Does your dog sometimes act differently or weirdly?
Do you often face embarrassment because of your dog’s weird behavior?
Well, you are not alone, and almost every dog parent has faced embarrassment at least once because of their dogs.
In this post, we are gonna explain some weirdest canine behaviors that can be figured out and treated accordingly.
The canine world is full of surprises and wonders. Just like humans, dogs do also have different personalities, behaviors, habits, and traits.
Along with common dog behavior, you may also witness some weird habits or behaviors. And in this post, we are going to list the 5 weirdest dog behaviors that may give you a tough time.
Contents
1. Dog Chasing Tail
img source: rd.com
If your dog chases its tail more frequently like a tornado and you think it’s fun, it isn’t. Dogs develop this behavior due to one or more reasons and it is really important to stop your dog from doing so.
Why do dogs chase their tails?
According to The Dogs Journal, the dogs chase their tails due to the following reasons.
Puppyhood
Well, puppies are explorers and they think that tail isn’t their body part so they try to chase it. They usually get rid of this habit with time, still, you shouldn’t encourage or praise your puppy if caught chasing its tail.
Boredom
img source: unsplash.com
Dogs can get bored very easily if they don’t have anything to do. Actually, they have lots of energy that need to be burned, and if they don’t, they develop several behavior issues including tail chasing.
Fleas and allergies
If they have fleas or skin allergies, they may develop tail-chasing behavior.
Past life
If your dog is a rescue and had lived a terrible life in the past, they may develop tail chasing.
How to treat this behavior?
Daily exercises, enrichment activities, and walk can really help you treat this behavior. In severe cases, you should see the vet immediately.
2. Head Pressing
Does your dog presses its head or face towards the wall or a corner? Beware, your dog may have some serious neurological issues or may have a damaged nervous system.
What are other symptoms?
Seizures, visual impairment, compulsive pacing and circling, and behavioral changes are some of the other symptoms that are related to this condition.
What are the causes?
Given below are some of the major causes of head pressing in dogs.
- Brain tumor or tumor in any other part of the body
- Excess or lack of sodium in plasma
- Rabies
- Fungal infection
- Head trauma
- Exposure to toxins
How to treat?
It really depends on the diagnosis because there may be several reasons. One thing is for sure that an immediate visit to the vet is necessary.
3. Dog Eating Grass
img source: pumpkin.care
Yes, it is true. Dogs do eat grass occasionally or may have a habit to eat grass often. It may look weird and unusual but there are some significant reasons behind a dog eating grass.
What are the reasons?
Upset stomach
Dogs really do not know what’s good and what’s bad for them. And due to this, they may sometimes eat something that they are not supposed to eat. They may also have parasites or may have ingested something toxic that leads to an upset stomach. So, the dogs need to induce vomiting and grass is one of the best vomit inducers for them.
Lack of exercise and activities
If your dog doesn’t get enough exercise and walks, he is more likely to get bored. And boredom further leads to several issues in dogs including grass eating. In this case, you should give them enough exercise and some extra playtime.
Just for fun
A dog may eat grass just for fun or maybe he likes eating grass. The grass itself has no harm but it may contain pesticides or fertilizers which are dangerous. So, this behavior should strictly be discouraged and taken care of.
4. Dog Eating Poop
img source: hesprucepets.com
What is the biggest embarrassment you have ever faced? There may be many others but I am sure this one is the most embarrassing.
There are many reasons that let your dog eat its own poop or other dog’s poop outside. These reasons may be health-related or may have something related to behavior. Some of the major reasons are:
Parasites
Some intestinal parasites survive on the food your dog eats and as a result, your dog needs extra food and if it didn’t find anything else, it will eat its poop.
Boredom
Boredom is a curse and along with several other behavioral issues, it lets your dog eat its poop.
Attention seeking: Your dog may be trying to seek your attention so that might also be the case.
Puppyhood
Puppies are explorers by nature and they love experiencing new things due to which they are more likely to eat poop. But luckily, they get rid of this behavior with time.
How to get rid of this behavior?
A balanced diet, cleanliness, and a quick vet checkup are suggested to treat this weird, unhygienic, and unhealthy behavior.
5. Dog sniffing other dogs’ butts
img source: thesprucepets.com
Just imagine, you are in a dog park with your dog, and a beautiful girl is passing by along with her dog. And all of a sudden, your dog approaches her dog and starts sniffing its butt. It would be an embarrassing moment for both of you for sure. But wait, we are gonna reveal something interesting about it today.
Why do they do it?
Interestingly, some special glands around the dogs’ anus release a specific chemical that contains information about the dogs’ owners, health, emotional state, and maybe some others. So, the dog’s butt-sniffing is like a handshake or a quick introduction to another dog.
The next time your dog sniffs another dog’s butt or vice versa, just consider it a regular handshake between them, and instead of feeling embarrassed, brief other owners about this specific behavior.
Bottom line
So, these were the 5 weirdest behaviors of a dog that you should know about. The most important was the head pressing that is directly connected to your dog’s health and life, and if you witness your dog pressing its head towards the wall, you should see your vet immediately. The rest of the behaviors can be treated accordingly or ignored such as the last one.
