Jumping up on a human is a dog’s quickest and most efficient way to let you know they’re there. It’s hard to ignore a dog who’s jumping on you, especially when your arms are filled with groceries or you’ve had a long day and want to lie down. The act of jumping can be frustrating from a human’s point of view, but — for a dog — they don’t realize it’s wrong until you teach them.

Some people don’t mind when their dog jumps on them because they find it endearing and cute, but watching your dog jump on an unsuspecting victim is not so much fun. It can also become a hazard if your dog leaps up on older people and young children. The risk of knocking someone down is quite high, especially with larger-sized breeds.

If you’re looking to stop your dog’s jumping behavior, there are ways to go about training them to properly greet a person. Keep reading to learn more about the reasons a dog might jump on you and how to stop it.

Why Do Dogs Jump on You? 

Dogs are much closer to the ground than they are their favorite humans. Many dogs want to get as close as possible to their human’s face, usually to give them some slobbery kisses.

After a long day at work, your pup has missed you greatly, and all they want to do is shower you with love. This is something that you will want to train out of them to avoid injuries in the future.

To Say “Hello”

The most obvious reason for your dog to be jumping on you is for a greeting. Imagine that every time they pop up, they are saying “Hello, Human!” excitedly. If you’ve said “Hello,” back and consequently pet them after each hop, you reinforce their behavior so that they think it’s okay. This means that they will continue to leap up on you or other people when they are trying to greet them, as they know they will get a response.

To Get Your Attention

A dog might jump onto you randomly during the day because they want your attention. This might be because they want to play, are getting hungry, or need to go to the bathroom.

If you haven’t trained this behavior out of them, it might not immediately alert you to one of their needs, and you might think that they are just being playful. This kind of jumping might be your dog trying to communicate that they need more attention, and though you should tend to their needs, you don’t want to continue reinforcing this behavior.

Four Ways To Get Your Dog To Stop Jumping

Training your dog not to jump can protect people from injury and help contain their excitement. The best way to stop the behavior from becoming normal is to train it out of them as puppies. Adult dogs can also be taught to stop the bad behavior, but it might take a bit more reinforcement.

1. Turn Away From Them

The first thing to do is to physically turn away from your bouncing pup. This shows them that you are not reinforcing their behavior and that you won’t give them the attention they desire until they behave appropriately.

Eventually, your dog will realize that when they jump, they don’t get what they want. Then, they’ll keep their paws on the ground instead.

Sometimes even pushing your dog off is considered attention and might reinforce the behavior without you realizing it. A turned back is an obvious sign of ignoring your dog, which they will soon pick up on.

2. Train Them To Sit

You can train your dog to sit whenever they greet someone by having treats handy. When you see your dog, start by turning your back to them if they jump and tell them the command, “Sit.”

Once they sit, you can turn back towards them and praise them with both pets and a treat. You must maintain this behavior on your end to teach them properly, so a pocketful of treats when you leave the house can preemptively save you from being pounced on.

3. Put Them on a Leash

If your dog is struggling with keeping all of their paws on the ground, consider leashing them before they go to greet someone. This way, you have the most control over their bodies and can help them to sit down and relax. When your dog doesn’t catapult up, reward them with a treat and have the person they are meeting reward them as well.

4. Try a “Place” Command

Your dog might have a lot of pent-up energy if they know they are about to see a new person or dog. Teaching them a “Place” command where they go and run somewhere to relax, usually a bed or specific area in the house, can divert their energy into performing a task.

It takes a lot of mental power to present the correct behavior and wait to greet someone, so not only does this curb the jumping, but it also burns up some energy and encourages impulse control.

Jump for Joy With AskVet

When questions come about in regard to your dog’s behavior and health, AskVet is there to provide you with answers. Reach out to one of our Certified Pet Coaches™ (CPC) and set up a virtual consultation to learn more about how we can benefit you and your dog. With 24/7 access to our experts, you can access support from veterinary experts and certified pet trainers at any moment during the day.

Sources:

Behavior Guide for Your New Puppy | OSU Veterinary Medical Center

Communication in Dogs | NCBI

Incidence Of Dogs Jumping On Household Members Upon Entering Their Home In Comparison With Holding Food | ScienceDirect

When you get a new puppy, it isn’t before long that they begin to use their tiny, yet sharp, puppy teeth. Your puppy might start to bite you, the furniture, or other animals in the house. While this can be a sign of playfulness, teaching your puppy when it’s appropriate to use their teeth is essential. As your puppy turns into an adult dog, biting is no longer cute or harmless. It can end with severe consequences if not handled in puppyhood.

To learn more about five easy steps to help stop your puppy from biting, keep reading!

Reasons Why Your Puppy Might Be Biting

Puppies don’t have hands to pick up and interact with objects they come across, so they want to use their teeth. In this sense, it’s a very natural behavior. All puppies will nip and bite from time to time, but how you react will set up how your future looks.

A few common reasons for your puppy to be biting are:

• When trying to reduce discomfort during the teething stage
• When trying to get their human’s attention
• When playing with other dogs or humans

How To Stop Puppy Biting

Puppy nipping is a pretty natural occurrence. While this is a common puppy behavior, it’s your job to teach them when it’s appropriate to bite and when it’s not. In most cases, biting is not encouraged, so it’s more about teaching your pup what objects are OK to bite. Chew toys and bones are usually in the clear, whereas clothing, furniture, and body parts are not.

When dogs play with each other, especially when they are puppies who are learning, they’ll involve themselves in play biting. When a bite is too strong or unwanted, the other puppy will tell them by omitting a loud yelping sound. This warns the other dogs that the style of biting is taking it too far. When a puppy is no longer alongside their littermates, it’s the responsibility of the human to teach them when their biting has crossed a line.

1. Teach Bite Inhibition

Bite inhibition is teaching dogs to control the force of their mouths. Your dog must understand that human skin is very sensitive, so they have to be more gentle when playing with you than with their fellow canine playmates.

Dogs teach each other bite inhibition when they yelp during play, so humans should mimic this reaction when playing with young dogs. If your puppy bites down too hard when playing with you, let out a loud noise and stop playing completely. Once your dog has calmed down, continue playing.

Instruct young children to do the same. Kids can sometimes be more tolerant of their fingers ending up in their puppy’s mouth, but this only prolongs this bad behavior.

Soon your dog realizes that rough play means that the fun times stop, so if they want to play, they have to be more gentle. There are plenty of dog training resources out there that can help you to stop unwanted behaviors, like the teams of expert dog trainers at AskVet!

2. Redirect the Biting

While stopping the play session and teaching bite inhibition is the first step, having other options to give to your dog when they start biting you is essential.

Keep a chew toy nearby. When your pup starts going too hard on your skin, give your puppy a chew toy instead. Then, make the toy a part of your game. This shows your dog what items are appropriate to chew on. Redirecting goes for if your dog is chewing on something inappropriate, like clothing or furniture. Tell them “No” and give them something they can go to town on.

If you find that your pup is nibbling a bit more than usual, they could be teething. Like human babies, puppies might experience discomfort as their adult teeth grow in. Giving your puppy teething toys can help relieve some of that tenderness. Typically, a puppy stops teething altogether at eight months old.

Keep in mind that some puppy toys are different from those of adult dogs. Puppy chews are generally made from softer materials for their weaker mouths and teeth.

3. Distract Your Pup

When your puppy is exhibiting undesired biting behaviors, try to distract them. Direct their attention elsewhere and have them put their energy into the new object or obstacle. Whether it’s having them perform a trick and receive a treat or initiate some sort of enrichment play with them, distracting teaches them that they don’t get the reaction they desire from nipping.

Enrichment activities are great because they put all of your dog’s focus and energy into receiving whatever treat is hiding in the toy. Try rolling up an old towel with all of your dog’s food in it and letting them unravel it to get their reward, or use a peanut butter lick mat to help divert their energy and get a nice snack.

Mental stimulation is key to lifelong good behaviors — not only in puppy training. Along the same note, routine socialization and leash manners are life-long lessons worth revisiting consistently.

4. Put Them in Time-Out

When your dog is not listening to you or reacting to your attempts at distraction and redirection, you may need to put them in a time-out. By not giving in to their behaviors, you choose not to reward them. Whatever the time out is, don’t use the crate or the time-out area as a punishment. The crate should be a safe place associated only with positivity.

