Common dog behavior and the reasons behind it.

“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.” – Roger A. Caras (author, A Dog Is Listening: The Way Some of Our Closest Friends View Us) on dog behavior.

During the intense lockdown that we are in during the ongoing pandemic, our pets are our closest friends and with all the free time on our hands let us be more observing towards their behaviors. All dogs have a common pattern of behavior and listed below are some interesting facts behind your dog’s behavior.

1) Rotating in Circles while lying down to sleep/rest

It isn’t clear why dogs do this, but there is a recent study that states that they rotate in circles to even the ground below to sleep because their ancestors did so.

The dogs in earlier times slept in the wild tall grasses before the dog beds were introduced. This common behavior differs from smooth floor to rough surfaces by the number of spins they take.

2) Sleep like a Dead bug

If your dog is sleeping like a dead bug, he/she is comfortable in the environment and feels safe and happy as they are exposing all their vital parts which they usually don’t if they are in the wild. So if you find your pet sleeping like this know that they trust you a complete 100% and are happy in their environment

3) Why dogs smell other dogs’ crotch?

Imagine you meet a new person and you greet them by saying “Hi, it’s nice to meet you”. All dogs greet each other the same way by smelling their crotch. It also helps them to recognize the scent of a familiar dog.

4) Being hyperactive right after taking a bath

We all, at some point, disliked taking baths. Similarly, when we give a bath to our dog it starts running around like a wild animal. It indicates that probably he/she hates being wet and is trying to dry off also being relieved that it’s over!

5) Digging – the most common dog behavior

Where would we hide our most precious items? Money in the piggy bank, our journal in the cupboard, and our jewelry in the safe. Similarly, dogs dig and hide things that are most valuable to them. Some dogs dig cause they feel bored and want to do some exercise.

Next time you see your dog digging take it out for a walk to avoid destroying your furniture or lawn.

6) Yawning bug

Dogs yawn just like humans do, usually when they are ‘bored’. But have you ever tried to yawn in front of the dog and see them replicate the same? In recent studies, it shows that dog can catch the yawning bug from humans especially their owners.

Do try ‘yawning’ in front of your dog and see their adorable yawning faces.

7) Sitting or lying down on your feet

While taking your dog out on a walk we suddenly see it sit on our feet or when we sit down our dog comes and lies down on our feet. Dogs do this because they are marking their territory and want a sense of reassurance that we are there for them and they need not be nervous.

8) Eating grass and plants

We all get worried if our dog has been possessed by the spirit of cows and feel the need to remove the grass from its mouth as we feel it’s dangerous for the dog.

Well, it is completely normal for dogs to eat grass, the only bad news is they are lacking a specific nutrient in their diet.

9) Dogs eating things that are gross or rotten

We as kids have a habit of eating anything put in front of us due to curiosity, dogs have a curiosity to know the taste. Dogs have a link with their ancestors who were scavengers and therefore eat things that fill their stomachs, but if your dog eats substances like dirt, they may have a medical issue.

10) Chasing their tail – cutest dog behavior

chasing tail dog behavior — Source: Life with Dog

We laugh at our pup for chasing something that’s a part of its body. Puppies do this because they do not realize the thing they are chasing is a part of them. while some dogs do this to fight boredom. If your dog does this every day then you might take them for a walk or it might be a medical issue.

I hope this lockdown got you closer to your pets and your bond gets stronger while you cherish love, care, and trust for one another.