WHY DO DOGS DO THAT?
Why do dogs do that is an often asked question .
They have an inate ability to perplex us with their quirky habits.
Some things they do make us laugh, such as chasing their tails or turning several times before lying down. Some
iritate us, such as barking incessantly and some simply disgust us such as eating poop.
We often expect our dogs to act and do what we would do when after all they ARE dogs and they simply will do what dogs do however hard
that is to understand sometimes.
That's not to say that they don't have perfectly good reasons (usually) for their odd dog habits. By trying to understand some of these reasons, it
will help us peacefully co-exist. Just don't let them
kiss you in the mouth!
We all love our dogs, they bring us happiness and comfort that other humans just don't seem to be
able to give. They never talk back, they love us no matter how homely we tend to be looking that day, and
best of all they always let us call the shots. But even with all of their amazing qualities, sometimes our
furry friends have some pretty interesting quirks. Here you will learn why your dog does some of the
embarrassing things that he does.
Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails?
Tail chasing is common in puppies as a form of play. It is less-common in older
dogs. Sometimes older dogs chase their tails because they are bored and it is a way to relieve the tension. Some
dogs don't seem to realize the tail is attached to their bodies ad see it as a fun object to chase but rarely
catch. Tail chasing can also be a symptom of worms, fleas or anal sac problems. In some dogs, tail chasing becomes
a compulsive disorder. If tail chasing persists, consult your veterinarian to rule out a medical/psychological
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
It doesn’t matter if it comes from a baby, a cat, or a wild
animal, dogs love to eat poop. This is not only one of their least attractive qualities, it is also one of their
most embarrassing. But as it turns out, your dog is actually a bit of a genius. For instance, take that kitty
litter box that your dog cannot keep his paws off of. Cat food actually contains different forms of protein and
fats than dog food, so your pup is simply trying to get some more nutrients. The same goes for wild animals and
humans, we all eat differently and your dog senses that. He is just trying to get a little taste of what he is
missing. If your dog starts eating his own feces though, that could be a sign of a problem and he should see a
Why Do Dogs Roll On Their Food?
Once again, what might seem silly to us is actually smart for our
canines. Usually a dog will roll on its food as a way to mark it. It tells the other dogs in the area that food has
been spoken for, (it may not always work, but your dog thinks it is worth a shot). If you only have one dog in your
home, there are two reasons they are likely to do this:
There are other pets in the house they are protecting their food
from. By rubbing against or rolling on the food, they are putting the scent of the food on themselves
so other dogs will realize the food belongs to them.
Possibly they were previously in a home with other dogs and picked up the
trait there from the other dogs.
Why Do Dogs Drink Out Of The Toilet?
Although it may not seen so to us, dogs perceive toilet bowl water as fresh, cold
and constantly replenished. And, it's at a convenient height for larger dogs and something they don't have to share
with their smaller four-legged brothers and sisters.
Why Do Dogs Circle Before Lying Down?
There has never been any 'official' evidence on
this ritual, but almost all dogs do it, even wild ones. The one thing that most doggie experts agree on is that
this is a trait that has been around for centuries. The two most popular reasons they could be doing this
They might be trying to stay
safe. Back in the days when dogs first came on the scene the grass and vegetation was pretty high, so
they would circle to pat down the grass, this way the grass would not move if the dog moved, so there
was less chance of an enemy finding an unsuspecting sleeping dog.
It might have something to do with the wind. By
nature dogs are keen on direction and they always like to know where they are. So they circle to try to
find the direction of the breeze and then they lie down so that they can face the breeze. The only
exception to this are the dogs that live in extremely cold weather, like sled dogs, they will actually
circle to make sure they are pointing away from the cold wind when they are lying
Why Do Dogs Sniff Each Other's Butts?
There are no words to describe the humiliation when you take your pooch to the vet
and they 'make friends' with the canine across the room by sniffing their bootie. There is a part of you that wants
to make him stop, but there is another part of you that feels like you have just stepped into some kind of doggie
mating ritual. But yet again your pup is showing, in this weird and
awkward of ways, that he is much smarter than you could ever imagine.
When they first meet, they sniff each other in order
to 'learn' the other one's scent – remember, dogs rely on scent more than anything else, so doing this
with a dog that they like will allow them to recognize that dog in the future.
If they know the dog,
they will sniff that dogs butt to see what kind of a mood they are in – no one wants a disgruntled
playmate, and it is much easier to sniff their backside than it is to get bitten. It also gives
the dog an indication where the other animal has been and what he has
Nesting - Dogs have an instinctual instinct to nest, possibly from early days when
nesting down into the earth helped to provide protection from predators.
- Curiosity - Dogs have a real need to know what is happening, often on the
other side of the fence. They will dig at a fence line in an attempt to get to the other side. I think they
really believe the saying about the 'grass being greener on the other side'.
- Heat - Dirt provides a cooling environment for your
dog. In the heat of the summer, you will likely find your dog digging into the earth to provide a cool
bed for himself. Be sure to provide him with a shady spot to lie down and a continual supply of fresh,
clean and cool water. Keep him inside dring extremely hot weather. Remember, if you are
unfomfortable in the heat, he is too!
- Boredom - Dogs require constant stimulation and if they
don't have it, they often will dig, simply to amuse themselves. Supply your dog with stimulating toys and
set aside time each day to play and romp with your dog. Dogs are social animals and need your
companionship and attention.
So the next time you find yourself red with
embarrassment wondering 'why do dogs do that', especially my dog? just remember there are very good reasons (at
least to them).
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