Barking is completely natural for dogs – it’s a way for them to communicate.

But since we’ve domesticated them, we’ve tried to train that behavior out of them to keep down the noise level.

Barking can mean anything from “danger is coming” to “hey, give me a piece of that” and there are ways to tell the difference as well as train your dog not to bark in certain situations (though that’s going to take some hard work on YOUR part).

The American Kennel Club has a great piece on how to interpret your dog’s barks here and you can find a quick-reference chart here.

The key is knowing why your dog is barking before you can try to solve the problem.

For example, random, non-sensical barking can be a sign of cognitive decline.

Some dogs are natural howlers, but that’s not a behavior you want to encourage (at least for your neighbor’s sake) unless you’ve found a way to limit the howling to in-home duets.

Some dogs howl for benign reasons – such as for attention or in response to another dog or high-pitched noise. They can be trained to limit that behavior.

But many dogs howl due to separation anxiety, which means you might not be home to hear it. If your neighbor tells you your dog is howling, taking it seriously as both a neighbor and a dog-owner because that behavior is likely also accompanied by other self-destructive tendencies such as scratching at themselves, digging at things, and destroying your home.

If your dog appears to be suddenly letting out mournful or high-pitched howls for no reason, check them for injuries.

If they are hurting inside, this might be a sign that you need to take them to a vet right away – that’s their way of telling you things aren’t right.

Dog whining is another method of communication, but it can start to wear on dog owners.

Dogs may whine for attention, because they want something, or because they feel guilty or sorry.

But they might also whine when they’re feeling ill, scared, or anxious.

If you’ve examined the environment and can’t figure out why your dog might be whining, it could be something a vet needs to investigate.

Puppies chew things. They don’t know any better and it often relieves the pain caused by teething. If you want to completely avoid a puppy chewing on your shoes or other things around the house, don’t get a puppy.

If you are in charge of training your dog, this is a behavior you have to nip in the bud ASAP because they don’t always chew on what’s safe.

The ASPCA has advice on how to get started on training your dog (and, yes, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks if you’re patient!).

But do make sure to take into account that if you’re gone often (or don’t interact with your pet enough), your dog of any age is probably chewing things because they’re bored, understimulated, and experiencing separation anxiety.

And NEVER punish your dog after the fact (they cannot connect that to what they did), show your dog the damage while spanking them, crate your dog for extended periods to avoid chewing, or try to muzzle or artificially bind their mouths in any way to stop them from chewing in the house. This is animal abuse.

Dogs need attention and it’s your responsibility to give it to them.

Digging is an instinctual behavior that was once used to hide food from predators. Your dog may still bury bones as a result, but if they’re digging under a fence they might be trying to make a run for it.

Some dogs dig just because they like it or because they’re bored. They’ll even dig in the house (in corners or couches) – and sometimes it’s just stress relief.

Dogs may also dig for prey, to sit in the cool earth when it’s hot outside, or to build a birthing “nest” if they’re a pregnant female.

It’s hard to get a dog to stop this behavior, but according to the AKC, the first step is to assess the situation and figure out why they’re doing it. Then, try to give them a safe space (like a sandbox) to dig if you can, stimulate them more so they’re not bored, or play with them in the yard so they don’t associate it so much with digging.

Simply yelling at your dog for doing something instinctual or caused by anxiety isn’t going to get you anywhere.

Dogs have to release their bladders just like humans and if they aren’t taken out at regular intervals, then (just like humans) it will release on its own.

House training is a separate issue and something that all puppy owners need to undertake.

But if your dog suddenly starts urinating in your home after being house trained, that’s an obvious cause for concern.

Sometimes it’s anxiety – such as when they’re left home more often or someone moves in or out of the house (dogs don’t like change to their routines). Other times they’ll do it to mark territory if your home changes or you’re doing renovations (or you get another dog).

But many times, age-related disorders and other health problems are to blame and the dog is not purposely trying to pee in the house. This is when you need to get them to a vet to catch any health issues such as kidney disease or bladder problems early on.

Rubbing your dog’s face in the spot will NOT stop the behavior and is cruel. They’ll only hide their “accidents” in the future so you can’t find them.

