Behaviour
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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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
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.