5 Strange Dog Behaviors That Make Us Cringe

Even though our perfect canines are the epitome of loyalty and unconditional love, they can engage in some pretty strange dog behaviors. As proud pet parents, these behaviors often leave us baffled, embarrassed, and a little confused.

Here are some strange dog behaviors that make dedicated dog lovers everywhere question their fur babies’ bizarre actions.

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Strange dog behaviors include eating poop, sniffing other dogs’ butts, eating vomit, humping, and licking

Let’s face it, sometimes our human kids do things that, well, gross us out a little. So it should be expected that our fur kids would do the same.

And even though the bond between us and our furry besties is totally unbreakable, sometimes our pets exhibit strange dog behaviors that remind us that they are, in fact, a different species.

After learning about these weird dog behaviors and what they mean, you will still be a little disturbed by your precious pups’ actions, but you will have a better understanding of what’s going on in your adorable bestie’s brain.

This post is all about strange dog behaviors that every loving pet parent needs to know about.

1. Obsessing Over Poop

Imagine a nice, sunny, summer day and your dainty canine is having a playdate in your backyard with the handsome pup next door. You are outside having a drink with your neighbor and watching your precious pooch prancing effortlessly around the yard.

You are so proud. Your little furry, feminine, bundle of fur is showing off her brand-new sparkly collar while she graciously teases her male canine friend.

Your furry bestie is a picture of beauty, running towards you with her little pink bow blowing in the wind.

And then, suddenly, she comes to a complete stop — to nibble on a nugget of poop!

Yes, your pup is eating a poop nugget.

OMG! What is my gorgeous baby doing? What is this psychotic dog behavior?

It’s called coprophagia and it simply means — eating poop.

And while the sight of your poop-eating pooch is quite disturbing, experts say this strange dog behavior is common in the animal kingdom and generally harmless, as long as they’re eating their own poop.

Consuming poop from other animals may cause health problems if the stool is contaminated with parasites, viruses, or toxins.

Have you ever heard dog owners talk about “poopsicles”? Well, that’s actually a real thing. Poop-eating pups love to gulp down frozen poop!

While the exact cause of coprophagia is still unknown, experts have a few theories for these strange dog behaviors.

Not Enough Nutrients in their Diet

Research shows that our hungry canines may be eating his/her poop due to a lack of nutrients.

If your dog’s diet is lacking in vitamins, minerals, or other important nutrients, he may be looking for them in his poop. Eating their own poop can help some animals access nutrients that they couldn’t digest the first time around.

Cat poop is a delicacy to some dogs because it contains more proteins and fats. So if you have kittens or cats, you will need to move the litter box so your pup doesn’t sneak in and steal a poop morsel.

Dog Behavior Meaning // Part Of Their Doggie DNA

Some studies show that as many as 25% of dogs exhibit this sudden strange dog behavior. Eating poop can even be traced back to ancestral survival instincts.

For about the first three weeks after birth, mother dogs will sometimes eat their pups’ poop to keep their environment clean, and as a natural instinct to protect against predators that may be drawn in by their scent.

Even though some experts believe that eating poop can be a normal act, they also advise consulting with your veterinarian to rule out any health problems.

How to Help Your Pooch Kick the Coprophagia Habit

Talk to your veterinarian. Even though coprophagia is mostly a behavioral issue, this odd dog behavior can also be tied to medical causes.

If your doggie is dining on the doodle, make sure you call your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical issues.

Your vet may want to do a thorough physical exam, discuss your dog’s feeding routine, and talk with you about supplements and/or medications. They may even recommend a complete change in your cuddly canine’s diet.

Try adding a poop-eating deterrent to your dog’s food or treats. The hope is that this will make his poop be a little less appealing.

Some pet parents have found success by adding pineapple or carrots to their pup’s diet. These foods taste great going down, but they make his poop taste terrible to your furry friend.

Scoop the poop. Keeping your cute canine’s living area clean and your yard as poop-free as possible will also help with your poop-eating pups’ temptations.

But, even with all this science and nutritional research, sometimes your precious pooch will eat his poop “just because it tastes good”. And that, my fellow dog lovers, is downright disgusting!

Leash up your fur baby during bathroom breaks and redirect his attention.

Practice commands such as “leave it” or “come” after your pretty pooch has pooped. Then reward with a little healthy treat.

Thankfully, this is one of the strange dog behaviors that most puppies will grow out of. But it’s up to you to provide proper guidance and positive reinforcements to help your best bud kick the habit.

You don’t want to take a chance on this gag-inducing behavior becoming permanent!

2. Butt-Sniffing Babes / You Had Me At Hello

Pooch to pooch, nothing says hello better than a good old butt sniff.

Butt-sniffing is one of the first things that happens when two dogs meet. Think of it as one way your curious canine “scopes out” others. There’s a lot of useful information that can be learned in just one butt-sniff.

But is this normal? Of course!

Although butt-sniffing is undeniably right up there with strange dog behaviors, it’s actually the way your pup can tell if new dogs are friend or foe.

Dogs that meet face to face may end up in a fight. But “going around back” to check things out is just a way of saying “hello”.

Since their sense of smell of far greater than ours, dogs can smell layers upon layers of scents even when we can smell nothing at all. Now that’s one impressive snout!