Once again, you need to house train a dog before you can expect them to understand that outdoors is the only place to poop (which means you also have to take them for regular walks to help them with that).

If your dog is suddenly pooping indoors, especially if it’s near where they sleep, something is up.

Pay attention to the circumstances when this happens and do some investigative work to see if there’s something causing anxiety. You’ll want to have this information when you call the vet and ask them if it might be a health or behavioral problem.

If it’s watery or there’s blood in the stool this is an obvious sign you need to call a professional.

Again, yelling or rubbing their noses in it will not solve the problem and only make them more anxious. And it’s inhumane.

Dogs are needy, which means separation anxiety is very common. You may just have to face the fact that if you can’t be home much, you might not be an appropriate dog owner.

Dogs that get anxious when their owners start to leave (by pacing, causing trouble, whining, etc.) need to be taught to tolerate being left alone for short periods of time.

Try giving them a toy or treat so they don’t associate you walking out the door only with fear, loneliness, and boredom.

In more serious situations, the ASPCA has advice on behavioral adjustments that require time and effort.

In some cases, dogs may need medication – but that should be decided after trying to train them and by a licensed vet.

If you don’t take care of your dog’s separation anxiety, you might come home to quite a mess.

Destruction of furniture at this level is often due to boredom and/or a lack of exercise.

You MUST be there for your dog and allow them to get their energy out. Anything else is cruel.

Depending on what they chew, this behavior can also cause some serious health issues.

If the behavior won’t stop and if your dog is eating non-food items (a condition called pica), they’ll need a veterinary consultation to rule out health issues.

Some breeds just naturally stay close to their owners. And many dogs just love you so much that they want to be with you as much as possible, especially if they don’t see you much.

But if your dog suddenly becomes clingy or the behavior is untenable, there are some things to consider.

Your dog associates you with attention and treats. If you give those things to your dog in an attempt to get a moment alone, expect them to continue to follow you – you just reinforced the behavior.

Your dog needs other people and animals to play with and should socialize beyond just one person in the house. They should also have toys to play with on their own.

If they don’t have anything else to do with their lives than wait for your next pet or treat, then you can expect to have a furry shadow for the foreseeable future.

Your dog loves you and feels comforted by your presence. But sometimes a “velcro dog” can get a little overwhelming.

If your dog is always touching you, they might be looking for attention (especially if you reward the behavior), have separation anxiety (if you’re not home often), want you to do something (like give them a treat or a walk), or just trying to feel more secure (this can be for lots of reasons from sensing a storm coming to not feeling well).

Investigate both the dog’s behavior and your own way of responding to it.

Some people don’t mind a clingy dog, but if you do, you’ll want to give them other ways to feel safe and entertained.

If your dog sits on you, it might be trying to assert dominance or spread its scent, especially if other dogs have been near you recently.

If you feed your dog snacks and scraps, you can fully expect it to ask for more.

To stop dogs from begging while you’re eating, you need to train them to do something else during mealtime – such as lay in a particular place in the house.

If your dog is well-fed, IGNORE THEM when they beg. EVERY TIME.

They have to learn that the behavior is ineffective 100% of the time.

In this case, your dog’s behavior is on you. If you yell at them for doing something they’re often rewarded for, they will not understand.

When a dog sees something move, it’s instinct is to chase it. Of course, this can cause lots of trouble if they chase cars, joggers, or run out into the street.

The behavior can be predatory or playful, but it needs to be nipped in the bud so no injuries occur.

Chasing down your dog won’t work because they’ll only assume you’re in on the game and keep on running.

You need to train this behavior out of your dog by teaching them to come when called. You can find some tips on the process of training them here.

But remember that training out instincts doesn’t happen overnight.

Dogs jump because they’re excited and want attention. And – for whatever reason – if they’re tall enough, their paws always seem to land in the most inconvenient place.

If you haven’t trained your dog not to jump with a word that they know means “down” then you can’t expect to yell at them and have them follow your cue.

Pushing your dog down does not get the point across – they’ll take the attention whether it’s positive or negative. Any attention is a reward that reinforces the behavior.

So that means you have to reward keeping all paws on the floor.

Click here for some advice, but know that you will need to come up with a command, a reward system for good behavior, and practice it often if you want your dog to behave.

