Stranger Canine Behaviours Decoded: Understanding Your Dog

Every dog owner has at some point stopped and wondered why their dog exhibits certain unusual behaviours. Many of these actions are completely natural, rooted in evolutionary or conditioned responses by your dog. Others can appear perplexing and even worrying. Understanding these behaviours not only strengthens your bond but also helps spot if there is a problem that needs attention.

Strange but Natural Canine Behaviours

Dogs may engage in odd behaviours that can be surprising yet are perfectly normal. For instance, some dogs love rolling in foul-smelling substances like animal droppings or decaying matter. While unpleasant to us, this is an instinctive behaviour linked to their ancestral habits of scent masking or communication.

Many dogs also enjoy digging holes and burying food or toys, which stems from their wild predecessors storing provisions for future needs. Others might build dens or nests or circle repeatedly before settling down, behaviours linked to comfort and security rites inherited from ancient denning ancestors.

Canine Pica: Eating Non-food Items

Pica describes the behaviour where dogs eat objects that are not meant to be food, such as small clothing items, plastic, or toys. This can be dangerous if these items cause choking or intestinal blockage.

Pica may signal dietary deficiencies, boredom, or anxiety. It’s important to monitor such behaviour closely, provide chew-safe toys, and consult a vet or certified canine behaviourist if it persists.

Understanding Coprophagia in Dogs

Coprophagia is the consumption of faeces, which can be distressing for owners but has explanations rooted in nature. Dogs might eat faeces from other animals like sheep or cats, or occasionally their own, driven by instinct or nutrient seeking due to dietary gaps.

Stress, uncertainty, or lack of stimulation can also trigger coprophagia. Wild canine mothers sometimes consume their pups’ faeces to clean dens and protect the litter from predators. Ensuring your dog has a balanced diet, stable routine, and enrichment can help reduce this behaviour.

Compulsive Behaviours and Canine OCD

Obsessive-compulsive behaviours can manifest in dogs much like humans, presenting as repetitive, anxiety-driven actions. Examples include excessive pacing around the home and garden, persistent barking when alone, obsessive guarding of resources such as toys or food, or repetitive movements like spinning.

This behaviour often stems from stress, anxiety, or boredom. Dogs left alone too long without engagement may invent their own forms of entertainment, which can become compulsive. Providing sufficient mental stimulation, exercise, and a predictable routine can help mitigate these behaviours. In persistent or severe cases, consult a canine behaviour specialist.

Polyphagia: Excessive Hunger in Dogs

Polyphagia means an unsatiable appetite or failure to stop eating despite physical fullness. Causes can vary from psychological issues like fear of food scarcity, learned behaviour from earlier deprivation, to medical conditions affecting hunger hormones.

Regulate your dog's meals by feeding measured portions on a fixed schedule and resist overfeeding. If your dog consistently appears hungry or overeats, a veterinary check-up and possibly help from a canine behaviourist can be beneficial.

Additional Insights on Strange Canine Behaviours

Many other behaviours that might seem strange have evolutionary or communication roots. For example, dogs sometimes kick their feet after toileting to spread scent marks, a territorial instinct. Butt dragging may signal discomfort or anal gland issues, so monitoring and vet consultation is important if frequent.

Understanding these behaviours compassionately and responsively supports your dog's welfare and fosters a deeper bond.

Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership

When considering your dog's behaviour, always promote responsible ownership. Provide a balanced diet, regular veterinary care, enriched environmental stimulation, and positive training techniques. Avoid punishment-based methods, as they can increase stress or worsen compulsive behaviours.

If you are interested in adding a dog to your family, find a puppy from reputable breeders who prioritise health, temperament, and ethical breeding. Responsible acquisition and care are vital for happy, healthy dogs and contented owners.

Conclusion

Many strange canine behaviours, while puzzling, can be understood through the lens of natural instincts, nutritional needs, and emotional wellbeing. Knowing when behaviours are normal and when they signal a problem is key to responsible pet ownership.

By observing your dog attentively, ensuring proper care, and consulting professionals when needed, you can support your dog’s happiness and health. Embrace the quirks of your canine companion—they are part of what makes dogs so wonderfully unique.