Does your doggy stun you sometimes? Find out why he acts like an oddball!

Does your dog engage in any bizarre behavior? There are reasons your dogs do the things they do!

Why does my dog eat poop?

You may not realize this – maybe it’s not the topic of your everyday conversations – but dogs eating poop really isn’t all that unusual. Yes, it’s disgusting, but it turns out it is a natural behavior and most dogs are hard-wired to do it.

Of course there are other, less sweet reasons a dog eats feces. Some are just plain hungry. Some actually enjoy the smell or taste (you’d be hard-pressed to find a dog that doesn’t love snacking from the cat’s litterbox!), and some are looking for specific nutrients they might be missing from their diet.

Why does my dog howl when she hears an ambulance or a certain song?

Howling is a form of communication in dogs. It is a way for dogs to signal their presence to other dogs that are often located far away. It is common in wolves and coyotes, both relatives of today’s domestic dog. Sometimes dogs will howl when they hear sirens or other loud higher pitched sounds like clarinets and flutes (or the ambulance or theme song that sets them off). Dogs do this as an instinctive response to hearing what they interpret to be another howling dog in the distance. They are not doing this because it hurts their ears.

Why do dogs sniff each other’s butts?

They’re actually getting a whole lot of important information that way. That’s right, from a quick sniff of the rear, one dog can tell the other’s emotional state, it’s gender, it’s diet, if it’s healthy or sick, and much, more more! It’s all thanks to the chemicals stored and secreted from the sacs tucked conveniently in his rear end. In a nutshell, it’s just one of the ways they communicate and learn about one another.

Why does my dog tilt his head when I talk to him or if he hears a strange noise?

Tilting their heads repositions the ears, helps to open the ear canal, and allows a dog to better judge distance and position of sounds. As part of their incredible audible abilities, the slight change in sound from different positions of the ears can help a dog pinpoint its source.

Why does my dog chase her own tail?

Some dogs do it out of boredom or to expend some pent up energy. Sadly for some dogs, tail chasing can be a learned behavior if they’ve been kept in a cage or kennel that’s too small to comfortably move around. For others, it’s a compulsive or obsessive behavior that, if the behavior is excessive, can be treated with medication. And, of course, your dog could be chasing his tail to bite at fleas or to find relief from irritated anal glands.

Even with the answers to your pup's strange behavior, watching your doggy eat his poop will always be shocking and weird. LOL! However, you'll be glad to know that these are just part of what makes him the lovable doggy you fell in love with in the first place.

For more truth behind other oddball behaviors, be sure to visit The Dogington Post.