Dogs, our beloved companions, enrich our lives with their loyalty and affection. Yet, they also present us with a medley of quirky habits that can leave us scratching our heads. From chasing their tails to eating grass, these behaviors, while sometimes puzzling, are often perfectly normal expressions of their canine nature. Understanding the reasons behind these actions can deepen our bond with our furry friends, offering insights into their emotional and physical well-being. Sometimes, these behaviors can also signal underlying health concerns that warrant a visit to the veterinarian. Let’s delve into 21 common, and sometimes weird, dog behaviors to help you better understand your canine companion.
1. Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails?
Have you ever witnessed your dog whirl around in circles, snapping at their tail as if it were a rogue toy? Tail chasing is a common canine antic that can stem from several reasons. For puppies, it’s often a game of discovery, as they become acquainted with their own anatomy. In adult dogs, it can be a sign of boredom or a need for more mental and physical stimulation. If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise or engaging activities, tail chasing can become a self-amusement strategy.
However, tail chasing can also indicate underlying issues. In senior dogs, especially if it’s a new behavior, it could be a sign of cognitive decline. Repetitive and obsessive tail chasing might also be a symptom of Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD), a condition similar to OCD in humans. If the tail chasing becomes frequent, stressful for your dog, or appears suddenly, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to rule out any medical or behavioral problems.
2. Why Do Dogs Turn in Circles Before Lying Down?
Observing a dog circling before settling down for a nap or before relieving themselves is a familiar sight. This ritualistic behavior is generally considered normal, especially when preparing to poop as it might help them align themselves. However, excessive or purposeless circling could be a cause for concern.
When dogs turn in circles without an apparent reason, it may point to a neurological issue. Conditions that can trigger circling behavior include brain tumors, fluid accumulation in the brain (hydrocephalus), brain inflammation, or even stroke. If your dog exhibits persistent, unexplained circling, a veterinary examination is essential to diagnose and address any potential neurological problems.
3. Why Do Dogs Hump?
Dog humping can be an embarrassing behavior for pet owners, particularly when their furry friend decides to mount a visitor’s leg or a piece of furniture. While often associated with sexual arousal in unneutered males, humping is a normal behavior in all dogs, regardless of sex or sterilization status. There are various reasons behind this behavior:
- Establishing Dominance: Humping can be a way for dogs to assert social dominance over other animals or even humans.
- Overstimulation: Excitement, whether from play, greetings, or other stimuli, can lead to humping as a way to release pent-up energy.
- Stress or Anxiety: In some cases, humping can be a displacement behavior triggered by stress, anxiety, or nervousness.
- Sexual Arousal: Of course, humping can be sexually motivated, especially in intact males reacting to hormonal cues.
- Medical Issues: Less commonly, humping accompanied by licking or chewing at themselves might indicate medical issues like skin infections or prostate problems in male dogs.
If humping becomes excessive or is accompanied by self-licking or chewing, a veterinary check-up is advisable to rule out any underlying medical conditions. For behavioral humping, distraction and redirection to another activity are usually effective management strategies.
4. Why Do Dogs Sniff Butts?
While it might seem impolite to us, butt sniffing is perfectly normal and socially acceptable in the canine world. It’s their way of saying “hello” and gathering crucial information about each other. Dogs possess an extraordinary sense of smell, with around 150 million scent receptors compared to our mere 5 million. They use this powerful olfactory ability to decode pheromones released from anal glands, which act like a canine calling card, revealing vital details about another dog’s identity, sex, reproductive status, and even emotional state. Think of it as their version of a detailed handshake and social media profile combined!
5. Why Do Dogs Roll in Gross Things?
From decaying carcasses to garbage and even your dirty laundry, dogs have an uncanny knack for finding the most revolting things to roll in. This behavior, while disgusting to us, is rooted in canine instincts. Two primary theories attempt to explain this smelly habit, drawing parallels with wolf behavior:
- Scent Masking: Wolves, and potentially domestic dogs, might roll in strong scents to mask their own odor, making them less detectable to prey during hunting.
