Is my dog normal? 5 odd behaviors explained.
Let’s face it- sometimes our dogs can be weirdos. Thankfully, most of this behavior, while being potentially awkward, is generally harmless. We’ve listed below the five most common odd canine behaviors and give you some tips on when these habits become worrisome.
Scooting
You know the dance- your dog plants his butt on the floor and then proceeds to drag it in a an odd shuffle. This scooting is generally normal as dogs will drag their bottoms to clean off any excess stool after going to the bathroom. If your dog starts to drag his butt regularly, take him to the vet. Frequent scooting may be a sign of internal parasites.
Reverse Sneezing
If your dog has done this before, you know it’s rather a dis-concerning sight. A reverse sneeze actually sounds and looks more like chocking then a sneeze, and is repetitive, lasting at times past a minute. Although watching this happen is terrifying and can make you feel pretty helpless, a reverse sneeze is actually normal. Your dog will experience this when something irritates his throat causing a spasm (the reverse sneeze), which usually culminates in an actual sneeze to dislodge the irritant. An effective remedy is to momentarily cover your dogs nostrils so he is forced to swallow, clearing out the irritant in his throat. If your dog does this frequently take them to the vet, they may be allergic to something in their environment.
Tail Chasing
It’s perfectly normal when puppies and younger dogs chase their own tails (and pretty adorable too)- this is just one of the ways they test out their physical boundaries. If you notice that yours is compulsively chasing his tail and can not be distracted, even with something as enticing as a treat, you should take him to the vet. Certain breeds are more prone to compulsive disorders and may need behavior modification training or medication.
Rolling in the Garbage
Stuff that we’d like to sidestep , garbage, decaying matter, etc.. make our dogs want to roll around and get comfy in it. Dogs generally do this out of an instinct to cover their own scent from predators, but unless you are living next to a bear cave, this instinct is basically useless. The best practice for this behavior is to immediately leash your pet and steer clear of any smelly matter the second you spot it.
Herding
Lots of dogs are herding types that end up sticking out in a pack like a sore thumb. Rather then play chase with the other dogs or fetch balls, if they had it their way, they would bark at other dogs, ducks, squirrels, and children for hours. While this is loud and slightly annoying it is perfectly normal for those types of breeds. If it is excessive you might want to try some behavioral modification.
No matter the crazy, weird or wacky things our pups do we love them no matter what!
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