Decoding the Mysteries: Unraveling Odd Dog Behaviors
Do you really understand your dog's emotions? The truth is, their happiness, sadness, and everything in between is all conveyed through their body language.
Body Language
┄ Anger ┄
Anger: The dog's entire body becomes rigid, with its limbs stretched out, fur standing on end. The lips curl back to reveal the teeth, and a threatening growl is emitted. The tail may twitch slightly, and the ears will be standing up and facing the target.
┄ Joy, Playfulness ┄
Joy: The dog will continuously jump around, bend its body, and use its front legs to stamp the ground while vigorously wagging its tail from side to side. Larger breeds might even leap forward to lick their owner's face.
┄ Alertness, Depression ┄
Tension: The dog's neck fur will stand on end, its legs will be stiff, and its gaze will be determined, indicating a highly alert state, ready to attack at any moment.
Deciphering Unusual Behaviors
Q: Why does my dog not eat from its bowl but instead drag its food outside of it?
A: Every time your dog eats, it picks up its food and carries it to a secluded corner to enjoy it slowly. After finishing, the floor around it is littered with food scraps. This behavior is actually a leftover from the dog's ancestors' hunting habits. In the wild, dogs had to hunt in packs to survive, and their instinct to fight over large prey made them rush to hide the food to prevent other dogs from taking it.
Q: Why does my dog sometimes sigh like a human?
A: Does your dog's sighing, like a human's, signify "disappointment" or "helplessness"? In fact, it's a sign that the dog is very calm and content, entering a state of relaxation and comfort. However, frequent sighing and whining should be taken seriously. petMD reports that deep, frequent sighing may indicate drowsiness in dogs, and if accompanied by other unusual behaviors such as refusing to eat or not wanting to play, it's advisable to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Q: Why does my dog let out a long howl when it hears street vendors calling out?
A: The sudden, long howling can be traced back to the days when dogs were wolves. Wild wolves would communicate with each other through howls, as the sound could travel far, helping the pack to know their location. Similar to GPS, it helped companions quickly gather together.
Q: Why does my dog enjoy chasing chickens and ducks?
A: Dogs chasing chickens and ducks is a natural instinct for carnivorous mammals. The key to correcting this bad habit is to catch the dog in the act and immediately give it a firm correction: gently slap its mouth with your hand and say "No." If the dog kills the chicken or duck, maintain an unpleasant expression for a long time and patiently teach it.
Q: Why does my dog frequently shake its tail after I pet it?
A: The dog's shaking of its tail after being petted by its owner is not a sign of "disgust" or "disapproval." On the contrary, it shows that the dog is very excited and is trying to shake off excess energy to calm down quickly.