A time-out shows puppies that they have to participate in human-approved behaviors. When they begin to bite, the playtime stops. And no puppy wants that!

5. Engage in Physical Activity

Sometimes, a puppy will bite because they are bored and have surplus energy. To ensure that your puppy is not biting excessively, make sure they are getting enough exercise each day. When your puppy won’t stop nipping, change up your activity and take them on a walk or run outside in the backyard for a bit.

Letting them burn off some steam will result in a tired and content dog that isn’t going to go looking for trouble.

Dog Trainers On-Demand: Perfecting Puppy Play

Having a new puppy can be a lot of work. Whether it’s your first puppy or your seventh, each puppy you raise will have their own distinct personality. This means that no matter what you try, you may need a bit of guidance. AskVet can help answer the questions you have and put together wellness and behavioral plans for your pup.

Reach out for a virtual consultation with one of our Certified Pet Trainers™ (CPLC) to learn more about the services we offer. If you need to come up with a plan to curb your puppy’s biting habits, we are here to help you.

Sources:

Chewing Behaviour In Dogs – A Survey-Based Exploratory Study | ScienceDirect

Behavior Guide for Your New Puppy | OSU Veterinary Medical Center

Training Bite Inhibition in the Dark | The IAABC JOURNAL

When Do Puppies Lose Their Teeth | Veterinary Dental Services

How To Crate Train Your Dog in Nine Easy Steps | AKC

Is Peanut Butter Safe For Dogs? | Rau Animal Hospital

What humans view as undesirable behaviors from their dogs do not always have clear-cut solutions. To help change your dog’s behavioral problems, you have to get to the bottom of what is causing them before you can make any changes.

Some behavioral problems are relatively easy to fix, while others might require professional help to solve. If your dog is exhibiting undesirable behaviors, professional dog training can help.

Trained professionals can help bring peace and order back into your home. The main goal is to understand your dog’s issues and where they are coming from so that you can help to alleviate the issue.

To learn more about common canine behavior problems and how you can help to resolve them, keep reading!

The Seven Most Common Dog Behavior Problems

Dogs can display a number of behavioral issues throughout their life, some that pop up seemingly out of nowhere in adulthood and some that start from a very young age. Curbing those behaviors as soon as possible can help bring you peace of mind and avoid bigger ones from developing.

It’s also worth noting that some behaviors that your dog exhibits might not be concerning to you as it is to others. For instance, some people may not want their dog jumping up onto them as a greeting, while others might think it’s cute and encourage it. Your dog doesn’t know any better until you teach them, so you have to decide what you’re willing to tolerate.

Once you notice a problematic behavior, begin working towards changing it immediately so that it doesn’t progress and gets harder to fix.

1. Excessive Vocalization

Barking is a very common dog behavior. You can’t completely stop a dog from barking since it’s a natural instinct. However, excessive barking can be undesirable and problematic if it’s not addressed.

If your dog barks excessively, you need to understand why it’s happening to be able to fix it. Your dog might be trying to alert you, get your attention, or maybe they’re responding to another dog or sound. They might feel bored or have anxiety. If you can identify what is triggering the barking, you might be able to eliminate that stimulus and see results quickly.

What To Do: Rely on Obedience Training

The best way to fix this problem is by teaching your dog a bark/quiet command. This tells the dog when it’s appropriate to bark and when it’s not. When your dog begins to respond to your quiet command, reward them with a treat. This can take a lot of practice and commitment as barking is instinctual, but with time you can work towards appropriate levels of barking.

In older dogs, excessive vocalization might be more of a pet health concern than a pet behavior concern. Older adult dogs could possibly experience sun-downing syndrome or canine dementia. Pet parents should contact a vet for how to best treat their canine family members who are entering their golden years.

2. Destructive Chewing

As with barking, chewing is a natural behavior that most dogs do for a variety of reasons. As a puppy, chewing can help with the aches they feel from their puppy teeth, so you might find that excessive chewing starts young. Start by teaching your pooch what is appropriate to chew on and what is not.

What To Do: Refocus Your Dog’s Attention

Provide plenty of chew toys and keep your pup confined to a safe area when you’re not around. As soon as a dog gets bored, they start to cause trouble.

If you catch them chewing on inappropriate items, such as shoes and furniture, make a loud noise and swap that item out with an appropriate chew toy. You can avoid destructive chewing by ensuring your dog gets plenty of exercises to tire them out when left unattended and providing teething toys for puppies.

3. Inappropriate Elimination

As puppies, potty training may mean a few accidents before getting it right. This is a common behavior that doesn’t always result from an underlying issue but rather a lack of knowledge about right and wrong.

What To Do: Check Pet Health and Troubleshoot

If your dog is potty trained and begins inappropriately using the bathroom in your house, first check for medical issues or health problems. Ask a vet about possible health issues — the AskVet team is here for you day and night. If you’re wondering what’s normal behavior and what’s a health concern, chat with a veterinary expert available 24/7!

If there is no medical reason for urination or defecation in your house, it might be a behavioral issue. Your dog might be urinating when they get super excited, in which you should work towards doing greetings outside until they learn to control their bladder. If your dog is marking in the house well after puppyhood, it is a more complex behavior to fix and may require professional intervention.

You might place pee pads down to help keep your floors from getting damaged. If your dog starts to use the bathroom, make a loud noise to distract them and bring them outside to finish the job. Additionally, reward your dog when they signal they need to go outside to use the bathroom. This alert can be a noise or bark, standing at the door, or ringing a bell placed on the doorknob.

4. Jumping on People

You may think that your dog jumping up onto you is cute, but it’s a pretty bad habit. Especially for young children, older people, and people with disabilities, having a dog jump up on them could be dangerous. If your dog is going to be around a lot of different individuals, you might want to consider curbing this behavior before they get big enough to scratch a person or knock a person over.

What To Do: Rely on Obedience Training

One common way to teach your dog not to jump is to turn away and ignore them when they exhibit the behavior. Interacting with them by putting a knee up or grabbing their paws and placing them down might send the wrong message to your dog. If you physically ignore the dog and don’t reward them until they stop jumping, your dog will pick up on what is expected of them.

You can also teach your dog an “Up” command, giving them the opportunity to jump up onto you when prompted. Without this command, the action should be off-limits.

5. Leash Pulling

Dogs can get very excited when they are on a walk. It usually starts when the leash gets taken off the wall that a dog starts building up this excitement. Depending on your dog’s breed, age, and training status, there are a number of different collars and harnesses that can be appropriate for your dog, and it is best to consult a professional to determine what is best for your dog.

Starting leash training as a puppy can help you to have better control over your dog as they become more confident, larger, and stronger.

What To Do: Rely on Obedience Training

Going on walks is a necessity for most dogs, but it’s also a privilege. You want your dog to pay attention only to you when walking on the leash, but this can be a challenge when there are so many stimulating things on your walk.

Work on using treats to help keep your dog by your side, rewarding them when they walk next to you with a loose leash, and not giving into their pulling by turning in a different direction. This shows your dog that you are in charge and you decide how the walk will go.

6. Aggression

Aggressive dogs exist in all shapes and sizes and usually as a direct result of their genetics, history, and environment. Socializing your dog from a young age is essential so they can meet a variety of stimuli, like other dogs, people, noises, and objects, with confidence as they grow into their paws.

What To Do: Seek Professional Training Help

Serious intervention is usually needed as your main goal is to protect yourself, others, and your own dog from any harm. Your dog might be experiencing anxiety or fear that encourages them to act out, thinking they need to protect themselves. Working with vets, dog trainers, and animal behaviorists can help to better understand your dog’s needs and keep them safe.

If your dog is growling, nipping, or lunging at you or other dogs, seek help immediately. There could be a medical problem that needs to be addressed, especially if the aggression seems to happen out of nowhere. Consult your local veterinarian or the 24/7 veterinary experts at AskVet, immediately.

Keep in that mouthing is also a way dogs play — review the differences of rough play to know if it’s just young dogs acting goofy or something to be cornered about.

7. Separation Anxiety

Many of the behaviors listed above can result from separation anxiety. This condition might manifest in other troublesome behaviors like excessive licking, destruction of household items, eating poop, and inappropriate elimination. They could even develop aggressive behaviors towards humans or other animals.

