Have you ever looked at your dog and wondered why he is the way he is? Sometimes our dogs exhibit certain mannerisms that make us question if we are seeing things. Read on to find out why these little quirks of theirs exist!

Coprophagy

Coprophagy simply means eating poop. All dog owners would have had the horrifying experience of watching your dog eat their own poop. There are a couple of reasons for this unintuitive (to humans at least) behaviour. It originates from mothers having to clean up after their pups to hide the scent from predators in the wild, and is a natural instinct that hasn’t been excluded during the evolution of dogs.

If you’ve previously trained your dog to break this habit, then eating poop could be a sign of nutritional deficiency. Keep your dog on a well-balanced diet with ORIJEN Original Dog Food to ensure that isn’t the cause of such behaviour!

Tail chasing

No dog behaviour article will be complete without a mention of the classic tail chasing act. Dogs chase their own tail as a way to rid themselves of the extra energy they have in them. While generally a playful and harmless behaviour, constant or obsessive tail chasing could be a sign of skin condition or infection - in this case, you may want to talk to your vet about this.

Try a fun and engaging toy like Ruffwear Turnup™ Rubber Treat Dispenser Fetch Dog Toy to expand their energy in the day.

Nesting

Just like coprophagy, nesting is a behaviour that has been carried forward from the early days of dogs living in the wild. Our dog’s ancestors used to circle around an area to flatten the surrounding grass and make a comfortable resting spot. The same thing applies when your dog circles around in his uber comfortable Ohpopdog Peranakan Inspired Bunga Peach 6 Microbeads Dog Bed before lying down, albeit in the absence of grass, this may come across as strange to us.

Grass kicking

If you’ve always been puzzled at why your dog has to kick grass around their usual potty spot, here’s why - it’s a form of territory marking. Dogs have glands in their little paws that secrete hormones which transfers when they scratch the ground. It's both a way to remember where they did their business, and to let other dogs know that spot is taken.

Don't forget to wipe them down with Earthbath Mango Tango Wipes For Dogs after a walk. Read hereon why!

Scooting

Scooting refers to the act of your dog dragging himself across the floor in a seated position - likely to be an attempt to soothe the itch on his bum. This itch could be caused by a buildup of fluid in the anal glands, which are usually emptied during their bathroom sessions. Allergies could also be a contributing factor, study any new additions to his diet to narrow down on the cause. In the meantime, use a soothing spray like Farm Dog Naturals RESTORE Itch Relief & Wound Care Salve to relieve him of an itchy bum - definitely not the most pleasant feeling in the world!

Editor’s Note: 

We’re so glad you’re here! As Singapore’s Better Pet Store, we care for the well-being of our dogs just as we would with our loved ones. GDP supports ethical and responsible dog ownership and you can be assured that all the products featured on our online store are responsible products. You may check out our Academy to learn more about various interesting topics that might guide you to becoming an even better dog owner for your furry friend. If products listed below are 'out of stock', that means they are super popular, but before you get disappointed, check out the drop down bar to discover other flavours or sizes.  

KIM LEE

Kim is an avid dog lover, serial guac and chips eater, and thrill seeker - all in one body. Currently chillin’ with her dogs.