A Guide To Dog’s Behavior: Reasons Behind Their Behavior And What You Need To Know

A Guide To Dog’s Behavior: Reasons Behind Their Behavior And What You Need To Know

If you are a dog parent, you are already well-versed in some of your dog’s behavior. You’ll know when they are hungry, when they need the toilet, or when they are desperately trying to avoid a bath.

Your dog’s behavior says a lot about their mood - some of which might be self-explanatory, while others might need a little detective work.

In this blog, we’ll be exploring your dog’s behavior so that you can understand why they act certain ways, and what their behavior means. 

Some of these behaviors include:

    1. Biting
    2. Digging
    3. Eating poop
    4. Circling
    5. Excessive panting
    6. Doing the toilet inside the house
    7. Growling
    8. Excessive barking
    9. Destructive behavior

Let’s look into these in a little more detail:

1. Biting

Biting is a common behavior in dogs. Your little pup might like to bite things around the house, including you.

Young dogs will often do this to communicate with others and explore their surroundings and is not necessarily a sign of aggression, but you should make sure that this does not become a compulsive behavior.

There are other reasons that dog’s exhibit biting tendencies, such as anxiety, sickness, pain, defensive behavior, protective instinct, or predatory instinct.

However, biting can also hurt people, and become a behavioral issue in your dog. As a pet parent, you can help your dog control this tendency and train them to be more sociable.

You can always seek the advice from one of our team and get the root of this behavior and map out ways to control your dog.

2. Digging

Digging is another natural behavior for dogs, and there are numerous reasons for this including tracking, hiding, relaxing or hyperactivity.

Dogs will usually do this outside, in the garden however, some dogs will dig inside the house. For example, they’ll scratch a blanket or a bed sheet before they lie down.

For some pups, this behavior is normal, and they do it mostly before taking a nap. But digging inside the house can damage furniture, sometimes injuring the dog too.

If you are not able to control your pooch, consult us to help your dog overcome this behavior.

3. Eating Poop

Does your dog ever poop, and then try to eat it? It’s pretty disgusting and as a dog parent, it can be a little overwhelming.

Your pup may eat poop as they have seen their mothers cleaning them up by doing this, or they might be curious about how it tastes. However, they may also do this out of fear, in an attempt to hide from a potential threat by hiding their trace.

Though hard to believe, dogs also eat poop due to nutritional deficiency in their diet. To correct this behavior of your dog, make sure they are getting all nutrients in the correct proportion. You can find nutrient supplements in our convenient store.

4. Circling

Dogs are often seen running in circles, chasing their tail or leash. If they do this once in a while it’s normal, but the repetitive behavior of dogs running in circles indicates that there is a much bigger problem.

Dogs who are not able to stop circling might be suffering from severe health issues such as ear infections. In older dogs, circling can be due to idiopathic vestibular syndrome. In the worst scenarios, dogs circling can also be at risk of cancer or tumor.

If your dog has been circling regularly, then it might be best to consult us to see if there is an underlying health condition

5. Excessive Panting

Panting is a natural behavior for dogs, they do this to expel body heat through their mouth.

However, if excessive panting is taking place, there are some underlying health-related issues that you need to consider.

Generally, dogs pant to regulate the temperature in their body. Observe your pooch while he pants. Make sure you keep your dog well hydrated, especially during summers. However, if you feel contacting with one of our team may bring you some relief, do not hesitate.

6. Doing The Toilet Inside The House

Uh-oh, you’ve come home to a present from your dog. Young dogs might pee or poop inside, and at that age, it can be tolerated. But if you have a grown-up dog, this could be troublesome.

If your dog is housetrained, then they might be marking their territory, or they might be anxious, fearful or excited.

If you are having trouble with this, then seek expert advice from one of our team, to figure out how to tackle this behavior.

7. Growling

Growling is one of the most common ways for a dog to show aggression. Other signs of aggression are showing teeth, lunging, and biting. Dogs usually do this when they see another dog or animal as a threat.

Some dogs get a bad reputation as “ferocious”, however, this is not necessarily true. Aggression is often down to lack of socialization, or a disturbing background such as an abusive owner, or time spent in a shelter.

If you find that your dog is showing signs of aggression then it is something that you can help them deal with, but it might be a good idea to contact us.

8. Excessive Barking

Dogs often bark to alert you to a stranger or situation, and they may also express themselves via howling and whining. However, when they do so in excess, this can indicate an underlying behavioral issue.

They may be barking to experience fear, anxiety, boredom, to communicate or to seek attention. Once you understand the underlying reason for your dogs barking you can then move towards alleviating this stressor.

It may take some time, but it is worth it.

9. Destructive Instinct

As puppies, dogs are often destructive and will destroy furniture, doors and wallpaper. They should grow out of this, however, if they don’t then it may be due to an underlying behavioral issue.

This is often a sign of separation anxiety, and dogs can experience this when their human leaves them for a period of time. They may also have anxiety as a result of moving home, or a change in schedule or a change in family situation ie. a new baby arrives.

This anxiety often triggers their instinct to escape, and this may result in them destroying furniture or other things in your home.

So, what can you do about this?

You will need to teach your dog that separation is temporary. You can start small and leave them in a room alone, while you are still in the house. You can then build this up, so they are used to staying alone for long periods of time.

How Can You Help Improve Your Dog’s behavior?

So, what do you do if your dog is exhibiting these behaviors?

The first step is observing these behaviors. Is it something that they do once in a while, or has it become a regular and compulsive behavior?

Once you understand this, you can take steps to control the behavior. For example, if your dog is doing the toilet inside the house you can teach them to do it in a designated area or outside.

It’s also worth consulting us, as we will help ensure that there are no underlying health issues, and can give you guidance on what to do to overcome a behavioral issue.

What NOT To Do If Your Dog Is Misbehaving...

Your dog is not deliberately misbehaving. Their actions are a result of their genetic predisposition and upbringing. So, while their behavioral issues may be frustrating, you should not shout, scold or beat your dog. It will not help them and actually may even worsen the behavioral issue.

Know Everything You Need To Know?

All dogs are different, and each will show different behaviors. It’s important to understand whether they are sporadically displaying these behaviors, or whether it has become a regular occurrence.

Once you understand this, then you can take steps to reduce or eliminate these behaviors. We recommend that you consult us if your dog is displaying consistent “bad” behaviors so that you can take action to improve both your wellbeing and theirs.

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