Understanding Why Dogs Behave A Certain Way

Of course, we know that they’re happy when they wag their tails, but we don’t really understand why they do it, right? Like humans, some dogs are easy to read, while others display strange behaviors. If you’ve been wondering the reason behind your dog’s unusual actions, then worry no more! Get ready to learn and understand more about your dog’s behavior as we explain each unique action. 

Unlike humans, dogs’ primary sense is through smell. As a matter of fact, dogs have almost 300 million olfactory receptors throughout their noses. They like to look outside and feel the wind since it is their primary way of perceiving the world.

Honestly, we’re not entirely sure since we can’t exactly ask them. However, according to researchers, dogs’ sleep cycles and brain activity while they sleep are very much like what we see in humans. So, if you’ve noticed that your dog whines, barks, or twitches its legs while asleep, then you can assume it is having a puppy dream.

The reason behind this behavior is straightforward. Dogs tend to move their heads from side to side, hoping to hear the sound better. They are most likely to do this when they hear something unfamiliar to them because moving their ears can help them hear it more precisely.

While dogs seem to continue doing it because of the positive reactions, too much can be harmful. In fact, frequent tail chasing and chewing are sometimes linked to signs of bad health. You might want to drive over to the vet for a quick check-up to be sure. However, in most cases, dogs chase their tails just to make their owners happy.

Why do they do this? Dogs sometimes get clingy and want to get close to their owners. Since dogs are also protective in nature, they wanted to keep track of their owner’s mood by staying beside them. Basically, your dog does this to stay alert in case something happens to you. How sweet.

Chocolates contain a chemical compound called theobromine. Humans don’t have any problem digesting theobromine, but it is the complete opposite for dogs. Even in small amounts, although not fatal, chocolate can still cause stomach problems.

In some situations, when they feel exhausted, dogs yawn to imply that they’ve had enough or want to take a break. However, there are also times when they yawn to show their excitement. This is why you may see this behavior when you signal that it’s time for a walk.

While it is true that seeing a dog wag its tail back and worth is a sign that it is happy or in a good mood, it can also mean other things, depending on the direction. When a dog wags its tail horizontal to the ground, it means it is curious about someone or something.

The first is probably because your dog’s previous generations were trained to hunt and dig around strategic locations. And the second reason is that dogs have a natural nesting or denning tendency. When they dig in the ground, it means that they are trying to make themselves a place where they can cool off or stay warm.

While scientists are still unaware of the mechanism, many dog owners are convinced that their pups have a magical sixth sense. Realistically speaking, it is more likely because of their sharp sense of hearing, making it possible for them to hear the storm before we do.

As dogs evolved from wolves, their way of showing affection and intimacy with their fellow pack members was to always do things together. So, if your dogs love to eat and sleep next to you, it means that they see you as family.

When a dog pants, the hot air is replaced by cool air as it breathes. This, in turn, helps regulate their temperature back to normal. Furthermore, as they pant, you might also notice that they tend to roll their tongues to one side since this helps cool them down further.

Based on recent studies, dogs can actually see some colors other than black and white. It’s just that they can’t distinguish the difference between red and green. They can, on the other hand, tell the difference between blue and yellow.

More often than not, dogs are not actually trying to copy their humans. They like to sleep next to you because they see you as a special part of their pack. They value you as their companion, so being as close to you as possible is their unique way of showing their love.

Dog breeds such as Alaskan Malamutes, Beagles, Coonhounds, Dachshunds, and American Eskimo Dogs are just some that are known to howl and wail more than others. If you want to own a dog but would like it to be relatively quiet, these breeds might not be for you.

For puppies, chewing helps in relieving teething pain as they grow their teeth. As for older dogs, chewing is their way of taking care of their oral health. Chewing is said to help not only clean their teeth but also to make their jaws stronger.

That membrane is called tapetum lucidum. It acts like night vision goggles that help dogs see better in the dark. This is because of the reflective surface that it creates, which increases the light that hits the eye receptors of dogs. In this way, dogs can see things from a distance, even at night.

How is that possible? Dog breeds such as Huskies have their bodies covered with two layers of fur. The first layer is the long and silky coat we see, and the second is the thick layer of short hair covering their body. That second layer of fur acts as a coat to keep them warm.

Why do dogs love going on walks? No matter how often they go, you’ll always see the same excitement as if it’s always their first time. This is because going outside allows dogs to explore the environment and relieve stress through sniffing various smells. It can also be a great way for you and your dog to bond.

The puppy dog eye trick is every dog’s way of apologizing when they know they’ve done something wrong. Who are we to not forgive them, right? How can we even resist such cuteness? At the end of the day, what matters is that they apologized, right?

Given that dogs were originally trained to hunt and guard humans, they instinctively have a knack for chasing and fetching because of their genetic makeup. It is believed that dogs who enjoyed retrieving objects were the ones who were selected for breeding. Labradors and golden retrievers are just some of the breeds that specialize in the game of fetch.

Biology Letters published a study wherein they showed pictures to dogs of people displaying different emotions. They then played the dogs audio recordings of various people talking. The researchers found that dogs react immediately to angry audio and match their gaze to the photo of an angry person. 

Again, it’s because of their sharp sense of smell. They use their noses to keep track of their surroundings and even their own scent. That’s why in times when they get lost, they’ll just use their noses to find the smells that will guide them in the right direction. Perhaps this is another reason why they love hanging their heads out the windows of cars! 

