In today's issue:

-Meet our adoptable 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

Join our Facebook group - Post Your Pooch!

Personalize Your Pup's Training with Watch Paws Academy

Our friends at Watch Paws Academy have video training set to set your pup up for success.

Yes, it's made for your dog to watch and learn commands, not you. You can even add your dog's name and your voice to the video to personalize it!

Learn More

Why Dogs Can't Keep Their Teeth Off Each Other's Ears

If you live in a multi-dog household or regularly visit the dog park, you have almost certainly witnessed the slightly bizarre phenomenon: one dog gently (and sometimes enthusiastically) gnawing on another dog’s ears. It looks half like a massage, half like an aggressive grooming session, and completely bizarre to us humans.

But why in the world do they do that?

It’s the Ultimate Canine Play Style

In the dog world, ear-chewing is often just part of a energetic game called "bite-in-fun." Dogs don't have hands, so they explore and interact with the world using their mouths. Ears are soft, stretchy, floppy, and easy to grab without causing harm. During a play session, nibbling on an ear is a dog's way of saying, "I'm playing with you, but I'm being careful!"

A Sweet Sign of Mutual Grooming

When dogs chew softly or lick each other's ears in a calm, relaxed setting, they are engaging in allogrooming. This is a social bonding behavior common among pack animals. Grooming another dog's hard-to-reach areas shows trust, affection, and social harmony. It's the canine equivalent of brushing a friend's hair or offering a gentle shoulder rub.

Those Ears Taste (and Smell) Interesting

It might sound a little gross to us, but ears carry a distinct scent and flavor profile. A dog's ear produces natural oils and wax that carry rich chemical signals. Dogs process much of their world through scent and taste, so a quick chew gives them information about where their friend has been and how they are feeling.

Showing Submissiveness and Affection

Puppies frequently chew on adult dogs' ears as a show of respect and affection. It’s a low-pressure, gentle interaction that helps young dogs test boundaries while signaling, "I know you're the boss, but can we still be friends?" Older, patient dogs will often sit back and let puppies get away with this tender nibbling.

When Should You Intervene?

Most of the time, ear-chewing is harmless bonding. However, keep an eye out for these red flags:

• Unbalanced Play: If the dog getting chewed on turns away, growls, yelps, or freezes, it’s time to step in and give them a break.
• Ear Infections: If a dog suddenly becomes a target of intense ear-licking or chewing, check their ear. Infections often produce a distinct smell or discharge that attracts other dogs.
• Aggressive Body Language: Watch for stiff bodies, hard stares, or raised hackles, which indicate play has turned into conflict.

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• FI - Pet Supplements: Potential Salmonella Contamination
• Northwest Naturals - Chicken Recipe: Potential Salmonella and/or Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
• Fromm - Wet Canned Dog Food: Potential Metal Contamination
• Oma's Pride - Canine Food: Contaminated with Salmonella
• Pedigree - High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor Wet Dog Food: Potential Plastic Contaminants
• Steve's Real Food - Freeze-Dried Chicken Recipe Cat and Dog Food: Possible Low Thiamine Levels (B1)

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.