5 Dog Behaviors You Need To Keep In Mind Because It Could Mean Something Else

The behaviors of our pups are often an indication of how happy or healthy they are. That’s why it’s important that we understand what certain actions mean and how to interpret them.

Here are five things about pup behavior that you might not know!

1. A wagging tail doesn’t always equate to friendliness

In fact, wagging a tail can have completely different meanings depending on the speed that it moves and how high it’s held up. A pup with a highly elevated, slowly wagging tail may be putting on a demonstration of aggression, or saying he perceives you as threat.

2. Barking isn’t a normal means of communication between dogs

Pups actually adapted barking when they started living with humans, because they’ve noticed that we respond to that quite well. Meanwhile, dogs who live in the wild yelp, whine, and use body language to communicate with each other and rarely ever bark.

3. Mounting isn’t always a sexual behavior

Sometimes, it can be a manifestation of stress or excitement. It can seem a little embarrassing to us, but to a pup, it’s simply another action that doesn’t have specific connotations. Just distract your pup when he exhibits this behavior and understand that it isn’t necessarily a sexual display!

4. A pup scooting his rear across the floor can be a sign of a health problem

Yes, it looks pretty funny, but it could indicate itching or pain in the perineal area, which can be a symptom of a gland disease or an allergy. This is not normal behavior in a healthy dog! Check out this article here for more details.

5. Licking isn’t necessarily a hygiene thing

Unlike cats, dogs don’t groom themselves every day, so licking paws can be a sign of an allergy. Occasional paw-licking is fine, but chewing on nails or constant licking indicates a need for a visit to the veterinarian.

These are just some lesser-known facts about dog behavior! Did you know about them? Do like and share this information if it was useful!