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10 Dog Behaviors and What They Really Mean |

10 Dog Behaviors and What They Really Mean |

10 Dog Behaviors and What They Really Mean

Have you ever caught your dog doing something and thought, “What’s going on in your fluffy head?” It happens to all of us. At Peppy Pooch, we try to decode this bizarre behavior in our own dogs. Whether it’s wagging their tails or mysteriously licking the ground, our four-legged friends are only guessing. It turns out that these behaviors aren’t random: They’re all part of how dogs communicate their feelings and needs. Some are hilarious, some are a little disgusting, but they all tell us something important about what’s going on in their world. Ready to understand what your dog is doing? Here are 10 common dog behaviors and what they really mean.

10 hidden meanings behind your dog’s behavior

Greeting stretch

When you walk in the door after work or school and your dog stretches to greet you, it’s actually a hello! Yes, your dog didn’t wake up from a nap or suddenly want to do puppy yoga. The next time your pup stretches out to greet you, don’t forget to return some love with a little pet or greeting.

Walk in circles before lying down

Have you ever wondered why your dog runs in circles before settling into bed? It is not a question of testing the level of comfort: whatever the number of spins, the comfort remains the same. This behavior dates back to their wild ancestors, where wolves would wander around to clear grass, leaves or debris, creating a cozy nest before bed. Your dog is simply following this ancient instinct.

Lick you

Even if you don’t always like being covered in sloppy dog ​​kisses, licking is actually your dog’s way of showing his love. And your puppy has probably learned that licking you gets your attention. There are other reasons why dogs lick too. Some experts believe that licking is a sensory tool for dogs, much like the way humans reach out and touch objects. Some posit that this is simply a carryover behavior from the days when puppies were encouraged to lick their mothers and littermates to groom and bond with each other. This continues into adulthood.

Jump everything in sight

This can be embarrassing behavior from your dog, bumping into another dog or your leg, especially if he is spayed or neutered. Have no fear! Such behavior has nothing to do with sex or dominance. In fact, most of the time it’s due to excitement or the desire to get attention. This habit can be curbed by distracting the dog with a toy or treat or simply shouting “No Humpies!” » and see how everyone reacts!

Tilt your head

Whistling, using a high-pitched voice, or making silly sounds often results in one of the cutest dog behaviors: head tilting. Although it’s not entirely clear why dogs do this, experts believe they tilt their heads to better understand what they’re hearing. They might also try typing in a keyword like “walk” or “fetch” to see if it leads to anything exciting. Tilt could be a way to determine the direction the sound is coming from. If your dog often tilts his head for no apparent reason, this may be a sign of illness; the best option is therefore to go see a veterinarian.

Sniffing cigarette butts

If your dog greets another dog by sniffing their hindquarters, don’t be surprised. To us it may seem weird, but to dogs, this is how they say hello. Your dog uses a sense of smell 10,000 times better than ours to gather important social information such as health and mood from this “social sniffing.”

Looking at you

Does your dog often look at you intently? It’s likely they’re hoping for a treat or extra affection. After all, those adorable puppy eyes can be hard to resist! However, it is essential to remember that some dogs view direct eye contact as a sign of threat or dominance. Before you meet his gaze, make sure that he is not showing any signs of aggression or fear.

Beat their toys

Is your dog going wild shaking his favorite squeaky toy like it’s the best thing ever? Well, behind this playful energy lies a bit of his primal instinct. When your dog performs this type of flapping motion, it is actually imitating the way your dog would kill its prey in the wild. The reason your dog does this in your home is as an equally harmless way for him to get rid of pent up energy.

Eating poop

As disgusting as it may sound, some dogs have a propensity to eat poop, which is called coprophagia. They may be hungry, malnourished, or even just bored. If your dog has this habit, consult your veterinarian for advice and make sure your dog eats a balanced diet.

Chasing their tail

Can you imagine having a tail that you can chase? Sounds pretty fun, right? For most dogs, tail chasing is just a fun way to release excess energy. On the other hand, if your dog continually runs in circles, it may be a sign of an underlying medical problem such as anal gland problems or flea allergy dermatitis. Rarely, constant tail chasing may indicate obsessive-compulsive disorder. If your dog can’t stop or you notice other signs of concern, you should consult your veterinarian.