Dog behaviour
Why dogs do what they do: a short answer, the reasons and what helps day to day. Each question says when a trainer or a vet is the next step.
These answers explain ordinary behaviour and do not replace advice from a vet or a qualified trainer. If the behaviour changed suddenly, see a vet.
Most asked
- Why does my dog bark? Barking is how a dog talks: it warns of strangers, asks for attention, complains of boredom or frustration and shows joy in play. To get less barking, first work out what your dog is trying to say and meet that need, rather than telling it off.
- Why does my dog chew furniture? Chewing is a natural need for a dog: it is how it explores, soothes itchy gums, calms down and passes the time. It chews shoes and furniture when its teeth are changing, when it is bored or when it has no chews of its own, so proper chews and a safe home help.
- Why does my dog eat everything on walks? Dogs are scavengers by nature: finding and quickly eating anything edible was how their ancestors got by. Puppies and food-loving dogs are especially keen on it. Outdoors it is dangerous, so supervision, swaps and, if needed, muzzle training help.
- Why does my dog pull on the lead? A dog does not pull because it wants to lead you, but because pulling pays off: every step forward brings it closer to smells, dogs and people. On top of that, a dog naturally walks faster than a person, and walking beside you is something it has to be taught.
- Why does my dog roll in poo? Rolling in poo, carrion or dead fish is natural scent behaviour for a dog, not an illness or bad character. Nobody knows the exact reason: the dog may be hiding its own smell, bringing news home to others or simply enjoying the smell.
- Why does my puppy bite? Puppies explore the world with their mouths: biting is how they play, learn how hard they can bite and soothe itchy gums while their teeth change. It is a normal phase that passes if the puppy has things to chew and learns that biting ends the game.
Sounds
- Why does my dog bark? Barking is how a dog talks: it warns of strangers, asks for attention, complains of boredom or frustration and shows joy in play. To get less barking, first work out what your dog is trying to say and meet that need, rather than telling it off.
- Why does my dog howl? Howling is an old way for dogs to call to each other over a distance, the same one wolves use. A dog may join in with a siren, music or the neighbours' dogs, and huskies and hounds simply like to sing. If a dog howls only when left alone, the reason is a different one.
Body language and habits
People and other animals
- Why does my dog jump up on people? A dog jumps up because it wants to greet you close to your face, the way puppies greet adult dogs by licking their muzzles. The habit sticks because jumping brings attention: even being pushed away or told off counts as attention to a dog.
- Why does my dog follow me everywhere? Dogs are social animals, so being close to their people comes naturally. A dog follows you because it is attached to you, because everything good comes from you, and because some breeds were bred to work beside a person. It is only a worry when the dog cannot settle without you.
- Why does my dog guard food or toys? Guarding what is valuable comes naturally to dogs: in the wild every bite counted. A dog that freezes over its bowl or growls when you come near its bone is afraid of losing it. Punishment does not ease that fear; trust that an approaching person takes nothing away does.
- Why does my dog lick me? Licking is one of a dog's first ways of communicating: puppies lick their mother's muzzle, and an adult dog licks to say hello, show friendliness or ask for attention. Sometimes it simply likes the salty taste of skin. It is harmless with some basic hygiene.
Play, hunting and energy
- Why does my puppy bite? Puppies explore the world with their mouths: biting is how they play, learn how hard they can bite and soothe itchy gums while their teeth change. It is a normal phase that passes if the puppy has things to chew and learns that biting ends the game.
- Why does my dog chase its tail? A puppy spinning round after its tail is simply playing and exploring its own body. An adult dog sometimes does it out of boredom or for attention. If it spins for a long time, is hard to distract or chews its tail, it is worth asking a vet.
Home and belongings
- Why does my dog chew furniture? Chewing is a natural need for a dog: it is how it explores, soothes itchy gums, calms down and passes the time. It chews shoes and furniture when its teeth are changing, when it is bored or when it has no chews of its own, so proper chews and a safe home help.
- Why does my dog dig? Digging comes naturally to a dog: it is how it hunts mice and moles, hides a bone, cools off on a hot day or simply passes the time. For terriers and dachshunds digging is a true calling. A digging spot of its own, shade and things to do help.
Food and outdoors
- Why does my dog eat everything on walks? Dogs are scavengers by nature: finding and quickly eating anything edible was how their ancestors got by. Puppies and food-loving dogs are especially keen on it. Outdoors it is dangerous, so supervision, swaps and, if needed, muzzle training help.