What To Do: Behavior Modification

Building up your dog’s confidence can help keep them safe and happy, but this can be difficult if they become anxious and agitated when you leave. Most of the time, intensive training, modifying anxiety-inducing situations, and desensitizing your dog can be extremely helpful. Since separation anxiety can be a very complex issue, contacting a pet professional can often be best in these circumstances. Additionally, your vet might recommend that you put your dog on medication to help limit their anxiety as well.

Dog Training Resources: Where To Get Started

When you have a question about your dog’s behavior, consider using AskVet to get an answer. With AskVet, you have access to experts that understand animal behavior and want to help you get to the bottom of it.

Our Certified Pet Coaches™ (CPC) can provide tips and tricks to help curb these bad behaviors and help to come up with a personalized behavioral plan for your dog’s specific needs. You can schedule a virtual session with one of our Certified Trainers™ to learn more about how AskVet can change you and your dog’s life!

Sources:

A Review of Domestic Dogs’ (Canis Familiaris) Human-Like Behaviors: Or Why Behavior Analysts Should Stop Worrying and Love Their Dogs | NCBI

Behavioral Problems of Dogs – Behavior | Merck Veterinary Manual

How Can You Tell if Dogs are Playing or Fighting? | AKC

Senior dog dementia | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Canine Separation Anxiety: Strategies For Treatment And Management | NCBI

Is your dog acting out? Could it be that your dog is jealous of the attention you are putting elsewhere?

Yes, actually, and it’s fairly similar to how humans experience jealousy. As you get to know your dog better, you might recognize certain behaviors that they exhibit as being of a jealous nature.

Does your dog push other people and pets out of the way to get to you? Do they act out by destroying items in the home? Both of these could be signs that your dog is feeling jealous. The more you pick up on their body language, the better you can understand their emotions.

Some acts of jealousy can be problematic, like your dog growling while on your lap at anyone coming near you. These are behaviors that you will want to stop as soon as possible to avoid further issues. Knowing the signs of jealousy can help you do this, so keep reading to learn more!

What Science Says About Dog Jealousy

University of California, San Diego

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, ran a real study involving fake dogs that sought to prove that dogs experience jealousy. Dog parents were instructed to fake attention to an automated stuffed dog, a plastic pumpkin, and a pop-up book.

The canine participants, who were all small dog breeds, acted up more when their person’s one-on-one time was lavished on the toy dog, with 86% of real pups investigating the toy by sniffing its butt. The pumpkin and book incited far less of a reaction.

University of Auckland

A relatively new study on pet jealousy from the University of Auckland published in the Psychological Science journal asked the same question. Dogs watched their pet parents pet a fake dog and a fleece cylinder. The dogs pulled harder on the leash when their human was spending time with the fake dog — called the “social rival” in this experiment.

University of Vienna

In Vienna, Friederike Range set up a study where two dogs completed the same task (to “shake hands”), but only one was rewarded. The dog that didn’t get the reward eventually stopped performing the task, acting frustrated and anxious when their pup peer was lavished with praise.

Ultimately, while researchers can suggest that as social animals, dogs may be jealous, they’re not sure if dogs experience jealousy in the same way as people do, especially when taking into account a person’s capability for heightened self-awareness.

Why Might a Dog Get Jealous?

Some reasons that your dog might become jealous are:

• If a new dog or new pet enters the home
• If a new baby or family member moves in
• If there’s a change in their home environment
• If their primary person gives another animal or human attention

When dealing with a jealous dog, understanding the signs can help you to work on building up their confidence, so they don’t react to those jealous feelings. By using training resources, you can help limit this jealous behavior.

Signs Your Dog Is Jealous

Any change of behavior in your dog is going to be recognized. When they start to act out or act differently, it’s easy to notice these changes, alerting us that something might be wrong. Whether it be an adult dog or a new puppy, if you recognize any of the following signs of jealousy in your dog, it might be time to get to the bottom of this reaction.

1. Resource Guarding

Resource guarding is when a dog becomes possessive over their home and everything in it. This may include dog food, toys, areas, and their humans. If they feel like something of theirs might be taken away, they can act out toward whoever is threatening to take it away.

Resource guarding could look like growling or snapping at you when you go near their food, or they’ll gather their toys in one specific area. They might guard their humans by not allowing other dogs or people near them. You might notice that when on walks, your dog pulls you away from social interactions with other people and their dogs.

2. Inappropriate Bathroom Use

Going to the bathroom around your house, whether it’s urination or defecation, is often a clear communication attempt by your dog. They may be jealous and are finding ways to get their pet parent’s attention.

If your dog is experiencing incontinence even after you’ve addressed the behavior and jealousy issue, it’s time to talk to your veterinarian. Going to the bathroom around the house, especially when they are potty trained, could be a sign that they are suffering from a health issue. Need to talk to a professional ASAP? Reach out to AskVet’s veterinary experts, who are available 24/7.

3. Pushing Into You

One of the most tell-tale signs of your dog’s jealousy is if they are directly pushing themselves into you when you’re in close proximity to another being. Your dog may find a way to squeeze in between you and a partner on the couch or jump onto your lap, pushing another animal off. By putting their bodies as close as possible to you, they assert themselves as your top priority.

While this can feel like a comical and loving gesture, if you let it continue, the behavior will likely only become more prominent.

4. Destructive Behavior

If your dog doesn’t feel they are getting enough attention, they might turn to destructive behaviors. They might tear up some of your furniture, chew on your clothing and shoes, or get into the trash can. Your dog may also act out by barking incessantly or whining.

Dogs do this to get attention from you, but it can be a costly and dangerous problem to have. You can often curb this behavior by involving yourself in exercise and enrichment for your dog. That way, when you aren’t paying attention to them they can remain calm and relaxed.

5. Performing Tricks Unprompted

While performing tricks isn’t usually a bad thing, when unprompted, it can be a sign of jealousy from your talented pooch. If your dog starts giving you their paw, laying down in front of you, or doing other tricks like spinning and rolling over without you asking them to, they are trying to get your attention. This is a cute but desperate plea for you to look at them and give them some sort of affection and interaction.

6. Leaving the Room

Similar to how you might ignore someone you don’t want to speak to, your dog might leave the room to show you their disdain. If there’s a person or another animal in the house that your dog doesn’t want to see you around, they might take themselves out of the situation completely.

Instead of following them to comfort them, let them walk away and wait for them to return. When they come back, feel free to shower them with love. If you follow them, it only reinforces their behavior and tells them that’s a smart way to get your attention.

7. Aggression

The most undesirable jealous behavior that your dog can have is aggression. They may begin to act out aggressively if they think their position in the home is being threatened or they are not receiving adequate attention. Aggressive behavior might look like jumping, nipping, barking, or biting. While this can be very difficult to deal with, you must sort it out immediately.

You don’t want your dog to feel threatened, but you also don’t want guests to be uncomfortable in your space. You have to consider the safety of yourself, others, and your pet. Talking with animal behaviorists, a dog trainer, and your veterinarian may be the best option to help your dog curb this issue.

AskVet Can Help Give You Answers

When your dog is acting out in strange ways, there are plenty of questions that will arise. You might not want to call up your vet for every minor inconvenience that you recognize, which is where AskVet comes in.

With AskVet, you can reach out to our Certified Pet Coaches™ to discuss their jealous behaviors and come up with solutions. With access 24/7, if any issue arises, you can get quick and informal responses. Sign-up today for a virtual session with a Certified Trainer™ and learn more about how AskVet can help your dog overcome their jealous behaviors.

Sources:

Investigating Jealous Behaviour In Dogs | Scientific Reports

Jealousy in Dogs | NCBI

Jealousy In Dogs? Evidence From Brain Imaging | Animal Sentience

Study: Dogs can feel jealous, too | CNN

Yes, dogs do get jealous – new study | The University of Auckland

Do Dogs Feel Jealousy or Envy? | American Kennel Club

As humans, when we think of delicacies, we think of things like caviar, escargot, or maybe even truffles! For some dogs, poop is their delicacy. It may be their poop, another dog’s poop, or another animal’s poop that gets them salivating. Cue the big “Ew!” from pet parents, or really anyone for that matter.

It is a quizzical thing to ponder over. Why in the world would a dog want to eat poop when there are plenty of other options to choose from? You may even think that truly, anything else would be better than poop, even garbage!

