5 Puppy Behaviors Explained
Learn How To Understand Your Puppy Better
Raising a puppy can be a fun and rewarding task, but sometimes your puppy may do things that are hard for you to understand. Dogs have their own system of body language and social cues to communicate how they are feeling, but it’s not always easy for humans to understand those behaviors. If you devote the time to better understanding your puppy’s behavior though, you will be all the better equipped to raising them into a healthy and friendly adult dog. Here are some puppy behaviors explained!
Why Do Dogs Sniff Each Others’ Bums?
Smell is your puppy’s dominant sense. In fact, a dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 times better than a human’s. While humans mostly perceive the world through our eyes, dogs rely more heavily on their sense of smell. By smelling another dog’s bum, your puppy is learning all sorts of new information about that dog. Dogs have anal glands that can tell other dogs things like their gender, reproductive status, health, and even what they had for breakfast.
Why Does My Puppy Walk In Circles Before Lying Down?
The explanation for this behavior is that it’s left-over from when dogs were wolves. When wolves lie down to sleep out in the wilderness, they walk around to tramp down leaves, grass, and other debris to make a nice spot to sleep. It may have also served as a safety precaution, driving out any snakes or large insects under the leaves or in the grass. This is a habit that is ingrained into your puppy’s DNA.
Why Does My Dog Hump Legs, Etc?
Ever wondered why your dog likes to hump people’s legs, objects, or even other dogs? This is a behavior that both boy dogs and girl dogs exhibit. In unfixed dogs younger than one year old, this is exactly what you might guess – a sexual position in which they are seeking some kind of coupling. However, if a dog is fixed and mature this behavior may be a sign of wanting to assert dominance, being over-excited, or simply wanting your attention. If this is something you want to discourage in your puppy, try to redirect their attention with a toy or a treat as soon as the humping starts.
Why Does My Dog Drag Their Butt On The Floor?
The explanation for this behavior depends on the context. If your puppy has just defecated, this may seem the best way for them to clean their rear end. However, it could also be a sign of health problems, such as tapeworms or issues with their anal glands. If your puppy seems to be doing this a lot and suddenly, consider taking them to the vet.
Why Does My Puppy Chase Their Tail?
This is a behavior that has confused many humans. Dogs are playful and energetic by nature, so this is how they burn off excess energy and entertain themselves. Additionally, dogs are very smart and social, so if they notice that you are paying more attention when they chase their tail, they may be more prone to this playful behavior. However, there are other, less happy reasons a dog might try to reach their tail. If your puppy has had their tail injured, they may try to reach their tail to ease the pain. If your dog has a parasite or skin irritation, it can also cause tail-chasing. It can also be indicative of psychological issues or anxiety.
Learn More About Your Puppy’s Behaviors
Have more questions about your puppy’s behaviors? View the video below for answers.
Look Into Doggy Daycare For Your Dog Today
The benefits your dog could receive by going to doggy daycare are undeniable! Ensure your dog’s health and happiness by looking for a doggy daycare to enroll them in while they are young. Again, not all doggy daycares are the same, so be sure to look around to find the best match for your pet.