- Scent Collection: Another theory suggests that dogs roll in pungent scents to carry them back to their pack, sharing olfactory information about interesting discoveries in their environment.
There’s also a more endearing, albeit still slightly icky, possibility: dogs might roll in your dirty clothes to envelop themselves in your scent, seeking comfort and closeness to you. While the smell might be offensive to our noses, for your dog, it’s a way of feeling connected to their beloved human.
6. Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? (Coprophagia)
Coprophagia, or poop eating, is arguably one of the most repulsive habits dogs exhibit. Yet, surprisingly, it’s quite common. Studies suggest that a significant percentage of dogs engage in coprophagia at some point in their lives. The reasons behind this behavior are varied and can range from behavioral to medical:
- Nutritional Deficiencies: In some cases, dogs might eat poop if they are lacking certain nutrients in their diet.
- Parasites: Internal parasites can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, potentially triggering coprophagia as a way to compensate.
- Endocrine Disorders: Conditions affecting hormone balance can sometimes contribute to unusual eating habits, including poop eating.
- Stress or Anxiety: Stressful environments or anxiety can manifest in various behavioral issues, including coprophagia.
- Attention Seeking: Dogs may learn that eating poop gets a reaction from their owners, even if it’s negative attention.
- Mistaking it for Food: Puppies, in particular, might explore their world orally and mistake poop for food.
- Curiosity and Taste: Sometimes, dogs simply develop a taste for poop, finding the smell or texture appealing.
While occasional poop eating might be harmless, it’s crucial to consult with your veterinarian if it becomes a regular habit. Underlying health problems need to be ruled out, and dietary adjustments or behavioral training might be recommended.
7. Why Do Dogs Eat Vomit?
If poop eating wasn’t unpleasant enough, dogs are also known to consume vomit. This behavior, while deeply disturbing to human sensibilities, is actually quite practical from a canine perspective. For dogs, vomit, whether their own or another animal’s (cat vomit being a particularly prized delicacy!), is essentially pre-digested food. It retains much of its original smell and taste, making it seem just as palatable as it was before being regurgitated. It’s simply a second chance at a meal in their eyes.
8. Why Do Dogs Get the Zoomies? (FRAPs)
The “zoomies,” or Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs), are those bursts of unrestrained energy that send dogs racing around like miniature tornadoes. This hilarious and often endearing behavior is simply a release of pent-up energy. Zoomies are particularly common in puppies and young dogs, as well as dogs who have been indoors for extended periods. They can be triggered by various factors, including excitement, play, overstimulation, or even after pooping! Whatever the cause, zoomies are a normal and fun way for dogs to expend energy and express joy.
9. Why Do Dogs Lick You?
Those slobbery dog kisses might not always feel “sweet,” but licking is a common and complex canine behavior. While the exact reasons are still debated, several theories offer possible explanations:
- Regurgitation Solicitation: One theory, rooted in wild canid behavior, suggests that puppies lick their mother’s face to encourage her to regurgitate food for them. While domesticated dogs don’t need this, the instinctual behavior might persist.
- Taste Preference: Your skin has a salty taste, which might be appealing to dogs.
- Affection and Social Bonding: Licking can also be a sign of affection, greeting, and social bonding. Wild canids lick pack members as a way of greeting and reinforcing social bonds.
So, while the underlying reasons might be a mix of instinct and sensory appeal, a dog’s lick is often interpreted as a sign of affection and happiness to see you.
10. Why Do Dogs Drag Their Butts? (Scooting)
Butt dragging, or scooting, is when a dog drags their rear end across the floor. While it might elicit a chuckle initially, it’s often a sign of discomfort and not a laughing matter for your dog. Scooting can be caused by simple itchiness or incomplete bowel movements. However, it can also indicate more serious problems, such as:
- Anal Gland Issues: Impacted or infected anal glands are a common cause of scooting. These glands, located on either side of the anus, can become full and irritated, causing discomfort.
- Parasites: Internal parasites can also cause anal irritation and scooting.
