Why is Fido Doing That?
10 Strange and Amusing Dog Behaviors Revealed
by www.SixWise.com
There are nearly 75 million pet dogs in the United States,
according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association
(APPMA) 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey -- each with
their own unique quirks and personalities.
Have you ever wondered what some of those quirks mean? Here
are some common, and not-so-common, dog behaviors finally
explained.
Why Does My Dog ...
1. Wag his tail?
A dog wags its tail to express emotion. As it turns out,
a study published in Current Biology found that dogs
wag their tails to the right side of their rear ends when
they feel positive about something, and to the left when they
have negative feelings.
2. Lick my face?
Dogs lick as a submissive social signal, so it could be their
way of submitting to you (as their "pack leader). In
a young dog, it could also be a request for food, since puppies
lick their mothers to show they're hungry.
3. Eat grass?
Some experts believe dogs eat grass simply because they like
the taste. Others believe they do so because it's cleansing
for their body.
4. Walk around "forever" before urinating?
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According to Tony Kremer, a veterinarian and dog behavior
expert, they do this to "scan the terrain for predators
so they don't get 'caught with their pants down ... They
may [also] be [homing] in on just the right spot to mark with
their scent."
5. Burrow under the covers?
"Dogs are denning animals," says Kellyann Conway,
treasurer of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers in an MSN.com
article.
So they burrow under your covers because it helps them feel
safe, secure and comfortable. While all dogs may do this,
hounds, terriers and huskies are especially likely to do so.
6. Circle before lying down?
Dogs in the wild circle to mat down the grass and make a
bed for themselves. This instinct has likely been genetically
passed down to your dog.
7. Chase her tail?
In most cases, just because it's fun. However, if the tail
chasing becomes excessive, it could be the sign of a medical
problem, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.
8. Run in his sleep?
Yes, dogs do dream, and when his paws move or he yips while
sound asleep, it's because he's dreaming.
9. Drink out of the toilet?
Toilet water is probably fresher and colder than the water
in your dog's bowl, which is why he may seek out this personal
"water fountain" to take a drink.
10. Like to roll in smelly things, especially right after
a bath?
Most likely he is trying to mask his scent. This is an instinct
passed on from wild dogs that needed to mask their scents
while hunting.
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About 39 percent of U.S. households own at least one
dog.
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Recommended Reading
How
Can Having Pets Improve Your Health? Let Us Count the Ways...
The
Top Household Dangers to Your Pets
Sources
Current
Biology Volume 17, Issue 6, 20 March 2007, Pages R199-R201
The
Humane Society of the United States
MSN.com
Dog Central December 25, 2007