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? Dogs Eating Feces Explained

You may joke that your dog can be a weird dog! Maybe they like to stare at you while you work out, or they have a particular way they like their blanket in their bed. You may argue that one of the weirdest behaviors is ingesting poop, but it may not be as odd as you think.

There are some pretty clear reasons why dogs eat poop, and we will dive into that.

Instinct

It’s hard to fathom that our adorable furry friend’s ancestor was the mighty wolf, but selective breeding and domestication will do that. Dogs share some characteristics of their wolf ancestors, including the need to live in packs (whether with other dogs or with you), similar body language, and a sense of smell.

It has been hypothesized that the eating poop habit is inherited from wolves as well.

This habit, called coprophagia, is thought of as a natural and normal behavior for dogs. Although not every dog partakes in this habit, it is thought to have originated from wolves. In fact, almost a quarter of dogs have been caught in the act of eating poop.

The thought is that poop-eating helped scavenger wolves with nutritional deficiencies to obtain nutrients that were not fully digested the first time around. Wolves can go long periods of time from meal to meal.

As such, eating every snack possible could serve as a means of survival and nutritional enrichment. Wolves may have been keen on ingesting poop from other wolves or animals that had different diets from them, maximizing possible nutrient ingestion.

This habit proved to pull double duty (absolutely no pun intended) in that it helped to keep wolve’s dens clean. It also prevented the spread of intestinal parasites and diseases, which can lead to medical issues.

Stool Eating in Motherhood

A mother’s job is truly never done, and this includes dog mothers. Mother dogs will lick their puppies’ stomachs to help them use the bathroom. As the puppies use the bathroom, the mother dog will eat the poop in order to keep their area clean. In the wild, this was a proactive way to keep away predators that may have been attracted to the smell of feces.

Since nursing mothers require more high-quality nutrition, they may choose to eat their puppies’ poop as a way of obtaining additional nutrients.

Behavioral Changes

If your dog has ever had an accident in the house, you have witnessed that they likely know they did something wrong.

For instance, if your dog knows that they will be corrected when you find the poop in the house, they may ingest their poop so they won’t get into trouble. In their mind, no poop equals no punishment.

Boredom Might Cause a Dog’s Poop-Eating Habits

If your dog doesn’t have a way to keep themselves occupied, they will find a way to relieve their boredom. They will find their own fun! This boredom may be cured by getting into the trash, tearing up couch cushions, or eating their poop.

Of course, eating poop can get a reaction from you. Your dog now finds that they will take any attention when they are bored, thus creating the vicious attention-seeking cycle of eating poop to get your reaction.

How To Stop a Dog From Eating Poop

Even though poop eating seems to be a common and instinctual behavior in dogs, it is a behavior that we would like our dogs to avoid. Not only for the general ick factor but the fact that your dog likes to lick you.

Veterinarian Visit

It has been hypothesized that puppies and adult dogs ingest their own feces to obtain nutrients, especially ingesting the poop of other dogs who may have different diets. If your dog is eating poop, taking them to the veterinarian to ensure they are receiving all the nutrients they need can be helpful.

Your DVM will be able to run all the necessary tests to see if there is anything missing in your dog’s diet and can make any recommendations. Your vet can also diagnose any digestive issues your dog may have, like conditions that may cause the malabsorption of nutrients.

Pick Up Duty

Your dog cannot get into poop if there isn’t any poop around. While it can be a pain, ensuring that your yard is clear of poop keeps your dog from ingesting any. If your dog relieves themselves on puppy pads, dispose of the pads properly and secure the trash.

This pickup duty extends to other animals. If you have cats in the home, make sure that their litter box is always clear of cat poop or is hard to access by your dog.

Leash & Treats

If your dog tries to eat their poop as soon as it has been deposited, take your dog out on a leash. As soon as they are finished with their business, lead them away from this forbidden snack. Redirect them to a more palatable treat to reward them for leaving the poop alone. Pretty soon, they’ll learn to associate that anytime they poop, they will receive a tastier treat from you.

Keeping your dog on a leash is also very important when going for walks. Redirect your dog anytime they come across another animal’s droppings, and again offer them a high-value treat as an alternative.

Additives

Always check with your veterinarian about this topic; there are additives that can be added to your dog’s food that will make their feces less desirable to ingest.

Play and Exercise

Ensuring that your dog has plenty of opportunities to play and walk will keep them from being bored at home. Use toys that give your dog mental and physical stimulation, like treat puzzles, to help them avoid boredom during the day.

AskVet: Your Pet Answer Paradise

While eating poop is gross to us, dogs have a different idea of what is palatable. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but a dog with a powerful nose will find palatable things amongst the gross.

Preventing your dog from ingesting poop will be all about being proactive and keeping them from having the opportunity to get into anything undesirable.

If your dog has been partaking in this behavior for a while, it may seem like it will take a miracle to break the habit. Have no worries, though. Your pals at AskVet are the perfect resource when it comes to any pet question you may have, as well as tips and tricks when it comes to training and behavior issues.

Our Certified Pet Lifestyle Coaches™ can help create a pet lifestyle plan tailored to your pup’s needs and strengths, which will help you and your pet thrive. As you very well know, sometimes your dog can act like an animal. With our behavioral experts, you’ll learn and put into place basic obedience and positive reinforcement techniques.

Schedule a virtual session with a CPLC™, and put your dog’s habit of eating poop behind you both!

Sources:

Why Does My Dog Eat Poop? | American Kennel Club (AKC)

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? | Mallard Creek Animal Hospital

Why do dogs lick? | Blue Cross

Nice to meet you! As humans, we like to greet each other by waving, handshakes, or hugs. Each varying degree of greeting is determined by our relationship with a person.

However, with dogs, they really get up close and personal by sniffing each other’s butts! No matter if they are meeting another dog for the first time or if it is their best buddy, to each other’s rear ends, they go. Talk about making a first impression!

While we would never imagine greeting another person like this, this is “Etiquette 101” for our furry pals. It leads us to wonder, why in the world would you sniff there? Let’s chat about some reasons why our dogs like to sniff butts.

Sense of Smell

As a pet parent, you know the shenanigans your dog can get into when they follow their nose. Trash cans get overturned, holes get dug in the yard, and Houdini has nothing on some dogs if there is something out there they want to investigate.

Humans rely on their sense of sight to get to know the world around them, but your puppy uses their nose. Your dog’s sniffer is a powerhouse in the senses department, and it is the main sense they use to perceive information about the world around them.

A dog’s nose is hyper-sensitive — it’s 100,000 times more powerful than our smelling abilities. Our pups can be overwhelmed by scents we wouldn’t even pay attention to.

Let’s get into some reasons why dogs sniff each other’s butts and how that helps them learn about the world and other animals around them.

Greeting

While it’s easy to think that your dog is trying to smell another dog’s poop, that is certainly not the case. While the location is a bit unfortunate to humans, to dogs, it is just a part of nature. Dogs have anal glands, which are two sac-like glands that produce pheromones that give chemical signals that relay info about diet, health, gender, and mood.

By sniffing each other’s rear ends in greeting, dogs can exchange a wealth of information. Dogs can also remember each other’s scents and recognize when they have met a particular fluffy friend before.

Gathering Information

If you are old enough to remember chat rooms of the early days of the internet, you would remember being asked A/S/L, which stands for age/sex/location. This acronym helped to establish a little bit of personal information with whoever you were chatting with.

Dogs do the same when meeting new dogs or when they are in a new location. Canines use their sense of smell to gather information about the world around them. This even includes if things happened in the past, like another animal wandering through the area. A quick sniff gives them a multitude of important information.

When dogs meet each other, their smelling habits help to establish or reestablish their relationship. Even if your pups have met before, they will likely still sniff each other’s butts to get a status update on how your dog is doing. Like humans, dogs want to catch up with each other and get all the updated information since they last saw their pals.

Establishing Dominance

We know that dogs like to mark their territory, as this tells other dogs in the area that this particular patch of grass belongs to them. Urine marking helps your dog feel more secure in their space and that they are in charge.

When other dogs come into this space, they can smell that another dog has marked this territory. When the canines sniff each other’s rear ends, the connection is made that this dog’s scent matches the markings in the territory, and this helps to establish a social hierarchy.

While other types of body language help to establish dominance in dogs, you can see this dominance by order of sniffing. A dominant dog will initiate the sniffing, and the submissive dog will wait their turn.

