Daily
How long can a dog be left alone?
Recommendations by age, training in small steps – and what helps against boredom.
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Dog know-how that helps
Well-researched articles on health, training and everyday life with your dog.
Dog knowledge is DOGSY's collection of guides: articles from the DOGSY knowledge team about dogs and everyday life – free, in plain language, without jargon. They're for everyone who lives with a dog or is planning to, whether new to it or experienced.Topics range from Daily and Behaviour to Health and Training. New articles are added regularly; the categories below give an overview.
Dog rules in your cantonLeash rules, dog tax, mandatory courses & registration duty in all 26 cantons – with the official source.German onlyBehaviour
Puppy licence: does it apply with people too?
The «puppy licence» is something people talk about between dogs – what the idea means for contact with people, and what it does not mean in law.
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Daily
Dogs in the car: securing your dog and your duties in Switzerland
What is required when you drive with a dog in Switzerland – securing your dog, police checks, and what you also need to know in hot weather.
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Health
Blue-green algae: a danger to dogs near water
A few gulps from the wrong water can be life-threatening for a dog. How to spot blue-green algae, how to protect your dog – and what to do if it has been in the water.
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Behaviour
The first meeting: two people, two dogs
Two people, two dogs, one first meeting: with the right place and a little patience, you're off to a good start. And if in doubt, you simply stop.
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Health
Suspected poison bait: spotting the symptoms and acting fast
If your dog may have eaten a poison bait, every minute counts. Here's how to recognise the signs of poisoning and give the right first aid.
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Behaviour
Reading your dog's mouth
Loosely open or tightly shut? Your dog's mouth alone can tell you how they're feeling. Here's how to look properly.
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Behaviour
Take warning signs seriously before things boil over
Before a dog snaps or bites, he almost always warns you, quietly at first, then more clearly. Here's how to spot the signs early enough.
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Behaviour
Calming signals: your dog's quiet messages
Licking their nose, turning their head away, yawning: with quiet signals like these, your dog tells you something is getting too much. Here's how to spot them.
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Behaviour
Reading your dog's ears
Pricked forward, turned to the side or pinned right back: your dog's ears show you how they're feeling. Here's how to read them.
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Behaviour
What your dog's tail tells you
Wagging doesn't automatically mean joy. How the height, speed and sweep of the wag show you what's going on inside your dog.
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Behaviour
Recognising your dog's play bow
Front end down, bottom in the air: that's how your dog invites others to play. Here's how to tell whether it's really about play.
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Behaviour
Reading your dog's eyes
A soft gaze, a hard stare, the whites of the eyes showing: your dog's eyes tell you how they're feeling right now. Here's how to read them.
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Behaviour
Understanding growling – and never punishing it
Growling isn't rudeness, it's an honest warning. Why you should never forbid your dog to growl.
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Daily
Does my dog really need that much sleep?
Adult dogs rest for most of the day. Why enough sleep is so important and how too little rest leads to constant stress.
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Daily
How noise stresses your dog
Dogs hear far more finely than we do. Constant noise is a real stress factor for them. How to provide more acoustic calm in your dog's everyday life.
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Health
How chronic stress makes dogs ill
Constant stress burdens not only the nerves but also the stomach, gut and immune system. Why ongoing stress can seriously harm your dog.
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Behaviour
Good and bad stress in dogs
Not all stress is bad. A little excitement is actually good for your dog. What matters is that they can settle down again afterwards.
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Behaviour
Why closeness helps stressed dogs
Comforting doesn't spoil your dog: your calm presence helps them let go of stress. Why cuddling is more than just lovely.
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Behaviour
Does my stress rub off on my dog?
Your dog notices right away how you're feeling. Why your tension rubs off on him – and your calm gives him security.
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Behaviour
Displacement behaviour: when scratching means stress
Your dog yawns, scratches or suddenly sniffs the ground for no reason at all? That's often a hidden sign of stress.
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Behaviour
When stress builds up in your dog
An exciting day, and suddenly one small thing is enough? Stress adds up. How to make sure your dog gets enough rest.
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Training
Adapting training to your dog's character
What works brilliantly with one dog overwhelms the next. Why it's best to adapt training and everyday life to your dog's personality.
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Training
How well can my dog be trained?
Some dogs are model pupils, others easily distracted. Both are normal. How to adapt training to your dog's focus and stamina.
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Behaviour
The high-energy dog: channelling all that energy
Is your dog a bundle of energy, playful and always on the go? Here's how to give that energy a good outlet – while he still learns to settle down.
