Your Dog By Sign

So you’ve brought home a puppy, a wiggly bundle of love. Do you wonder what kind of personality your new friend has? Is it a wanderer or a homebody? Obedient or mischievous? Even if you have a longtime canine companion, knowing your dog’s Sun sign can help you understand your pet’s idiosyncrasies so you can bring out the best in each other.

Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Your dog likes lots of action! Walks, hikes and runs in the park are a must. Your pet will bond with you through games and other high-energy activities where you interact with each other. Fire signs have a keen sense of adventure and love to investigate new environments. This is especially true if your friend is a Sagittarius. All fire sign dogs are talented escape artists, so be sure your backyard is escape-proof. The “come” command is usually ignored (you didn’t mean me, did you?). Socially, fire signs are the alphas of the pack and will defend their (imagined) superiority, especially if your dog is an Aries or Leo. Your alpha dog will be more respectful of other dogs if you arrange canine play-dates early on. Fire signs are quick learners and like a challenge, but they get bored easily, so be sure there’s plenty of play during training sessions.

Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Your dog is smart and sociable. It loves to play with you and other dogs (and perhaps your cat as well). Games that show off your dog’s ingenuity will delight you both. Aquarians are especially ingenious when it comes to figuring things out, like finding a toy you’ve hidden (or the shoe you swore was out of reach). Your Air sign will be the top dog in training classes, especially if it’s a Gemini. Air signs are the communicators of the zodiac, so learning to speak comes naturally. However, teaching your friend not to bark at everything that walks by your house may be a challenge. Socially, your dog will enjoy dog parks with lots of friends to choose from. Libra dogs will especially appreciate one-on-one time with you.

Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Your dog is sensitive and perceptive. Water signs enjoy deep emotional bonds with their caretakers. Scorpio dogs are especially loyal and protective of those they love. Water signs are also quite psychic, so your dog will perceive what you’re feeling and may even act out your moods, like joy, stress or anger. This is especially true if your companion is a Pisces. If your dog is acting strangely, check to see what you’re feeling. Socially, your dog will play well with one or two friends at a time, but it may become bashful in dog parks where there’s too much commotion going on. Training your dog should be a breeze because pleasing you is its first priority. Mainly, your Water sign is a homebody who loves to just hang out with you. This is especially true of Cancer-born canines.

Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Your dog is loyal and even-tempered. After the energetic puppy stage, they will enjoy slow snuffs around the park and leisurely nature hikes. Or just lazing about at home (and enjoying plenty of belly rubs). But don’t mistake mellowness for dullness – your dog is smart. It may take some patience to teach it new tricks, but once learned, your friend will never forget. And Earth signs are more obedient than most. They also appreciate consistency and may have a hard time with changes (new home, new groomer, new vet), especially if it’s a Taurus. So give your friend plenty of time to get used to new environments and people. Earth signs are especially physical, so your dog may respond best to hand commands. It may also be sensitive to certain foods. Temperamentally, Earth signs make excellent service dogs. This is especially true of Virgo and Capricorn canines.

Cortney Litwin is the co-host of The Cosmic Sutra on KarmaAir.com, a call-in talk show where she shares her astrology and dream interpretation expertise with listeners and callers.