Why Dogs Sniff the Air: What They’re Detecting
Your dog is walking along quite happily when he suddenly stops. His nose lifts away from the sidewalk, his head turns, and he begins sniffing at the empty air.…
instincts
Why Dogs Lick the Air: What This Odd Behavior Means
Is your dog tasting a scent you can’t detect? Waiting for food? Feeling nauseated? Reacting to an uncomfortable social moment? Or did her tongue simply continue into empty space after a lick?…
Why Dogs Shake Their Toys: Play or Instinct?
A dog thrashing a stuffed animal from side to side is running a movement sequence built to rapidly incapacitate small prey.
That whip-fast head shake did not start as play.…
Why Dogs Sniff Everything: Curiosity or Instinct?
You head toward the corner, but your dog has other plans. He stops at a telephone pole, investigates the grass beside it, and moves on just far enough to discover something interesting near the curb.…
Sensory, Quirky & Play Behaviors — How Dogs Explore the World
Dogs experience the world in ways that are very different from people. Their senses are sharper, their curiosity is constant, and many everyday behaviors reflect how they investigate sounds, scents, objects, movement, and the people around them.…
Why Dogs Dig at Blankets: Comfort or Nesting?
You smooth out the blanket on the couch, and a few minutes later your dog climbs up and immediately starts undoing your work. One paw hooks the fleece and drags it backward.…
Why Dogs Tilt Their Heads at Certain Words: Sound or Memory?
Some dogs seem to save their best head tilts for a remarkably short list of words.
You can talk through an entire story and get nothing. Then you say ‘ball,’ ‘walk,’ or the name of a favorite toy, and your dog’s head tips sideways almost on cue.…
Dog Behavior Explained — Complete Guide to Understanding Your Dog
Your dog did something today that made you stop and wonder. Maybe they followed you into the bathroom again. Then they started pacing for no obvious reason or dropped a toy at your feet for the fourth time in an hour.…
Communication: How Dogs Share Information and Understand You
Your dog looks at you, glances toward the leash hanging by the door, then looks back. A moment later, he paws your leg.
Which part was the message?
The useful answer may be the whole sequence.…
Affection, Attachment & Bonding: Why Dogs Stay Close to the People They Love
Some dogs seem to organize their day around a person. You stand up, and they stand up. You walk into the kitchen, and footsteps follow a few seconds later.…