What in the World Do These Weird Dog Behaviors Mean?

As a dog owner, you probably get a lot of enjoyment out of watching all the different ways your dog reacts to situations. While there’s a long list of adorable things you may notice your dog doing, you’re definitely not alone if certain actions your dog takes seem downright weird. Since there are a handful of fairly common dog behaviors that can seem completely foreign to us humans, we thought it would be fun to dig into several of these:

Why Does My Dog Always Eat Grass?

Dogs have some very interesting habits. With certain habits, owners know right away that there’s no cause for concern. But with others, it’s completely normal to wonder if what your dog is doing is truly harmless. Eating grass is the perfect example of a habit that falls into the category of giving owners some cause for concern.

Dog-Friendly Car Shopping

Although some people don’t like when having a dog is compared to having a child, anyone who has experienced both knows that there are definitely some similarities. One of those similarities is they both depend on you for care. Another interesting similarity is they affect the decisions you make. If you enjoy taking your dog along with you when you go places, one of the decisions that your pet may affect is the next vehicle you purchase.

Socializing Your Puppy

If you adopt a puppy, there are several things you need to do for your new pet. The most common one that comes to mind is taking a puppy out to the bathroom. While a routine can help potty train a puppy in less time than many people expect. it’s important to understand that small puppies can’t physically resist the need to go for more than a few hours. So if you want to prevent accidents, you and the rest of your household need to take the puppy out quite frequently.

Do Dogs Dream?

Although we don’t currently know with absolute scientific certainty that dogs dream, there is definitely evidence to support that belief. Just about any dog owner has probably watched their dog fall asleep after enjoying a big bowl of delicious dog food and then do things that the dog also does while awake. A twitching nose, whining or wagging tail are a few examples of things you may see your dog do while it’s asleep.

The Dog Owner’s Guide to Grooming

Proper grooming is essential for helping your dog look and feel great. Not only is it much more enjoyable to live with a clean dog instead of a smelly one, but grooming plays an important role in a dog’s overall health. In terms of what grooming involves, baths, brushing, trimming nails and haircuts are the main activities. Let’s take a closer look at each one of those in detail:

Bathtime

Although consistent baths are just as important for dogs as they are for humans, one big difference between the two is dogs don’t need to be bathed as often. While the exact frequency will depend on the breed of a dog and its living environment, the main rule of thumb is to do a maximum of one bath a week. The other key difference between baths for dogs and humans is it’s important to use soap & shampoo specifically formulated for dogs.

Brushing

Being consistent with brushing will help keep your dog’s hair and skin healthy. Brushing on a regular basis is one of the most effective ways to prevent skin irritation in dogs. For dogs that shed a noticeable amount of hair, brushing will help minimize the amount that ends up around your home. In terms of brushing frequency, you’ll want to research the optimal interval for your specific breed of dog.

Trimming Nails

Some dogs are so active outside and on other hard surfaces that their nails don’t ever get to the point of needing a trim. However, that’s the exception rather than the rule. For most dogs, a trim every one to four weeks is necessary to keep them from getting so long that they run the risk of breaking. Of all the activities involved in comprehensive grooming, nail trimming is the one that generally gives dog owners the most anxiety.

That’s why there’s nothing wrong with leaving this task in the hands of an experienced professional. And if you would like to trim your dog’s nails yourself but aren’t sure which technique is best, you can ask a groomer to teach you. If you are going to do any trimming yourself, be sure to invest in a quality pair of clippers designed specifically for dogs’ nails.

Haircuts

If your dog has certain areas of hair that grow faster than others, it may make sense to invest in scissors so you can trim those spots on your own. But for full haircuts, it’s almost always worth paying for a groomer to do the job. By taking time to ask for recommendations and finding a groomer that you feel great about, you’ll be able to keep your dog’s hair trimmed to the ideal length all year long.

When combined with a healthy diet like Pet Wants that contains all the nutrients necessary for healthy skin and hair, a consistent grooming routine will keep your dog looking and feeling its best!