Nipping or mouthing might not cause injury if you’re dealing with a puppy, but those behaviors need to be trained out of them before they become adults that bite.

You need to teach your pup that biting hurts bt going limp and stopping play when they do it, then ignoring them for up to 20 seconds. Then redirect their attention to something else.

Here are some more detailed tips.

Biting can get a dog euthanized and an owner into some serious trouble. Some dogs have such strong bites that they can seriously injure or maim people, especially children.

If you use violence to discipline your dog, you can expect a violent dog in return.

You need to train and socialize your dog properly when you bring them home so they don’t see normal things as a potential threat. They should always be up-to-date on vaccinations and kept leashed or fenced in if their training is not complete.

Some dogs – especially those that have been abused – may always have aggressive tendencies towards strangers. In those cases, it’s your job to warn people and keep your dog away from them.

Most dogs snap at people when they’re fearful, hoping it will get the threat to back off.

Or they might be possessive of something and use aggression to protect it – whether it’s a person or a toy.

It’s your job to temper any unnecessarily aggressive behavior in your dog, so first you have to figure out why it’s happening (fear? a medical condition? bad previous training?).

Then you need to practice counter-conditioning by associating the behavior that makes a dog snap with something pleasant instead. This will help them stay calm in a situation that previously earned you some sharp teeth.

Aside from the ways we’ve already mentioned, there are plenty of other ways a dog can act aggressively.

Frustration, dominance, fear, and pain can all cause aggression in dogs. Owners need to examine the circumstances surrounding the dog’s bad behavior before they can intervene.

Solutions can range from retraining to more elaborate behavioral modifications. And if a dog is unable to be trained, a vet should be consulted to rule out any health issues.

Growling is another aggressive behavior that serves as a warning. Dogs growl out of fear, pain, or an incursion on their territory, but it’s your first sign that a dog could become more violent.

When a dog growls, you need to back off and break eye contact to diffuse the situation.

Dogs don’t tend to growl just because they’re bored, so it’s not really a behavior you can train out of them (and if you do, you might be taking away a warning sign that a bite is coming!).

Instead, you need to address what it is they’re growling at and make the situation less stressful for them.

Snarling and growling usually go together. Dogs sometimes snarl at each other during play, but even then, owners need to keep an eye on them to be sure the situation doesn’t escalate.

When you can see teeth and gums on a dog, that’s your cue to move away. Try to figure out what it is they’re stressed by and remove it from the situation.

Yelling at a dog in this situation is a very bad idea. You need to make them feel more comfortable, not more threatened.

If a dog is showing you its teeth, it’s fair to assume you’re getting a warning that it plans to use them. Like any other aggressive behavior, the key is to not add your own anger to the situation and try to remove whatever is threatening the dog.

However, some dogs bear teeth in a submissive way as a “grin” or “smile.” In those cases, the dog’s eyes will be averted and their posture will be relaxed.

Have you ever enjoyed some sweet doggie kisses only to eventually realize that, given the chance, your dog will actually eat poop? And not even just its own poop but the poop of other creatures as well!

It’s actually a fairly normal behavior meant to keep things clean.

Mother dogs will eat their puppies’ poop to tidy up their sleeping space. Other dogs will eat poop for nutrients.

The behavior is usually harmless (unless they end up ingesting parasites and the like) but it is something you can try to put a stop to by making sure your dog is healthy, well-fed, and not receiving extra attention when they perform this behavior (since that will only reinforce it).

Click here for advice from the AKC about how to deal with the behavior as well as some other interesting reasons dogs engage in it.

Dogs cool off by panting, but occasionally it can become excessive or they can pant for what appears to be no reason.

If your dog is not overheated and panting heavily, consider whether or not they’re stressed or dehydrated.

If it’s a particularly warm day, excessive panting can be a sign of heatstroke.

Dogs also pant heavily when they’ve ingested a toxin or have a chronic illness such as a respiratory disorder.

If you notice your dog panting abnormally, you should consult a vet.

Dogs bring their owners all sorts of things as a sign of affection and as a result of their natural instinct to hunt.

Whether it’s a slobbery toy or shoe or a dead animal, you might not always be willing to receive these lovely gifts, even when they’re a sign of submission and respect.

