🪫All Dogs Need 'Energy Shifts'...Here's How You Can Help.

🐶 Welcome back. Here’s your healthy hit of making sense of dog‑sense…extra well brewed. This week we’re digging into why some dogs ping‑pong between hyperdrive & “please don’t make me move,” & how to help them shift gears when they need to. We’re also taking a fun detour into the science behind those dogs who always look like they’re grinning at life, PLUS a surprising new discovery about what really decides whether your dog ends up with long, swooshy ears or neat little sound catchers.

P.S. …If you grabbed your FREE or discounted copy of our new book to read to your dog, ARE YOU THE GOODEST DOG? & haven’t left a review yet, please read further below. Your help matters.🔽

P.S.S. & as requested by new comers we’re keeping the ebook price at $1.99 USD for a little while longer, so don’t miss out.

Enjoy! P.K. ❣️

🧐FACT or FLUFF??

‘Dogs can’t tell between tone of voice and volume’

Dig down the page to find out…

THIS WEEK’S WOOF WISDOM

• 🪫All Dogs Need 'Energy Shifts'...Here’s How You Can Help?

• 😀There Are Reasons Some Dogs Can Look Happier Than Others.

• 🐶Hear This. The Secret to Dog Ear Length & Shape.

• Barking at Nothing is Serious Business…This DogMum Knows!

• 🧐More to Chew On…

💎SPREAD THE BETTER DOG PARENTING WORD.

To the many of you who grabbed our new: Books to Read to Your Dog: ARE YOU THE GOODEST DOG?

We hope your precious pup and you have already had a few of those quiet heart-melting reading-time moments together.

If you liked the book please leave an honest review so more pups and dog parents can enjoy it too…and add a photo of your furry superstar, they deserve the spotlight.😊

We are introducing the book to assist read to dog programs in schools and shelters so your support really matters, and it just takes a minute.

👉YOU CAN LEAVE A REVIEW HERE (AMAZON LINK)👈

Just scroll down to the “Write a customer review” button on the Amazon page or leave a review via your Amazon account page.

Thank you.

P.S. You can still get the ebook for a limited time for $1.99 or free on Kindle Unlimited.

See your pooch relaxed & happier as you share more special time together.

This book is designed with unique word treatments & a reading rhythm that helps dogs feel enriched & connected.

Happy tails & enjoy! P.K. & the Best DOG'S Life Team

😏OK..NOW WHAT? (your Q & A)
⚡🪫All Dogs Need 'Energy Shifts'...Here’s How You Can Help?

Some dogs bounce off the walls, others melt into the sofa…& most swing between the two like a furry pendulum. 

This is exactly why they need proper ‘energy shifts’ to stay balanced. When those shifts get out of whack they send up flares. The high‑energy ones chew, dig, bark, or launch into zoomies that could qualify as a sport. The low‑energy ones withdraw, slow down, or look like they’re carrying the weight of the world on their furry shoulders. Both ends of the scale are important & are needed for healthy balance.

So, why do these shifts matter?:

• Physical regulation: Movement prevents obesity, protects joints, & keeps their metabolism steady.

• Emotional release: Bursts of play help them dump stress before it turns into frustration.

• Mental stability: A calm routine reduces anxiety & stops boredom from becoming destruction.

• Behavioral learning: Switching from play to rest teaches self‑regulation & improves focus.

• Rest & repair: Downtime lets their brain reset & their body recover.

How can you help the ‘energy shift’?

• Off‑switch training: Reward natural calmness, use mat training, & build predictable downtime.

• Mental stimulation: Activities like sniffing games, puzzle feeders, & short training bursts drain energy fast.

• Physical outlets: Structured walks - sniffaris, tug with rules, & long‑lasting chews release tension safely.

• Co‑regulation: Your energy sets the tone, so slow your movements & keep your voice steady.

• Routine & diet: Predictable schedules & the right food prevent spikes & crashes.

If you’re looking for the complete bible to help you with all of these energy shifting methods check out our Easy Enrichment Games for the Best Dog’s Life with 115+ activities Here.

It’s good to know that helping your dog to shift their energy smoothly makes them easier to live with & far happier within themselves by being physically, mentally & emotionally balanced.

🧠🌿WOOF WELLBEING
There Are Reasons Some Dogs Can Look Happier Than Others.

Some dogs look like they were born smiling, & others… well, they might carry the kind of face that makes people ask if everything’s alright. 

Science has revealed why some breeds appear happier than others, & it has nothing to do with mood & everything to do with facial anatomy & how dogs use their muscles when they’re relaxed or playful.