- Why does my dog pull on the lead? A dog does not pull because it wants to lead you, but because pulling pays off: every step forward brings it closer to smells, dogs and people. On top of that, a dog naturally walks faster than a person, and walking beside you is something it has to be taught.
- Why does my dog roll in poo? Rolling in poo, carrion or dead fish is natural scent behaviour for a dog, not an illness or bad character. Nobody knows the exact reason: the dog may be hiding its own smell, bringing news home to others or simply enjoying the smell.
- Why does my dog steal food? To a dog, food on the table or the worktop does not belong to anyone: it is simply a find. Dogs are born to look for food and take their chances, and every successful try pays off, so the habit grows. A tidy kitchen and a steady feeding routine help.
Toilet habits
When behaviour can be a sign of illness
Some changes in behaviour are symptoms: they are covered on the symptom pages, with the possible causes and when to see a vet.
- Change in a dog's behaviour When a dog becomes restless, timid, irritable, slow to learn or simply acts differently from usual, it is often the first sign that it is in pain or ill. It is not stubbornness, so a vet needs to find the cause.
- Dog afraid of noises A dog that shakes, hides or tries to bolt during thunder, fireworks or other sounds is feeling real fear. If the fear is new or has recently grown, it is worth finding out whether pain, the ears or another health cause is behind it.
- Dog cannot be left alone A dog that howls, barks, scratches or soils the house when left alone is going through strong distress. If this is new or appeared suddenly, pain, illness and age-related changes need to be ruled out first.
- Dog hiding and avoiding people A dog that starts to hide under furniture, avoid the family or shut itself away is often trying to say that it feels unwell. Such a change is a reason to have a vet check for pain or illness.
- Dog licking itself constantly A dog that keeps licking the same spot or licks itself for long periods is often trying to soothe pain, itch or an unpleasant sensation. Constant licking is therefore a reason to look for a cause, not only to get used to a different behaviour.
- Dog pressing its head against a wall The dog stands pressing its forehead against a wall, a piece of furniture or a corner, often for a long time and for no obvious reason. This is not normal behaviour, and such a change is a reason to see a vet as soon as possible.
- Dog restless and unable to settle A dog that paces in circles, keeps changing position and cannot find a place to settle may be in pain or unwell. Restlessness is often the first sign that something is wrong, so it deserves to be taken seriously.
- Dog restless at night A dog that paces, pants, whines or cannot settle at night is often trying to say that something is wrong: it hurts, it is thirsty or needs to urinate, or it feels unwell. New restlessness at night is a reason to see a vet.
- Dog seeming confused or dazed The dog stares into space, no longer reacts to familiar things, wanders or seems drunk. A sudden or new change like this is a reason to see a vet, because pain or illness may lie behind it.
- Dog staring at walls A dog that stares for long at a wall, a corner or an empty spot and does not respond may be having a seizure, confusion or another change in the nervous system. This behaviour is a reason to have your dog seen by a vet.
- Dog suddenly aggressive When a dog that used to be calm starts to growl, snap or bite, it is not a change of character but a signal. Most often there is pain, fear or illness behind it, so the first step is a vet, not working out who is to blame.
- Dog walking in circles A dog that walks in circles, other than the usual turning before lying down, may have an ear, balance or nervous system problem. This behaviour is a reason to see a vet soon.
- Dog whining for no clear reason Whining can mean a wish to go out, anxiety or simply wanting attention, but it can also be the voice of pain. If your dog has started whining in a new way or differently from usual, pain and illness need to be ruled out first.
- Dog eating grass Many dogs eat grass now and then and stay perfectly well, so grass-eating on its own is not an illness. It is worth seeing a vet if your dog suddenly eats a lot of grass, eats it greedily, vomits as well, goes off its food or looks unwell.
- Dog eating faeces Eating faeces is not rare in dogs, though owners find it very unpleasant. It can be a behavioural habit, but sometimes it suggests your dog is not getting enough from its food or has a digestive problem, so it is worth talking to a vet.
- Dog urinating indoors When a dog that was house-trained starts urinating indoors, it may not be mischief but a signal about health or emotions. The cause can be in the urinary tract, the kidneys, the hormone system, or anxiety. It is worth writing down when and how it happens and showing your dog to a vet.