Tag: Dog Behavior
As pet parents, we are always trying to figure out dog behavior. While we can often interpret their mannerisms once we get to know our dogs, let’s face it: Sometimes they’re just plain weird! Some common dog behaviors, including relentlessly digging up your yard, barking, howling, or baying, can confuse pet owners.
If you ask yourself what is my dog doing? You’re not alone. Decoding weird things dogs do has kept experts and novices alike busy for centuries. Thankfully, we can unravel some of the weird things dogs do.
Breeds like the terrier group have a crazy love of digging and can quickly litter your yard with potholes. Beyond instinct, dogs dig for many reasons, including shelter from the elements, to escape stress, out of boredom, or simply to bury their favorite bone.
The reasons behind a dog’s barking, howling, or baying can be challenging to identify. However, dog vocalizations are instinctual; they can express your dog’s emotions like fear, loneliness, annoyance, and excitement. Barking can be a response to physical pain, an alarming situation, or merely your dog seeking your attention. In contrast, melodic howling is often a reaction to high-pitched sounds like sirens. Hounds are known for baying during a hunt to notify other dogs and hunters of their location.
Want to know more about weird things dogs do? The BarxBuddy blog is filled with dog behavior articles that enlighten inquisitive dog owners on topics such as barking and training. While here, check out our collection of dog necessities and accessories, including our ultrasonic training tool in the BarxBuddy Shop.
Which Dogs Are the Most Anxious Dog Breeds?
List of Dog Breeds Prone to Anxiety Is your dog a "Nervous Nelly?" Does she seem excessively apprehensive or uneasy around strange people or animals, loud noises, or car rides? It's likely she suffers from anxiety, which all dogs experience every now and then. Some dog breeds tend to be more prone to high levels of anxiety, as well as to separation anxiety, which is a common behavioral problem among dogs, especially newly adopted dogs,...Read more
Dog Park Etiquette: Tips for Dogs and Their People
Dog parks can be one of the most fun social experiences for dogs, as they are able to play with others without leashes or constraints. It’s a perfect weekend activity to wear out your pup while also meeting some fellow dog owners. However, before going to a park, make sure both you and your dog are prepared. In this guide, we’ll be going over basic dog park etiquette, as well as dog park tips for...Read more
What’s the Deal With Dogs Hating on Mailmen? How to Stop Dogs from Attacking Postal Workers
Does your dog go postal whenever the mailman arrives? Your dog jumps up and down, barks at the window like a crazed canine, all the while keeping a keen eye on the approaching postman. Why, why, why? What IS the deal with dogs and mailmen? Why Do Dogs Hate the Mailman? It's not just the mailmen that bring out the worst in dogs; it could be the UPS and FedEx drivers or any other delivery person...Read more
‘My Dog is Extremely Annoying’ — How to Live With a Dog That Constantly Wants Attention
You've got the cutest, yet most annoying dog on the planet. You know what we're talking about. Every time you turn around, your pet is begging for attention. You can't go an hour without playing a fetch game with a slobber-drenched tennis ball. That is a tough demand to meet, especially if you work from home. If your dog constantly wants attention, don't lose your cool, yell or scold your dog. You'll confuse your dog....Read more
Dog, Meet Cat! Introducing a New Dog to Your Home (and Existing Pets)
Yes, dogs tend to be social creatures and enjoy being around fellow canines. But they’re also territorial and some breeds are very protective. The reality is, introducing a new dog into your home with existing pets, whether cats or dogs, can be stressful for all involved, including animals. You set the tone for how well your animals adapt to each other. Get stressed out, and you’ll pass that on to your pets. Take a few...Read more
Moving With a Dog? How to Settle a Dog Into Your New House
Is moving stressful for dogs? If moving to a new home is one of the most stressful life events for humans, think about how it feels for a dog, who has no idea what's going on! Read on for tips for moving with a dog -- before, during and after you relocate. Does Moving Stress Out Dogs? Yeah, it does, especially if it stresses you out. So, a dog freaking out in a new home...Read more
Why Does My Dog … 8 Interesting Questions People Ask Google About Dogs
Y'ever look at what Google suggests when you ask a question about a dog? We do! Here are eight of the most "interesting" suggestions, along with our best answers to dog questions. Related: Why Is My Dog Barking at Me? 7 Reasons Dogs Bark Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons? While in utero, all mammals, including humans and dogs, are attached to their mothers' placentas by an umbilical cord. After birth, the umbilical is no longer...Read more
Do Dogs Bark At A Full Moon? (Fact or Fiction)
The earth's moon has been the catalyst for boundless myths and theories, including the one that says a full moon influences the physical and mental well-being of people and animals. Centuries-old stories hold that a full moon can cause even the sanest to lose their minds, while others claim a full moon drives wolves to howl endlessly. Research, however, indicates both are fiction. But, wait, what's that you say about dogs? You swear your pet...Read more
Best (and Worst) Guard Dog Breeds for Families, Singles, Apartments and More
It's true: Not all dogs make the best guard dogs. There are the naturally protective breeds that would lay down their lives for their humans; then there are breeds that would just lay down, roll over and welcome strangers with delight. What are the top guard dog breeds? Does the size of the dog matter? Here we look at which breeds excel at protecting and those that don't. Some dog breeds might not make for...Read more
Where Should a Dog Sleep at Night? Is it Bad to Sleep With Your Dog?
