When you bring a puppy into the home, they need round-the-clock care. But between the potty training, naps and playtime, there’s a core area of puppy development to consider: how to socialize your puppy.

A storm approaches. As thunder rolls across the sky and cascades into a boom, the sounds transform your dog into a nervous wreck. Thunderstorms are loud and sudden events that evoke anxiety and fear in canines.

Orange cats have long delighted feline aficionados. The warm, sunny hue of an orange cat’s fur coat makes them distinctive and photogenic.

If you desire an orange cat of your own, the first thing to know is a cat that is orange does not indicate a distinctive breed of cat. Rather, orange fur along with any markings is one of many genetic expressions of the cat’s particular lineage, whether mixed or purebred.

Many dog owners swear their pets smile when they’re happy. But are dogs really using their faces to express emotion? Or is it just wishful thinking from us humans? It turns out, dogs actually do have facial expressions and research suggests the reason has to do with domestication and their relationships with humans. Let’s go behind the smile to unpack the science of how dog facial expressions evolved to connect with people.

Many new owners wonder where their rescue dog should sleep on that first night at home. Most vets recommend using a crate because it not only replicates a cozy dog den, it also helps keep them safe. Some owners keep the crate in their bedroom for the first few nights because being in the same space allows you to help the dog feel safer and rest easier.

Most dogs are people pleasers. And if your dog is normally a friendly fellow, you naturally feel alarmed or worried when your dog is anything other than their usual happy-go-lucky tail-wagging self when they meet someone new, whether it’s a visitor, a new partner or one of the neighbors. Their defensive or fear response can make you wonder: Can dogs sense bad people?