If your dog is meeting another dog for the first time, watch this interaction closely. Some dogs do not like lengthy smelling sessions, and they may show aggression if it is going longer than they like. Watch for growling, raised hair on the back, certain tail positions, and raised lips. If this occurs, separate the dogs and try again later. Even dogs who have puppy play dates frequently should be monitored as they romp.

If things get a little hairy and you aren’t sure what to do next, check out our dog training resources for advice and training tips.

Get To the Bottom of Things With AskVet

While our dogs exchange information in ways that we may otherwise opt out of, we still want to get reliable and trustworthy information about our pets. Dog behavior can leave us scratching our heads sometimes. You may ask yourself, “Why does this behavior happen” or “Is this behavior normal?”.

AskVet is your go-to anytime you have a pet parent question. While sniffing butts is completely normal in the dog world, your human guests may not quite enjoy that same greeting when coming to your home. You may want advice on if there is anything you can do to get your dog from being the most personable welcome wagon ever, and our behavioral specialists can help you with that.

Whether you have a specific question or need to construct a personalized plan for your unique dog (or any other pet), book a virtual session with a Certified Pet Lifestyle Coach™ from AskVet who can help.

With personalized plans for your dog and the AskVet Clubhouse, you can feel like a well-prepared pet parent, no matter your dog’s breed or age. No need to go sniffing for solutions — we have them here!

Sources:

The Nose Knows: Is There Anything Like a Dog’s Nose? | AKC

Canine Olfaction: Physiology, Behavior, and Possibilities for Practical Applications | National Library of Medicine

Understanding Dog Appeasement Signals | Whole Dog Journal

Urine Marking in Dogs | UC Davis

Isn’t it funny to think about how our dogs can communicate with us and how we can communicate with them? We live with actual animals, but we can interpret and convey messages back and forth with each other. We love them so much, but the entire idea can be a wild one when you think deeply about it. We’re social, and so are they!

Our dogs understand “treats,” dinner,” “bath time,” “vet,” “walk,” and countless other words. We also know that they act accordingly to whatever word they hear. We witness this by our dog getting all tippy-tappy and excited when they hear a word they like or hiding behind a piece of furniture when they hear a word they don’t like.

It’s clear that our dogs understand us. We can see that they comprehend our words and actions through the canine training process (and their reactions to things we say and do).

The big question is, do we truly understand them? Dogs communicate in various ways, and the most famous way they make themselves known is through their bark.

Let’s dig in on what our dog’s barks mean and if there are ways that we can figure out what they are trying to tell us.

Why Do Dogs Bark?

Out of all the sounds in the animal kingdom, a barking dog is probably one of the most well-known and recognizable sounds. Dogs use their bark to communicate, and just like humans use their voices, barks can be used in a variety of ways.

Of course, barks can sound different from breed to breed. Larger dogs will have a more intimidating boom of a bark, while smaller breeds will have a high-pitched yap. As the relationship between you and your dog grows, you’ll recognize their barks and determine what they are trying to communicate.

Greeting

Do you have a built-in welcoming committee when you walk through the door every afternoon? Your dog is excited to see you, especially if you have been at work all day. You may see them act the same no matter if you’ve been gone for thirty minutes or eight hours.

Either way, it is a sweet way to be welcomed home, and we appreciate our furry best friends for always being excited about our presence.

With their happy barks, your dog is showing that they are thrilled to see you and have missed you. Their barks will be more high-pitched and can be compared to a cheerful “Hey! You’re home!” This is often seen with a wagging tail. Your dog may even hop around and jump on you during their welcome greeting.

Territory

Does your dog hang out by the window all day and bark whenever another person or animal passes? Your dog is telling the passer-by that they are encroaching on their territory.

These barks might go on for longer and be louder than the “I’m hungry” barks. This will likely be partnered with a stiffer stance with direct staring at the trespasser in question. Essentially, the more worked up your dog is about something, the more excessive the barking.

To our dogs, it doesn’t matter if it is a mail carrier dropping off a package or a cat slinking through the yard, someone is in their area, and your dog is going to tell them and you all about it.

Attention Grabbing

When your dog is trying to get your attention, they’ll use different sounds along with their bark to indicate that they want something. Maybe their food or water dish needs to be refilled, or they need to relieve themselves outside. Either way, your dog may have more of a commanding bark along with other vocalizations to indicate that they need something.

Your dog may pair their vocal calls with certain body language, like trying to lead you to the door or to their empty dish. Depending on the urgency, like the call of nature, dogs may whine to indicate that they are in a hurry.

Boredom

Do you ever catch yourself whistling or singing when you are doing a monotonous task? If your dog is bored, they may bark as a way to alleviate the silence and stillness that is around them if they are left alone for long periods of time. They are looking to release pent-up energy and seek attention from anyone or anything that will respond to their bark.

To ensure your dog doesn’t resort to barking to alleviate their boredom, give them ample opportunities to exercise and stimulate their mind. If you work out of the home, leave your dog with chew toys and treat puzzles to keep them occupied. You may also want to arrange a dog walker or take them to doggy daycare, depending on how long you’ll be away.

Bark Up the Right Tree With AskVet

As your relationship with your dog grows, you’ll be able to determine what your dog’s barks mean. You’ll know when they feel excited or when it’s time to take a potty break.

Sometimes though, our dogs may bark at things we don’t hear, see, or smell. While we know that a dog’s senses can differ from ours, sometimes it’s hard to tell if our dog is barking at something tangible or if there is a behavioral issue occurring.

Enter AskVet. Our experts can help out when you are having a ruff time with behaviors your dog is exhibiting. If excessive barking is giving you and your home a headache, our team of Certified Pet Lifestyle Coaches™ can help with tips and tricks to help reduce any unwanted barking.

Schedule a virtual session with a CPLC™ and see how our experts can help with not only problem-solving solutions but also creating wellness plans so you and your pet can enjoy all the time you have together.

Sources:

Ethology of Barking – Why Do Dogs Bark? | Australian Institute of Animal Management

The Meaning of Your Dog’s Barks | American Kennel Club

Do children understand man’s best friend? Classification of dog barks | ScienceDirect

Canine Olfaction: Physiology, Behavior, and Possibilities for Practical Applications | PMC

The more you get to know your dog, the more you will become familiar with their behaviors: one of them could be the stare-down. Most dogs have quirks that can notify you of changes or peculiarities, as a dog’s behavior is indicative of how they are feeling.

Staring at their human can be a dog’s way to communicate several different things. In general, your dog staring at you is exactly that: them trying to relay information. It’s generally the same reasoning for why cats stare at people as well. Using other context clues, you might be able to determine what your dog is trying to tell you.

Keep reading to learn more about why your dog is staring at you and how to guess what they are thinking.

Dogs Pay Attention To Dog Lovers

It’s no secret that dogs like to follow their humans. Not only are they intrigued by everything that you do, but you are their main source of — well, basically everything. You feed them, give them treats, pet them, take them outside for walks and bathroom breaks, and much more! If you’re at home and around your pet, their eyes are going to be checking in on you as much as possible.

Despite your dog’s eyes being on you all the time, they might not be trying to say the same thing to you with each stare. Every stare could mean something different, from needing to use the potty to simply showing you affection. You can usually figure out what their needs are by looking at the other behaviors they are exhibiting.

Reasons Why Dogs Stare 

There could be multiple reasons why your dog is staring at you. You know your dog best and might be able to figure it out quickly, especially after years of figuring out their communication style.

Being fluent in your dog’s body language and what certain changes mean can help you understand your dog better. However, if you’re a new pet parent or meeting a new dog, you might be wondering what their stares mean.

1. Your Dog Wants Something

The most common reason for your dog to be staring at you is that they simply want something. They might be standing and staring at you because they want you to get a toy that has rolled under the couch. Or they could be staring at you on the couch, wondering when you will make your way over to give them a good cuddle. Dogs use eye contact to express all these desires.

When you or a dog trainer are training your dog, you often reward them when they look at you. During dog training sessions, this becomes a learned behavior that teaches your dog that when they look at you, they might get a treat or a pat or some kind of positive acknowledgment.

Consider what is going on around your dog that might be an indicator of what they want. Is the food you’re eating during mealtime more appetizing than the dog food in their bowl? Is it your spot on the couch? Are they staring at the door because they need to go potty?

