Dogs are loyal, affectionate, intelligent companions.
They also eat poop, steal underwear, drink toilet water, roll on dead things and occasionally drag their rear ends across your favorite rug.
Nobody said love was glamorous.
A lot of the behaviors we humans consider disgusting or downright bizarre make perfect sense from your fur babies point of view. Dogs experience their world through scent, instinct and behaviors passed down from generations of canines long before dog beds, automatic feeders and humans with carpet cleaning machines existed.
Most strange habits are completely harmless. Others can occasionally be your dog’s way of telling you that something doesn’t feel right.
Here are some of the weirdest, grossest and most confusing things dogs do, along with what may actually be behind them.
1. Eating Poop
We might as well start with the champion.
The official term is coprophagia, although giving it a scientific name does absolutely nothing to make watching your dog eat poop less horrifying.
Dogs may eat poop for several reasons. Puppies sometimes investigate almost everything with their mouths. Other dogs may do it out of boredom, stress, learned behavior or simply because they just want to.
Less commonly, persistent stool eating can be associated with digestive problems, parasites or other medical conditions.
What you can do
Pick it up quickly, provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and avoid turning the situation into a dramatic chase across the yard.
If poop eating suddenly begins, becomes frequent or happens along with weight loss, diarrhea, increased hunger or other changes, talk with your veterinarian.
And maybe don't accept kisses immediately afterward.
2. Dragging Their Butt Across the Floor
The infamous carpet scoot.
One scoot might simply mean your dog has an itch or something stuck around their rear. Repeated scooting can be associated with irritated or full anal glands, skin irritation, allergies or intestinal parasites.
When to pay attention
If your dog is scooting repeatedly, licking the area excessively, swelling is present or they appear uncomfortable, a veterinary exam is worth scheduling.
Your carpet will also appreciate the intervention.
3. Drinking From the Toilet
To your dog, the toilet isn't necessarily disgusting.
It's a large bowl containing cool water that gets refreshed regularly. Dogs aren't contemplating plumbing systems and household hygiene before taking a drink.
Keep the lid closed, especially if you use toilet-cleaning chemicals, tablets or other products that could be harmful if swallowed.
Providing clean, fresh water in an easy-to-access bowl or fountain can also make the porcelain option less appealing.
4. Rolling in Things That Smell Horrendous
You've just finished giving your dog a bath.
Naturally, they find something dead and roll their entire body across it like they're applying expensive perfume.
Nobody knows with certainty why dogs do this, but several explanations involve scent. Their canine ancestors may have used strong odors to disguise their own scent or carry interesting smells back to the group.
Whatever the original purpose, your dog may simply think that mysterious dead-frog fragrance is magnificent.
Unfortunately, you own the shampoo.
5. Eating Vomit
Dogs aren't governed by the same culinary standards we are.
Food that has recently come back up may still smell exactly like food to them, which explains why some dogs attempt to eat it again before their horrified human can reach the paper towels.
An isolated episode of vomiting may not be serious, but repeated vomiting, vomiting with lethargy, abdominal pain, blood, diarrhea or inability to keep water down deserves veterinary attention.
The gross behavior isn't necessarily the problem. The reason your dog vomited may be.
6. Eating Grass
Dogs eating grass is extremely common, and researchers still don't have one single explanation for why they do it.
Some dogs seem to enjoy the taste and texture. Others may eat grass as part of normal foraging behavior. Occasionally a dog may eat grass and then vomit, but grass eating doesn't automatically mean a dog is sick or lacking a specific nutrient.
Pay more attention to the overall picture.
Occasional lawn snacking in an otherwise healthy dog may be nothing unusual. Frequent vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes or suddenly eating large amounts of grass deserves a closer look.
Also avoid allowing dogs to graze in areas treated with pesticides, herbicides or other lawn chemicals.
7. Stealing Dirty Underwear and Socks
Congratulations. Your dog's most prized possession may be something you desperately hoped your houseguests would never see.
Dogs are strongly attracted to scent, particularly the scent of people they know. Laundry carries plenty of it.
The problem is that socks, underwear and other fabric items can become dangerous if swallowed because they may cause an intestinal blockage.
