Dog behavior is a fascinating and complicated field. You’re not alone if you’ve ever caught yourself wondering “why on earth does my dog do this?” or “what could they mean by that?” — and we’re here to help!
While many articles here on the Sniffspot blog are devoted to helping pet parents better understand their canine companions, the goal of this specific post is to:
Dog barks can mean a variety of different things depending on pitch, duration, frequency, and context. A dog may bark for many reasons: to warn us, to tell us they are excited, to invite play, to communicate fear, to protect their perceived territory, and more.
Low-pitched sounds typically indicate threats or the possibility of aggression — think of a dog’s growl.
Conversely, higher sounds (like a dog’s whimper) mean “I am no threat, it’s safe to approach me.” They can also suggest surprise, fear, or pain.
The longer the sound, “the more likely that the dog is making a conscious decision about the nature of the signal and his next behaviors” according to Dr. Stanley Coren, author of How to Speak Dog: Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication. What he means by this is that a dog who barks for an extended period is probably aware of what they are doing rather than just acting out of subconscious instinct or surprise.
If a dog repeats their bark frequently and at a fast rate, it indicates a high degree of excitement or urgency. (For example, a dog who fears the mail carrier will likely stand at the window barking repeatedly when the mail carrier arrives.) Conversely, barks that are more spaced out, or not repeated at all, indicate lower levels of excitement.
Whining is a normal dog behavior. It’s most commonly seen in young canines, but because domestic dogs are neotenized compared to their wolf ancestors (a fancy word to say they retain juvenile traits into adulthood) it’s normal for our pets of all ages to whine on occasion.
Dogs might whine:
Dogs don’t speak a symbolic verbal language like we humans do — but they still communicate with us in many ways. While body language usually comes first in a canine conversation, various sounds serve different communication purposes too!
It’s perfectly normal for your dog to growl on occasion depending on the situation and context at hand. A growl often means your companion is feeling uncomfortable and is trying to let you know before escalating to more extreme aggression displays like lunging, snapping, or actually biting.
Young puppies — and even adult dogs — naturally explore the world through their mouths. Think of your dog’s snout similar to how you think of your own hands. If man’s best friend wants to investigate something new, they have to grab it with their teeth!
What’s more: Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell that might be aided by licking interesting objects. Nipping can also be a sign of overstimulation or high arousal, a need for more rest, or other needs not being met.
In short: Know that nipping is normal. It does not mean your dog is aggressive. It does not mean your pup has problems with people. It does not mean you’re doing a bad job as a pet parent! It’s a typical part of owning a young dog — and you’re absolutely not alone.
You can learn more about dog nipping and mouthing in this article.
Like most things on this list, panting is a completely normal canine behavior… that also can indicate an underlying problem depending on the context you see it in.
Dogs aren’t able to sweat like we humans do (expelling heat from every surface of our body) so they cool themselves off by panting instead. They might also pant when they’re feeling stressed or experiencing physical pain.
Here are a few things to pay attention to:
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to take a video of your dog’s body language to run by your trusted vet or trainer. This can be a great way to get answers to your questions and have a plan for next time your dog seems uncomfortable!
Yawning is similar to panting in that it’s a normal behavior in one context (in this case, when your dog is tired) that can also indicate stress in other situations. We know that can be confusing as a dog owner!
Yawning is considered a calming signal, sometimes referred to as a stress signal. These cues are natural parts of canine communication used to express how a dog feels and de-escalate potential conflict.
If your dog is yawning late at night or shortly after waking up? They’re probably just tired. If they’re yawning frequently while in a new environment or meeting a new dog or person, though? Chances are they’re feeling a little uncomfortable.
You can help by never forcing your dog to interact with something (remove them from situations that are making them uncomfortable) and providing them opportunities to relieve stress. A few go-to options are to offer to play a favorite game or scatter some treats on the ground for them to sniff out.
If you’ve noticed that your dog is chewing on things they shouldn’t be, it doesn’t mean that they're being bad or trying to destroy your belongings. It simply means that something else is going on with them — maybe natural exploration, boredom, anxiety, or even pain — that you might need to address.
