No matter what breed of dog you have, there are certain behaviors that all dogs do, and some of them are rather strange to humans. Each one of these behaviors signals what a dog feels. Learn what these 10 behaviors mean.
10. Licking You
There are several reasons why dogs lick people. In general, it’s a way dogs show their affection. Dogs figure out that licking garners attention. Some say it’s a natural behavior dogs learn from their mothers who lick them for grooming and social reasons that continues into adulthood. Researchers say licking is a sensory tool, similar to humans touching things.
9. The Greeting Stretch
Dogs will often stretch when they greet you first thing in the morning, or when you return from being away. It does not mean they are loosening up their muscles to get ready for a walk or run the way humans might do. This stretch is actually a greeting. It’s a way that dogs say hello.
8. Cocking Their Head
The exact reason dogs tilt their heads remains uncertain. However, there are speculations. Certain noises or high-pitched sounds trigger head tilts. It might be to understand what they hear. It might be to pick out specific words from sentences. It might be to determine the location of a sound. A head tilt without an obvious trigger may indicate a medical issue.
7. Chasing Their Tail
The most common reason dogs chase their tail is to expend excess energy. Constant tail-chasing could indicate anal gland problems or flea allergy dermatitis. In other cases, tail-chasing could be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you cannot distract the dog from chasing its tail, consider speaking to a veterinarian.
6. Circling Before Laying Down
Dogs often pad in a circle before lying on their bed or other resting spot. Canine behaviorists believe this is an ancient ritual from when dogs lived in the wild. They would tromp in a circle to pat down the grass, leaves, or other debris to create a more comfortable nesting spot.
5. Sniffing Other Dogs’ Butts
While this behavior confounds humans for obvious reasons, odors to dogs tell a story similar to how words do for humans. Dogs can detect scents 10,000 times better than humans. Rear-end aromas reveal a lot to a dog. In a dog’s world, sniffing another dog’s butt is a form of greeting. “Hello, nice to meet you.”
4. Staring at You
A dog staring can mean a couple of things, and one is important to recognize. Most often, when your dog stares at you it’s hoping you will give it a treat, praise, or affection. However, some dogs consider direct eye contact threatening. Before staring back at the dog, make sure it isn’t showing any signs of aggression or fear.
3. Thrashing a Toy
Dogs will sometimes take their toys in their mouth and shake and thrash their heads violently in all directions. This is an ancient instinct left over from when wolf-like dogs lived in the wild. This is how wild dogs would kill their prey. Domestic dogs still exhibit this behavior with their toys, but it’s only innocent play.
Read More: 10 Signs Your Dog Is Unhappy
2. Humping Objects, People, or Other Dogs
It baffles humans that, even when a dog is fixed, it will sometimes try to hump a person’s leg, an object, or another dog. The behavior isn’t for sexual reasons. It’s also probably not projecting dominance. Instead, the dog is excited or seeking attention. The best remedy is ignoring the behavior or redirecting the dog with a toy or treat.
Read More: Strange Dog Behaviors and Warning Signs to Watch For
1. Eating Dog Poo
This gross and perplexing behavior is an important sign that demands your attention. Your dog might be hungry. It’s also possible your pooch is missing key ingredients from its diet. In other cases, the dog could like the smell and taste of the feces or finds consuming poo fun. If your dog engages in this behavior consult a veterinarian.
Read More: Why Does My Dog Stare At Me?