Researchers analyzed over 900 facial expressions from 210 dogs across 29 breeds, capturing them while resting, playing, & panting, & the results were not what most people expect.

What does the research say about those “happy faces”?:

• German Shepherds & Poodles top the list: They use a wider range of facial muscles, making them look naturally cheerful.

• Rottweilers & Basset Hounds also rank high: Their expressive, wolf‑like features create a “laughing” appearance during play.

• Facial structure matters: Breeds with more flexible facial anatomy can form clearer “play faces,” which humans interpret as happiness.

• It’s not always happiness: These expressions come from muscle use shaped by domestication, not from a breed being inherently happier.

• The relaxed open‑mouth signal varies by breed: Dogs show this classic playful expression differently, & it doesn’t always match their genetic closeness to wolves.

So do you agree? I mean really…is there a happier face than that of your own adorable pup? 🥰

🐾MORE HERE

🐶Hear This. The Secret to Dog Ear Length & Shape.

🐶 Dogs can have ears so long they could double as scarves, or neat little sound catchers that barely move, and some stand at attention like rockets ready for lift off.

Now we know why. 

A massive 3,000‑dog genetic study has pinpointed the exact DNA variants that control ear length & shape, & the answer sits near a gene called MSRB3. The science shows how tiny genetic switches decide whether your dog ends up with pendulous basset‑style drapes or tidy rottweiler shorties.

Here’s what the researchers uncovered about the genetics behind those iconic ears:

• MSRB3 is the key gene: Variants near this gene determine whether ears grow long or stay short.

• Multiple species were analyzed: Over 3,000 dogs, wolves, & coyotes helped map the exact genomic region responsible.

• Different alleles (gene pairs) shape different ears: One set influences ear type, another controls length.

• It’s the first clear genetic explanation: Earlier studies only compared “floppy vs. upright,” but this one finally explains the dramatic length differences.

• It may help future health research: Understanding ear genetics could support studies into inherited ear‑related diseases which is a good thing.

Next time you admire your dog’s ears, whether they swoosh, bounce, or barely wiggle, (definitely good for your serotonin levels), you’re looking at a tiny genetic formula made thousands of years ago, now decoded by science.

🐾MORE HERE

🤔PAWSE TO REMEMBER

Be cautious with balloons. They may seem like fun for a dog but keep them out of reach as popped balloons can pose serious risks through ingested pieces like latex, foil & strings that can cause choking, internal cuts, life threatening internal blockages or obstructions that need emergency surgery. The strings can cause tangles & internal damage as well.

👃🏻QUICK SNIFFS
More to Chew On.

• 🦷🦷Top Toothy Pegs…Vets map out the 9 best dental chews & treats.

• 🧳Happy Travels. There’s a 2026 shift in travel…& it has paws!

• 💧The Healing Power of Pups for Pups. Trained dogs are sniffing out cancer in other dogs.

😮OH MY DOG
Barking at Nothing is Serious Business…This DogMum Knows!

Just ask any pooch. Barking at nothing is serious business!…it’s a crafted artform.

…& this understanding DogMum knows the importance of providing full support for such matters…right down to the synchronized head swings.

No surprises this video went viral, but amongst the thousands of comments there was a warning:

“careful doing this. I sat by my dog once while she was looking out the window, now she comes to get me at least once a day for our window time.”

Sounds good to me.😀

Watch & Enjoy.💗 

@myawkward_life

🧐FACT or FLUFF??...Answer.  FLUFF

Dogs can tell between tone of voice & volume, often relying on these different vocal cues more than the words spoken to understand our intent. Dogs are highly sensitive to both the emotional intonation (pitch) & the noise level (volume) of our voices, treating these cues in a similar way to us. 

So how does it affect how we interact with our pups?:

Tone of Voice

• High-pitched/Upbeat: Signals excitement, praise, & playfulness, letting your pooch know you are happy or proud.

• Low-pitched/Stern: Indicates authority or disappointment, often used to signal disapproval or to command attention.

• Soft/Reassuring: Conveys affection & comfort, commonly used for bonding. 

Volume

• Shouting/Loud Volume: Generally acts as a command to stop or freeze, often used in emergencies, such as shouting "Stop!".

• Soft/Whisper: Can be used to gain your dog's attention, particularly in well-trained dogs.

• Constant Yelling: Can cause dogs to become fearful or anxious. 

We are here to please🐶…

Thanks for being part of the pack 😀

Keep yourself & your pups, happy & safe & see you next time!

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