Weird behavior? 6 reasons why your dog might hide or act strangely

You should be concerned if your dog is staring or licking air without any reason. Dogs are goofy, fun, and curious but not unintelligent. When you observe weird behavior, it’s usually for a good reason.

If you see your dog acting weird, there’s a high chance your dog’s facing an issue. He is not at ease.

Below, we’ve listed six reasons dogs may act weird and how you can address their situation effectively.

Let’s check out typical weird behavior and what it means.

Your dog is sick

Most dogs don’t display any negative signs when faced with health problems. They may suddenly become clingier and require massive amounts of attention.

They may want to spend the day in your lap or sleep in unusual places (i.e., closer to where you spend your time). 

Some dogs may become grumpy, antisocial, or cranky. Or they may even refuse to eat or drink.

What to do about it?

If you see your pup exhibiting these signs out of the blue, you should take it to the vet.

When your dog is in pain, they can’t tell you what’s wrong. So, it’s best to take them to a vet who can help to determine if health issues cause the behavior change.

Environmental disturbances

Animals are most stable when kept and bred under a routine. If there are changes in their routine activities, place of living, or diet, they may become anxious or stressed. 

And when anxious and stressed, you may see your dog:

● Yawning a lot

● Avoiding eye contact

● Panting

● Lip-licking

● Tucking ears and tail 

What to do about it?

Check out what you’ve changed and work to stabilize it. If you can reverse the changes, that’d be great.

But you should spend time with your dog to soothe him if you cannot. Be kind and help him get accustomed to the changes. With that said, avoid degrading the quality of food you serve to your dog.

Most dog breeds appreciate the company of other dogs. This explains why outdoor walks are essential to your dog’s routine.

However, if you keep your dog indoors and isolated, it’s likely to develop negative behavioral patterns. You might find your dog becoming aggressive, shy, or fearful around other humans or animals.

Lack of socialization may even cause depression spells. You may witness your dog develop irregular sleeping and eating patterns, or it may refuse to play.

At times, negative or traumatic socialization experiences can have the same effect.

For example, if your dog is chased and teased by kids, it may find it safer to hide when kids are around. 

What to do about it?

Monitor and lead your dog’s socialization experiences. Make sure it spends time with friendly dogs and animals.

If you witness bullying amongst animals, separate your dog and introduce him to a new circle.

Similarly, keep a keen eye on its experiences with humans. Ensure that your furry pal is treated well, particularly as a pup.

Your dog is growing old

Aging can mess with your dog’s body. Older dogs may develop diseases and disorders that may cause them to develop behavioral changes.

You may find your older dog sleeping during the day and staying awake at night.

Consequently, boredom is associated with behavioral changes. It may bark excessively, urinate or defecate in the home, or chew on furniture. 

What to do about it?

If your old dog acts strange, bring it to the vet to treat the underlying illness or problem.

Genetic issues

Some dogs inherit weird behaviors from their parents and lineage. For example, a husky may be fond of digging holes in the mud despite being a pet dog.

That’s because denning may have been a common practice amongst its ancestors.

Similarly, some dogs may be rebellious and do the exact opposite of your instructions. 

What to do about it?

Consider the dog’s breed before adopting it. Check out its history. Also, visit its parents and assess their temperament. If it’s positive and calm, adopting the dog is safe.

Insufficient mental stimulation

Dogs need physical activity and mental stimulation.

When dogs don’t have enough to do or occupy their minds and bodies, they invent things, such as chasing a cat, dispersing neatly lined toys (even when not playing), or tearing up the couch.

What to do about it?

Use dog puzzles and toys that could keep your dog occupied while you’re away.

Alternatively, you can get a companion.

Final words on canine weird behavior

You now know the six reasons your dog may be acting weird. However, we ask you not to overthink the situation.

Know that it’s common for dogs to roll in dead things, pull on the leash, growl when threatened, guard food and bones, and more.

Before you stress yourself, ensure that you’ve educated yourself enough on the normal-weird behavior of dogs.

So, you can distinguish it from weird-weird behavior and take necessary measures accordingly.

Shawn Mack is a content writer who offers ghostwriting, copywriting, and blogging services. His educational background in the business and technical fields has given him a broad base to approach many topics. He also likes writing engaging articles on technology & digital marketing-related issues. 

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