It’s hard to ignore your dog when it brings you something out of love, but rejecting the gift and ignoring your dog is your best bet. Any reaction you give your pet will just reinforce the behavior.

Just remember that if you’re trying to train out this behavior, you have to be consistent.

Young dogs chase their tails because they’re not yet “smart” enough to know what it is and it’s just a thing that’s moving that they can chase.

But when older dogs chase their tails, it can be a sign something is wrong.

If they are understimulated, they may chase their tails out of boredom and may begin to do it compulsively if their anxiety is not relieved.

However, this could be a cognitive issue. Either way, a vet should be consulted so it doesn’t turn into a self-destructive behavior.

While some assume that dogs eat grass because they’re not getting enough nutrients, that doesn’t seem to be the case. In fact, it’s more likely that dogs eat grass just because they like the taste or texture.

Only around 25% of dogs vomit after eating grass, but if your dog eats grass just to vomit, there’s clearly something wrong with their digestive system that a vet needs to be consulted about.

If you’re worried about your dog eating grass that has been sprayed with pesticides, you need to keep a close eye on them and perhaps get them a little patch of natural grass to chew on.

While it might look funny, it’s really not.

Dogs that drag their butts along the ground are experiencing discomfort and the cause can be anything from worms to inflammation.

Consult a vet (even over the phone) when you see this behavior.

Solving it could be as easy as changing their diet – but it can also be indicative of more serious anal gland issues that require professional intervention.

Humping is a very common behavior that isn’t always sexually motivated.

In fact, some dogs use humping to assert dominance.

Then again, if a dog is humping an inanimate object, it may be because they’re overstimulated or they are seeking sexual release. This happens more often in animals that haven’t been spayed or neutered and doing so can help to reduce the behavior.

This behavior should be trained out of a dog immediately and if it continues they should see a vet to rule out any issues (especially prostate problems in male dogs).

Giving dogs enough exercise can curb their desire to hump and asserting your own dominance (and having it be safe and trustworthy) will also help.

It’s often helpful to simply redirect their attention to something else.

Appetite changes are almost always a sign that something is wrong (although dogs can also be like humans in that they’re not as willing to eat in very hot weather, for example).

Dogs that have experienced times of hunger may become obsessed with food and require careful behavioral intervention. But most of the time it’s normal for dogs to act like feeding time is the greatest thing that’s ever happened.

The real problems come in when your dog suddenly doesn’t want to eat or eats significantly less. This means you should talk to a vet – and it’s an emergency if your dog refuses to eat at all for a day or two.

Dogs hide out of fear, when they’re ill, and when they just want to be left alone (for example, when you have some rambunctious kids in the house).

If your dog has lived a happy life and has always needed some private time, then it’s likely no big deal. It’s when your pet starts hiding suddenly that you should investigate.

Things like storms and fireworks might make them hide, but so can people who have hurt them.

Dogs also might hide if they found something they shouldn’t have and don’t want anyone to see them with it (like a shoe or a mouse).

Sadly, pets also hide when they’re sick, and in those cases, you should call your vet for advice.

It’s possible to engage in some training as well by ignoring them while they’re hiding and giving them a treat when they’re laying out in the open.

Dogs sleep about 10 hours a day (those lucky creatures!) and even more when they’re getting older.

If your dog is in its prime and suddenly loses interest in playing or interacting, that’s a very different issue and one that should be addressed.

Look for other signs that they might be sick (either in their appetites or defecation habits) and call the vet if necessary.

If there’s been a major change in the household (such as a child went off to college) then you might just need to give them time to adjust.

Sudden weight loss is a medical issue that should be taken up with your dog’s vet.

They could have parasites (if they’re losing weight while still eating well), heart, kidney, or metabolic issues, or even more serious health problems such as cancer.

Addressing the issue as soon as possible will allow for early intervention.

Dogs tend to gain weight for the same reason humans do – they eat too much and exercise too little.

It’s your job as a pet owner to make sure you give your dog a healthy diet and don’t overfeed it as well as allow them to get exercise every day.

Talk to your vet about how much your pet should weigh and how much food and exercise are required (it’ll be different for different breeds and ages).

