Understanding 9 Common Dog Behaviors and the Reasons Behind Them

Understanding 9 Common Dog Behaviors and the Reasons Behind Them

Here are some weird and common things dogs do and the rationale for why they do them.

1. Chasing Its Tail

Tail-chasing is often playful, especially if your dog is young. Many dogs chase their tails because they’re getting to know their bodies, see them as a chew toys, or because it’s a nervous habit. However, if your dog does it for long periods or frequently, it can cause an injury or mean something more serious. Take your dog to the vet to check if they’re chasing its tail frequently to rule out a medical issue.

2. Spinning in Circles

This behavior may seem funny and sometimes harmless, but it can also be a sign of medical issues, anxiety, or other problems. It’s normal for dogs to circle in their beds or around blankets before sleeping to ensure they’re comfortable or spin in circles before going to the bathroom. Visit the vet if your dog frequently spins, particularly if it’s elderly—spinning could mean a memory, hearing, vision, or neurological issue—or if your dog spins in stressful situations, it signals anxiety.

3. Running Around After Pooping

The Veterinarian community isn’t entirely sure about the why behind this behavior, but there are a few theories. Your dog might be marking its territory, as dogs have scent glands in their paws (this also explains kicking after pooping, which many dog owners assume is covering up the mess). Or, they might just feel free and relieved, so they get the dog zoomies. We might never know, but puppy zoomies are nothing to worry about.

4. Eating Poop

The question has long puzzled dog owners everywhere—why do dogs eat poop? It could be a learned behavior, but also a sign that they lack nutrients.

Traditional kibble often doesn’t contain easily digestible ingredients, and dogs may not be able to fully absorb the nutrients in their food. So, if they’re eating their poop, it can be an attempt to regain those nutrients.

5. Rolling in Gross Things

What makes a dog want to roll in the garbage, poop, or dead animals?

Well, like running around after pooping—and a lot of funny dog stuff—there are a lot of theories, but none are certain. Dogs could be doing it to mask their scent or because what smells terrible to us might smell different (and good) to them.

6. Digging Holes

You spend a lot of time maintaining your lawn, only to go outside and find your dog halfway into a crater they’ve been digging. Why is my dog digging holes all of a sudden? It might be frustrating for you, but for them, it’s perfectly natural. They might simply be following their instincts or denning, a behavior common in breeds such as Huskies.

Digging holes can also result from wanting to escape the yard or something they fear, hearing moles or bugs under the ground (if your dog is digging holes in random parts of your yard, this might be the case), wanting to cool off in hot weather, or wanting to stash away food or treats.

In some cases, dogs might be missing key minerals in their diet and seeking them from the soil, which brings us to…

7. Eating Dirt

It’s common for dogs to eat dirt every once in a while—it’s a way of exploring their surroundings, especially if they’re digging holes. In rare cases, it could mean your dog is anemic or has pica, an eating disorder in which animals are compelled to eat things that aren’t food (such as paper, grass, or even rocks).

Pica can develop for many reasons, from boredom to thyroid conditions to nutritional imbalances. Boredom causes dogs to seek an outlet for excess energy, and nutritional imbalances can result from a lack of digestive enzymes, difficulties with digestion, or a diet that doesn’t include enough essential nutrients. If you notice your dog compulsively eating dirt (or anything else that isn’t their food), talk to your vet to determine whether there’s an underlying health issue.

8. Licking or Biting Paws

Like many behaviors, licking paws can be normal. Nonstop licking or chewing on paws to the point of red spots, though, is cause for concern. These behaviors result from a wide variety of causes—they could mean boredom, anxiety, dry skin, pain or arthritis, or allergies. Licking dry skin is a dog’s attempt at reliving dryness. Allergies or injuries could cause discomfort or itchy skin, causing dogs to react by licking.

Since there are so many potential causes of compulsive licking or chewing, check with your vet once you notice it.

9. Licking Tile Floors or Scratching Carpet

If your dog does this, they could be trying to pick up crumbs you happened to drop, but licking tile floors can signal anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, or a deficiency of vitamins or minerals in your dog’s diet. Licking floor tiles made of clay, in particular, could signal that specific nutrients are lacking in your dog’s diet, as the tiles may smell like the minerals they’re missing. Make sure they’re getting the vitamins and minerals they need, and talk to your vet if the licking becomes a regular issue.

If you’re wondering, why do dogs scratch the carpet? Scratching the carpet may be a sign of boredom or anxiety. If your dog is excited, it may be scratching the carpet to relieve some of that pent-up energy. Try to find a creative way for your dog to stay busy such as playing brain games or make a homemade muffin tin puzzle feeder toy with some Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Treats inside.

Give Your Dog the Right Nutrients

Many of these behaviors are caused by nutrient deficiencies, so reevaluating your dog’s diet or adding supplements or healthy treats high in protein are good ways to prevent some of these issues. And it’s never a bad idea to talk to your vet if your dog is doing something a little too weird for your liking. Read more pet info here, or check out our products to help add more nutrients to your dog’s diet.

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