Dogs are amazing creatures. They come in all shapes and sizes, with a seemingly endless variety of personalities. But no matter the breed or personality, all dogs have one thing in common, they are constantly communicating with us, their owners, through their behavior. Sometimes it can be challenging to interpret what our dogs are trying to tell us, but by understanding the basics of dog behavior, we can learn to read their signals more clearly. This article will discuss some of the most common odd behaviors exhibited by dogs and what they mean.
Yawning
Dogs yawn for many reasons, but it is often an indicator of stress. When stressed, they may act submissively to make themselves look smaller and less threatening, such as exposing their throats. This behavior can be seen in unfamiliar situations or around dogs the dog may not trust.
Sniffing Furniture Or Other Items
Dogs typically use their sense of smell to investigate and determine if something is okay to approach and interact with. Because of this, dogs often like to “check out” new items by sniffing them. Dogs may also engage in furniture or object sniffing because they are bored or otherwise unoccupied; it can signify that they need more stimulation or physical activity.
Panting
Excessive panting is commonly associated with heat and exercise, but it can also indicate anxiety. An anxious dog may open his mouth slightly as he pants, baring his teeth slightly as well, as opposed to dropping the lips back, so the upper and lower jaw appears as one piece. The term for this behavior is “submissive grin” and is often seen when a dog greets another dog he doesn’t entirely trust.
Lifting One Paw Off The Ground
This is usually a sign that the dog is afraid of something and wants to retreat from it. Dogs will typically do their best to resist whatever made them back away in the first place by keeping their eyes on it and backing up slowly until they feel comfortable enough to break eye contact and stand still with both paws on the ground again. This standing still position may look like a play bow, but no wiggling or posturing. The behavior often occurs when a dog is cornered by what makes him uncomfortable. Like when an unfamiliar dog is trying to pass on a narrow sidewalk.
