10 Strange Dog Behaviours you need to know
Dogs might not seem as mysterious as cats, but dogs do have their fair share of behaviours that are truly baffling. As humans, it’s hard for us to make sense of many dog body language and social cues. A dog’s desire to sniff butts, hump legs and chase his own tail just doesn’t translate.
Are your dogs’s eyes always trained on you? Chances are, he’s hoping you will give him a treat or shower him with praise and affection. After all, it’s hard to resist those pleading, puppy-dog eyes. It’s important to keep in mind that some dogs consider direct eye contact threatening. So before you gaze back at him, make sure he isn’t showing any signs of aggression or fear.
Let's face it: Dogs love their owners, but when they stare expectantly, it's not usually because they are trapped in a reverie of devotion. Rather, it's because they are thinking they might get something. Before you try it, be aware that staring directly into a dog's eyes can be considered a direct challenge.
If you had a tail, wouldn’t you chase it? This amusing behaviour is simply a fun way for your pup to expend her excess energy. But if she does this constantly, then she might have anal gland problems or flea allergy dermatitis. In some cases, tail chasing can be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you can’t distract your dog from chasing her tail, or if you suspect she has a medical condition, you should speak to your veterinarian.
Sometimes dogs will chase their tails because they are being bothered by worms or fleas or experiencing some other kind of medical issue. For reasons that we still don't really understand, breeds like German shepherds and terriers tend to engage in tail-chasing more than other breeds — even as they grow older.
Chances are your dog needs something. This is the most common reason that domestic dogs lick and tends to be the kind of licking most pet parents want to change. Licking for affection causes your dog to release pleasurable endorphin that calm and comfort them, but sometimes it can just get to be too much for people.
While you might not always want your dog to cover you in slobbery kisses, his licks are actually his way of showing affection. Plus, your dog has probably figured out that licking you tends to get your attention.
Of course, there are other reasons dogs lick you. Some researchers say licking is a sensory tool for dogs similar to reaching out and touching something. Another explanation could be that dogs mothers lick their puppies (and puppies lick their mothers and litter-mates) for grooming and social reasons. So this natural behaviour continues into adulthood.
Cock Her Head? It's a classic dog move: Your pup hears something — a mysterious sound, a smartphone ring, a certain tone of voice — and suddenly her head tilts to one side as if she is contemplating what the sound wants from her.
Whistling, speaking in a high-pitched voice or even making funny noises can cause one of dogdom’s cutest and most amusing behaviour: head tilting. Exactly why dogs cock their heads to the side remains uncertain, but behaviourists speculate that dogs are trying to make sense of what they hear. They also might be trying to pick out a key word like “walk” or “fetch” to find out if what you’re saying will lead to something fun or rewarding. Another reason your pup might tilt her head is to more accurately determine the location of a sound.
If she’s consistently holding her head to one side without an obvious trigger, she might have a medical issue and should see a veterinarian.
This habit is just plain gross. Many things can cause coprophagy (the medical term for consuming feces). Your pup might be hungry. He could like the smell and taste. It’s possible he is missing key nutrients from his diet. He might just think it’s fun. It’s not a behaviour we want to dwell on, so for everyone’s sake, we’ll just say that if your dog is fond of eating you-know-what, ask your veterinarian for help.
Some veterinary nutritionists have suggested that dogs eat stool to replenish enzymes so that they are better prepared to digest their food. There is also evidence that dogs that aren't getting enough of certain nutrients will resort to eating poop. A lack of vitamin B is often said to be a cause of coprophagia
Wolves howl to send messages to pack members who might be far away. They also emit the loud, low-pitched sound to enforce rank. It makes sense out in the wild, but why do domesticated dogs do it? It could just be a behaviour passed on from their ancestral cousins, but behaviourists also think that howling is instinctively necessary and rewarding for dogs.
Here are some reasons for howling
Does this scenario sound familiar? Everyone is having a great time at the dog park until Buddy starts mounting another dog. Buddy’s owners are so embarrassed and apologetic. “But he’s fixed,” they insist. "Humping' whether it’s on other dogs, on your leg or on an object — is usually not for sexual reasons. And it’s probably not an attempt to dominate. More likely, neutered and spayed dogs hump because they are excited or seeking attention. To prevent this embarrassing behaviour, ignore it or try to redirect it with a treat or toy.
