As you can see in the original Instagram post by @DogsofInstagram, a (savvy?) pet parent shamelessly uses belly scratches to coax his pup’s leg pumping…which in turn swipes right on multiple possible matches. What will happen next is anyone’s guess, and certainly, commenters on the post are guessing. Ranging from ‘get yourself a dog’ to ‘the dog is on it’, most commenters seem to agree that having a dog do all the work on Tinder is the way to go. And when we think about it, isn’t using your dog to swipe right just the contemporary equivalent of using your dog to pick up a potential date at the dog park or while on a walk? Perhaps so! Either way, this pup has some ‘spaining’ to do when the app users start answering!

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A post shared by DogsOf // Great Pet Living (@dogsofinstagram)

So, do dogs really help us get dates?

According to Psychology Today, yes. Dogs are increasingly considered family members, say researchers of a recent study by the site, “and a person’s pets, or attitudes toward their pets, could have a significant influence on their choice of romantic partners. Their additional hypothesis was that single women place more value on how a potential mate interacts with their pet than single men do.”

In other words, people see pet ownership as a sign of nurturing and family readiness. Or to put it yet another way, the person in question may be ready to settle down or at least displays signs of being compassionate and kind to others…including fur babies.

This trend is gender leaning, too. In response to the question, “Have you ever been more attracted to someone because they had a pet?” women in the Psychology Today study were more likely to say “yes” than men. And even National Geographic noted in a recent article on the ways pets influence relationships that “single guys who own adopted dogs [are] Hottie McChickMagnets”.

Guys out there interested in women may be tempted to adopt a fur baby for this reason alone, though at PawTracks, we know that is never reason enough to bring a pup into your household. Instead, look for a potential partner who already has a pet, as this person is likely to share more than this one value with you.

Whether you are already a pet parent and looking for that special person to round out your family, or you’ve already found the love of your life and are ready to adopt a fur baby to call your own, you’re in good company. And we hope this fun Instagram post will serve as a reminder that others are looking for exactly what you are seeking too…maybe you will connect with the right someone soon!

Recently, Chowder’s pet parents have released a TikTok video addressing some safety concerns that have arisen in the comments of Chowder’s many skating, sledding, and skimboarding videos: is he safe? What if he gets hurt? Can he stop?

@chowderthebulldog

#answer to @novazzq Chowder’s safety is our top priority. Pls see our dog skate safety vids and pinned comments. #petsoftiktok #skateboarding #adayinmylife #HowTo #dogtok #skater #olympicspirit #skate #olympics

♬ Curiosity – Danilo Stankovic

In this video, Chowder’s pet parent explains that he does indeed know how to stop, and can do so as needed. In fact, it’s pretty impressive to watch Chowder navigate turns and make decisions about his direction based on obstacles in his path. To stop, he keeps one paw on the board while hopping off with the other paws to slow his board. His paws are calloused, and it does not appear that stopping on the pavement hurts his pads at all.

We are pretty obsessed with Chowder’s skills, and you can bet we have joined his legions of fans on TikTok. Most dogs, however, do not have tough enough pads to handle the use Chowder puts his through. Before you decide to teach your own pup to skateboard, know how to protect tender paws first.

Dog safety on pavement and concrete

During the summer months, pavement heats up, and dogs’ paws can get burned (yes, even Chowder’s, so we hope he had summertime booties to wear if the pavement starts baking). On a 92 degree day, pavement can get as hot as 103 degrees, and blacktop can reach temperatures of over 110 degrees. Keeping your dog’s paws protected in summer is essential. Not only will you help prevent scrapes and tears to the paw pads if your pup does enjoy stunts like leaping, jumping, chasing, or yes, even skateboarding, on the pavement, but you will keep your precious fur baby from getting blisters or even second-degree burns as well.

The best protection for your dog is booties or paw pads, such as Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Boots, which are ideal for hikes and more adventurous walks. If your pup will just be chilling instead of exercising, you might even want to gift her these adorable doggy crocs.

Shallowford Vet Hospital suggests walking dogs during off-peak times of the day in the summer months, to avoid the heat of the day and the hottest pavement temperatures. Their vet experts agree that it can be a good idea to toughen dogs’ paws by keeping walks on the pavement as long as it’s cool enough. Just like Chowder and his skateboarding, the daily walk on the harder surface will enable callouses to form that will further protect your pup.

You can buy canine-specific peel-and-stick pads for your dog’s paws, and use Paw Wax each day to soothe any discomfort. Not every dog will become a skateboarding legend like Chowder, but they can all be protected while playing with pet parents on the pavement!