3. Eating Their Own Vomit // Odd Dog Behaviors

When we see our lovable canines eating their own vomit, it makes us, well, want to vomit. Like eating their own poop, eating their own vomit is one of the most strange dog behaviors that puzzle dog owners everywhere.

There is nothing that makes us want to “throw up in our mouths” more than seeing your precious pup gobble down his own vomit.

But, to your dog, eating vomit isn’t weird at all. In fact, it’s a natural behavior.

Dogs eat their own vomit because, to them, it’s seen as a food source. It’s a second opportunity to enjoy a good meal.

In most cases, your fur baby is regurgitating his food anyway, and not vomiting it up.

Regurgitating is slightly different than vomiting. In regurgitation, the body simply rejects what has been swallowed and expels it back before it reaches the stomach.

It happens so quickly that the food is undigested and still carries the same pleasant aromas as the first time around.

When our hungry canines look at vomit, they don’t see it as just a nasty mix of bile and stomach contents, they think, “Hey, there’s food bits in there”!

Strange dog behavior? Definitely. Psychotic dog behavior? Not so much, according to your precious vomit-eating bestie.

To be safe, you will want to take your pup outside and keep an eye on him after he vomits. Because chances are, you’ll be seeing it again.

As always, if your furry friend is acting differently, doesn’t want to eat, throws up more than just once or twice, or if there is something that concerns you, it may be time for a trip to the vet.

{RELATED POST: 19 Surprising Signs of Anxiety In Dogs And What You Can Do To Help}

4. Humping Myths // Weird Things Dogs Do

Why is it that when your pup gets that gleam in his eye and mounts his fur friend, it’s always when there is plenty of company around?

You try to make quick conversation, hoping no one saw what just happened, and waiting for the ground to swallow you whole.

Dogs hump the air, they mount pillows and blankets, they can be found poised behind the neighbor’s dog or befriending your company’s leg.

So, what exactly is behind these strange dog behaviors? What’s up with my hump-happy hound? Well, nothing. Humping is a very common behavior in your happy pooch.

According to animal behaviorist Dr. Mary Burch, “often, humping has nothing to do with sex.”

Dogs may hump if they are stressed, anxious, or simply acting out.

Watch for signs that may indicate that mounting is associated with dog aggression towards other dogs. High posture, direct stares, and growling are all signs of aggression to be aware of.

Sometimes, humping may signal a medical problem like infection, irritation, or prostate problems.

And yes, humping can also be a sexual, pleasure-seeking behavior, especially in younger dogs that have not been spayed or neutered.

List Of Dog Behaviors // Play-Humping Pooch

Some dogs are just “play-humpers”. If your perfect pooch is humping your pretty pillow, there’s a good chance your pup is just over-excited or over-stimulated.

Sometimes heavy-duty playing can cause some dogs to get a little “worked up”.

If one of our dogs is wanting to play (usually Maggie), and the other one is acting like “he’s just not feeling it”, (usually Max), then Maggie will do a play bow, bark, and put her paw on Max’s back. If Max is still not responding, then mounting will often get a rise out of him, and the playing begins.

In order to help your humping hound, try to distract or redirect his energy to another activity. Use only positive reinforcements, and reward good behavior with treats.

If you notice your precious pup excessively mounting, licking or chewing himself, or rubbing his body against things, take him to your veterinarian to make sure there are no medical issues.

5. Privately Licking Their Privates

Most of the time, our sweet fur babies are a source of affection, devotion, and amusement. But sometimes they can exhibit some strange dog behaviors that are downright embarrassing.

There is just no simple way to say it — male dogs will lick their penis, female dogs will lick their vulva, and both sexes will head around back for a quick lick or two.

In a dog world, some degree of licking is part of their normal grooming behavior. Whether your charming canine is licking his coat or his undercarriage, it’s all about the clean-up.

Dogs will usually lick after urinating, or, if the stool is sticky or watery, they will feel the need to tidy up a bit back there.

These odd dog behaviors are completely normal.

But, if your cozy canine is hanging out down there for long periods of time, and frequently, then this is not the norm, and could indicate a medical issue.

A trip to the vet is your safest bet.

If you have a female dog who constantly licks her private area, it’s possible that she may be in heat.

Is Your Pup Licking for Medical or Behavioral Reasons?

Here are some of the more common problems that would prompt your pooch to lick.

• UTI — Urinary Tract Infections
• Bladder Stones/Crystals
• Allergies (environmental or food)
• Skin Infections
• Anal Gland Impaction

Remember, if your fur baby licks more than he should, consult your veterinarian for help.

If your precious pooch receives a clean bill of health from your vet, then the issue could be behavioral. Your pup might be stressed and is licking his privates to calm down or destress.

Give your furry bestie plenty of good old TLC (tender, loving, care) and make sure his basic needs are taken care of so that you can be sure he is living in a stress-free environment.

We love our furry housemates. They are our companions. They crave our love and give us complete loyalty and devotion.

And anyone that has ever shared a close bond with these lovable creatures can attest to that.

Dogs are a necessary part of a happy life.

So, even though the sight of these strange dog behaviors can be unnerving, unsettling, bizarre, and sometimes disturbing, we press on, and we pretend like we didn’t see a thing!

This post was all about the strange dog behaviors that your perfect pooch may reveal to you and what you can do to help.

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