Vet Reveals Real Meaning Behind Viral Dog Behaviours (What's Normal & When To Worry)
Hill's Pet Nutrition Australia has analysed the science and psychology behind the internet's most popular canine trends to help pet parents understand the real meaning behind these actions. The goal is to empower owners to know the difference between a harmless quirk and the sign of a more serious issue that needs veterinary attention.
Top Viral Dog Behaviour Themes and Their Meanings 🐶
Top Viral Dog Behaviour Themes and Their Meanings 🐶
- The Head Tilt: Isn't just cute; research suggests it may help dogs better localise sounds by adjusting the position of their ear canals. Dogs with longer muzzles might tilt their heads to see around their snouts and get a better view of our facial expressions. Mostly perfectly normal and simply demonstrates your dog's attempt to understand you better.
- Puppy Eyes & Tail Wags: An evolutionary advantage; dogs have developed specific facial muscles, developing the ability to raise their inner eyebrows, creating those irresistible "puppy dog eyes" that wolves physically cannot replicate. Tail wagging is another sophisticated communication tool often misunderstood, with veterinary behavioural studies showing that direction, speed, and height of a tail wag all convey different messages. A broad, sweeping wag generally indicates happiness, whilst a high, stiff wag might signal arousal or potential aggression.
- The Door Vigil: For most dogs, this is a touching expression of your dog's bond with you, driven by a surprisingly accurate internal clock that anticipates your return to the 'pack.'
- The Pre-Poop Ritual: More than just sniffing & circling; dogs gather information about who else has been in the area before they settle, establishing or reinforcing territory through their remarkably sensitive noses. Research* also suggests that dogs often align themselves with the Earth's north-south magnetic axis. Whilst scientists are still investigating why these matter to dogs, it suggests they can detect Earth's magnetic field - a sense called magnetoreception.
- Rescuers at Heart (The Hero Instinct): Reveals a profound canine empathy, as studies suggest dogs can 'catch' emotions from others (a trait known as emotional contagion). When they perceive distress, many dogs instinctively respond with helping behaviours. What's particularly interesting is that this behaviour appears across breeds and isn't limited to traditional "working" or "service" breeds.
- Licking Everything: Dogs are naturally grooming creatures, and the difference between what's normal grooming and a problem depends on frequency, intensity and what your dog is licking. Licking paws after walks, occasional face and body grooming, brief attention to minor scrapes or cuts and mutual grooming with other dogs in the household is normal. Excessive paw licking, private area licking, and ear grooming may be problematic and a potential red flag for underlying issues like allergies, anxiety, or pain.
- Tail Chasing & Tail Chewing: Tail chasing in young puppies is often simple play and is perfectly normal developmental behaviour. Compulsive tail chasing in older dogs who become fixated on their tail and spin repeatedly without easily redirecting or doing so until they become exhausted, which may indicate OCD or anxiety. Tail chewing is almost always problematic, and warrants investigation, and dogs may chew their tails due to allergies, fleas or parasites, anxiety or stress or tail injuries.
- Big Dogs, Small Fears: The surprising psychology revealing why size and confidence aren't correlated in the dog world, often stemming from early socialisation experiences - dogs who weren't properly socialised during their critical developmental period (roughly 3-14 weeks of age) may find unfamiliar presentations intimidating. A dog who grew up only around similar-sized breeds might genuinely be confused or concerned by a tiny dog behaving assertively.
Dr. Ilze Nel, Professional and Veterinary Affairs Manager at Hill's Pet Nutrition Australia, says: "Social media is filled with viral videos of our dogs' quirky behaviours. These moments give us a glimpse into their unique world and connect us as a community of pet parents, who are often equally baffled, intrigued, and entertained by it all."
Red Flags vs. Green Lights: When to Watch and When to Act
Normal & Healthy (Green Light):
- Head tilting when listening to you
- Occasional tail chasing in puppies during play
- Waiting by the door around your usual arrival time
- Sniffing and circling before toileting
- Brief grooming sessions
- Using 'puppy eyes' to request treats or attention
Watch & Monitor (Amber Light):
- Changes in typical behaviour patterns
- Increased frequency of previously occasional behaviours
- Mild licking that's becoming more frequent
- Door waiting that extends longer before and after your arrival
Time to Call the Vet (Red Light):
- Head tilting accompanied by loss of balance or unusual eye movements
- Compulsive tail chasing that's difficult to interrupt
- Tail chewing creating wounds or hair loss
- Constant paw licking causing staining or sores
- Excessive licking of private areas or scooting
- Straining or changes in toileting habits
- Sudden fear or aggression that's out of character
She adds: "Seeing these behaviours is more than just entertainment; they are a direct line to our dogs' instincts and a vital indicator of their overall health and wellbeing. When we learn to see these actions as a rich form of communication, we deepen our bond and our understanding of what our dog needs.''
Hill's Pet Nutrition is premium pet food backed by science. Our mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. We believe all animals, from your pet to the companion animals we care for, should be loved and cared for during their lifetimes.
*https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1742-9994-10-80
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