Top 4 Weird Dog Behaviors And What Could They Mean
If you have a dog, chances are it’s not just your furry companion. It’s also your therapist, confidante, and best friend. Dogs give unconditional love and companionship to their humans in ways that no other animal can. And they offer all of these things without any judgment whatsoever about who we are as people - whether good or bad - nor do they care about what our bank account balance might be.
But dogs are also animals, which means that they have many natural behaviors that might seem strange to us or even cause concern. It can be difficult to determine when certain dog behaviors should be considered “normal” and when they might indicate strange or problematic behavior in your pup. This article will break down common weird dog behaviors that owners often encounter, as well as what they might mean, and some advice on how to address them if necessary.
Biting
One of the most common questions pet owners ask is, “Why does my dog bite me?” And it can be a tough question to answer. It might mean that your pup is trying to play with you and wants your attention, but isn’t always able to interpret his actions properly. He may also be teething and doesn’t realize that his teeth hurt. Sometimes, dogs will also bite as a way to get you to stop petting them - imagine if someone was scratching your belly all day long without stopping! It might just be too much for some pups.
If your dog keeps biting you, it could mean that they are trying to let you know that they need a break from your touch, or it could mean that there is a medical reason for the behavior. If you find that your dogs keep biting you in any one of these scenarios or have been sticking their tongue out, talk with your veterinarian about steps to take to keep the interaction positive and make sure that your pup is getting lots of exercisesexerc,s mental stimulation, and proper training. In some cases, dogs will also bite out of fear or anxiety when they feel threatened.
Circling
Circling is an often-unnoticed behavior among dogs, but it can be indicative of many things. First, some dogs will also lick their lips or make other licking-type movements when they are circling around you or in your general direction. This might mean that your dog wants attention from you and is trying to get closer without jumping up or standing on his hind legs.
If your dog is acting this way, it might be a good idea to give him some loving and let him know that he has done a good job while giving the behavior your attention, but try not to reward circling by going into full-on petting or scratchy-scratch mode - dogs will often pursue these actions relentlessly if they are rewarded. Many dogs will also circle before laying down or sitting down. This is especially true for younger dogs who are first learning how to communicate with their humans but can be seen in any number of other circumstances.
Eating Poop
While it is one of the most disgusting dog behaviors, eating poop can be common for many dogs. In fact, in some cases, it’s not abnormal at all! Some dogs will eat feces because they are poorly bred and have a genetic predisposition to search out anything that resembles food. This sort of behavior might also go back to their ancestry when they were scavengers in search of anything that would add nutrition to their diet.
In some cases, dogs will also eat feces because they lack sufficient fiber in their diets and have a hard time digesting it - just like us! So if you notice your dog eating poop more than once or twice, discuss it with your veterinarian to determine if there is a nutritional deficiency that could be causing the problem.
Head Pressing
One of the more unusual things that dogs do is head pressing. If you notice this behavior in your pup, there are a number of possible causes. Head pressing is often indicative of neurological problems such as encephalitis or meningitis so it should be dealt with immediately by a veterinarian if you see it happen. Another cause might be the onset of a severe ear infection, which can also cause pressure in your pup’s head.
Many cases, head pressing is secondary to other behaviors that might be causing the dog significant pain or discomfort such as itching/scratching or seizure-like symptoms. In these cases, dealing with the problem behavior should help reduce the frequency of the head pressing, and it should go away on its own as long as the other issue is resolved.
It's always fascinating to study the behavior of animals, and dogs are no exception. In fact, there’s a lot we can learn from them! From how they react when you come home to their reactions during playtime with other pups or humans, most dog behaviors have meaning behind them. We've compiled this list of some common weird dog behaviors and what they could mean for your pup.