A dog’s stare (and the so-called “puppy eyes”) can be quite powerful and persuasive.

2. Showing You Affection

Dogs staring at you can be a sign of affection from them. When you know a pup personally, staring into your eyes could be a way for them to convey how they feel about you. Studies revealed that mutual staring between a human and their pet could cause an increase in the release of oxytocin, AKA the love hormone.

To reward them for their loving gaze, shower them with affection. It is what they deserve!

3. Expressing Aggression

While this isn’t always the case, sometimes a dog staring at you can be a sign of aggression. With your own dog, you might be able to sense when something is off with their behavior if they are staring at you and it’s making you uncomfortable. However, with dogs you don’t know, the stiff posture and hard stare can be intense and aggressive behavior.

You should never make prolonged eye contact with a dog that you don’t know or that is seemingly aggressive. This can send the wrong signal to that dog. Dogs that are staring you down while also being very still and seeming agitated are warning you to back off. At this point, listen and ensure your personal safety, as well as the dog’s comfort.

4. Your Dog Is Aging

As dogs enter their golden years, they might try to convey distress through an intentional stare.

Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome can affect older dogs, and it can result in more confusion and disorientation. This stare might look blank as if searching your eyes for more guidance.

If your dog is staring at you with a glazed-over look, contact your veterinarian to seek help or possible treatment. They can help you treat any underlying conditions as well as make things easier by helping them to live in a stress-free environment.

Should You Be Concerned?

Unless you feel uncomfortable or sense that something is wrong with your dog, their staring and fixation with you is likely quite normal. They love you and don’t know how to say it in the same language we would with them. They want to look at you because they do genuinely like you and want to communicate with you.

When we say you know your dog best, we mean that! But that doesn’t mean that questions and concerns never come up. When you feel a question forming, chat with a Certified Pet Lifestyle Coach™ from AskVet for help.

You can get real-time responses that can help guide you to the next steps in understanding your pet’s staring behavior better. Schedule a virtual session with a CPLC™ for any assistance you need with every non-human member of your family.

With access to answers, a community of other pet parents, and resources for helping your pet, AskVet has got you covered.

Sources:

Oxytocin-Gaze Positive Loop And The Coevolution Of Human-Dog Bonds | Science

Communication In Dogs | NCBI

A Review On Mitigating Fear And Aggression In Dogs And Cats In A Veterinary Setting | NCBI

Cognitive Decline In Aging Dogs: What To Know | VMBS News

You turn your back for one second, and your dog is taking in a mouthful of grass. Why, you might ask? The reasons for your dog to be eating grass can vary. There is not only one reason for your dog to eat grass whenever you go outside, but it’s also not something to always be worried about.

In fact, the more you tell your dog not to eat grass, the more likely it is that they’ll think it’s a game. Before you rush your dog to the vet, read on to learn more about five common reasons why your dog is treating your lawn like a salad bar.

Is Eating Grass Bad For My Dog?

Most dog owners associate a dog eating grass with them having an upset stomach or simply being hungry. Unfortunately, it’s hard to determine what comes first: the upset stomach and then the eating of grass to soothe it, or the eating of the grass and it resulting in an upset stomach.

Eating too much grass might make your dog vomit if they aren’t used to eating grass. Additionally, it might be a sign that something else is lacking in your dog’s diet. Keep an eye on your dog’s grass intake, and don’t be afraid to interfere if it’s clearly making your dog sick. Some grass does include pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides that can make your pet sick.

Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? Common Reasons Why Dogs Eat Grass

Dogs eat grass for a number of reasons, none of which give a simple answer. Some dogs enjoy munching on the roughage and won’t overindulge to the point that it makes them empty out their stomach contents. A few might think that it’s a game of keep-away, doing it in a playful sense. For most, this form of plant-eating is a rather common and natural behavior.

Some canines will experience anxiety or stress ,and it can result in them nibbling on grass, similar to the way a person might bite their fingernails when anxious. Not every reason for your dog’s grass-eating behavior should concern you, but monitoring what your dog eats is wise.

Nutritional Deficiency

The literal term to define a dog who eats non-food items is pica. This can be associated with a nutrient, mineral, or vitamin deficiency. Most dogs get the recommended nutrition naturally in their well-balanced diets, so eating grass isn’t always a clear indicator of that being the problem. However, eating grass may signify that your dog needs to start a high-fiber diet to get the nutrients and roughage they need.

If your pup is eating grass frequently, consult with your DVM about the dog food you are feeding your pet. You might need to switch up your pet’s food and find something that has more vitamins, nutrients, and minerals.

Anxiety

Dogs — especially younger dogs — that are experiencing anxiety might eat grass to self-soothe. If your dog thinks you are going to be leaving soon, the taste of grass might calm their nerves.

If they know that eating grass is a frowned-upon behavior, they might begin to eat more of it as their anxiety increases, almost as a way to get attention from their humans. Sometimes bringing chew toys or a good-smelling shirt outside with you can ease your dog’s anxiety and limit their need to chomp on some grass.

Boredom

Dogs often get bored when they are outside and look for any sort of stimulation. To be fair, eating grass is probably better than them trying to eat rocks or sticks. At some point in our childhood, it’s likely we’ve put grass in our mouth as if it were a vegetable, so we can’t blame our dog for doing it themselves!

Most dogs would rather be entertained by their humans, and so if they are left outside alone for any amount of time, eating grass sounds like a way to entertain themselves.

Getting a Quick Snack

It may be that your dog simply enjoys the taste or texture of grass. They might have tried it once and figured out that it was a nice snack to get while outside. Many dogs will grab a mouthful while walking as if taking a snack on the go. Unfortunately, this curiosity and interest in food may motivate your dog to eat other gross stuff they find along the path (such as another animal’s poop).

Again, monitoring what your dog is consuming is your best course of action. That way, you can keep track of anything that might cause her an issue later on.

Instincts

Before wild dogs were domesticated, they scavenged for food. While they have always eaten both meat and plants, most people assume that dogs need meat and only meat to survive. Grass has a lot of fiber in it and can help with digesting food. Additionally, it’s easy to come across, so when you’re hungry, you’ll take what you can find.

Your dog might just be grazing because it’s a part of their instinct to scavenge for food. There’s no real reason to stop your dog from exhibiting normal dog behavior, only if it’s going to hurt them in the long run.

How Do I Stop My Dog From Eating Grass?

While it’s not necessarily the worst thing that your dog can do, you might not want your dog to eat certain types of grass or eat grass altogether. There are a few ways that you can limit the amount of grass that your dog eats when outside and on walks.

• Teach your dog the “Leave it” command. When your dog is eating grass, you can call out this command; over time, it should become known that grass is off-limits, and hopefully, your dog will pick up on that.
• When outside, keep him occupied with toys or playtime. If they start to eat grass, redirect them with a toy.
• Keep houseplants away from dogs; anything leafy and green might attract your dog. Recall that certain houseplants are toxic to pets.
• Feed your dog smaller and more frequent meals so that you satisfy their desire to eat high-quality food instead of grass.

Get Answers With AskVet

Whenever a question arises about a pet, it can send a person into a frenzy. Trying to find the best answers can be difficult, but not when you have AskVet. Any questions that you have about your animals can be answered by the Certified Pet Lifestyle Coach™ (CPLC™) at any time of the day.

Schedule a remote session to get started on building a 360° Pet Care plan unique to your animal. You can discuss your pet’s diet and nutritional needs, exercise needs, or any health concerns you might have with an expert only a few clicks away.

Plus, you gain access to a network of other pet lovers in the AskVet Clubhouse who are just trying to navigate being a pet parent. Sign-up today to learn more about AskVet and how it can be beneficial to you!

Sources:

Grass Eating Patterns In The Domestic Dog, Canis Familiaris | University of New England

Unusual Eating Habits in Dogs and Cats | UC Davis Veterinary Medicine

Why Do Dogs And Cats Eat Grass? | Research Gate

Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants | ASPCA

Without a doubt, chasing after things is a favorite activity of dogs all over. From the squirrel in the front yard to a frisbee in the park, our pooches love to be in pursuit of fun. We love watching our adorable goofballs, and they love providing us with joyful moments.

A familiar silly moment that’s been depicted in movies or TV time and time again is that of a dog chasing its tail. Watching a dog twirl round and round, chasing after the end of their body, is sure to provide some giggles.

