Common dog behaviors all dog owners should be prepared for
Whether a dog behavior is good, bad, or harmless depends on context. Here are the most common behaviors that you may observe as you take care of your dog.
Chewing and biting
It’s normal behavior for dogs to chew and bite on objects. What’s not normal is when the chewing and biting starts to become destructive. Learn more about the causes of destructive chewing and steps that may help treat pets exhibiting such behaviors. The most common chewing issues include:
- Dogs chewing their paws until they become raw
- Dogs biting their nails until they bleed
- Dogs chewing shoes and socks
- Dogs chewing and eating rocks
- Dogs chewing and eating grass
- Dogs chewing and eating the carpet
Barking, growling, and whining
Some dogs may vocalize more than others and express their voice in many interesting ways. Learn the potential meanings behind specific types of barks, growls, and whines. Interpretation can differ based on when and where the dog voices his expression. The most common vocalization issues include:
- Dogs that whine all the time
- Dogs that bark at nothing
- Dogs that whine while lying down
- Dogs that bark in their sleep
- Dogs that bark at sirens
- Dogs that whine in the car
Digging and scratching
One way a dog may satisfy his curiosity is by digging and scratching. It’s an instinctual behavior. There may, however, be certain instances when the digging and scratching can become destructive. Here are some common cases:
- When dogs scratch the bed
- When dogs dig under the fence
- When dogs scratch and shake their head
- When dogs scratch the carpet
- When dogs dig the flower bed
Licking and swallowing
Licking can have many meanings. It’s another instinctual behavior for dogs. Licking could be a sign of affection. It could also be a sign of boredom if the licking happens excessively. Learn what licking means under a number of different circumstances including:
- Dogs that lick their paws
- When dogs lick you a lot
- Dogs that lick your feet
- Dogs that lick your face
- Dogs that lick their butt
Eating non-food items (pica)
Also known as pica, the behavior of eating non-food items such as poop and garbage is not something you want your dog to repeat. Nip the behavioral or health problems in the bud before your dog develops an eating disorder. Common issues related to pica include: