Dogs are our closest companions and most loyal friends who often assume family member status, or become the fur-clad child of the truly devoted. But, as soon as you’re about to make your dog a beneficiary in your will, they do something utterly baffling, such as sniff someone’s crotch or scoot across the dining room rug.
In that moment, you’re reminded again that dogs are an entirely different species.
Why do dogs do such strange things? OC Working Dogs gives you a look at the most common weird, wonderful, and wacky canine behaviors.
Why does my dog lick?
Is your dog really kissing you when they lick your face or hands? Possibly. Licking is a natural canine behavior that has practical and emotional motivations. Mother dogs lick to groom their puppies and to stimulate urination and defecation. Wild dogs and wolf pups lick their mothers’ mouths when they want food. Dogs lick each other for comfort, to share greetings, and to show affection. So, while your dog may be saying “I love you,” they may also be saying “Let’s eat!”
A gentle lick is charming, but excessive or repetitive licking can signal a problem. Dogs may lick a specific body area in response to pain or irritation, or to self-soothe when stressed or uneasy. Dogs may repeatedly lick objects when they are coping with anxiety or boredom. Schedule a veterinary appointment if your dog’s licking seems compulsive or is fixated on a specific body part.
Why does my dog chase their tail?
Tail chasing is a comical, if unproductive, behavior that can emerge from prolonged confinement (e.g., a cage, shelter or kennel run), pent-up energy, or boredom. While young dogs and puppies may genuinely think their tail is another entity, adult dogs may continue because the habit gets their owner’s attention.
Tail chasing that occurs more than once or twice per day and for prolonged time periods can indicate a medical condition or a compulsion. If your dog seems fixated on catching their tail, or bites and chews when they catch it, consult your veterinarian.
Why does my dog greet people by sniffing their crotch?
Dogs interpret the world through their sense of smell. And, with olfactory abilities that are 10 to 100,000 times more powerful than our own, we can understand why they prefer this method for acquiring information.
Dogs are attracted to new or novel scents, and no areas are more rife with odor than human nether regions. But unlike us, dogs consider these areas simply information-rich data centers where they can determine a person’s age, gender, mood, stress level, and mating potential.
Of course, understanding your dog’s motivation doesn’t make this action socially acceptable. Try to avoid embarrassment by training your dog to politely greet people by sitting for a head pet, or touching their nose to their open hand.
Why does my dog roll in smelly things?
After your dog takes a good long whiff of something smelly, they tilt their head, lean their body, and collapse on top of it for a long, satisfying full-body roll. This puzzling need to cover themselves in a funky fragrance, such as dead animal or wildlife scat, actually has several purposes, including:
- Territory marking — Dogs are applying their own scent to claim the found item or carcass as their territory.
- Camouflage — Dogs are masking their odor with the dead or smelly material to blend in and improve their hunting success.
- Communication — Dogs are applying the newfound odor to themselves to share information with fellow house pets.
While we may never know why a dog decides to roll in something stinky, we know what will follow—a bath.
Why does my dog try to hump everything?
Humping (i.e., mounting) is another social faux pas that can make the most seasoned dog owner blush. But, like many odd or seemingly inappropriate dog behaviors, understanding this canine caper begins when you stop thinking like a human.
In canine body language, humping is rarely sexually motivated, which is why a male dog will mount another male dog, or a new neighbor’s leg. Dogs more commonly hump to establish dominance or social hierarchy over another dog, or to relieve pent-up energy, anxiety, or emotional over-arousal.
These reasons may not make your neighbor feel better, but they may help you stop blushing.
Although understanding the exact reasons why dogs act in such peculiar and awkward ways is impossible, what we know about canine behavior can provide powerful insights into their world. And, one thing is for certain—we wouldn’t trade them and their quirkiness for the world.
Is your dog a lovable oddball? Training can help you understand your four-legged friend on a whole new level. Contact OC Working Dogs to learn more.
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