Keep laundry out of reach and provide safer things your dog is actually allowed to carry and chew.
If you think your dog swallowed clothing, don't simply wait for the sock to magically reappear. Contact your veterinarian.
8. Sniffing Butts, Crotches and Everything Else We Wish They Wouldn't
Humans introduce themselves with names and handshakes.
Dogs prefer a much more invasive information-gathering system.
A dog's sense of smell is extraordinarily important to how they understand their surroundings. Sniffing another dog's rear can provide information about identity and other biological signals.
Human crotches also contain strong scents, which unfortunately explains your dog's decision to introduce themselves to Aunt Linda in the least dignified way possible.
The behavior is normal, but you can still teach polite alternatives. Training your dog to sit, stay near you or redirect their attention during greetings can prevent uncomfortable introductions.
9. Passing Gas
Some dogs can clear a room and then look offended as if you were responsible.
Occasional gas is normal. Eating quickly, swallowing air and certain foods can contribute to it.
Frequent or unusually foul gas, especially when accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, discomfort or changes in appetite, may indicate a digestive problem worth discussing with your veterinarian.
10. Licking Everything, Including You
Dogs lick themselves for grooming and may lick people during social interactions. They may also enjoy the salty taste of human skin.
Some dogs lick when they're excited, seeking attention or trying to settle themselves.
Occasional licking is normal.
Constant licking of one paw or one area of the body is different. Allergies, pain, irritation, infection or anxiety can sometimes trigger repetitive licking.
If your dog is licking enough to create redness, sores or hair loss, something more than affection may be going on.
11. The Zoomies
One second your dog is sitting peacefully.
The next they're traveling through the living room at approximately Mach 4.
These sudden bursts of energy are commonly called zoomies, and they're usually completely normal. Dogs may do them after being confined, after a bath, during play or simply when excitement builds up and has nowhere else to go.
Just make sure they have a safe place to run without slippery floors, sharp furniture or unsuspecting coffee tables in the flight path.
12. Spinning Before Lying Down
Many dogs circle their bed several times before settling.
This behavior is often thought to be inherited from their ancestors, who may have turned around to flatten vegetation, inspect their sleeping area and find a comfortable position.
Thousands of years later, your dog may perform the same ceremony before collapsing onto a memory-foam bed.
Tradition is tradition.
However, repeated circling when your dog isn't preparing to lie down can be different. If a dog suddenly begins circling aimlessly, seems disoriented or repeatedly turns in one direction, contact your veterinarian.
13. Chasing Their Tail
For puppies, a tail can essentially be a built-in toy.
Dogs may chase their tails because they're playful, excited or bored.
But frequent, intense or sudden tail chasing can sometimes indicate itching, pain, fleas, irritation or compulsive behavior.
The difference is usually in frequency and intensity. A goofy spin during play isn't the same as a dog that seems unable to stop.
14. Kicking the Ground After Pooping
Your dog is probably not trying to bury the evidence.
Dogs have scent glands around their paws, and scratching the ground after eliminating may help spread their scent through the area.
In other words, your dog finishes their business and then leaves a little canine signature behind.
Preferably while launching grass directly into your shoes.
15. Digging
Some dogs dig because generations before them were bred to hunt animals underground. Others dig because the soil is cool, they're bored, they smell something interesting or they want to stash something valuable.
And sometimes digging apparently just feels fantastic.
Give enthusiastic diggers plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. For dogs that absolutely love digging, creating an approved digging area can sometimes work better than declaring war on every hole in the yard.
16. Hiding Toys, Treats and Other Treasures
Dogs sometimes stash food, bones and toys because saving valuable resources is a deeply rooted instinct.
A dog may bury something outside, wedge it behind furniture or carefully hide it under a blanket.
Occasional hiding is generally harmless.
If it turns into intense guarding, anxiety or aggression around food and possessions, however, working with a qualified trainer or veterinary behavior professional can help.
17. Humping
Dogs mount people, other dogs, toys and occasionally an innocent couch cushion.
And no, it isn't always sexual.
Mounting can occur when a dog is highly excited, stressed or overstimulated. Both male and female dogs can do it, including dogs that have been spayed or neutered.