Dogs might chew because:
You can learn more about destructive chewing in this article.
Dogs dig for various reasons. The meaning behind their digging behavior depends on the context and circumstances — here are some possible explanations:
Dogs are canines sharing a common ancestor with wolves, who dig dens to sleep in or to birth their litters. Some dogs may retain this instinct and dig to create a comfortable spot to rest or hide. (Note: Domestic dogs are not wolves, and we do not recommend basing training techniques off of modern wolf behavior! It is worthwhile, though, to look to their canine relatives to help understand some of their natural behaviors.)
If a dog is not getting enough exercise or mental stimulation, they may resort to digging as a way to occupy themselves.
Digging a hole in the ground can provide a cooler spot for a dog to lie down in hot weather.
Dogs may dig as a coping mechanism, or displacement behavior, for anxiety or stress. It can be a way to release nervous energy or to create a feeling of safety or comfort.
Some breeds, such as terriers, were originally bred to hunt vermin and may dig in pursuit of small animals.
If you’re concerned that your dog’s digging might indicate an underlying anxiety problem — or if you’re just tired of them ruining your flower beds — it’s a good idea to:
Most dog owners are familiar with the “butt scoot” — a gross yet common behavior where your dog drags their rear across the ground, rubbing it on the carpet (or if you’re unlucky, your bed or clothes).
Butt scooting is often a sign of discomfort or irritation in your dog’s anal area.
Dogs have two small glands on either side of their anus that produce a scent that is unique to each dog. These glands can become enlarged, impacted, or infected. Scooting can help dogs express the glands and relieve the discomfort.
Some parasites, such as tapeworms, can cause itching around the anus. This isn’t as common as irritated anal glands — don’t panic! — but is important to know just in case.
Dogs can be allergic to a variety of things, including food, pollen, or fleas. Allergies can cause inflammation and itching around the anus that lead to scooting.
If your dog is scooting their butt on the ground, it's important to take them to your trusted vet to determine the underlying cause. Treatment may include expressing the anal glands, medication for allergies or parasites, or surgery for more severe conditions.
The technical terms for eating poop are “coprophagia” or “coprophagy”. It’s not always a cause for concern — some level of this behavior is natural in our pets and can usually be easily managed — but it can also be a sign of a larger underlying problem.
Coprophagia is a pretty common problem in puppies. They usually grow out of it so long as they have a healthy environment and proper nutrition! What that means for you as an owner: If you recently brought your young dog home and they’re trying to eat feces, you don’t need to be too concerned.
It's a good idea to pick up poop right away to prevent the poop eating. Some pups retain this habit for a long time — so preventing it from happening can really help.
Dogs are scavengers! It’s common for our canine companions to steal food, tear through garbage cans, and chew on plenty of things that we owners find disgusting ourselves. With proper training and other mental exercise outlets this behavior can be reduced or eliminated entirely, but it’s important to remember that scavenging is a deeply rooted instinct in our dogs. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the tendency — it’s not a disorder in itself — so long as we manage it properly.
Some animal feces has particularly “appetizing” attributes (like taste, texture, and odor) that can override our dogs’ understanding that it’s waste and probably shouldn’t be consumed. Cat feces is a common culprit, as is that of deer, rabbits, or other small herbivores.
You can learn more about coprophagia in dogs in this article.
There is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers.
This is the trainer that reviewed this article:
Alisa Healy, KPA CTP, FDM
Owner and trainer at Dog Forward Training
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either his own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle (or worse, get bored of) them in just a few days?
You’ve been told that your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to stretch their legs, experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and spend time with you! Consistent physical activity will also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dog breeds have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being dangerous. Rottweilers are among them — as a large working breed, they’re often thought of as aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Welcome to the United States Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in the United States based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used.
Welcome to the New Jersey Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in New Jersey based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Welcome to the Michigan Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Michigan based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Welcome to the Washington Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Washington based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Welcome to the Florida Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Florida based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.