Why does my dog…

Why does my dog sneeze during play?

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

After a long day, taking off your shoes can feel like a small sigh of relief. For some dogs, removing their collar might bring a similar sense of comfort! Lately, more pet parents are sharing videos of their dogs doing happy zoomies the moment their collars come off.

But is going collar-free actually a good idea? Experts say it depends. At home, especially for dogs who are sensitive or have had negative experiences with collars, removing them can make a big difference. Some dogs even develop skin irritation or chew through collars when left on too long.

Still, identification matters. In public, dogs should always wear visible ID unless it’s part of a safe, supervised setup, like a secure harness or microchip backup. If your dog finds traditional collars uncomfortable, embroidered alternatives or tagless harnesses can be a great compromise.

Comfort and safety can both be honored. It just takes a little thoughtful adjustment and creativity on the part of pet parents.

Meet Skye, a 6-year-old bundle of brains, sass, and heart. Catherine calls her the love of her life, and it’s easy to see why. With those bright eyes, perfectly tousled fur, and a confident little sit, Skye radiates spunk and smarts from every whisker.

Whether she’s showing off her clever side or just stealing hearts, Skye knows exactly how to work the room (and probably the treat jar).

Thanks to Catherine for sharing sweet Skye with us! Want to see your dog featured next? Reply to this email with a photo and a few details. We’d love to share their story!

Thank you to beehiiv for sponsoring Daily Dig.

You know that fake ball toss? Your dog might not be falling for it anymore. A new study suggests dogs can actually tell when we’re lying, and they don’t always take our word for it.

Researchers in Vienna tested dogs by asking them to choose between two buckets, one with food and one empty. When a person pointed to the wrong one, dogs who had seen the food get moved were more likely to ignore the suggestion and trust their own eyes. Only 29% picked the empty bucket when the person had witnessed the switch, suggesting dogs sensed the lie.

Interestingly, not all breeds reacted the same. Border Collies, bred to work closely with humans, were more skeptical. Terriers, known for their independence, often trusted the human’s cue anyway.

It turns out our dogs may understand more about us than we think. Maybe next time, go ahead and actually throw the ball.

Say goodbye to alcohol, and say hello to America’s first USDA organic THC edibles. Cornbread Hemp is well-known to provide exceptional and safe hemp products, and these edibles are now their best-selling product.

Formulated with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD (10mg of each), each gummy provides a balanced feeling of happiness without feeling overwhelmed or couch-locked.

Treat yourself today and unwind without the hangover!

Thank you to Cornbread Hemp for sponsoring Daily Dig.

From honorary dog-tors to championship goldens, here’s what’s making tails wag:

• 🎓 This Labrador therapy dog just earned a college degree

• 🏆 Meet the golden retriever who won the 2025 AKC Rally title

• 🐶 The search is on for the world’s cutest rescue dog

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place.

With lots of love,

Ivy, Callie, Finnegan, Stitcher, and Huey 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 Why does my dog: That’s a calming signal, a way to say, “I’m being silly, not aggressive.”

🐶 DOTD: Give your pup the spotlight by submitting them for the dog of the day! Reply to this email with the best pictures of your dog. Be sure to include their name and a short description so they can be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

🥰 Spread positivity: Do you enjoy starting your day off with our community? If so, please consider forwarding this email to help us spread our love of all things dogs!

💌 Reply for a surprise: If you are reading this reply with your dog’s favorite phrase for a surprise in your inbox!

Welcome to Daily Dig! We’re a small team of dog lovers who strive to bring a pawsitive dose of pup content to your inbox every morning. Join our pack of over 180,000 paw pals when you subscribe today!