Weird and Bizarre dog behaviors–explained.!

Have you ever noticed your dog eating grass, sniffing each other’s butt, tilting their head in response to strange noises or chasing his own tail? I bet all of us have had such a moment when our dogs made us scrunch up our noses, shake our heads and say, “Why does my dog do that?!”

Let’s take some of the mystery out of your furry friend and know about the “WHYs” of such bizarre behaviours.

Why does my dog eat grass.?

“If your dog eats grass, it may be due to an upset stomach or when they don’t feel good.”; every owner might have heard this explanation several times, but how much of this theory holds true.?

There are two generally accepted answers to this question. Dogs eat grass to make themselves throw up when their stomachs are upset. The assumption is that the blades of grass tickle the dog’s throat and stomach lining, which causes the dog to vomit. But the majority of dogs that eat grass, do not vomit afterwards.

Another theory is that dogs eat grass when their body can’t get certain nutrients from their feed. While it’s true that grass do have some nutritional value but there are no evidences to back this theory up. Still, If you suspect about your dog’s diet, the best first step is to visit a veterinarian.

Why do dog’s sniff each other’s butt.?

This may seem totally bizarre to us but it’s one of the most common norm of the dog world. “Imagine you have 300 million olfactory receptors in your nose,” With a quick sniff, they can determine whether their sniff-ee is male or female, happy or sad, scared or stressed. This is due to the chemicals stored and secreted by the sacs in the rear end. In a nutshell, it’s just one of the ways they communicate and learn about one another.

“A dog’s way of saying hello to each other — by sniffing butts”

Why does my doggy keep chasing his own tail.?

A dog running in tight circles in endless pursuit of his own tail, usually is a sight of entertainment to humans. Sometimes it’s a few enthusiastic loops in response to a seemingly exciting event; other times, it can look more like an endless cyclone, as the dog chases their tail over and over until they find a new distraction.

Although it is normal for dogs to occasionally spin out of happiness and excitement, but excessive spinning and tail chasing often has a more sinister cause.

If your dog has a constant habit of spinning, they can be at a risk of many potential health problems like:

• Inner ear infections
• Brain lesions
• Irritation in anal glands
• Itching due to fleas

Consult your veterinarian if the spins are too frequent or constant.

Fun Fact: Dozens of pet parents have uploaded video on YouTube of their dogs chasing their tail. Here’s just one such video:

Why does my dog tilt it’s head when it hears strange noises.?

The most photogenic, heart-warming, smile-generating canine pose…the head tilt. Dog owners find it entertaining; the upward turned face, curious eyes, and perky ears that accompany the cute head tilt when their dog hears an interesting sound.

The outside of the ear flap is called the pinna and the dog can use it much like a radar dish to hear better, this is why when your dog hears a high-pitched or new noise, they tilt their heads back and forth.

Why does my doggie has a habit of carrying their food away.?

Many of us might have seen that after you put food in your dog’s bowl, he takes a mouthful, walks across the room, drops it onto your carpet and then munches away. It’s just that your dog is protecting his valued resource. By moving the food from one location to another they are keeping it away from anyone that may steal it.

Another reason can be that your dog feels lonely while eating alone. “Dogs naturally long for companionship so he may just want to see you or be near you while he eats.” says Langley Cornwell.

 If you smile or laugh when your dog does this behavior, you could be encouraging it, as dogs’ behaviors are highly influenced by positive reinforcement.

Why does my dog kick it’s feet after pooping.?

Turns out its instinct. Dogs consider pooping as a sign of sending message to the other dogs that the ground they just did the deed on, is theirs. By kicking, they’re compounding the scent of the bathroom along with the pheromones coming from their feet glands to create one strong scent. This is the main way your dog marks it’s territory.

Why does my doggy drag it’s butts on the floor.?

It’s not something any of us wants to see — the beloved family pooch scooting their bottom along the grass, ground, or carpet. Scooting is an act when your dog drags their bottom on the ground. Scooting is almost always a sign that something is irritating your dog. The possible reasons can be:

• Anal Sac Problems: Dogs communicate with their rear ends; specifically, with the smelly, fatty substance that comes from the anal sacs located internally on either side of their anus. Anal sacs can sometimes become abscessed, blocked, or inflamed. In an attempt to relieve the pain and discomfort, a dog may start scooting.
• Faecal contamination: A bout of diarrhoea can leave a dog dehydrated, weak, and with a messy, matted bottom.
• Worms: Tapeworms are another, though less common reason dogs may start scooting.
• Rectal prolapse: Rectal prolapse refers to part of the rectum – the final portion of the large intestine – protruding through the anus. A rectal prolapse can happen to your dog after severe diarrhoea or from straining with constipation.

Why does my dog dig in the mud.?

One of the most common answers to this question is that it’s just plain fun. For dogs, digging is a great way to relieve boredom or distract themselves from anxiety. In some, it is an instinctive behavior dogs inherited from their wolf ancestors. Dogs will sometimes dig themselves a spot in the dirt to lie down in and cool off. Pregnant bitches may dig a hole as a nesting instinct to make a home for her pups.

Unsure if your dog’s behavior is normal? Ask a vet.
Dogs exhibit a lot of quirky behaviors, many of which are harmless and entertaining. But if your dog is acting strange or doing something that gives you concern, the best thing you can do is have a conversation with your veterinarian.