In this article, we will discuss typical dog behavior and their explanations.
The actions of a dog can occasionally appear peculiar and puzzling to human observers.
It can be very challenging to understand what your dog is trying to say to you because they are unable to communicate with us using our language.
The truth is that your puppy’s behaviors, whether they seem normal or not, can reveal a lot about its disposition or its current level of health.
It may even let you know when it is appropriate to take your pet to the veterinarian.
This is a useful guide on common dog behaviors and the rationale behind them, which can help you comprehend the occasionally strange actions that your dog engages in.
1. Digging
Dogs have an innate need to dig in the yard, which they do for a variety of reasons.
Your dog digs because it is attempting to conceal food or something else of value from itself in order to do so in an undiscovered location.
They will occasionally dig in order to track down smaller creatures such as rats.
There’s also the possibility that your dog is making an area on the ground where he can lie down and get some relief from the heat.
You won’t believe this, but a dog may dig just because it is restless and needs something to do.
It’s probably simply looking for a comfortable spot to snooze when your dog rummages through the blankets or the floor, as well as makes noises that sound like digging about the house.
If the digging that your dog does irritates you, you shouldn’t leave him outside all by himself where he’ll be bored and lonely.
Maintain consistent and consistent interaction with your dog, as well as providing it with an adequate amount of mental and physical stimulation.
If, on the other hand, your dog’s digging behavior begins to cause damage to your belongings, you should seek the assistance of a qualified trainer in order to break your dog of this bad habit.
2. Turning Their Heads to the Side
Many people think it’s cute when their dogs tilt their heads to the side as if they’re trying to communicate with them or ask for something.
This behavior is exhibited by dogs whenever they come across anything odd or hear a sound that is unfamiliar to them.
The head tilting behavior that is so characteristic of pups can also be interpreted as an attempt on their part to gain your attention, affection, or acceptance, or even just a dog treat.
This typical dog behavior of momentarily cocking their head is considered to be normal, but it may also be an indication of a health problem if it persists.
See your dog’s veterinary professional if the tilting of its head appears to be uncontrollable and if the tilting continues for an extended period of time.
It’s possible that your dog has an issue with his ears, or maybe something more serious like his brain.
3. Butt sniffing
A dog’s evolutionary trait of saying hello is by sniffing each other’s butt. Though it is a silly thing for humans, this typical dog behavior allows them to learn important information about each other.
All dogs have a pair of anal glands that produce secretions. By the highly complex 300 million olfactory receptors in a dog’s nose, sniffing the unique concentrated scent of the anal gland provides them information about the sex, health, diet, and reproductive status of the other dog. They also learn about the other dog’s moods, and sense if they are friends or foes which is useful for their safety.
Dog sniffing people normally means trying to gather information from their unique scent. If your dog does it with people in an embarrassing way, you can simply catch their attention with a treat or a toy.
4. Howling
Howling is a natural kind of long-distance communication that dogs use among themselves.
However there are various explanations for why they behave in this manner; for example, a dog may howl in response to a sound it hears coming from its environment.
When they perceive that they are in danger, all dogs have the instinct to bark or wail.
It’s in their nature, and it’s a way for them to communicate with humans. Dogs do it too.
But, if the howling continues for an extended period of time, this could be an indicator of boredom or, even worse, anxiety.
If something like this occurs, you shouldn’t dismiss it because it could escalate to a more significant behavioral issue.
If the howling does not stop, you should consult a dog trainer for assistance or work with your pet to learn self-control.
5. Tail chasing
Boredom is typically the impetus for dogs to engage in the playful activity of chasing their own tails.
Dogs engage in this behavior to release excess energy or merely to amuse themselves.
When they are successful, they will sometimes even chew their own tail.
Both tail chasing and tail biting are generally considered to be harmless behaviors, but they can sometimes be indicators of more serious health conditions, such as flea allergic dermatitis.
If your dog has a behavior problem known as an obsessive-compulsive disorder, it may be suffering from it if it chases its tail incessantly. This condition, however, is not very prevalent in dogs.
If you are concerned about your dog’s behavior of constantly chasing after its tail, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian.
6. Panting
Although while dogs perspire on their paws, this is not enough to keep their body at a comfortable temperature.
When they breathe out, water from their tongue, nasal passages, and lungs evaporates into the air, which in turn brings their internal temperature down.
If you hear your dog panting, it’s usually because he’s trying to cool down since he’s experiencing too much heat in his body.
Panting, on the other hand, can occasionally be induced by other factors; therefore, it is essential not to disregard it when it occurs.
Sometimes canines will huff when they are anxious, stressed, afraid, or in pain as a result of disease or injury.
Please see our other post for more information regarding separation anxiety in dogs.
If your dog is panting due to excessive heat, you can assist your dog in regulating his body temperature by ensuring that he receives adequate hydration.
See your veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect that your dog’s excessive panting is the result of another health issue, such as worry, stress, fear, or discomfort caused by an illness or injury.
We hope that this article on typical dog behavior was helpful.