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Exploring Canine Behavior: Understanding the Quirks of Our Dogs

Writer's picture: mousinho reismousinho reis

Updated: Jan 3

As dog owners, we often find ourselves puzzled by the strange behaviors exhibited by our furry friends. From their quirky habits to their unique ways of communicating, dogs have a rich tapestry of behaviors that can be both amusing and perplexing. In this blog, we will explore strange things dogs do and uncover the meanings behind these behaviors.


Here are 20 Strange Canine Behavior:


Shih Tzu dog sits on a bed next to a basket of colorful clothes. The setting is a cozy bedroom with pillows. The dog looks cheerful.

1. Kicking After Pooping

When dogs kick their feet after relieving themselves, they are not trying to cover their waste; rather, this behavior releases pheromones from scent glands in their paws, marking their territory for other dogs.


2. Head Tilting

If your dog tilts its head while you talk, it's not just being cute. A study published in Animal Cognition suggests that this gesture indicates heightened attention and an effort to understand what you're saying.


3. Following You Around

Dogs are pack animals by nature. Their instinct to stay close to you stems from their social nature and the reinforcement they receive when they are near you, such as affection or treats.

Golden dog hugging a person's leg on a park path. Person wears blue jeans and red shoes. Background shows blurred green trees, evoking warmth.

4. Humping

Humping is often misunderstood as a sexual behavior. In reality, dogs may hump when they're excited or to assert dominance over another dog or person.


5. Jumping for Greetings

Jumping is a dog's way of expressing excitement and greeting you. They want to get closer to your face and show their joy at seeing you.


6. Stretching

Dogs stretch for the same reasons humans do: to warm up muscles. However, when they see you coming home or pick up a leash, it's often a sign of excitement and readiness for play.


7. Intense Staring

Dogs stare at us not only out of love but also to gather information about our actions and intentions, waiting for cues that might lead to rewards like walks or treats.


8. Twitching in Sleep

Just like humans, dogs dream too! The twitching during sleep is a response to their dreams occurring in the REM stage.


9. Sniffing Each Other

When dogs sniff each other’s behinds, they are gathering important social information about one another, including health status and mood.


10. Sniffing Crotches

Similar to butt sniffing, dogs sniff crotches because of the pheromones produced by apocrine glands that convey social information about individuals.


11. Kicking When Belly Scratched

The involuntary leg kick when you scratch your dog's belly is known as the scratch reflex, triggered by nerves under the skin responding to stimulation.


12. Bringing Gifts

If your dog brings you a shoe or toy, it’s a sign of affection and trust, indicating they want to share something valuable with you.


13. Licking You

Dogs lick for various reasons: showing affection, grooming behavior, or even tasting food remnants on your skin.


14. Seeking Approval

Dogs often look back at you while walking to gauge your approval of their behavior, highlighting their desire for your validation.


15. Howling

Dogs howl for attention or communication purposes; it can also be a response to certain sounds like sirens that resonate with their hearing frequency.


A playful dog chews on a crumpled newspaper on a wooden floor. The dark fur contrasts with the white and orange patches. Background is plain.

16. Destructive Behavior

Destruction can stem from stress, anxiety, or boredom; dogs need physical and mental stimulation to prevent such behaviors.


17. Nuzzling

When your dog nuzzles you, they are seeking attention and affection or simply wanting to be close to you.


18. Panting

Dogs pant primarily to cool down since they cannot sweat like humans do; it can also indicate stress or excitement during certain situations.


19. Chasing Their Tail

Tail chasing is often a self-entertaining behavior that can arise from boredom or excess energy—common among puppies.


20. Face Licking

Face licking is an instinctual behavior linked back to wolf pups licking their mothers for food; it can also be a sign of affection from your dog.


This exploration into canine behaviors reveals that many seemingly odd actions have deep-rooted instincts or emotional meanings behind them. Understanding these quirks not only enhances our bond with our pets but also helps us respond appropriately to their needs and feelings.

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Disclaimer:


The information given within this blog is general and provided for informational use only based on the personal research of the author along with experience. Every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy and reliability in the given content. Readers are nonetheless encouraged to verify any and all of the information independently before doing anything they might have received as an idea or advice.


Neither the pet grooming studio nor the blog author is liable or responsible for errors or omissions or actions taken as a result of reading this blog. Users are always advised to consult professionals or do their due diligence to ensure that the advice applies to their unique circumstances and the particular needs of their pet

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