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Behaviour
The curious dog: busy mind, happy dog
Your dog loves new things, learns fast and gets bored quickly? Here's how to keep a curious dog happy and well occupied.
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Behaviour
Is my dog's personality inborn?
Is a dog born the way he is, or do we make him that way? A bit of both – and that's actually good news.
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Behaviour
The sensitive dog: guiding with a gentle touch
Does your dog startle easily and take a long time to settle down? Here's how to give a sensitive dog the calm and security they need.
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Behaviour
The cautious dog: routine brings security
Does your dog prefer the familiar and would rather look at new things from a distance first? That's not a flaw — here's how to give them the security they need.
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Training
Socialisation: the most important time in a puppy's life
In the first months your puppy learns to trust the world. Why quality matters more than quantity here and how to make good use of the sensitive phase.
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Training
When the puppy nips hands and trousers
Does your puppy bite hands and clothing during play? That's normal dog behaviour. How to teach it gently to be softer.
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Health
How much exercise does a puppy need?
May puppies let off steam or does that harm the joints? The old advice to keep young dogs still is now considered outdated. What really does good.
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Training
What a puppy really needs to learn
Sit and down are nice – but not the most important thing. What really matters in the first months, so your dog is equipped for life.
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Behaviour
Taking your young dog's fear phases seriously
Your young dog suddenly gets spooked by things they never minded before? That's common during adolescence – and there's a lot you can do to help right now.
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Behaviour
Understanding mounting in dogs
When a young dog mounts another, many people immediately think of sex or dominance. Usually they're just overexcited. Here's what's really behind it.
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Behaviour
Getting through your dog's teenage phase
Your young dog suddenly ignores you and acts wild? His brain is going through major rebuilding right now. Why that's normal and how to stay calm.
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Behaviour
Getting your puppy used to people
Men with hats, loud children, unfamiliar faces: your puppy should get to know lots of people from their best side. Here's how, without overwhelming him.
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Health
Neutering: a decision to be made with care
To neuter or not – and when? This question deserves more than a quick answer. Why age and breed play a role.
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Health
The cooperation signal: your dog says yes
What if your dog could have a say during grooming? A cooperation signal takes the stress out and makes treatments fairer.
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Health
Practising giving a paw and claw clipping
Many dogs don't like having their paws held. With this training your dog will soon place its paw in your hand voluntarily.
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Health
Giving tablets without stress
Tablet hidden in a piece of sausage and the dog eats around it? With this training your dog swallows medicines reliably and willingly.
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Health
Checking the ears and giving drops
A look in the ear or ear drops can be unpleasant. How to get your dog used to it gently, so ear care goes smoothly.
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Health
Letting your dog be touched all over
Whether a tick on the belly or a look in the ear: a dog that lets itself be touched calmly makes many things easier. How to build up touch training.
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Health
Checking the eyes and giving eye drops
The eye is especially sensitive. With plenty of patience, your dog learns to calmly allow being touched and even to accept eye drops.
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Health
Getting used to the smells of the vet's practice
The typical practice smell and whirring devices already trigger stress in many dogs. How to get your dog used to them in advance.
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Behaviour
Teaching your dog to relax on cue
A calm word or a familiar blanket that helps your dog wind down: you can train that. Here's how to build a relaxation cue.
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Training
Timing: rewarding at the right moment
One second decides what your dog learns. Why the right timing when rewarding is so important and how to get it right.
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Training
Finding the best reward for your dog
Not every reward has the same effect. How to find out what really motivates your dog – and why quality matters more than quantity.
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Training
Understanding the marker signal and clicker
Click and treat: a marker signal tells your dog precisely what was right. How it works and how to build it up.
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Training
Don't accidentally reward unwanted behaviour
Begging, jumping up, barking: we often keep such behaviour alive unintentionally. How to spot what your dog gets out of it – and break the habit.
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Behaviour
Too excited to learn
A dog that's completely wound up can't learn anything — and neither can a bored one. Here's how to find the sweet spot for your training.
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Behaviour
Feelings are always learned too
Your dog beams when you reach for the lead, but trembles on the way to the vet? That's learned. How feelings get linked to experiences.
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Behaviour
Getting your dog used to new things
Vacuum cleaner, city or brush: in small steps, your dog learns that new things are harmless. Here's how to go about it the right way.
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Behaviour
Why -just push through it- harms your dog
Forcing an anxious dog to “simply sit out” his fear? That usually makes things worse. What really helps instead.
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Daily
Finding the right harness
H-harness, Y-harness or Norwegian harness? How they differ, what matters for the fit, and why a chest harness spares the neck.
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Daily
Which lead suits what?