And remember that allowing your dog to become overweight can lead to arthritis, heart disease, and other decreases in their quality of life.

Dogs usually rub their faces because they’re itchy. If this is relatively uncommon, it’s nothing to worry about – it happens to all of us.

But if the pawing is chronic, it could be an indication that your dog has allergies or fleas, mites, or ticks.

Pain in the face or head can also lead them to do this, so visiting your vet is essential if your dog is obsessively rubbing and clearly uncomfortable.

Humans are usually to blame when a dog won’t come when called – it means they have not adequately trained their pet.

All dogs will require different amounts of training and if you are not serious and consistent about it, you will raise an unruly pet.

If your dog doesn’t come when called it means they have not successfully learned the command word, have not had enough practice, or have not been incentivized to obey.

Your dog must be rewarded – even with just a pat on the head – when they do something good.

A dog that pulls on its leash can hurt both itself and its owner. Of course, behaving while on the leash is a learned behavior that requires training.

Walks need to be a pleasant experience with you with lots of positive reinforcement for good behavior, otherwise, your dog just associates the leash with constantly being berated.

When a dog turns in circles before laying down, it’s usually just trying to find the most comfortable position.

But if your dog spins until it’s dizzy, it could have a problem with its inner ear and a vet should be consulted.

Older dogs that pace in circles should be checked out as well since that can be a sign of dementia.

If your dog headbutts you or presses its head briefly on you to get attention, that’s pretty normal.

But dogs who compulsively press their heads against flat objects like walls need to be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

This behavior may mean there’s damage to your dog’s nervous system, such as a condition called prosencephalon disease (in which the forebrain and thalamus are damaged) or toxic poisoning.

Dogs chew at their paws due to various types of irritation.

Dermatitis and skin inflammation due to allergies are the most common reasons, but compulsive chewing may indicate boredom and a lack of stimulation as well.

If you’re taking your dog outside, consider all the allergens it might step on in the process. And if you wash your floor with harsh detergents, that can easily be a cause as well.

Of course, some puppies chew thier paws just because they can.

First of all, dogs just enjoy running and sometimes they run until they’re lost.

But if you have a dog that purposely tries to escape your house or yard, you need to wonder just why they want to get away. Do they need more space? More exercise? Do you neglect them?

Dogs often run away because they’re bored or frustrated with their situation.

Then again, some are just natural escape artists – though it’s a behavior the needs to be curbed so they don’t end up getting injured or stolen.

Dogs also run due to fear, so you can expect a dog you take to the park to bolt if you start popping off firecrackers and the like.

And remember, dogs that haven’t been spayed and neutered heed the call of nature as well and might run off to breed (in that case they’re running towards something, not away).

Your dog might hide or simply find an empty room and self-isolate when it’s sick.

Trauma and depression can also be causes for isolation in pets and it’s best to assess anything that has changed in your pet’s environment recently if they’ve suddenly started spending time away from the family.

If your dog is physically or emotionally ill, consult a vet. But prepare to give them some alone time if that’s what they want – especially in situations that upend their lives, like bringing home a baby.

Dogs cough for the same reasons humans do – their respiratory tract is irritated.

The first time you hear a dog cough it might startle you, but if the issue resolves itself immediately, it’s likely just a temporary irritation.

Dogs that cough chronically should obviously be seen by a vet for an examination. They may have an upper respiratory infection, heartworm, or heart disease.

If your dog suddenly starts coughing and can’t stop, it’s likely that they inhaled a foreign object – this may require medical intervention as well.

If your dog suddenly starts scratching, the first thing you might think is that it has fleas.

If so, that’s something that needs to be taken care of immediately since they can contaminate your whole house.

But sudden and ongoing scratching can also be caused by environmental and food allergies.

Dogs compulsively scratch at themselves when they are bored and anxious as well, so it’s important to investigate all the possibilities.

A vet should be consulted so the can ensure your dog gets the right treatment and doesn’t injure itself or develop an open wound that can become infected.

If your dog doesn’t have an obvious injury, limping can be a sign of arthritis or even a tumor, especially if it comes on gradually.

Any kind of limping in your dog indicates that something is wrong, although it could be something like a bee sting or piece of glass in their paw.