We know that our dogs can be quite the smartypants, as evidenced by their uncanny ability to nab treats right off the counter or escape their doggy crates. Surely they know that they are chasing themself? Are they just being silly, or is there another reason why they are pursuing their own tail?

Let’s look at some of the most common reasons for this common dog behavior.

Boredom

Boredom can be one of the main reasons why your dog is chasing their tail. If they’re cooped up all day without a chance to have some physical or mental stimulation, they may take things into their own paws and figure out a way to let off a little steam. Enter chasing after that fluffy tail; they believe if they run fast enough, they will eventually catch it.

Bored dogs can become inquisitive dogs, and that can lead to trouble. If you sense that your dog needs a bit more stimulation, adding in more and longer walks can help get out all that pent-up energy in a more productive way. Bring a few dog puzzles home to engage your dog’s mind and keep it off their tail.

Genetics

According to animal behaviorists, certain compulsive behaviors can certainly be predisposed across dog breeds. Hounds will follow their nose to the ends of the Earth. Herding dogs, like collies, will herd anything in a group. Sheep, ducklings, and even groups of children have been pushed close together by herding dogs. One of the main reasons dogs engage in these repetitive behaviors is genetics.

One interesting fact about tail chasing is that some breeds are more disposed to tail chasing than others. German Shepherds, Anatolian Sheepdogs, and Bull Terriers are known for compulsive tail chasing. While the exact reasons for their tail chasing are unknown, if you have one of these breeds, ensure they have plenty of other ways to keep occupied.

If you are still bewildered by your dog’s tail chasing, you can contact AskVet, and our behavior experts will help you find alternatives that will promote healthy, happy behavior.

Attention Seeking

Our pups can be fast learners, particularly when one of their actions results in positive behavior from you. Your dog may see that tail chasing causes you to laugh, act excited, and shower them with affection.

This positive reinforcement incentivizes their behavior; they’ll keep doing it whenever they want to get a positive reaction out of you. Keep this behavior at bay by ensuring you devote some quality playtime to your furry best pal every day.

If your dog has already started to chase their tail to elicit a response from you, ignore the behavior until it stops. Once it stops, praise your dog. Eventually, your dog will learn that you will no longer show any response to this action, and they’ll stop chasing after their tail.

Medical Condition

An itchy tail or bottom can be a big reason your dog is chasing their tail. They may have fleas or intestinal parasites. Perhaps their anal glands need to be expressed, or your pup has a skin condition that can cause itchiness or discomfort.

If your dog cannot reach this uncomfortable or painful area with their paws, they may try to use their mouth. This can cause your dog to look like they are chasing their tail. But in reality, they are trying to soothe itchy or irritated skin.

When persistent tail chasing happens out of nowhere, this could be indicative of a medical issue, and a visit to your veterinarian is needed to rule out any serious medical conditions. If something is amiss, your veterinarian should diagnose the problems and prescribe any medications that will give your best buddy relief.

Cognitive Disorders

Anxiety and stress can cause your dog to become a persistent tail chaser. Dogs can experience obsessive-compulsive disorder, just like humans. Instead of nail-biting or persistent hand-washing, dogs will chase their tails. When dog parents notice behavior problems like tail-chasing, OCD is sometimes a contributor.

Whenever your pet is feeling anxious, maybe they are feeling separation anxiety whenever their best friend (you) leaves the house, they may choose to chase their tail as a way to soothe their emotions.

This is not healthy behavior if your dog constantly does this while you are away. Especially if they can catch their tail, your dog may choose to chew on it and damage the skin. This can lead to infections. As your pet continues to feel anxious, it can become an all-consuming cycle.

Chase Away Pet Parent Concerns with AskVet

Tail chasing can be a one-off cute behavior that your dog does from time to time. Just like the zoomies, it is laughter-inducing and provides wholesome entertainment. When this behavior occurs sporadically, it is a natural and normal behavior. However, if it starts to become a habitual behavior, it can be a sign of a problem that needs to be addressed by a DVM to rule out any concerning medical conditions.

A Certified Pet Lifestyle Coach™ (CPLC™) at AskVet could be your best first stop when you are concerned about tail chasing. Our experts are just the partners you want to have when it comes to your pet’s wellness journey.

Your pet’s personality is one of a kind, and when you schedule a virtual consultation with a CPLC™, our experts can help you create an equally unique Pet Lifestyle Plan to lay the best foundation for your best pal to thrive. From fish to felines and very fluffy or scaly companions in between, the AskVet team and community are here to lend a hand.

Sources:

A Vicious Cycle: A Cross-Sectional Study of Canine Tail-Chasing | PLOS ONE

Characteristics of compulsive tail chasing and associated risk factors in Bull Terriers | AMVA

Training and veterinary care | Britannica

Genomic Risk for Severe Canine Compulsive Disorder, a Dog Model of Human OCD | International Journal of Applied Research

Who here has been a victim of tripping over your dog after somehow forgetting that they are right behind us? Most of us who have dogs are used to having a canine shadow wherever we travel in the house, but that doesn’t mean we forget from time to time and end up bumping into them.

You might be wondering, “Why is my dog insistent on following me around?” “Why can I not go to the bathroom alone?” “Are they being clingy?” There are a few different reasons why your dog likes to be involved in everything you do, ranging from simply loving you to having separation anxiety.

Keep reading to learn more about why dogs trail after their humans so much:

My Dog Follows Me Everywhere. Why?

Dogs are loyal companions who are devoted to their humans. In general, dogs have a pack mentality and like to identify a leader to follow. If you’ve been able to train your dog and work with them to establish your reliability and authority, it’s likely that your dog views you as this leader.

Naturally, your canine companion is going to want to follow you and see what you’re up to because they like to spend time with you. They also rely on their humans for everything in their daily routines: food, water, playing, walks, bathroom breaks, and of course, treats.

If you’re moving about the house, they will be inclined to follow you from room to room simply to see what you are getting up to. You’re the center of your dog’s attention.

Remember: you are your dog’s best friend!

Your Dog’s Personality Has an Impact on Their Clingy Behavior

Not all furry family members are going to be as attached to their person as some will be. Dog breeds have different personalities that reflect how they act at home when with their pet parents. You might be a high-energy dog parent who ends up with a really lazy dog who wouldn’t move from their spot on the couch unless food was guaranteed!

Working and herding dogs like border collies are often deeply attached to their person, and the same goes for older dogs who rely on their humans for additional assistance. Smaller dogs like chihuahuas also like to stay close to their humans. Some puppies might be more rambunctious and ambitious, leaving your side to find trouble to get into, but more often than not, if you walk the opposite way, your puppy will come next.

What Is Separation Anxiety? How Your Dog Reacts to You Leaving.

There is such a thing as a velcro-dog. These dogs are attached to their human’s hips and prefer to spend all of their time next to them. The difference between a velcro dog and a dog with separation anxiety comes down to whether or not your dog suffers from anxiety.

Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety can experience it in multiple different ways. When they are away from their person, even for a short period of time, they go into a true panic attack and make themselves ill or show signs of destructive behavior.

If you’re worried that your dog pursuing you around is becoming an issue, more so for them than you, consider talking with their veterinarian about ways to help. The best way to combat separation anxiety is to work on building confidence in your dog. The sooner you get your dog’s help, the happier they will be.

Reasons Dogs Follow Their Humans

Your dog relies on you for most things. They anticipate that you will give them food and water at set times, take them out for bathroom breaks when they need to go, and play and snuggle throughout the day. Even if they are getting all of that and more, they will still want to be close by when you’re home.

While most reasons that your dog is following you are harmless and quite sweet, there is always the possibility that your dog is feeling unwell or looking for you to help them.

They Love You

Dogs are incredibly social animals that like to spend as much time as possible with their humans. Whether you are playing with them, snuggling on the couch, or more, it’s a sign that they adore you.

Dogs release the hormone oxytocin when they interact with a person that they like. This hormone gives the feeling of happiness and draws your dog closer to you.

If your dog has chosen you to follow, it’s because they know that you will fulfill their needs and provide them with safety and security. Having a dog that is attached to your hip is not a bad thing; some might even say it is quite the compliment.

They’re Bored

When a dog is simply looking for something to do, they might tag along to see if you are getting into anything interesting. If your dog is following you, they might be bored. To address this behavior, keep plenty of toys available for your dog to play with throughout your house.