Short walking lead, long lead, retractable lead: each has its purpose. An overview of when which lead makes sense – and where caution is called for.
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Training
Using the long line correctly
The long line is perfect for recall training and more freedom. How to use it safely – for your dog and for you.
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Training
Hands off these training aids
Electric collar, prong collar, spray collar: aids like these are harmful – and banned in Switzerland. Why fair training is the better way.
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Daily
Safely through road traffic
Your dog can't judge cars. With a short lead, the right side and a stop at the kerb, the way through traffic becomes safe.
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Daily
Taking your dog on buses and trains
Train travel needs practice. Which rules apply, how to get your dog used to the bustle and what makes the journey more pleasant for it.
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Behaviour
Meeting other dogs on the leash
Another dog is coming towards you, and yours is already pulling on the leash? With enough distance and a small curve, encounters stay relaxed.
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Behaviour
Does my dog have to greet every dog?
No — and that's actually a good thing. Why a few good dog contacts are worth more than many fleeting ones, and how to walk past other dogs calmly.
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Behaviour
Safety islands for insecure dogs
Fixed resting spots along your route give anxious dogs something to hold on to. How to build safety islands where your dog can switch off.
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Behaviour
When your dog is afraid of people
Strangers scare your dog? With distance, patience and good experiences you can help him become more relaxed.
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Daily
Practising car journeys with your dog
Barking, drooling, refusing to get in: car travel stresses many dogs. Here's how to get your dog used to it patiently and in small steps.
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Training
Becoming house-trained: how it works
A fixed toileting spot, good timing and lots of patience instead of scolding: the key building blocks so your puppy becomes reliably house-trained.
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Training
Clear rules from the start
Dogs love reliability. Why you should set house rules early and which ones prove their worth in everyday life – the same for everyone in the family.
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Daily
The right resting place for your dog
A good sleeping spot shelters from the hustle without isolating. How to find the ideal retreat where your dog truly finds rest.
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Daily
The dog crate as a retreat
A crate can be a cosy retreat – but in Switzerland only without a door. What's allowed and how to get your dog used to it positively.
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Daily
The first days in the new home
A new dog arrives with a thousand impressions. Why less is more now and how to give it a calm, secure start.
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Health
Making your home dog-safe
Before the dog moves in: how to defuse typical hazards in the house, garden and on the balcony so nothing happens to your dog.
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Daily
Basic equipment for your dog
What you really need before your dog moves in: the most important kit for a safe, relaxed start – without unnecessary frills.
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Training
Finding the right dog school
Not every dog school suits every team. What to look out for when choosing, so that training is a joy for you both.
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Health
Recognising pain: the quiet signs
Dogs by no means always limp when something hurts. These quiet signs tell you that your dog might be in pain.
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Health
Recognising and caring for overly long claws
Are the claws clicking on the floor? Overly long claws hurt and lead to protective postures. How to check them and keep them short.
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Health
Recognising dental problems early
In dogs, toothache rarely shows as eating poorly, but often only as irritability or withdrawal. What to look out for.
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Health
When the older dog feels the cold
Older dogs feel the cold sooner, and feeling cold means stress. When a coat makes sense and how to keep your senior warm.
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Health
When your dog hears less well
Failing hearing comes on gradually. How to recognise it and how to keep communicating well with your dog using visual and touch signals.
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Health
When your dog sees less well
Does your dog bump into edges or recognise you later? How to make its home safe and help it cope with fading sight.
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Health
Dementia in dogs: signs and support
Does your old dog wander at night or seem disoriented? Dementia occurs in dogs too. How to recognise it and how to make everyday life easier.
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Daily
Making everyday life easier for your senior dog
A ramp, non-slip mats, more time: with a few small aids and a little patience, your old dog stays comfortable for a long time. The key tips.
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Daily
Enjoying the senior years with your dog
Saying goodbye to wild hikes hurts – yet this calm phase of life has a magic of its own. How to enjoy it consciously.
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Daily
Why snuffling tires your dog out
Ten minutes of intense snuffling often gives your dog more of a workout than a big walk. How to turn the walk into a cinema for the nose.
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Daily
Searching for food: the simplest nose game
Scatter a handful of food and let the dog search – done. This mini-game provides a workout, calms excited dogs and only needs an appetite.
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Daily
Filling the Kong the right way
A stuffed Kong keeps a dog busy, calms it and helps with being left alone. Here's how to fill it for beginners, pros and hot days.
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Daily
Introducing new games the right way
The first impression decides whether your dog loves or avoids a game. How to ensure good feelings and quick successes from the start.