Here are some reasons for Humps
Sometimes we just want to tell our dogs that no matter how many times they walk in a circle before lying down in their bed, it won’t change their resting spot’s level of comfort. You can blame your dog’s ancestors for this curious ritual. Behaviourists believe that when wolf-like dogs lived in the wild, they would walk around a spot to pat down the leaves, grass or other debris to create a nice nesting spot.
Doggy beds and pillows haven't always been around, so wild dogs had to pat down tall grass and underbrush to make a comfortable bed for themselves and their pups. The easiest way to prepare that night's sleeping area was by walking around in a circle. The rounding ritual may also have served as a safety precaution.
A dog’s way of saying, “Hello, nice to meet you,” to another dog is to sniff the other dog’s butt. In the human world, this behaviour could land you in jail. In the dog world, this is a socially acceptable form of greeting. But still, why sniff butts? A dog’s ability to smell is 10,000 times better than ours, and, well, there are a lot of revealing aromas that come from a dogs’s rear end.
Dogs' amazing sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times better than humans. They also have a special part of their noses called the Jacobson's organ that lets them ignore the smell of poop when they sniff another dog's rear. This is what interests dogs the most about each other's butts.
Dogs sure looks like they are having fun when they vigorously shakes her stuffed squeaky duck. But the truth is, she’s manifesting one her most primal instincts: killing. We are being a little dramatic. Out in the wild, thrashing is how dogs would kill their prey. At home, she is just exhibiting innocent play behaviour.
studies have found that games of tug don't make pups aggressive. However, exuberant play can get out of hand, and even the friendliest canines may inadvertently bite out of sheer excitement.
Do you find such behaviour in your dogs ?
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To help you better understand your dog’s odd habits, we rounded up 10 dog behaviours that people commonly consider mysterious.
1 When He Stares You
Are your dogs’s eyes always trained on you? Chances are, he’s hoping you will give him a treat or shower him with praise and affection. After all, it’s hard to resist those pleading, puppy-dog eyes. It’s important to keep in mind that some dogs consider direct eye contact threatening. So before you gaze back at him, make sure he isn’t showing any signs of aggression or fear.
Let's face it: Dogs love their owners, but when they stare expectantly, it's not usually because they are trapped in a reverie of devotion. Rather, it's because they are thinking they might get something. Before you try it, be aware that staring directly into a dog's eyes can be considered a direct challenge.
2 Chases Her Tail
If you had a tail, wouldn’t you chase it? This amusing behaviour is simply a fun way for your pup to expend her excess energy. But if she does this constantly, then she might have anal gland problems or flea allergy dermatitis. In some cases, tail chasing can be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you can’t distract your dog from chasing her tail, or if you suspect she has a medical condition, you should speak to your veterinarian.
Sometimes dogs will chase their tails because they are being bothered by worms or fleas or experiencing some other kind of medical issue. For reasons that we still don't really understand, breeds like German shepherds and terriers tend to engage in tail-chasing more than other breeds — even as they grow older.
3 Licks You
Chances are your dog needs something. This is the most common reason that domestic dogs lick and tends to be the kind of licking most pet parents want to change. Licking for affection causes your dog to release pleasurable endorphin that calm and comfort them, but sometimes it can just get to be too much for people.
While you might not always want your dog to cover you in slobbery kisses, his licks are actually his way of showing affection. Plus, your dog has probably figured out that licking you tends to get your attention.
Of course, there are other reasons dogs lick you. Some researchers say licking is a sensory tool for dogs similar to reaching out and touching something. Another explanation could be that dogs mothers lick their puppies (and puppies lick their mothers and litter-mates) for grooming and social reasons. So this natural behaviour continues into adulthood.
4 Cocks Her Head
Cock Her Head? It's a classic dog move: Your pup hears something — a mysterious sound, a smartphone ring, a certain tone of voice — and suddenly her head tilts to one side as if she is contemplating what the sound wants from her.
