Inside your dog’s mind: Decipher 6 odd behaviors for a happier pet

Dogs are goofy, fun, curious, and intelligent. 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.

You should be concerned if your dog is staring or licking air without any reason.

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, as a responsible pet parent, it’s best to take them to a vet who can help 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.

Lack of socialization

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 you treat your furry pal well, especially when they are 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.

Your dog 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.

Dogs get bored and find ways to entertain themselves, like chasing cats, organizing toys, or destroying furniture.

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 to help improve your dog’s mental health.

Exercise and mental stimulation prevent weird behavior

Regular exercise and mental stimulation are crucial for dogs’ physical and mental well-being. They help dogs stay in shape and prevent or alleviate weird behavior.

Due to their natural activity levels, dogs need plenty of exercise to avoid behavioral issues like barking, chewing, and hyperactivity.

Moreover, exercise is beneficial for a dog’s mental health. 

Like humans, dogs experience stress and anxiety, which can manifest in various strange behaviors. 

Exercise releases endorphins — the feel-good hormones — that can help reduce stress levels in dogs. 

A tired dog is happy, and regular exercise can significantly improve their overall mood and temperament.

However, physical activity alone is insufficient to stimulate your dog mentally. 

Dogs need mental stimulation just as much as they need physical exercise. 

Mental stimulation engages their brains and keeps them occupied, preventing frustration and boredom-related behaviors like chewing on furniture or digging up the yard.

There are several ways to provide mental stimulation for your furry friend. One way is through interactive toys such as puzzle feeders or treat-dispensing toys. These toys require your dog to use problem-solving skills to access their treats, keeping their minds engaged while satisfying their instinct to hunt for food.

Another way to stimulate your dog’s mind is through obedience training and teaching new tricks. These strengthen the bond between you and your pet and give them a sense of accomplishment when they learn something new.

Regular exercise and mental stimulation help alleviate existing behavioral problems in dogs, in addition to preventing unwanted behaviors. 

For example, if your dog tends to be anxious or fearful around other dogs or people, going on regular walks together can help desensitize them to these triggers and improve their socialization skills.

Training reduces weird behavior risk

Training a dog can be challenging when dealing with unwanted behaviors, but using positive reinforcement techniques is effective and humane. 

This method involves understanding your dog’s motivations and rewarding desired behaviors while redirecting or ignoring undesirable ones. 

This training approach emphasizes consistency, timing, and reinforcing good behavior. 

It promotes a healthy relationship between owner and pet, leading to a happier and well-behaved dog.

Final words on canine weird behavior

Now you 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, it’s critical for dog owners to ensure that they’ve educated themselves enough on the normal-weird behavior of dogs.

That way, you can distinguish that behavior from genuinely weird behavior and take the necessary steps.

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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