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Daily
Balancing: training body awareness
Stepping onto a tree trunk, walking over something wobbly: balance exercises with everyday objects make dogs more confident, focused and composed.
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Daily
Make your own dog enrichment
Toilet-roll tubes, cardboard boxes and old towels turn into a search game in no time. Cheap DIY ideas that really keep your dog busy.
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Daily
Little tasks for the walk
Instead of just walking side by side: small tasks along the way make your walk exciting and strengthen your dog's focus on you.
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Behaviour
Learning to handle frustration – through play
Not melting down when things don't work right away: your dog can learn that. With little games that practise patience on the side.
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Behaviour
Why chewing calms your dog
A good long chew relieves stress and helps your dog settle. How to use it in everyday life for relaxed moments.
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Health
The ageing dog: into the senior years with composure
Grey around the muzzle, but far from over the hill: here's how to accompany your dog calmly through its senior years.
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Daily
Out and about with your dog
So that every walk is a joy: the right equipment, good planning and relaxed encounters.
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Behaviour
Spotting & easing stress in your dog
How to tell when your dog is under pressure – and how to help them calm back down.
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Training
Understanding puppy & adolescent development
From the imprinting period to adolescence: which phases your young dog goes through – and how to accompany it calmly.
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Training
How dogs learn: motivation & reward
Timing, reward and the right amount of success: the basics that make every training easier.
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Behaviour
Reading your dog's body language
Your dog talks to you all day long – with their eyes, ears, tail and whole body. Here's how to learn their language.
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Daily
Activities & games for everyday life
A well-occupied dog is a contented dog. Here's how to keep it busy in a meaningful way – without a non-stop programme.
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Health
Relaxed at the vet: medical training
Giving a paw, holding still, showing teeth: how your dog learns to take part calmly in grooming and at the vet.
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Daily
A relaxed everyday life at home
Clear routines, a good retreat and the right amount of rest: this is how your life together becomes harmonious.
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Behaviour
Your dog's personality
Daredevil or sensitive soul? Why every dog is wired the way they are – and what that means for your life together.
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Health
Foods that are poisonous to dogs
Chocolate, grapes, onions & co. – what's dangerous and what to do in an emergency.
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Training
Training loose-lead walking
An end to pulling: with consistency and short sessions towards a relaxed walk.
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Health
Heat in summer: how to protect your dog
Dogs barely sweat – how to avoid overheating and recognise heatstroke in good time.
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Health
Tick season in Switzerland
Active from spring to autumn: how to remove ticks correctly and protect your dog.
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Daily
Your first dog – how to get started
From preparation to the first week: what you really need – and what can wait.
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A look inside the Knowledge section
Two screenshots from the app: the article list with its search field and category filters – and an open article, from the title into the body text.
How it works – step by step
From a keyword to a finished article: how you get to the answer that matters right now.
Pick a topic – or look at everything
The topics sit above the list as pills: daily life, behaviour, health, training. One click shows that topic only; «All» takes you back to the whole collection.
Search as you type
The search field filters with every letter – no button, no waiting. Upper and lower case and accents make no difference; it searches title, lead-in and topic. If nothing matches, the page says so; an ✕ clears the field again.
Open an article
Every article starts with topic, title and a short lead-in. Then comes the text in plain language, without jargon. Some articles include pictures or a video.
Read on – free of charge
Without an account you read the beginning of every article; for the full text you create a free DOGSY account. Safety-related articles are exempt: «Blaualgen: Gefahr für Hunde am Wasser» (blue-green algae: a danger for dogs at the water), for instance, is there in full, with no sign-in.
Keep track of what you've read
Once you're signed in, DOGSY remembers which articles you have read to the end: the green tick «Gelesen» (read) appears in the list, and you can filter by read and unread.
What is it good for?
Three situations in which the articles help in everyday life:
The question that comes up in the evening
«How long may my dog actually be left alone?» Instead of clicking through forums, you type a keyword into the search field and have an article on it within seconds – in plain language, and with the clear note that it is no substitute for veterinary advice.
Just before a first meeting
You're about to meet a dog you don't know, and you're already on your way? Safety-related articles are there in full without an account – you can read them en route instead of creating an account first.
When German isn't your language
DOGSY comes in 44 languages. Articles appear in your language as soon as their translation is ready – otherwise you see the German original.
Reading costs nothing. All the full text needs is a free account.
There's even more in the DOGSY app
The «Explore» area brings together a guide to dog-friendly places, events and knowledge about dogs – free for all Dogsyaner.
Register for free →These articles are no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY knowledge editorial team.