20/07/2025
QUIRKY DOGGY BEHAVIOURS
Because our fur babies can't talk, to help us understand them better, it's essential to know what they are trying to tell us through their behaviour.
Many strange behaviours are instinctual or evolutionary; some are well known, while others are not.
Head Tilting: Dogs have a keener sense of hearing than people and can detect frequencies and sounds that escape us. The advantage we humans have is that we can easily detect the direction from which a sound has come, regardless of its source. In comparison, a dog's directional hearing is more limited. For example, dogs have ear flaps called pinnas that partially or entirely cover the ear canal and serve as a barrier to sound, so pups must change their head position to optimise sound detection. The pinna is movable, allowing the dog to make the necessary adjustments to focus on the exact location of the sound.
Rolling in the grass: Originally, rolling around in the grass was a way to rub scents into their fur, which, for a dog's ancestors, was a great way to conceal their natural scent and appear less conspicuous while hunting prey. Doggos use scent to pick up trails of prey or communicate with other dogs. So, if your dog is rolling in the grass, it may be about picking up a scent, covering an odour, or leaving its own scent behind.
Rolling on the grass can also serve as a self-grooming session, removing any dirt or loose fur trapped in their coats.
Suppose something smelly is on the grass, such as a dead animal or insect, a high concentration of urine or musk smell, they're likely rolling in it to cover their scent. Even though we think it is disgusting, dogs love foul odours. Alternatively, some aromas we find appealing, such as those in dog shampoos, may smell unpleasant to our dogs; they may want to rub off the fragrance from themselves and lie or roll in the grass.
Of course, it could also be that your dog just appreciates the feeling of rolling in the soft grass.
Why does your dog put its paw on you? The canine touch serves as a way to initiate communication. Dogs use their foot to bridge the communication gap. There are several reasons why a dog tries to communicate using their paws.
Although some dogs don't like the restraint of a hug, they want to make contact with their closest by placing a paw on their friend. We stroke our dogs to show our love and affection; by putting their foot on you whilst you pat them, they are expanding contact and reciprocating affection. Next time your dog puts their paw on you to say "I love you," give them a good head scratch and show Fido some love back. Studies show that dogs have "feel-good" hormones are released during petting sessions.
Your pup may paw you to let you know to keep patting after you stop.
When it's getting close to mealtime, your pooch may need to remind you that they are getting hungry. For example, a hungry pup may paw at your legs, along with a possible nudge of their food bowl.
A naughty dog may throw his paw on you while wearing a guilty face and sad eyes. Pawing you can be a way of asking for forgiveness and showing their submission to you at that
moment.
Kicks the ground after elimination: Kicking the hind legs after relieving themselves is known as ground-scratching and is normal dog behaviour. In the wild, dogs such as wolves, coyotes, dingoes and wild canids have practised this behaviour over the centuries. Studies have shown it is a form of communication, marking their territory and cleaning up; it's not always a warning to "back off" this form of communication also allows doggos to alert other dogs that there aren't any present threats in the area.
The glands in dogs' feet secrete pheromones, and a couple of backward scrapes release those chemicals, thus claiming the
spot.
Burying of objects: In the past, when wild dogs roamed in packs, they hunted for their food and buried carcasses and bones. The dogs were essentially creating natural refrigerators; the dirt prevented other creatures from smelling and finding their bounty, maintained freshness longer by keeping it out of sunlight, and marinated the food with the flavours of the earth.
Today our domesticated dogs haven't lost the urge to protect and conceal items of value. These prized possessions may be treats, toys or even treasures borrowed from their pawrents, and the hiding spots may be in their bed, or ours, in the lounge or somewhere outside.
Why do dogs kick when you give them a belly rub?
If your pooch loves tummy rubs, you've undoubtedly found "the sweet spot" that gets their hind leg kicking. This can happen when you scratch them on the belly, sides, ears and parts of the dog's back—it is known as the scratch reflex- an involuntary reaction.
Under your dog's soft belly skin, there's a complex network of nerves; these nerves send a message to the hind leg via the spinal cord to start kicking. It's a survival instinct; dogs may acquire fleas, ticks, or other critters, and they scratch to try to rid them of what may be a dangerous parasite. To them, it still feels terrific, so keep it up.
Reverse Sneezing
One of our dog's most bizarre behaviours is when your dog "reverse sneezes". Fido reverse sneezes for similar reasons that they usually cough or sneeze to expel an irritant. Suddenly, they suck air into their nose while making a snorting, choking sound; the neck extends, and they seem to be choking on something. After a few moments, the event is over, and they are fine.
Technically known as "paroxysmal respiration," reverse sneezing sounds awful but isn't. Reverse sneezing can be caused by an irritant in the air, by drinking or eating too fast, by a foreign body, hairballs, or even a nasal infection. The soft palate at the back of the throat is a muscular area that assists with swallowing, vocalisation and breathing. The irritation causes the soft palate muscle to spasm, narrowing the glottis (opening to the trachea), and this causes a turbulent airflow.
To help your pup during an episode, you can try rubbing your dog's throat to ease the spasm. Then, cover their nose briefly to encourage swallowing, which can dislodge a foreign body. If necessary, look into their mouth to see if anything obstructs their throat.
Though an upsetting experience for you and your pooch, it's nothing to worry over; having said that, if this happens all the time, it never hurts to see your vet.