Because, of course. TikTok user Becky Weldon Fisher, aka @renomnca, found her feline in precisely this predicament and captured it on camera for our entertainment. We love how the shower door slowly opens with her cat’s legs splayed on either side, requiring a (quite graceful, if we do say so) performance of the splits by the cat. When the kitty can no longer hold this position, it’s time for the predictable next move from every action movie ever: the desperate grip on the ledge. You hear the cat’s pet parent (presumably Becky) say ‘push’ at one point, and what’s hilarious is, we don’t know if she’s directing someone else to help or her cat directly!

@renomnca

Oh no!! Got himself in a little trouble! #catsoftiktok #funnycatsoftiktok #mochicat #animals #funnyanimals #petsoftiktok

♬ Sneaky Sneaky – Jim Zartman

The music is perfect for the moment, and while the video ends before we see our hero saved, we know the kitty’s pet parents came to the rescue and that all ended well. But if you’re an action movie fan, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the show. Commenters on the TikTok vid, which has garnered 3.4 million likes and 29,000 comments, all echo our sentiments, often giving our kitty hero a few apt lines of dialogue, such as, ‘It’s all over,’ and ‘This is how it ends’. Others saw the cat’s desperate scramble as a metaphor, one TikTok user succinctly commenting: ‘Me, trying to get my life together’.

How to ensure your cat stays on solid ground

Every heard, ‘Curiosity killed the cat?’ Of course you have. Cats are notoriously curious. But their curiosity is actually what keeps them safe, because it’s how they explore their environment. According to The Cat Behavior Alliance, instinct drives your cat to push his boundaries, and this instinct helps him hone his survival skills and keep him sharp. Think of your feline friend as a double agent, training for his next mission at all times.

Other ways cats display their curious natures: you may have noticed your cat enjoys knocking things off the kitchen counter, seemingly just to see them fall; or you may have seen her bat around the contents of your office desk. Yes, it’s irritating, but your cat is simply trying to better understand her world, as well as her place in it.

You can help your cat stay safe by providing her with plenty of stimulation that is contained in a secure environment, like a cat ‘catio’ or another type of contained outdoor space. Indoors, accept that your cat will explore and push boundaries, and yes, you may find your feline scaling your shower or stuck at the top of your kitchen cabinets. But that’s what you’re there for, as a pet parent: you get to be the true hero in your cat’s story.

@pawsomepets

I’ve seen it all now! ? @ГРОКЪ #fyp #guineapig #funny #petsoftiktok

♬ Caught A Vibe – Lancesavali

Who knew guinea pigs could be trained so well? In the TikTok video, a man, who is holding a string attached to a toy car on the ground (complete with working lights) pauses on the sidewalk long enough for his pet guinea pig to hop on his ‘ride’. Then, off the adorable duo go, with the man pulling the toy car with his furry friend behind him! The true joy of this video can be found in the details: we love how there’s a face mask in place on the front of the car that perfectly fits the guinea pig’s adorable furry face, and that the man doesn’t even pause when a piece of litter from the sidewalk catches the front of the toy car and is swept along with the car and passenger. Both pet parent and piggy are properly masked for a day on the town, and we love the sight of the piggy’s adorable little behind as they ‘roll’ on down the sidewalk.

Not surprisingly, the comments on TikTok are hilarious, ranging from pangs of jealousy (I can’t get my guinea pig to do that!) to concerns about the rubbish on the street (that napkin is along for the ride!). Most TikTok commenters echo one another about the extreme cuteness factor of this video, while a few outliers worry about the safety of the man’s guinea pig companion. We think his fur baby hopped on his waiting ride willingly enough, however!

We just wish we could have learned more: what is this cute piggy’s name? Where is this unlikely duo headed? What city are they in? We have so many questions!

Can guinea pigs learn tricks?

Guinea pigs are known for their friendliness and desire to cuddle, and yes, they are as cute as can be. But believe it or not, you can teach your guinea pig fur babies some pretty slick tricks, too. Guinea pigs are quite clever, but they do have short attention spans, so it’s best to keep your piggy lessons short. Consistency and repetition are key, says GuineaDad, who emphasizes that some piggies do learn faster than others. Have your fur baby’s favorite treats on hand, and with practice, your piggy can learn his name and even come when called.

