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9 Weird Dog Behaviors Explained

In this video, we will talk about 9 strange things dogs do and explain the meaning behind them.Why dogs sniff before they poopFor dogs, pooping and peeing are effective methods of communication. Dogs mark their territory by eliminating waste and your dog’s chosen potty spot sends other dogs a message about where they’ve been and what they’ve been doing. It can also inform other dogs if there is an incoming threat. Why dogs dig their bed or floorA dog’s wild ancestors scratched at piles of leaves, dirt and pine needles to create a comfortable mound of bedding to rest. Many domesticated dogs still retain this behavior; By scratching or digging the floor or their bed, your pup may actually be trying to create a snug nest to sleep.Bed-scratching is also a territorial behavior. Dogs have glands in their paws that leave a distinctive scent on bedding or other objects they scratch. bed-scratching is also part of canine maternal instinct. If your female dog is getting ready to have her puppies, her bed-scratching behavior will suddenly increase. She’s making a nest for the arrival of her new pups to keep them warm and safe.Why dogs carry stick on walksDogs like to carry sticks on walks and back home due to their instinctual desire to retrieve things.As hunting animals, dogs were traditionally bred to ‘retrieve’ their catch and deliver them to their owner. Dogs also like sticks because sticks feel like bones to a dog, and chewing them is satisfying. Why dogs pee when excited or submissiveMany dog owners mistake submissive and excitement urination as a house-training problem when they are actually involuntary behavioral issues. During times of high excitement, your puppy may dribble or squirt small amounts of urine.  Dogs also urinate in an attempt to communicate a submissive status to a person or animal. Likewise, if your dog is scared, shocked, suspicious, or anxious about their surroundings or the individuals around, they may urinate in response to convey that they are not a threatWhy dogs lick pawsDogs typically lick their paws as a part of self-grooming. But if your dog licks their paws too much, or begins licking suddenly and only on one paw, inspect the tops and bottoms of the feet, the nail beds and toenails. Look for foreign objects, bruises, cuts, swelling, bleeding, redness, crusting, scabs, broken nails. Your dog may have irritated their paw by stepping on something sharp, walking on a hot sidewalk.Excessive paw-licking could also due to food allergies or parasite infections.Why dogs sighDogs may sigh to signal contentment after a rewarding action. Like when they have had their playtime, or when they’ve eaten their favorite meal. Dogs also sigh to signal the exhaustion of their efforts when they are disappointed. Like when they’ve begged for food throughout dinnertime without a payoff.Why dogs eat poopWhen a mother gives birth to her puppies,  a mother will eat the puppy’s feces to keep their new home clean. Eating fecal droppings is also a way of obtaining key nutrients. While we may view poop as dangerous, it’s not as scary as we think. Healthy poop often contains harmless bacteria, water, and some undigested food. Some dogs find horse manure and goose droppings particularly appealing. This is because the manure of herbivores is full of enzymes and partially digested protein, which can be beneficial for a dog’s digestive system.If your dog is eating poop, there might be some nutrients missing from their diet. Sometimes switching to a healthier dog food diet is the best way to fix a stool eating problem.Some dogs may also start to eat their own poop because of environmental stress or anxiety. Why dogs run awayDogs may run away because they love nothing more than being active, sniffing around and exploring. Dogs also run in an attempt to answer nature’s call, like searching for a mate or chase a prey. Of course, many dogs are spooked by sudden loud noises like fireworks, thunderstorms and they run away to get away to protect themselves.  Why dogs throw upA dog may throw up simply because he’s eaten something disagreeable or gobbled down too much food, too fast. Dogs may also throw up because of food allergies, a sudden change in their diet, ingestion of too much fatty or buttery food, or even motion sickness due to riding in a car.But vomiting can also indicate something far more serious. Your dog may have swallowed a toxic substance, or may be suffering from a condition that requires immediate medical attention. Frequent or chronic vomiting can be a sign of a more serious condition. If your dog’s vomiting is not an isolated incident, a vet visit is necessary. Why dogs shake their toysDogs’ wild ancestors, wolves, would grab a prey in their mouth and shake aggressively from side-to-side until it was dead. When your dog shakes their toy, they mimic the action wolves use to kill small prey. But make no mistake! This doesn’t mean your pup is aggressive!