Dog training can make dogs happier. When they are trained correctly, it allows them to make better sense of their surroundings and be aware of what’s okay to do and what’s not okay. Plus, if your dogs are properly trained, you can easily communicate with them in a way they understand. 

Of course, they can’t solve math problems, recite the alphabet, and such. However, what they can do is pick up about 160 words. Indeed, some dogs can even understand up to 250 words. Wow! This is something that was believed to only be possible for humans and apes.

Why do they do this? Self-proclaimed dog experts say that dogs make a mess to release anger either because they haven’t gone out for walks or they’re just bored for no apparent reason. What do you think?

Adult dogs usually have 20 teeth on their top jaw and 22 on the bottom, which makes it 42 in total. However, just like children, puppies only have 28 milk teeth in total. These milk teeth will eventually fall out. So, if you see some loose teeth in your puppy’s chew toy, don’t fret because it’s normal.

In fact, dogs actually don’t hate cats. However, some dog breeds have strong hunting instincts. Such dogs may confuse cats for prey animals like rabbits and foxes. For other dogs, chasing cats is just their playful attempt to befriend them. 

Again, the reason behind this behavior is instinct. Their past generations lived in the forest with tall grass, bristles, and thorny plants. They found that when they went around the area repeatedly, it allowed the plants to flatten and thus make the space a little more comfortable.

So, the next time you see your dog staring at you without blinking, don’t be freaked out. Although it’s a little creepy, that’s just their own little way of showing their affection and genuine appreciation for their owners.

One way of knowing their moods is by studying their body language. When a dog is casually sitting with its tail relaxed and ears popping up high, it usually means that it’s just sitting and feeling comfortable in its environment. When you see your dogs like this, it is the perfect moment to pet and snuggle with them. 

The next time you see your dog standing outside, ears pointing forward and tails sticking straight out, get ready because it’s probably up for a new adventure. These signals mean that its curiosity and investigative modes are on and ready.

In some instances, you may find it strange that a dog’s ear is facing forward. However, this only means that their eyes and their ears are looking at what’s in front of them. It can be a sign that they’re very much interested in what they are seeing. 

Why do dogs get such weird post-bathtime energy? While it is funny to see them running around like a headless chicken, it’s not because they’re having the time of their lives. It is more about how they release the stress and feel relieved that bathtime is finally done. 

Dogs actually sniff each other’s butts as a way of saying that they’re glad to meet them. Moreover, when a dog butt-sniffs, it learns a lot about the other dog’s identity, gender, and even mood. Isn’t that amazing?

While it can actually look as if they’re trying to assert dominance, it only means that they want to sleep next to you. They were able to smell your scent on the bed. That’s probably why they chose to snuggle up in your favorite spot.

Seeing their uncontrollable excitement instantly eases our exhaustion and brings a smile to our face. This is one of the many ways dogs show their love and adoration for their owners. How sweet!

While, of course, dogs are enthusiastic about their gifts, you may or may not like them. It can be super random, like a dead animal or even a chewed slipper. You might find some of their gifts a bit gross, but we guess it’s the thought that counts, right?

Do you know the reason why dogs like sleeping back to back? When dogs sleep beside each other or even with their owners, this move means that they completely trust you. They’re confident that you’ll never harm them and that you’ve always got their back. 

Although some dog breeds are bred for cold weather, many are not. These breeds tend to get cold quickly. To keep themselves warm, they usually sleep all curled up like a ball. So, instead of squealing because of cuteness, it’s better to wrap a blanket around them.

When you look up the different sleeping positions of dogs, you’ll be amazed that they actually all have meanings. It also tells a lot about their personality and feelings. If you see your dog laying down like a rug, it means that they’re exhausted from being playful and energetic all day. 

According to some studies, side sleepers also tend to be trusting and loyal. A dog sleeping on its side means that it is feeling comfortable, relaxed, and safe. They are happy with both the sleeping position and the environment around them. 

If you see your dog with bared teeth and ears pointed back, it is most likely that your furry friend is on the attack. This is something dog owners should always notice to ensure their dogs do not cause harm to others.

We have to get up and get ready since they don’t show any signs of stopping. This is especially true if their barks start to get louder. At that point, you’d better prepare yourself for another tiring yet enjoyable day with your furry friends.

Dogs place their tail between their legs to block their scent. It was mentioned earlier how dogs greet each other through butt-sniffing. So, why do some dogs do this? It means that your dog probably wants to be left alone, so it’s trying to prevent other dogs from sensing its presence.

As a matter of fact, covering it with dirt is their way of marking their territory. They use the scent that comes from their paws to leave a signature on their poop. Like an artist signing their work, this ensures other dogs know exactly who was responsible for this creation.

In dog shows, each dog contestant has to have the specific proportions set by the professionals based on their breed. All dog breeders must ensure that their dogs fit those criteria, including their color, size, and even their ear length and skull width.

When a dog hangs its tongue out, especially after a nice meal, it means it is feeling completely relaxed and safe in the environment. However, if this habit continues, it might be a sign of hanging tongue syndrome. If you suspect this, it’s best to take your pup to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.

Dogs have been such a significant part of human society that our ancestors painted caves and even made songs to show their adoration for their pets. Even George Lucas designed the Ewoks from Return of the Jedi after getting inspiration from his family dog.