If your dog frequently scoots, it’s important to consult a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
11. Why Do Dogs Dig Holes?
Digging is an ingrained canine behavior, with some breeds, like terriers, being particularly predisposed to it due to their hunting heritage. While frustrating for gardeners, digging serves various purposes for dogs:
- Hunting Instincts: Terriers and similar breeds were bred to hunt burrowing prey, making digging a natural expression of their instincts.
- Boredom and Fun: Digging can be a stimulating and enjoyable activity for dogs, especially when bored.
- Cooling Down: On hot days, dogs may dig holes to reach cooler soil to lie in and regulate their body temperature.
- Escape Attempts: Dogs may dig under fences as an escape route.
- Resource Caching: Dogs instinctively bury valuable items like bones, treats, or toys for safekeeping, a behavior known as caching.
Understanding the reasons behind your dog’s digging can help you manage the behavior appropriately, perhaps by providing designated digging areas or addressing underlying boredom or anxiety.
12. Why Do Dogs Reverse Sneeze?
Reverse sneezing is characterized by sudden, noisy inhalations through the nose, often sounding like snorting or gasping. It’s an involuntary reflex, similar to a regular sneeze, but instead of expelling air forcefully, the dog is forcefully inhaling. Reverse sneezing is triggered by irritants in the nasal passages, pharynx, or sinuses. The forceful inhalation helps to dislodge the irritant.
Occasional reverse sneezing is generally normal, particularly in small breeds and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds like bulldogs and Shih Tzus. However, frequent or prolonged episodes should be checked by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying respiratory issues or allergies.
13. Why Do Dogs Kick After Pooping?
The post-poop kicking ritual, where dogs scratch the ground with their hind feet, might seem like an attempt to bury their waste, but it’s actually a form of scent marking. While they might move a bit of dirt or grass, the primary purpose isn’t concealment but rather territorial communication.
Dogs have scent glands in their paws that release pheromones. Kicking after pooping serves to spread these pheromones, along with the scent of their feces, further broadcasting their presence and marking their territory to other dogs. It’s a more comprehensive olfactory message than just leaving poop behind.
14. Why Do Dogs Bark, Whine, and Run in Their Sleep?
Observing a sleeping dog twitching, whimpering, barking softly, or even paddling their legs as if running is a common and endearing sight. Dogs, like humans, experience different sleep stages, including REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the stage associated with dreaming. During REM sleep, dogs can act out their dreams, resulting in these cute and comical behaviors.
These sleep-time antics are perfectly normal and indicate that your dog is in a deep sleep cycle and likely dreaming. Enjoy the show and maybe even capture these moments on video!
15. Why Do Dogs Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food? (Pica)
Dogs have a notorious reputation for eating non-food items, from rocks and socks to dirt and trash. This behavior, known as pica, can range from occasional curiosity to a compulsive disorder. In some cases, pica can be a symptom of Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD). However, not all dogs who eat non-food items have CCD.
Regardless of the underlying cause, pica is a dangerous habit that can lead to gastrointestinal blockages, poisoning, or other health problems. If your dog regularly consumes non-food items, a veterinary consultation is recommended to rule out medical issues and develop strategies to manage this behavior.
16. Why Do Dogs Snap at Invisible Flies?
Occasionally, you might see your dog suddenly snapping at the air as if catching invisible flies. While it could genuinely be a fleeting insect you missed, repetitive fly-biting behavior can be more complex. It could be a sign of:
- Actual Flies or Gnats: Sometimes, dogs are indeed reacting to insects we don’t see.
- Partial Seizures: In some cases, fly-biting can be a manifestation of partial seizures, a neurological condition.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Emerging research suggests a link between gastrointestinal problems and fly-biting behavior in some dogs.
If your dog exhibits frequent or persistent fly-biting, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to investigate potential underlying medical causes.
17. Why Do Dogs “Grin”? (Submissive Grin)
A dog baring its teeth might instinctively trigger alarm, but in some contexts, it can be a friendly gesture known as a submissive grin. This “grin” is characterized by bared teeth, often accompanied by a wiggly body and relaxed posture. Dogs use submissive grins to communicate that they are not a threat and are displaying deference. It’s their way of saying, “I come in peace!”
