Curious Canine Behaviors Explained

Why do dogs lick faces so furiously? 

There are a few explanations for this behavior. The first is instinct. Puppies used to have to lick their mother's mouth to get food from her mouth. Your dog might lick your mouth when it's hungry, hoping it will get food in return. Another explanation is that mothers lick their babies when they are born. This bonding experience becomes instilled in your puppy and he will do the same with you to strengthen your bond. Lastly, licking is a sign of submission. He is letting you know that you are the boss while he licks your face. (eHow)

Why does my dog curl up in a ball when he sleeps?

A dog's instinct is to sleep in the curled-up position. Their ancestors would dig a nest and curl up in this position when they were cold at night. Just like cuddling, curling up in a ball provides warmth and conserves body heat. If you think he might be cold, give your dog an extra blanket. If you think he feels uncomfortable, try to familiarize his surroundings. (Huff Post) 

My dog sometimes pees when he is petted by guests who come and visit the house. Is he scared? Am I giving him too much water? What gives?

Dogs pee when they get excited and when they are scared. It is in their genes to live in a hierarchical group, and in this case, they consider humans to be their pack leaders. Submissive dogs and puppies tend to pee when they interact with humans who just got home, who have returned from going outside, or in your situation, when guests come over to the house. The message they are delivering is, "You are my superior. I am not a threat." This behavior should not be punished and can only be fixed by building your dog's confidence and independence. One way to do so is ignoring your dog upon arrival as to not overexcite him. The less excited your dog gets, the less likely he is to pee everywhere. Take him outside when guests come to greet him and reward him when he pees outdoors. (Pets.ca)

My dog inhales his food when he eats. I feed him enough, so I know he's not starving. What do I do?

If your dog has excessive eating behavior, it should be curbed immediately. Speed-eating can lead to gagging or choking. This behavior can stem from as early as nursing, when puppies had to compete for their meal. This behavior can be brought into the household where there are other animals in the home, but can also happen when he is the only pet. There are several ways to deal with this problem. One method is to place an object that is too big to swallow, like a toy or a ball, with the food. Your pet will then have to eat around it. Another way to partition the food is by placing a smaller bowl upside down inside the larger bowl. An easy way to deal with this problem is by feeding your pet small meals throughout the day, so that large amounts cannot be consumed all at the same time. (petMD)

Why does my dog lean on me?

While some would have you believe that your dog is trying to dominate or manipulate you, the truth is that it's probably due to affection-seeking behavior. It's no surprise that dogs love to cuddle and it doesn't matter whether you're standing up or slouched on the couch; your dog will find a way to be close to you. (Vetstreet)

Why does my dog spontaneously run around the house and have random bouts of energy? I don't get it. 

According to Vetstreet, this activity is called FRAP: frenetic random activity period. FRAPS are more common among puppies and young dogs, but even an old dog can somethings have bursts of energy and will zoom around the house. This is only truly problematic if your house is small and your dog is large. If there is a certain time of day your dog likes to zoom around, perhaps you should consider taking him out for a walk or going outside to exert some of that extra energy. Although FRAPs are totally normal and OK, the behavior should not be rewarded.

Why does my dog chew her paws?

When dogs chew their paws, it is typically a sign that they are itchy. This could be due to fleas or ticks or an allergic reaction to food or the environment. If you fear that the paw chewing could be due to something more serious, Petfinder says you should consider a more serious medical condition called nail-bed infection. Dogs can get a yeast infection of the nail-beds. Dogs who are infected will show a dark red discoloration at the base of their nails. The skin around the nails will also be irritated. However, if there is no underlying medical cause, a behavioral medication should be discussed with your veterinarian. (Petfinder)

Why do dogs have whiskers?

Rats and cats aren't the only animals with whiskers. If you look closely enough, your dog has some too. And unlike men, they actually provide function. They are much more rigid than other hairs on their body and at the base of each are a high concentration of touch sensitive neurons. The vibrissae, or whisker, serve as a warning device. If it touches a wall, the dog will know that if it keeps walking, it will collide into an object. In addition, dogs use it for object recognition. It helps them read and get to know things, like toys or people. For this reason, it is important to advise your groomer to not cut the whiskers off. (Psychology) 

 Do dogs actually hate cats? 

Dogs do not actually dislike cats. They do, however, lead very different social styles. Cats are much more independent while dogs tend to be much more social. When a dog first meets a cat, its first instinct is to rush up and inspect the cat. Cats perceive dogs as predators. It may take a while to get used to the other species, but once they overcome the huge misunderstanding of animal communication, they can easily become the best of friends. (Sarah's Dogs)

Why does my dog eat grass?