Dogs are like people, right? They’re considered family and while they can’t talk to you like your kids or siblings, they can certainly showcase some sort of communication. You can tell when your furry friend is happy, excited or sad.
That’s because each dog has a unique personality. Different dogs like different things. They’re trained like kids and they show results in the long run. But then, there are still a few common things out there. And frankly, they don’t always make sense.
You probably ask yourself sometimes, “why’s my dog doing this?” Understanding dog behavior is likely to help with your interaction and communication. Here’s what you have to know.
Tilting Their Heads on One Side
That’s something every dog does every now and then, tilting the head to the side. It feels like your dog is questioning you, yet your furry friend mainly does it when there’s something he/she doesn’t understand.
It could be a funny sound, for example. However, this isn’t always about failing to understand something, but there are more meanings behind it.
According to experts, dogs do this to hear or see better. Something could be in the way, such as a muzzle. Maybe their ears are too big and they make funny noises. Breeds with floppy ears, like Basset Hounds or Cocker Spaniels, might tilt more often to perk up their ears acoustically.
It could also be a sign of being focused and paying attention. It's a sign that they are trying to learn, make sense of your words, gestures, or the mysterious beep of your oven.
On a more negative note, if the head stays tilted for too long, it could be a problem, such as an ear infection, so see a vet straight away. Understanding dog behavior is essential to figuring out if you should worry.
Eating Other Animals’ Poop
Eww! It’s the last thing you want to see. Your dog licks your face with that mouth, so you don’t want to see it eating some random poop, yet it happens. It’s gross, but there’s some science behind it.
Forget about myths like malnutrition, stress, anxiety, or other things. It's something that could affect both young and old dogs. It's not necessarily dangerous, but eating feces could still lead to an infection.
If your vet claims your dog’s alright, puppy training could be the best way to get over this behavior.
Chasing the Tail
Is your dog chasing its tail when you’re about to feed it or take it for a walk? No problem then! It’s a playful activity and showcases joy. However, if your dog does it for no apparent reason, it could be an issue.
If the dog starts chewing its tail, it might be an issue with anal glands or skin-related issues.
If dogs do it constantly (and sometimes intensively too). It might be an OCD issue. Yes, it sounds unusual, but dogs can have OCD too. Talk to your vet to figure out the cause and a solution.
If your vet claims your dog’s alright, puppy training could be the best way to get over this disgusting behavior. You can redirect their attention with a firm “leave it” command and reward them for compliance.
Scooting the Butt
It might look like your dog is trying to wipe its butt. It’s funny to watch, but not funny to see the trail on your carpet if there’s poop under the tail. There are more reasons behind this behavior though.
If your dog scoots frequently, there might be an issue at the back. Yes, you better lift that tail and take a look. Most commonly, it’s related to the anal glands, located by the anus, on the inside. They fill up with oily fluid. They get emptied naturally when your dog poops, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, you may need a vet to help your dog empty the glands. Some dogs need it every few months, others need it every few weeks.
On the bright side, if it’s just a bit of poop that’s hardened up, chances are you can pick it up yourself. It’s not great, but at least it can save you a trip to the vet.
Sniffing Butts
That’s just how dogs get to know each other. Imagine if people did the same thing. Anyway, due to their amazing smells, dogs are 10,000 better than people at this point.
Mutual sniffing is how dogs get to learn more about each other. Scents around the genitals are concentrated and can showcase things like diet, temperament and so on. It's like reading a detailed biography in seconds.
Everyone out there has a unique scent, so your dog may also try to sniff other animals’ butts. If your dog finds a hedgehog on a walk, chances are it’ll try to sniff the poor animal. Unsurprisingly, the same type of behavior is applied to people too.
Understanding dog behavior will help you figure out some gestures, but it can also tell you when to treat it normally or take your furry friend to a vet for a more detailed consultation. While butt-sniffing is perfectly natural, excessive interest in their own or others' rear ends might signal underlying health issues worth investigating.
Dogs are full of surprises, and there’s always more to learn about them! Follow us on social media for helpful tips, fun facts, and to connect with pet parents around the world.
Author: Daisy Becker