However, it’s crucial to differentiate a submissive grin from an aggressive snarl. A submissive grin is usually accompanied by relaxed body language and a wagging tail (the whole body wags, not just the tail tip). A snarl, on the other hand, is a warning sign and is often accompanied by tense body posture, a curled lip, and a direct, unwavering gaze.
18. Why Do Dogs Turn in Circles Before Lying Down (Again)?
We’ve already touched on circling behavior, but the specific act of turning in circles right before lying down deserves a closer look. This common canine ritual is likely rooted in ancestral instincts, though the exact reasons are still debated:
- Bed Preparation: Wild canids would need to tamp down grass or dirt to create a comfortable sleeping spot. Circling might be a vestigial behavior from this nest-building instinct.
- Safety Check: Circling could be a way for dogs to survey their surroundings for potential threats before settling down, ensuring they are lying upwind of any potential predators.
- Scent Marking (Again!): Circling might also serve to mark their chosen sleeping spot with scent from their paw glands, signaling to other pack members that this spot is claimed.
Whatever the precise reason, circling before lying down is a deeply ingrained and perfectly normal canine behavior.
19. Why Do Dogs Kick Their Leg When You Scratch Their Belly?
That involuntary leg kicking response when you hit just the right spot on your dog’s belly is a reflex known as the scratch reflex. Dogs have nerve endings that, when stimulated, trigger an automatic scratching motion with their hind leg. This reflex is designed to help them get rid of irritants like fleas or bugs.
While it might seem like your dog is enjoying the belly scratch, the scratch reflex is actually a response to something irritating the skin. Whether dogs truly enjoy this sensation is debatable. If your dog seems to squirm away or tries to stop you, it’s best to respect their signals and stop scratching that particular spot.
20. Why Do Dogs Hide Their Stuff? (Resource Guarding)
Hiding food, toys, or other prized possessions is a common canine behavior rooted in resource guarding instincts. In the wild, dogs, as pack animals, might need to compete for resources. Even in domestic settings, the instinct to protect valuable items can persist. Dogs might hide things for several reasons:
- Resource Security: Hiding items provides a sense of security and ensures they have access to them later, especially in multi-pet households where competition for resources might be perceived.
- Anxiety: Hiding behavior can sometimes be triggered by anxiety, particularly in dogs who have experienced resource scarcity or have had items stolen from them in the past.
- Excess Food: Hiding food, like kibble or treats, might indicate that a dog is being overfed and is saving food for later.
While some level of resource hiding is normal, excessive guarding or aggression around hidden items might require behavioral management and training.
21. Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
Dog owners often witness their canine companions munching on grass, leading to the age-old question: Why Do Dogs eat grass? Despite numerous theories, the definitive answer remains elusive. Some popular hypotheses include:
- Nutrient Deficiency: Dogs might eat grass to compensate for missing nutrients in their diet, although this is less likely with balanced commercial dog foods.
- Upset Stomach Relief: It’s often suggested that dogs eat grass to induce vomiting when they have an upset stomach. However, not all grass-eating dogs vomit afterward.
- Fiber Source: Grass provides fiber, which can aid digestion and help with bowel regularity.
- Taste or Texture: Some dogs might simply enjoy the taste or texture of grass.
While occasional grass eating is generally considered normal, excessive grass consumption or other signs of gastrointestinal upset should be discussed with your veterinarian.
CareCredit for Your Dog’s Well-being
Understanding your dog’s behaviors, even the weird ones, helps you provide the best possible care. Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial for maintaining your dog’s health and happiness throughout their life. CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that can be used for pet care, covering routine vet visits, emergencies, and surgeries.* Find a veterinarian near you that accepts CareCredit using their Acceptance Locator.
Manage your pet’s healthcare expenses and access helpful resources by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App.
Beyond pet care, CareCredit can also be used for various healthcare needs for you and your family.
Author Bio
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a freelance writer and novelist specializing in pet content since 2013. Her work has been featured on reputable platforms like Forbes.com, Hill’s Pet, Chewy, and AKC.org.