You can also spend time working on training with your dog. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical stimulation. Having puzzles, learning new tricks, and interactive toys can help limit your dog’s boredom.

They Might Be Looking for a Reward

As much as your dog loves you, they all know that you are the person who gives them what they want. Often it’s taught during dog training that listening and paying attention to their human is enough to reward them with a treat. Your dog might be following you because they think they can get something out of it based on positive reinforcement.

This is something that your pet will pick up on the longer they spend time with you. How do you react when your pet follows you? Do you give them a treat, do you ignore them altogether, or do you give them a pat on the head?

If you reward them when they follow you, they will continue to do so as they age. This is a dog behavior that is more learned than anything in this case, so you might have had a hand in teaching your dog to track you through the house.

Your Dog Might Need Something

Dogs communicate in multiple ways that are much different from how humans communicate with each other. Your dog knows that they need something but might not know the best way to ask for it. Can you blame them?

If your dog is trailing behind you, they might be in need of something. From attention to a bathroom break to needing physical activity, your dog might be trying to tell you what they need. You might be able to tell if this is the case if your dog is whining, pacing, and barking at you or acting strange compared to their usual self.

They Might Be Feeling Anxious

Dogs with separation anxiety are more glued to your side than others. However, separation anxiety isn’t the only cause of general anxiety. If your anxious dog is worried about something or thinks they must be alert, they might become more anxious and look to you for security.

If your dog is anxious or afraid, they might pin their ears back or give you “whale eyes” — when their eyes widen and their pupils dilate as your dog stares at you. If your pup is afraid of thunderstorms or fireworks, you’ve likely seen this reaction before.

Your dog’s body language might significantly change, including a tucked tail or even intense shaking. If your dog feels anxious, they’ll likely stick closely behind you or even hide in the darkest corner of the house. Separation anxiety usually requires some assistance from a professional dog trainer.

It’s a Natural Instinct

It is a part of a dog’s social behavior to stick close to someone they trust. If that happens to be you, then congratulations! You’re likely your dog’s favorite. Your dog might be nosy, but they truly just want to know what you’re up to.

As mentioned before, dogs are pack animals, and it’s in their nature to imprint on a leader and follow them. They will look to you to make sure that there are no threats, that they will be sure to eat, and will be fulfilled in a variety of different ways.

However, sometimes we don’t want our dogs following us. For example, we might not want older dogs climbing down the stairs to the basement. This is when pet-proofing additions like baby gates are a smart purchase.

Ask Questions Through AskVet

When you have a dog, there’s no such thing as a silly question. Being a dog parent can be anxiety-inducing, so it’s always nice to find others who are dealing with similar issues. When you sign up with AskVet, you can gain access to a community of other pet lovers looking to form connections.

After setting up a virtual call with a Certified Pet Lifestyle Coach™, you can ask any question that you have and have an intelligent and helpful response given back to you. Sign up today in order to learn more about your pet and how you can improve their life.

Sources:

Canine Separation Anxiety: Strategies For Treatment And Management | NCBI

Communication In Dogs | NCBI

A Review of Domestic Dogs’ (Canis Familiaris) Human-Like Behaviors: Or Why Behavior Analysts Should Stop Worrying and Love Their Dogs | NCBI

The Role of Oxytocin in the Dog–Owner Relationship | PMC

Dog zoomies are an adorable and entertaining form of energy that simply can’t be contained by dog parents. If you are a pet parent, you are likely familiar with your dog’s random bursts all around the house and yard. They will sprint around you, spin around, and zig-zag between objects, all with a crazed look in their eye.

You may be familiar with these acts, but are you positive about why your dog has them? There are several reasons that dogs get zoomies, so keep reading to learn more!

What Is a Case of the Zoomies?

Zoomies are known as random bursts of energy, but they have a scientific name. Frenetic random activity periods (FRAPS) is the technical term for this excess energy, and they can happen for a number of reasons.

It is a normal phenomenon that all dogs will have at some point in their life, especially dog breeds that are happy and comfortable. They are very common in young dogs, who tend to have more energy than other ages, but that doesn’t mean senior dogs won’t get the zoomies and show you that they are still young at heart.

Should I Be Concerned When My Dog Goes Wild?

Zoomies are rarely canine behavior to be concerned about, especially in puppies in high-energy dogs of all ages. Still, if your dog is doing zoomies relentlessly, they might need more attention and enough exercise. It’s likely they have too much pent-up energy and need to find new ways to release it. Zoomies are the easiest way to do so.

Mental stimulation and physical exercises are good for a dog who has a lot of zoomies. Both can tire out your dog in a good way without overworking them or putting them in any danger. Your dog needs exercise anyway, so change it up and offer them several avenues to do so! Who knows? Maybe you’ll each find a new hobby, like agility or herding!

6 Reasons Dogs Get Zoomies

When it comes to the zoomies, the simple reason for them is that your dog has a lot of energy pent up. This is true, but there could be other factors involved that influence your dog’s zoomies. From warming up, releasing anxiety, and even relieving pain, there are plenty of reasons that your dog might be running around the living room like crazy.

1. They Are Trying To Warm Up

If your dog is feeling particularly cold or it’s a chilly day, they might do the zoomies to help warm up quickly. They might do them in the backyard a few times or when they get back inside from a walk. Zoomies allow them to get their blood pumping and warm up easier than if they were to stand still.

This might also happen to dogs who get out of a lake or bath and are looking for a way to dry off.

2. They Are Releasing Anxiety or Tension

Some dogs who have a build-up of stress or tension will do zoomies once they are feeling a bit better. It’s kind of like the zoomies will help to shake off their anxiety and get all of the tension out of their adorable bodies.

If your dog is in a stressful situation, the zoomies might happen right afterward. For dogs that hate bath time, releasing their nervous energy and needing to warm up is the perfect reason for zoomies.

3. They Are Feeling Super Excited

According to animal behaviorists, zoomies are a tell-tale sign that your dog is happy and excited. They might need to release that excitement, and an appropriate way for them to do so is to run around like a madman in the dog park — or start jumping over the coffee table.

If your dog has specific people or dogs they are in love with, they might get the zoomies when they see them. You might arrive at grandma’s house and watch the zoomies unleash straight out of the car.

When your dog gets the zoomies because they are excited, don’t be afraid to egg your dog on and keep them in that mode! They will love it if you begin to play with them.

4. They’re Celebrating After Going to the Bathroom

Some younger dogs will have a quick zoomie if they have finished going to the bathroom. For some reason, after having a nice poop, your pooch’s first instinct might be to run around as if in celebration.

Be sure they don’t run directly into their fresh business, or else a real mess will be on your hands.

5. They’re Following Their Daily Cycle 

You might notice that your dog gets the zoomies at specific points in the day. This might be based on the built-in biological rhythm that your dog experiences. They might get sudden bursts of energy in the early morning and later on in the evening, usually accompanied by dinner.

6. They’re Trying To Relieve Pain

The last reason that your dog might be experiencing zoomies could potentially be a cause for concern. Some dogs will experience zoomies after feeling a sharp pain, specifically in their legs or behind. Dogs with arthritis or flea bites might feel pain and instinctively start moving quickly.

If your dog has zoomies accompanied by other issues like limping, itching, whining, or extensive licking in one area, there might be something wrong. Reach out to your veterinarian if this seems to be an issue.

Zoom Over to AskVet for Virtual Help

No question is a bad question, but sometimes they can feel a bit silly. Like, “Why do dogs get zoomies?” The answer might seem obvious, but often there is more to it than you might be aware of!

When you sign-up for a virtual session with AskVet, you gain access to chat services available 24/7. With AskVet’s Certified Pet Lifestyle CoachesTM (CPLC), you can ask a dog expert any question you have. Not only that, but your CPLC can come up with a 360-degree lifestyle plan that encompasses nutrition, behavioral, and dog training resources.

Having a pet can be a lot of work, but with AskVet, you can join a community of other pet parents who just want the best for their animal friends. And we are sure you’ll be able to share zoomies stories.

Sources:

What Are Zoomies? | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Stress-Related Behaviors in Companion Dogs Exposed to Common Household Noises, and Owners’ Interpretations of Their Dogs’ Behaviors | Frontiers

Daily Rhythms of Serum Lipids in Dogs: Influences of Lighting and Fasting Cycles | NCBI