Have you ever wondered what your beloved dog is thinking or feeling? Surely, you’ve caught your furry friend doing something so bizarre that it made you wonder why on earth he/she is doing that. Although they don’t really speak our language, dogs do communicate with their human companions in other ways. From the position of their ears to the movement of their tails, they give us many clues that can reveal their feelings and intentions. Understanding how to read those signals will not only help you strengthen your bond with them, but it will also give you an idea of how your canine companion is feeling, allowing you to better care for them.
Your dog’s temperament also affects how they behave and communicate. As the lifelong dog lovers at https://www.dogtemperament.com/ explain, a dog’s breed can sometimes be an accurate indicator of their temperament. So to understand them better, you should learn to recognize your dog’s inherent traits as well as their specific behaviors.
To help you be the best dog parent you can be, here are some common canine behaviors explained in human terms.
1. Tail Wagging
This is perhaps the most common behavior displayed by dogs. You’ll usually see your pup wagging their tail uncontrollably when they greet you at the door after you come back home from work, and also when they spot their favorite treat, food, or toy. Dogs typically express their happiness and excitement by wagging their tails. However, you need to pay attention to the way your pup is wagging their tail. If it’s moving sideways in long strokes, then they are happy, but if their tail is moving in short and fast strokes, it might be a sign of aggression.
2. Inappropriate Urination and Defecation
It is rather unusual to see your dog urinating or defecating inside when they’re house trained by https://barksinthepark.co/. Canine behavior doesn’t usually change out of the blue or for no reason, so if your trained dog suddenly begins to urinate in the house, this can be a sign that something is wrong with them. Your furry friend may be trying to express their unhappiness for being left alone or their dissatisfaction with certain things like a change in their diet, for example. If this behavior is recurring, it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, so consult with your vet if the problem persists.
3. Howling
Dogs can sometimes howl at the most inconvenient and annoying times. There are many possible reasons behind that; your dog might be trying to warn you about something, signal pain or distress, or communicate with another dog out on the street. Also, your pup can start howling simply because they are bored and have nothing better to do, or as a response to certain sounds like sirens and car horns. If there’s no obvious trigger, though, the howling can indicate that your canine companion is experiencing separation anxiety. It can be good to understand What is Separation Anxiety in Dogs, as it’s more common than people think and certain breeds are more susceptible than others. In that case, this is their way of telling you that they need more love and attention.
4. Sitting at Your Feet
Many dogs like to sit on their owners’ feet or between their legs. This is often mistaken for possessive behavior, however, it is usually a sign of affection. Your dog simply wants to be closer to you, so they lean on your legs or feet. In less common situations, this can be a sign of nervousness or fear, and your dog is just trying to feel safe by staying close to you.
5. Tail Chasing
Seeing your dog spinning in circles chasing their tail is usually no cause for concern. This is a common, playful behavior. However, excessive tail chasing can indicate a health or behavioral problem. If your pup is chewing or biting their tail when they catch it, then they may have a problem with their anal glands or skin. Constant and intense tail chasing can also be a sign of an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Most dog owners don’t know that OCD affects canines, but in some cases, it does. If the tail-chasing feels unnatural to you, be sure to discuss it with your vet.
You and your dog may speak different languages, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t understand each other. Even the biggest dog lover will find themselves dumbfounded at their pup’s behavior at one point or another. So, the next time you’re observing your furry friend, keep an eye out for the flick of their tail, or the tone of their bark. These clues are worth a thousand words in the dog world. Besides strengthening your bond, understanding canine behavior will also help you spot any possible behavioral problems or health issues that require your attention. In short, understanding your dog’s behaviors will help you become a better dog owner in more ways than one.