You need to investigate and get them to a vet if you can’t figure it out on your own.

Awkward and embarrassing for humans, crotch sniffing is just another typical behavior for a dog.

Some researchers think dogs sniff crotches for the same reason they sniff each other’s butts – the pheromones give them the information they want to know about another creature.

While this isn’t a behavior that indicates anything is wrong with the dog, you can try to train them out of it and this site gives you some ideas about how to do it.

Boredom, stress, and anxiety might lead your dog to shred paper or go after your toilet paper roll, but what about actually eating the paper?

It’s a behavior you need to be careful about because it can indicate a nutritional issue as well as cause gastrointestinal distress in your pup.

Talk to your vet if your dog regularly engages in this behavior.

If it’s a one-time thing when they’re left alone too long, you likely know the reason – although you may want to consult with a vet if they’ve ingested a lot of a non-food substance.

Dogs steal your dirty laundry either to get your attention or because it smells like you and comforts them.

Spend time with your pup, keep unmentionables out of their reach, and give them some things they can chew on to avoid this behavior.

You’ll need to see a vet if they end up swallowing fabric.

Dogs lick things constantly. But when they’re obsessively licking strange things like walls or floors (and it’s not because there’s food there), that’s a good indication that something is wrong and they need to be checked out.

It could be a sign of nausea or gastrointestinal distress that they think can be solved by the licking.

They might also be suffering from nutritional deficiencies.

You’ll want to pay attention to when and how often the behavior occurs and exactly what they’re drawn to licking in order to give you vet all the information they need.

Kidney, liver, and neurological issues might be the root cause of the licking.

It might gross you out or drive you crazy (or give you understandable hygiene concerns for yourself or your family) if your dog loves rolling in trash, poop, or on dead things.

Researchers aren’t entirely sure why dogs do this, but many surmise it’s because they are acting out an age-old instinct to mask their own scent from potential predators.

It’s hard to train a dog not to do this, so your best option to protect your family from organisms your dog can track into your home is to train them to come when called, keep an eye on them and recall them when they’re sniffing at something undesirable, and keep them on leash if they can’t be trusted not to do it.

Whimpering (along with different twitches and other movements) is normal in some dogs who are in a deep sleep. The same is true of humans.

If a dog seems distressed in their sleep, they are likely having a nightmare. And while you may want to wake them, you need to be very careful so they don’t snap at you.

Your best bet is to let them dream it out or make some low noises that will bring them out of REM sleep and into a lighter, non-dreaming sleep.

Dogs don’t have a whole lot going on in their lives other than wanting attention from you, playing, and eating.

Dogs that stare intently at their humans often want something – a snuggle, belly rub, treat, or walk.

Staring back can lead to aggression, so don’t try to stare them down, but don’t give in every time either.

If you’re being a good and attentive dog owner and they truly don’t need anything, you might just want to ignore them or else look in their direction and blink softly as a way of acknowledging them without a staring challenge.

Dogs lick to show affection or to help groom.

But sometimes a dog might exhibit some curious behavior such as when they obsessively lick another dog.

If your pet doesn’t normally exhibit this type of behavior or your dog is being licked by another in an odd way, it could be because they are trying to point out a health issue.

Dogs might be able to sense everything from infections to tumors, so pay attention if it seems like your pup is trying to tell you something.

Let’s be honest, pooping is a good thing. And while we might not always want to celebrate it the way dogs do, there’s nothing wrong with a little celebratory jaunt.

There’s really no consensus on why dogs (and cats) sometimes run around or away after pooping, but some guess that it’s because it feels good or gives the animal a sense of relief that then gives them some energy.

This is one behavior that we’ll all just have to deal with. Just be sure to have your dog on a leash when you walk them and don’t let their desire to run away keep you from cleaning up after them!

Dogs sit on other dogs either to designate playtime or to reinforce dominance (and they can do both at the same time).

It tends not to be a serious behavior unless there’s a fight for dominance in the household. In that case, you want to keep an eye on it and try to discourage the behavior (though you may not be able to play peacekeeper all the time while they try to work it out).

But if a sticky situation arises, other pets and smaller humans can sometimes pay the price when dogs get aggressive.

Most dogs are happy to snarf down whatever food you put in front of them at literally any time.

