relaxed, open-mouthed grin, your dog is essentially saying, "Hey, you look fun! Want to see how fast I can run?"

Sizing Up the Competition

While often friendly, the paw-on-the-back move can also be a subtle way of establishing social hierarchy. In the canine world, claiming the space "above" another dog can be a sign of confidence or assertiveness.

Note: This isn't always about "dominance" in the aggressive sense. Often, it’s just a bold dog seeing how the other dog reacts. A confident dog might accept the paw, while a shy dog might tuck their tail and move away.

Scent Swapping and Sensory Input

Dogs are sensory overachievers. Their paw pads contain scent glands that leave behind pheromones. By touching another dog, they aren't just feeling them; they are exchanging information.

• Scent: They are leaving a bit of their "signature" on the other dog.
• Tactile Feedback: Paws are sensitive. Touching another dog helps them gauge the other animal's size, coat texture, and even their tension levels.

Attention Seeking

Sometimes, dogs are just like us—they want to be noticed! If a dog feels the introduction isn't going fast enough, or if the other dog is distracted by a tennis ball, a firm paw is a great way to say, "Excuse me, I'm standing right here." It’s the canine equivalent of tapping someone on the shoulder to get their attention.

Is It Always "Good" Manners?

Just like humans, dogs have different ideas of personal space. While many dogs take a paw to the shoulder in stride, others might find it rude or threatening.

The Bottom Line

When your dog reaches out a paw to a new acquaintance, they are usually just being their social, inquisitive selves. It’s a physical manifestation of their desire to connect, communicate, and maybe—just maybe—start the best game of tag the park has ever seen.

So next time your pup "puts 'er there," just know they’re doing their best to navigate the complex, wonderful world of four-legged friendship!

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• Bonnihill Farms (Fromm Family Foods) - BeefiBowls Beef Recipe gently cooked frozen dog food, 16 oz. chubs for potential plastic contamination
• Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
• Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.

Want to help find lost pets?

Download our RoverAlert app to receive notifications of missing pets in your area.

We want to feature your pup!

We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.