Our dogs have a multitude of habits that are unknown to us and sometimes seem unappealing. No one will be able to tell you exactly why our dogs act the way they do, but there are some theories that are worth listening to. Until dogs learn to talk to humans, we will continue to make approximations to decipher the causes of their behavior.
The key until then will be to recognize which behaviors signal poor health.
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Tail chasing
When puppies chase their tails, this action can be compared to a baby grabbing its toes. This is normal behavior and shows that the dog is getting to know its own body.
However, this behavior should be kept in moderation, as a dog that shows signs of a compulsive disorder may have more serious problems.
How do you know if your dog has a compulsive disorder? If you can divert his attention and distract him while he chases his tail, then everything is fine. On the other hand, if your dog prefers to chase his tail rather than go for a walk or eat his food, then your dog probably has a compulsive disorder and will require a visit to your veterinarian.
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Scooting
This behavior can be quite harmless, as some dogs do it simply to clean themselves up after pooping, but if you see this behavior several times a day and on every floor, your dog likely has an inflamed or infected anal gland, which should definitely result in a veterinary visit (unless you're comfortable with emptying your dog's anal glands yourself).
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Humping
It can be very embarrassing to see your dog rubbing his blanket or bed, so much so that you may look away. But you should know that this behavior is not as abnormal as it seems.
Some dogs use this behavior to relax, or to channel all their energy. Note that this behavior is not limited to males and that females can also engage in it.
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Eating grass
Popular belief has you thinking that a dog eating grass is a sign of a tummy ache or complicated digestion. It may turn out that your dog is fond of a little greenery and uses grass as a tasty snack between meals.
Since it's always in moderation, a visit to the veterinarian may be necessary if your dog gobbles up pounds of grass right in front of you.
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Crotch-sniffing
An appropriate custom among canines, the practice often extends to humans as well, and it's not bad manners.
The canine code of conduct considers this a perfectly acceptable way to collect personal information about an individual (canine or human)!
The next time you get caught with a wet nose, keep in mind that you are being greeted and evaluated - dogs will not hold it against you if you do not reciprocate.
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Eating excrement
Yes, it's disgusting - you've probably experienced the scene before, on a walk, or in the cat's litter box, your dog goes out of his way to clean up and eat whatever he finds. Well, rest assured, this behavior is surprisingly normal.
It goes back to the very beginning of dog domestication, when dogs performed a hygienic action of cleaning up their own feces. Their digestive system is very powerful, so nothing much could happen to them by eating their poop.
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