But if your dog refuses to dine alone, it may be because they’re technically pack animals for whom eating is a communal experience. An adopted dog may simply not be used to eating alone.

Of course, if your dog associates all food with reward, their idea of mealtime can get mixed up. They expect to receive praise any time they eat since they get a snack when they do something good.

Pay attention to your dog’s behavior and the way you train them. That way you can take a good guess as to whether this is behavioral or because of some other medical issue.

Excitement urination is common in dogs (so is peeing in submission when they’re anxious).

This typically happens in puppies and once you’ve ruled out any medical issues from improper elimination with your vet, you can feel fairly confident in knowing that most dogs grow out of it.

Letting them potty before playtime or having guests over can help a lot and so can asking those who play with your dog to keep things low-keep if excitement urination is a problem.

Dogs can’t help this kind of urination, so it’s up to you to potty them properly and NEVER punish them when it happens (unless you want them to pee out of anxiety as well).

Dogs with separation anxiety might chew just about anything when they’re stressed, including table legs, windowsills, and chairs.

Fetching a stick is no big deal, but chowing down on wood could indicate a nutritional deficiency.

You definitely want to keep this behavior in check since wood splinters and can cause serious injury to their gums and GI tract.

Make sure you’re providing them with enough chew toys to make wood seem less appealing.

The “zoomies” can be triggered by lots of things, but are often fun to watch as long as your dog is fenced in in a safe place.

This speed-running is simply a release of pent-up energy and is perfectly normal, even past puppyhood.

But if your dog does this constantly or doesn’t have a place to run fast, you’ll need to make sure they’re getting the energy out another way, such as playtime or long walks. Otherwise they can start to exhibit behavioral issues.

Yawning is contagious, even amongst dogs. It’s a sympathy response.

But excessive yawning might mean your dog is trying to communicate that they are stressed or anxious.

Pay attention to how often and when they yawn frequently and see if you can decode their behavior to see what might be overwhelming your pet.

You may need to remove your dog from any situations that cause this kind of distress.

Lip-licking, like yawning, is perfectly normal unless it’s done excessively.

Dogs that lick their lips non-stop might be feeling threatened or anxious or even be experiencing oral discomfort, allergies, nausea, or other health issues.

This is an occassion to call your vet and ask about possible issues.

This is also called “whale eye” and it’s a bad sign.

Seeing the whites of your dog’s eyes because they’ve widened abnormally means they are feeling fearful and agitated and may be a sign that they are about to act aggressively in response.

If whale eye is accompanied by lip-licking or yawning, that’s a sure sign that anxiety is running high.

You need to assess the situation, back off, and try to make your dog feel comfortable again.

If someone is pestering them, give the dog some space and time.

If you try to train them out of this behavior you may be eliminating a sign that they are about to act out.

Dogs have a much better sense of smell than humans do and sniffing the air may be a way of reading the world around them.

But it can also signal anxiety if they sniff the air to distract themselves from stressful situations.

Abnormal air sniffing can be hard to “sniff out,” so you may just have to recognize other signs that your dog is feeling stressed.

If your dog tucks its tail between its legs that usually means that it’s in an uncomfortable situation.

It’s usually an indication of fear, and tucking their tails might be a way to look smaller and more submissive.

You’ll need to pay attention and find what’s causing this reaction and help your dog feel more comfortable – or else remove them from the situation if it truly is threatening.

Both male and female dogs lick their genitals as a normal part of grooming.

However, if the licking is excessive, chances are it’s due to a health issue such as infections, constipation, pustules, pain, anal gland impaction, and even allergies.

You’ll want to find out why your dog is engaging in this behavior if it’s happening constantly, something that can require a trip to the vet.

Whether it’s licking or chewing, excessive grooming isn’t about your dog’s ego.

It’s a stress reaction that indicates that something is wrong either emotionally or physically and it can cause bald spots and injury to your pet. Any wounds they create could easily get infected.

Pay attention to the areas where your dog is overgrooming so you can give your vet all the information they need to figure out if it’s an environmental allergen or a sign of anxiety.

DO NOT punish your dog to get them to try to stop. This is a self-soothing behavior and you have to address the root cause, not stop the behavior itself.

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