Strange Dog Behaviors Explained: Dogs bring immeasurable joy to those around them. Your furry goofball is often a ball of energy that is constantly running, sniffing around, and playing. Aside from their usual playfulness, it isn’t unusual to see them do strange things that baffle pet parents. However, most of these behaviors have a reason behind them and we will explain to you what each of these signs means.
We’ve compiled 13 of the most unusual behaviors of dogs for you to understand their cues better.
1. Why Does Your Dog Get the “Zoomies”
If your dog suddenly has random bursts of energy and sprints off then you have just observed what is called “zoomies” and is one of the Strange Dog behaviors. This adorably hilarious behavior is perfectly normal for dogs.
The reason behind this is quite simple, it means that your dog is very happy and feeling energetic. Zoomies are a way to release that pent-up energy and a positive sign that your dog is healthy. It usually happens before a walk, after bath time, or when they see after work.
Just keep in mind to steer your pet to a safe area to avoid them crashing into your or surrounding objects. Additionally, ensure that there are no slippery floors as there may be a risk of injury.
2. Constantly Spinning in Circles
The various behavioral change in dogs can be confusing to dog owners sometimes, and you can look up crittertips.com to learn more about these traits and other Strange Dog behaviors. Much like zoomies, your pet will spin around in circles from the excitement. Dogs will also spin before going to the bathroom as well as around their blankets or bed before sleeping to ensure it is comfortable.
However, if it happens too frequently, then there may be a cause for alarm. This is often a sign of anxiety, brain infection, inner ear infection, and even seizures in the case of elderly dogs. Immediately consult a veterinarian to determine whether the issue is a neurological or psychological one and get treated promptly.
3. Nipping and Biting
Although playful biting and nipping may be adorable which puppies do to get attention, it can quickly become a headache if the habit stays into adulthood.
If the dog becomes hyper or excited the playful bites can quickly turn into serious injuries. Biting can also signal that your dog is in pain or has serious anxiety issues. Always observe your pet’s body language and facial expression to determine whether the bite is due to anger. Finally, consult a vet for any doubts regarding behavioral issues.
4. Begging for Food
Both the pet and their pet parents are to blame for this behavior. Keep in mind that the opportunistic feeding nature of dogs means that they will eat whatever is offered to them at any time of the day. Owners also encourage this by treating them for every trick and Once they realize that the staring and begging get them snacks they will repeat these Strange Dog behaviors more in long run.
However, if your dog is pregnant, nursing, growing puppies, and those undergoing physical training and exercise are prone to larger appetites. Nonetheless, it is okay to treat them after a job or trick but don’t turn it into a habit.
5. Peeing and Pooping in the House
While potty-training, your dog can sometimes have minor accidents in the house and that is normal. However, the concern arises when a potty-trained dog suddenly starts pooping and peeing in the house. This signals an underlying medical problem which can range from incontinence to inflammatory bowel disease. It is especially common in male dogs and in order to prevent this, your dog must be neutered at the right age.
6. Rolling in Stinky Things
The superior sense of smell of dogs is a widely known fact. They have a whopping 300 million olfactory receptors compared to the measly 6 million receptors in humans. This would make you think that they would steer clear of pungent, strong smells. On the contrary, these smells are like perfume to them. It is thought this behavior stems from their instinctual hunting practices where rolling in strong smells would conceal their scent from prey.
7. Chases Her Tail
This cute behavior is quite common among dogs and like spinning, it is a way to expend their energy. However, if your has a tendency to chase their tails continuously then it may be due to flea allergy, dermatitis, or anal gland issues. If you suspect that your pet is chasing tails constantly then consult a vet to get them treated as early as possible.
8. Cock Their Head
Watching your furry friend tilt their head is a very human-like gesture and is quite endearing. There are many theories behind why they exhibit such mannerisms.
One assumption is that it helps them hear better and tune in to certain high-value words like ‘walk’ or ‘dinner’. This is usually normal but if seen frequently, it may be a sign of ear infections, vertigo, or other vestibular system disorder. It is best to get a full physical examination and get their ear canals checked.
9. Eating Poop
Seeing your dog eat gross things or poop can be quite disturbing for pet owners. However, there is a scientific reason behind it, eating poop or ‘coprophagy’ is fairly common and traces back to their ancestral scavenger instincts.
Dogs have originally evolved as scavengers and feral dogs of today still thrive on less than ideal food options like poop or vomit. The reason that they don’t get sick after eating such things is that their gut is able to process the bacteria and contaminants in addition to extracting nutritional value from them. The evolutionary changes in animals in order to survive are truly fascinating.
10. Sniffing Butts
This awkward behavior on meeting new dogs is just their way of saying hello and is akin to handshakes among humans. Their anal glands have scent markers that allow your dog to identify the other dog’s mood as well as their sex. So next time, your dog meets new canine friends, let them sniff each other for a proper introduction.
11. Yawning
You may think that yawning in dogs is similar to humans and indicates tiredness. But it seems to have a more important function for our dogs.
As yawning usually occurs during transitional phases like waking up or sleeping, it stimulates the nervous system. It can also be a sign of an emotional response to stress. These shifts in behavior will help identify your dog’s distress and avoid any issues.
12. Sniffing Crotches
Though awkward and embarrassing, this behavior is perfectly normal for your dogs. In fact, this is their way of collecting information about you. The highest concentration of pheromones is in the crotch and dogs use their highly sensitive noses to identify them.
Try not to be embarrassed by it as it is a friendly way of saying hi among canines.
13. Running in Their Sleep
As you may have guessed, it indicates they are dreaming. Studies suggest that dogs act out their instinctual traits while they are asleep under covers like pointers ‘pointing’ in their sleeping. If the running seems excessive it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. You should also consult a vet if your dog is sleeping too much.
Conclusion
Most dog behaviors have emotional and scientific aspects to them. As pet parents, you should be informed about these behaviors and understand your pets better. Your pets can’t talk so these gestures are their way of communicating with you. It is your responsibility to interpret them and resolve any issues with your furry friends.
