Dogs are unique. There are many reasons why they’re referred to as a person’s best friend. In this article, we’ll focus on dogs. You’ll learn about some of the most common dog behaviors. You’ll also learn about the meaning behind some of these behaviors.
Behavior is a sign of something
From an outside perspective or if you are just getting to learn more about your dog, then you might feel like some of your dog’s behaviors are random and arbitrary. But as you’ll see in this article, each behavior has a meaning or cause. That means your dog’s behavior is a sign of something else that’s happening.
In fact, Dr. Marc Bekoff, an expert in animal behavior, argues that understanding dog behavior can help you understand what’s appropriate behavior and what’s not. That is, there are some behaviors that all dogs engage in that are common to them.
6 Common Dog Behaviors
Here are some common dog behaviors that you should keep in mind when you’re getting used to your dog.
1. Your dog may bite
Biting is most typical in puppies. This is one way that puppies play with others. Puppies may also bite if they’re teething. So, what this means is that puppies typically outgrow nipping on others as they grow older. As for adult dogs, biting may be a sign of your dog feeling threatened, anxious, or afraid
2. Your dog may have bad breath
Bad breath is not alway a sign of tooth decay or other teeth-related problems. Instead, most dogs tend to have bad breath. This bad breath usually goes away. In the case of when you suspect that your dog has something serious going on since they have bad breath, read this. Keep in mind that you should also be helping your dog with oral hygiene by brushing their teeth and providing treats that help with teeth cleaning.
3.Your dog may pant
Panting is a sign of a dog feeling really hot or having issues with the temperature. Panting is not always a sign of needing water. Instead, it can indicate that your dog wants to cool down. Panting may also be one way of dogs relaxing or calming themselves down.
4. Your dog may yawn
Dogs may yawn if they feel afraid or uncomfortable. A lot of times, people associate yawning with needing a nap or feeling tired. However with dogs, yawning doesn’t always indicate feeling tired. As we said, it can be a sign of fear or discomfort.
5. Your day may bark
Different barking sounds indicate different issues. If your dog barks excessively, this may be a sign of fear or aggression. Other barking signs may indicate either pain (as in a sharp and quick bark) or wanting to pay (as in a subtle bark). Keep in mind that dogs might also just bark because they’ve gotten used to that behavior.
6. Your dog may show their belly
Showing their belly to you is a sign of submissive behavior. For example, if your dog is afraid of being attacked by another animal, they may show their belly in order to avoid further threats. Other times, dogs may show their belly in order to be playful. They might want more patting and attention when they do this.
Your Dog’s Behaviors Will Be Diverse
At Skyline Animal Hospital, we recognize that dogs’ behavior will be diverse. If you suspect that your dog’s behavior is abnormal or are afraid that they’re in pain, reach out to us. If you’re in the state of Utah, we also offer many services for your pet including:
- Medical services
- Anesthesia
- Dental services
- And so much more.
Reach out to us for more information. We look forward to helping you and your pet.