Why Do Dogs Do the Things They Do: We’ve Got Answers
As much as we love dogs, we can admit they do some weird stuff. As a dog parent, we often wonder why dogs do the things they do.
Dogs do things that make us uncomfortable, like eating their own poop.
But there are reasons why dogs do the things they do.
Read on to learn why they participate in such strange behaviors.
Why Do Dogs Eat Their Poop?
This is one of the most common questions we get from clients.
Coprophagia, or the consumption of feces, is a bad habit many dogs develop.
According to Dr. O’ Grady & Dr. Townsend at Barbour Lane Animal Hospital, your dog’s habit of eating its own poop can be attributed to a variety of factors:
• Lack of vitamin B or other nutrients in their food
• Appetizing smell
• Boredom
• Seeking attention
[Read more: How Do I Stop My Dog From Eating Its Own Poop?]
Why Do Dogs Lick Anything and Everything?
According to Fremont Animal Hospital, “Licking is soothing for dogs and helps them relieve pent-up anxiety. Licking can also be a dog’s communication tool, such as licking humans to express affection or get attention, and licking other dogs as an appeasement—or, ‘I come in peace’—gesture.”
However, excessive licking may also be a sign of skin allergies.
[Read More: What Every Dog Owner Should Know About Common Dog Allergies]
Why Do Dogs Kick Their Legs After They Poop?
Dogs like to mark their territory, and strangely enough, this is one of the ways they do it.
After they poop, they kick with their back legs, secreting pheromones to let other dogs know this is their territory.
Essentially, they are just spreading their scent around.
Why Do Dogs Spin in Circles Before They Poop?
This is most likely a survival instinct.
They are circling to make sure they are safe and not in danger before they get into that very vulnerable position.
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?
This one is hard to answer.
For years, people were told dogs eat grass to induce vomiting, but now veterinarians aren’t so sure.
According to Fremont Animal Hospital, “Scientists’ best guess is that they simply enjoy the taste. The age-old theory that dogs eat grass to vomit doesn’t hold water, because most dogs don’t actually vomit afterward. Grass-eating is typically harmless unless the behavior becomes compulsive because dogs who consume too much at once could obstruct their intestines.”
Why Do Dogs Sniff Each Other’s Butts?
Basically, butt sniffing is to dogs what handshaking is to humans.
Dogs are sniffing out each other’s pheromones, which happen to be released by the anal glands (in the butt area).
Why Do Dogs Scoot Their Butts Across the Floor?
Dogs scoot, or drag their butts, across the floor for many reasons.
The main reason they scoot their butts is because they are uncomfortable and trying to rid themselves of that discomfort.
The most common reason a dog scoots their butt is because they are uncomfortable due to anal sac issues.
Dogs have two anal sacs, which release a liquid whenever dogs poop. If these anal sacs become blocked or infected, it will make your dog uncomfortable.
Hence, the scooting.
[Read More: Everything You Need to Know About Dog Butt Problems]
Why Do Dogs Roll in Gross Things?
Have you ever given your dog a bath just to watch him roll in mud or a pile of smelly compost?
This is one of the things dogs do that makes little sense to us but makes some sense when you consider their ancestry.
One of the common ideas is that they do this for the same reasons wolves do – to mask their scent.
Why Do Dogs Stare at You While Pooping?
One of the things dogs do that seems odd to us is stare at their owner while they are relieving themselves.
While this seems weird to humans, they do it for a perfectly sane reason.
As Phil Monahan explains, “[She] is watching for signs of danger. This is a vulnerable activity that occurs away from the safety of her den, so she depends on you to watch her back. If trouble’s afoot, she knows you’ll sound the alarm and keep her safe.”
We can’t answer all your questions about why dogs do the things they do, but we solve your backyard poop problem. Schedule regular poop scooping with Super Scoopers to never have to wonder again whether your yard is clean or not.
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