Remember to give your piggy a treat only when she’s successful, to eliminate confusion, and remember not to rush it. According to the experts at Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, it’s important to bond with your furry friend before attempting any tricks or training. Always train your piggy in a safe, secure environment, and remember that not every pig will be up for stunts like the one captured in this TikTok video! Your little fur baby may not be quite the daredevil, and that’s okay!

“I’m still in shock,” says Shaw, as she rewatches her two pigs, Hamlet and Mary, fend off the bear.

You have to see this to believe it, but yes, the two large pigs successfully run the bear back, until it lumbers back over the fence and to safety (tail figuratively between its legs).

The whole episode was aired on CBS and has been aired on affiliates all over the US, including CNN. Clearly, this bear picked the wrong pigs in the wrong pen to mess with that day. We love how the pigs go right back to eating happily in their enclosure as soon as the pesky bear is gone. The comments range from utter shock to laughter, with one common thread: don’t mess with pigs! And don’t mess with anyone’s food source! While we may have expected a video such as this to highlight the prowess and danger of wild bears, we instead received a lesson in pig aggression. Who could have guessed?

How likely is it to encounter a black bear?

Although we’re actually now more worried about encountering a pig in the wild, according to the National Wildlife Federation, black bears have a territory that includes most of North America, so it’s not necessarily uncommon for these encounters to occur in Connecticut and other semi-rural areas. Bears are omnivorous, which means they will eat a variety of things, including both plants and meat. It’s most likely the bear in the video was more interested in the pigs’ food than in eating the pigs themselves.

Still, if you encounter a black bear, the National Park Service (NPS) suggests keeping your distance and doing what you can to ensure you do not surprise the bear. Stay calm, make yourself look as large as possible, and pick up any small children or smaller domesticated animals, such as small dogs or cats. The old adage is true: black bears are usually more afraid of humans than humans are of them, so avoiding confrontation is key.

Likewise, domesticated pigs are usually placid animals, though rare aggression does occur against humans. It’s best to never jump into a pig enclosure if you are not familiar with the animals in question, as the bear in our video found out the hard way! In general, never get between any animal and its food, as the news anchors in Connecticut so eloquently pointed out! If you do see a bear (or a pig!) in the wild, give it a wide berth while catching the experience on video if you can do so safely.

And this amazing canine just couldn’t resist the temptation to stir up his entire household. Despite pleas from his pet parent, Bow the wolf-dog just couldn’t seem to use his ‘inside howl’. We’re here for it though: this doggie serenade is on the next level.

@angelarmcg

An oldie but a goodie that shows Bow’s personality perfectly ?? #wolfdog #wolfdogsoftiktok #howl #fypシ

♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

When Bow’s pet parent says ‘Don’t do it…you’re going to wake everybody up’, we at first assume she’s referring to the human members of the household. Then we pan out, and nope! Bow is stirring up his fellow canine companions instead (or is it both?). And they are here for it! We love how Bow truly tries to be a good dog and keep his howl at whisper volume just like his mama asks, but then just gives in to that animal instinct and lets it rip. As the other pups enthusiastically join the fray, it’s a full-on doggy karaoke scene. There’s even a guitar leaning against the wall in the background!

Bow’s fans on TikTok are on-point in the comments, one commenter dubbing Bow’s performance as a ‘howl-elujah chorus’ and another noting that they weren’t expecting a full-fledged choir. It is indeed quite the plot twist! You can follow more of Bow’s antics at @angelarmcg, or by following #wolfdogsoftiktok. Just be prepared to lose half a day down the rabbit hole of adorable dog choruses!

Bow’s behavior is hilarious, but it’s also pretty normal. Ever wonder why dogs howl? Despite Bow’s incriminating video, it’s not just to get attention. As we can see from Bow, howling is a form of communication. And it’s contagious. According to the American Kennel Club howling is a primal reaction (so we have to give Bow a break here). As dogs howl, the sound signals to other nearby canines that something deserves their attention, too. Ever find yourself watching TV and getting to a scene with dogs or wolves howling in the distance? I bet your dog joined in from the comfort of the living room!

In many cases, dogs howl in response to a noise, such as a siren or a car horn. We’ve even known dogs to howl in response to one of those annoying car alarms that just won’t stop. Luckily, this is normal behavior and when the external noise stops, so does your dog’s call of the wild.

Another reason for canine howling can be separation anxiety, which clearly isn’t Bow’s problem, as he has his mama and his entire pack with him in the living room on this particular early morning. But separation anxiety in dogs is a real thing, and allowing your canine companion to express his angst is one outlet that can be soothing. If it happens to you, however, you’ll just have to hope it doesn’t wake the neighbors!