Our dogs do a lot of things that we don’t take too seriously. Mainly because dogs are pretty expressive and they usually do a pretty awesome job in telling us what they are feeling. They get excited and jump around when are back from work. They growl when something is irritating them and have that bored “not-impressed” expression when they are sleepy and want to be left alone.
While we are pretty good at decoding the meaning of most doggie behavior, some go under our radar. We often dismiss these canine behavioral traits as cute and meaningless. In this post, we reveal 7 things dogs do that have hidden meanings.
Tail Chasing
Almost all dogs at one point in their lives display this strange yet cute behavior. If it happens once or twice every month, then there is no harm in ignoring it. Dogs chase their tails when they are bored. Pet dogs, especially the active breeds, need physical and mental exercise. When they lack the proper stimulation, they develop this coping mechanism to keep themselves busy. Take your dog for a walk or initiate a game of fetch to distract your pet from this tail-chasing behavior.
If your dog chases its tail for hours on end then it may be a sign of canine OCD. In extreme cases, dogs are known to obsessively chew on their tails, which often leads to infection. Speak to a vet about medications and humane canine training tools that can help your dog get over this habit.
Twitching or ‘Running’ While Sleeping
Twitching or moving their legs while sleeping is a common canine behavior. Dogs like humans, have dreams and they are known to bark and twitch during the REM stage of their sleep. A lot of pet parents think that their dog is under stress and they try and wake them up. The problem with that is that some dogs get startled if woken up abruptly and can snap at their human parents instinctively. You cannot possibly blame them, they were just trying to run away from a giant cat monster before being suddenly woken up.
However, if the twitching is interrupting your dog’s sleep and is happening regularly, it’s best to consult a vet. Vets may prescribe medications that can help your dog fall asleep and experience uninterrupted nap sessions.
Eating Things That Are Not Food
Sometimes dogs feel compelled to eat things that are not food. They are often found eating paper, garbage, plastic items, and even stones. There is a popular belief that dogs are natural foragers and them eating non-food items is perfectly normal canine behavior. However, allowing this behavior to go unchecked can have some serious consequences. Depending on what your dog eats, it can cause anything from mild stomach upset to a serious gastric blockage that requires surgical intervention.
Getting Worked Up During Thunderstorms
You may think that your dog barking during a thunderstorm is adorable, but it’s something that’s actually causing a lot of mental stress to your pet. Some dogs get so worked up during storms that they shake and shiver, which can lead to anxiety issues in the future.
The only way to tackle this problem is by getting your dog used to the sound. Play sounds of thunder in a low volume and train your dog to settle down and get used to the sound. If your dog exhibits a calm behavior reward it with a treat. Increase the volume and repeat the exercise until your dog learns to keep itself calm even during booming sounds of a thunderstorm. Use positive-reinforcement training to teach your dog to associate thunderstorm with treats.
Circling Before Lying Down
Have you seen your dog circle a few times before lying down? Most experts are certain that dogs get this behavior from their ancestors, the wolves. Wolves or wild dogs often do this to clean the debris off the ground before settling down.
If you are confused by this behavior now you know. No need to get panicked as this is considered to be perfectly normal dog behavior.
Licking Faces (Doggie Kisses)
There is an ongoing debate about whether or not you should let your dog lick your face. Some experts believe that doggie kisses increase the bond between humans and their dogs and they are harmful. The counter argument is that dogs often have dangerous bacteria in their mouths such as e coli and salmonella. These bacteria can get passed on to humans during a session of playful licking.
Dr. Pritish Tosh in his interview to Mayo Clinic says that it’s not advisable to let your dog lick your wounds. However, when it comes to everyday dog kisses the chances of you getting sick because of them is improbable.
