Why Does My Dog Do That?

Our dogs can occasionally do things that will leave us scratching our heads. From spinning in circles to kicking up grass, canines have habits that don’t always make sense to people. There are reasonable explanations for most of these behaviors, so here are some of the most popular ones to help clear the air.

Lift His Leg

Urine marks territory. By lifting his leg up, your dog is making himself look bigger. The higher up the marking, the taller and more dominant he seems. That’s getting a leg up!

Kick Up Grass

Your dog could be practicing good hygiene by covering up their mess, but they could be throwing out pheromones and scents to mark their territory and stake their claim.

Go Belly Up

When your dog is taking a snooze and flips on their back, they are just trying to find that perfect spot. Dogs will only roll onto their backs if they are totally comfortable in their environment, so take it as a sign of love.

Sniff Her Rear

Dogs communicate through chemicals, and most of those chemicals are released in the hind end. This strange ritual is a way for dogs to relay important information to one another. This could include fear, anxiety, playfulness, or attraction.

Chase His Tail

However cute it may seem, tail chasing is actually a potential sign of a disorder called CCD. Canine Compulsive Disorder is the dog equivalent of OCD, so if this is a recurring behavior, speak with your vet about the severity and treatment options..

Eat Grass

This could be one of two possibilities. One is that your dog just likes the grass and wants to eat it. The other, more popular possibility is that your dog’s stomach may be upset, and they are trying to clean out their intestinal tract. Eating grass for dogs is much like people eating high fiber foods or salads. Dogs need to get their leafy greens too!

If you ever feel that a recurring behavior could be dangerous or cause potential harm to your pet, speak with your vet or trainer right away.