The human-canine bond is one of the strongest friendships on the planet. Since the dawn of time, humans and dogs have shared an unbreakable bond built of love and trust. Many dogs help make our lives better by being there during tough times or assisting us at work. Because of our long-lasting friendship with these […]
The human-canine bond is one of the strongest friendships on the planet. Since the dawn of time, humans and dogs have shared an unbreakable bond built of love and trust. Many dogs help make our lives better by being there during tough times or assisting us at work. Because of our long-lasting friendship with these animals, we may think we have dogs all figured out. However, dogs are still a mystery to us in many ways. We may not know why a dog lies on their back or wags their tail at us.
In fact, there are numerous weird dog habits that leave us scratching our heads. If you notice your fur-baby shows weird habits in their behavior, don’t be too worried! Many strange dog habits are perfectly normal among canines.
Here are 5 weird dog habits you should know about!
Your dog is sleeping peacefully on its doggy bed. Suddenly, your dog begins to whine, yelp, and twitch during their sleep. Sound familiar? It may be scary to witness it at first but it’s likely not a cause for concern. Like humans, dogs go through similar sleep cycles every time they nap. They even experience the famous REM (rapid eye movement) cycle, which is what causes people and dogs to dream. During this cycle, your dog may twitch, move their paws, bark, whine, and even breathe heavily. They may be dreaming about chasing squirrels or playing at the dog park. Regardless, we don’t recommend waking your fur-baby up from their dream. Let them take their beauty rest so that they can be energized when they wake up!
One of the weirdest habits dogs have is when they kick grass after pooping or peeing. Don’t think too much about it if your dog is displaying this behavior. Kicking grass after doing business is your dog’s way of marking their territory. This habit comes from their wolf ancestors, who used this behavior to prevent other hunters entering their territory. Some dogs may rub their nose against the spot where they pooped or peed in. This is another way to spread their scent or to clean up after themselves. You can definitely say your furry friend is very well-mannered if they do this!
Some dogs like to stretch themselves on their owners. They’ll stand their hind legs and give a nice stretch with their front paws while gazing into your eyes. What gives? Well, weirdly enough, stretching is another way of saying, “hello human!”. It may also be an invitation to cuddle or play with you. Stretching is an activity that’s usually relaxed so if your furry friend does this with you, they may feel they’re completely safe with you.
While barking and whining is how dogs typically communicate with people, they may also try pawing at you. Pay close attention when your furry friend shows this behavior. Your dog paws at you to let you know there’s something they need from you. They may be trying to tell you they’re hungry or need to go potty. You may be neglecting their desire for affection so they’ll paw at your face or arm to give you that special nudge. Pawing can also mean they want you to stop a behavior. For example, if you’re playing with your puppy, and they begin to paw at you, they may not like the movement or activity you’re doing to them, so make sure to stop.
Dogs love belly rubs! It’s one of the best ways to gain their heart and affection. Many dogs love to lie on their back for a number of reasons. If you notice your fur-baby lies on their back around you, they may just want you to give their bellies a good rub. It could also mean that your fur-baby is comfortable around you so they feel safe enough to lie in a vulnerable position. Some dogs also lie on their back to cool down their tummies, especially since there’s less hair around that area. Other dogs also display this behavior when they want to show submission to their owners.
Yes, we know dogs can be a little strange, but if we’re honest, we probably have weird habits that confuse dogs all the time! Regardless, we love our dogs, and they love us. Learning about dogs and their strange habits can help us bond with them and understand the psychology behind their behavior. That way, they can live a fulfilling life with us! We hope this blog has helped you learn a few things about your own dog!