If the behavior suddenly increases or is accompanied by excessive genital licking, difficulty urinating or other physical symptoms, have your veterinarian rule out a medical cause.
Otherwise, calmly redirecting your dog to another activity usually works better than making a huge commotion.
18. Howling
Long before group chats, dogs and their ancestors had howling.
Howling is a form of communication. Dogs may howl in response to other dogs, sirens, music or certain sounds. Some howl when excited, lonely or trying to attract attention.
An occasional howl is usually normal.
Sudden or persistent vocalization, especially in an older dog or one that appears distressed, deserves more attention.
19. Barking, Running or Whimpering While Asleep
Dogs dream.
During certain stages of sleep, you may see paws twitching, tails moving, eyes shifting beneath closed lids or hear small barks and whimpers.
Usually, the best response is to leave them sleeping.
If movements become unusually violent, prolonged or you're concerned they may be seizures rather than normal sleep activity, record an episode if possible and show it to your veterinarian.
20. Sleeping Belly-Up With Every Paw in the Air
A dog sleeping flat on their back with their belly exposed may look ridiculous, but it's often a relaxed sleeping position.
Dogs may also expose their relatively hairless belly to help release body heat.
Either way, your upside-down dog probably isn't broken.
They're comfortable.
21. Eating Things That Aren't Food
Rocks. Dirt. Plastic. Fabric. Paper. Wood.
Dogs occasionally investigate objects with their mouths, but repeatedly eating nonfood materials can become dangerous.
The behavior is sometimes called pica and can be associated with behavioral or medical problems.
More importantly, swallowed objects can cause choking, poisoning or intestinal blockages.
A dog that repeatedly eats nonfood items should be evaluated by a veterinarian rather than simply labeled a professional garbage disposal.
22. Reverse Sneezing
The first time you hear a reverse sneeze, it can sound alarming.
Instead of pushing air outward like a normal sneeze, the dog rapidly pulls air inward through the nose, creating a snorting or honking noise.
Occasional episodes are common and often brief.
If they become frequent, severe, prolonged or happen with breathing difficulty, nasal discharge or other symptoms, talk with your veterinarian.
23. Snapping at Invisible Things
An occasional snap at the air may mean your dog genuinely saw a tiny insect that you missed.
Repeated episodes are worth paying attention to.
Persistent air snapping or “fly biting” can sometimes be associated with medical or behavioral problems. Recording an episode on your phone can give your veterinarian valuable information.
24. Grinning and Showing Their Teeth
Not every display of teeth means aggression.
Some dogs perform what is sometimes called a submissive or appeasement grin. Their teeth may be visible while the rest of the body remains loose and wiggly.
Body language matters.
A stiff body, hard stare, growling or freezing sends a very different message. Never assume exposed teeth are friendly without considering the rest of the dog's behavior.
25. Getting Absolutely Filthy
Mud puddles appear to have a gravitational force specifically calibrated for dogs.
Dogs don't share our obsession with spotless floors and clean upholstery. Digging, splashing, sniffing and exploring are all part of being a dog.
That doesn't mean grooming isn't important.
Regular brushing, appropriate bathing, nail care, ear care and dental care help keep dogs comfortable and give you an opportunity to notice lumps, irritated skin, sore paws or other changes early.
Teaching puppies that grooming can be calm and rewarding makes the process much easier later in life.
Weird Doesn't Always Mean Wrong
Dogs weren't designed by committee to behave politely in human houses.
They were built to sniff, explore, chase, dig, communicate, investigate and occasionally make decisions so revolting that we reconsider allowing them on the couch.
Understanding what's behind those behaviors helps us separate normal canine weirdness from signs that something may actually be wrong.
The biggest thing to watch for is change.
If a behavior appears suddenly, becomes obsessive, causes pain, interferes with normal activities or happens alongside vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes, weight loss, disorientation or other symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
Otherwise, sometimes the answer to “Why on earth is my dog doing that?” is remarkably simple:
Because they're a dog.
And somehow, despite the toilet drinking, underwear stealing, poop eating and mysterious smells, we still wouldn't trade them for anything.
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Apex Living Pets Co. shares educational pet-wellness information to help owners better understand their animals. This article is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Contact your veterinarian whenever you have concerns about a new or unusual behavior.