To sleep or not to sleep with your dog — that is the question for many first-time pet parents. Although this dilemma isn’t exactly a Shakesperian drama, bed-sharing with your pets has plenty of impassioned devotees — and, naysayers. Why do dog owners in the United States have apprehension about letting their dogs sleep in the same bed? It comes down to a lack of information and perhaps some outdated beliefs. This uncertainty in pet...Read more
Is Your Dog Happy? 6 Signs of Happiness in Dogs
Does your dog smile at you? Do you see the joy in your dog's face? Pet parents often wonder if their dogs are happy and whether they can feel emotions like people do. Yes, it would be great if we could speak dog or read their minds to learn how their day is going. However, an easier, more realistic approach to gauging a dog's happiness is to watch their body language. Here are five signs...Read more
Do Dogs Ever Get Tired of Barking? Nope, Says Every Dog Everywhere
In the summer of 2020, a simple question went viral on Twitter: “Do dogs get tired of barking?” unbelievable pic.twitter.com/P4yBCeoAZw— vessence (@faporizer) June 25, 2020 “Unbelievable,” tweeted the poster, who shared a meme that says, “do dogs get tired of barking” followed by the obvious answer: “Dogs do not get tired of barking.” We aren’t sure if the post was “unbelievable” because it’s true or because … don’t we all know that dogs never get...Read more
The Truth About Dog Kissing: How Dirty Is a Dog’s Mouth?
Aren't dog kisses the best? You can walk away with slightly damp cheeks or a full-on dripping face ... but so worth it. A dog's love is unconditional, and a dog kiss is merely one way they show affection for their humans. While the slobbery sweet nothings are hard to resist, you might want to rethink kissing dogs. Let's face it: We are oh-so cautious when kissing people (especially those we don't know), but when...Read more
Weird Things Dogs Do and What They Mean — Interpreting Dog Body Language
They may be man's best friend, but that doesn't mean we understand all the weird things dogs do and what they mean. You know what we're talking about: butt scooting, butt sniffing, and well … how do we put this … humping. These typical dog behaviors have humans scratching their heads and, sometimes, cringing. Chances are, if your dog is doing something weird, there’s a reason. First, figure out why your dog is doing the weird...Read more
Why Dogs Dig, and How to Stop a Dog From Digging
Do you have one of those back yards that resembles moon cheese, thanks to your hyper-digging dog? This rather annoying habit to us humans, aside from destruction, serves many purposes for our canine friends. The good news is, once you identify why your pet digs up your yard like it's a minefield, you can correct this behavior. We've got tips that'll answer the burning questions about why dogs dig and how to stop dogs from...Read more
What is a ‘Velcro Dog’ and How to Stop Clingy Behavior
It's a fact: Dogs love being around their humans. You can't blame them. Humans provide attention, comfort, shelter, and food. At the same time, dogs (and other pets too) provide us comfort, warmth, companionship, and entertainment. While this partnership typically works — it is, after all, why humans domesticated dogs and cats in the first place — there are times when a dog’s attention can feel clingy. That’s a Velcro dog — one that never...Read more
Storm Anxiety: How to Calm a Dog During Thunder, Lightning and Loud Noises
Do you have astraphobia? Does your dog? Astraphobia, which can affect humans and animals, is the abnormal fear of thunder and lightning. One small study reported in the International Journal of Animal Health Development suggests that the majority of dogs suffer to some extent from astraphobia -- 66.66% of dogs in the study showed abnormal fears of thunder and lightning. For most people, the news of an impending storm may cause them to rethink outdoor...Read more
Handle With Care: Adopting and Training Abused Dogs
Any time you walk into an animal shelter, you can find any number of dogs that are desperate for a new home that provides stability, care, and above all else, an abundance of love. For many of these animals, only they know their histories. Some were abandoned, some abused, while others were simply neglected and surrendered to the shelter. While many people fear adopting abused dogs, some make it their life's mission to help those...Read more
List of Online Resources for Dog Lovers
Bookmark These Dog Websites! Our Big List of Online Resources for Dog Lovers Looking for some health information for your dog? Searching for the perfect companion and not sure where to start? Or, maybe you need some pet inspiration? If you're a dog lover and looking for pet resources you've come to the right place. We have gathered several websites that we consider worthy of sharing with you as a pet parent. Best Pet Websites...Read more
Help! My Dog Hates to be Brushed
Are your dog grooming sessions more like a battle of wills? You, the responsible pet owner, have brush in hand ready to work the gnarly tangles out of her coat. Meanwhile, your dog stands defiant and would just assume to bite your face off than endure a grooming session? What to do if your dog hates to be brushed ... Before you throw in the brush (see what we did there?), there are a few...Read more