Whistling, speaking in a high-pitched voice or even making funny noises can cause one of dogdom’s cutest and most amusing behaviour: head tilting. Exactly why dogs cock their heads to the side remains uncertain, but behaviourists speculate that dogs are trying to make sense of what they hear. They also might be trying to pick out a key word like “walk” or “fetch” to find out if what you’re saying will lead to something fun or rewarding. Another reason your pup might tilt her head is to more accurately determine the location of a sound.
If she’s consistently holding her head to one side without an obvious trigger, she might have a medical issue and should see a veterinarian.
5 Eats Poop
This habit is just plain gross. Many things can cause coprophagy (the medical term for consuming feces). Your pup might be hungry. He could like the smell and taste. It’s possible he is missing key nutrients from his diet. He might just think it’s fun. It’s not a behaviour we want to dwell on, so for everyone’s sake, we’ll just say that if your dog is fond of eating you-know-what, ask your veterinarian for help.
Some veterinary nutritionists have suggested that dogs eat stool to replenish enzymes so that they are better prepared to digest their food. There is also evidence that dogs that aren't getting enough of certain nutrients will resort to eating poop. A lack of vitamin B is often said to be a cause of coprophagia
6 Howls
Wolves howl to send messages to pack members who might be far away. They also emit the loud, low-pitched sound to enforce rank. It makes sense out in the wild, but why do domesticated dogs do it? It could just be a behaviour passed on from their ancestral cousins, but behaviourists also think that howling is instinctively necessary and rewarding for dogs.
Here are some reasons for howling
- Community organising and homing beacon
- Boundary demarcation and defence mechanism
- Attract attention or express anxiety
- Response to stimuli and bonding exercises
- Alerting you to injury or discovery
7 Humps You, Objects or Other Dogs
Does this scenario sound familiar? Everyone is having a great time at the dog park until Buddy starts mounting another dog. Buddy’s owners are so embarrassed and apologetic. “But he’s fixed,” they insist. "Humping' whether it’s on other dogs, on your leg or on an object — is usually not for sexual reasons. And it’s probably not an attempt to dominate. More likely, neutered and spayed dogs hump because they are excited or seeking attention. To prevent this embarrassing behaviour, ignore it or try to redirect it with a treat or toy.
Here are some reasons for Humps
- Arousal
- Anxiety
- Play
- Status
- It just feels good
8 Walks in Circles Before Lying Down
Sometimes we just want to tell our dogs that no matter how many times they walk in a circle before lying down in their bed, it won’t change their resting spot’s level of comfort. You can blame your dog’s ancestors for this curious ritual. Behaviourists believe that when wolf-like dogs lived in the wild, they would walk around a spot to pat down the leaves, grass or other debris to create a nice nesting spot.
Doggy beds and pillows haven't always been around, so wild dogs had to pat down tall grass and underbrush to make a comfortable bed for themselves and their pups. The easiest way to prepare that night's sleeping area was by walking around in a circle. The rounding ritual may also have served as a safety precaution.
9 Sniffs Other Dogs' Butts
A dog’s way of saying, “Hello, nice to meet you,” to another dog is to sniff the other dog’s butt. In the human world, this behaviour could land you in jail. In the dog world, this is a socially acceptable form of greeting. But still, why sniff butts? A dog’s ability to smell is 10,000 times better than ours, and, well, there are a lot of revealing aromas that come from a dogs’s rear end.
Dogs' amazing sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times better than humans. They also have a special part of their noses called the Jacobson's organ that lets them ignore the smell of poop when they sniff another dog's rear. This is what interests dogs the most about each other's butts.
10 Thrashes His Toys
Dogs sure looks like they are having fun when they vigorously shakes her stuffed squeaky duck. But the truth is, she’s manifesting one her most primal instincts: killing. We are being a little dramatic. Out in the wild, thrashing is how dogs would kill their prey. At home, she is just exhibiting innocent play behaviour.
studies have found that games of tug don't make pups aggressive. However, exuberant play can get out of hand, and even the friendliest canines may inadvertently bite out of sheer excitement.
Do you find such behaviour in your dogs ?
Comment Below
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