11 Dog Behaviors Experts Say You Should Always Let Happen

Dogs communicate and experience the world in ways that might sometimes seem strange to us humans. While certain behaviors might appear odd or even annoying, many are actually perfectly normal and healthy expressions of their canine nature.

Understanding which behaviors to allow rather than correct can strengthen your bond with your furry friend and contribute to their overall wellbeing. Here’s what experts say about behaviors you should embrace rather than discourage.

1. Sniffing Everything During Walks

Your dog’s nose is their window to the world. When your pup stops to investigate every lamppost, bush, and sidewalk crack, they’re actually reading a complex newspaper of scents left by other animals.

This mental stimulation is crucial for their wellbeing. Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors compared to our measly 6 million, making their sense of smell about 10,000 times more sensitive than ours.

Allowing your dog these sniffing adventures provides essential mental exercise that can reduce anxiety and destructive behaviors at home. Rather than pulling them along, consider scheduling “sniff walks” where your dog sets the pace and explores to their heart’s content.

2. Appropriate Chewing Habits

Chewing isn’t just a puppy phase—it’s a lifelong canine necessity. Dogs naturally need to exercise their jaw muscles and keep their teeth clean through regular chewing activities.

For adult dogs, chewing helps relieve stress and boredom while satisfying natural instincts. The key is directing this behavior toward appropriate items like durable rubber toys or dental chews rather than your favorite shoes.

Veterinarians recommend providing a variety of textures and types of chew toys to keep your dog engaged. When you catch your furry friend gnawing on their designated chew toy, offer praise to reinforce this positive behavior.

3. Barking to Alert and Communicate

Barking is your dog’s primary vocal communication method. While excessive noise can be frustrating, reasonable barking serves important purposes in your dog’s life and shouldn’t be completely suppressed.

Dogs bark to alert you to potential dangers, express excitement, request attention, or signal anxiety. A dog who barks when someone approaches your home is actually performing their ancestral guardian role.

The goal shouldn’t be eliminating barking but understanding what your dog is trying to tell you.

Learning to distinguish between different types of barks—alert barks tend to be sharp and repetitive while playful ones are more bouncy and loose—helps you respond appropriately to your dog’s needs.

4. Digging in Designated Areas

Many dogs have a natural urge to dig, especially terriers and dachshunds who were specifically bred for burrowing. This behavior connects them to their wild ancestors who dug dens for shelter or to hide food.

Rather than punishing this instinct, channel it constructively. Creating a designated digging pit in your yard with loose soil or sand gives your dog a legitimate outlet for this behavior.

You can make the digging area more enticing by occasionally burying toys or safe treats for your pup to discover.

This solution preserves your landscaping while still honoring your dog’s natural programming—a win-win compromise that respects their instinctual needs.

5. Zoomies (Frenetic Random Activity Periods)

Those sudden bursts of energy when your dog races around the house or yard at top speed? They’re called zoomies, and they’re completely normal! These Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs) typically happen when dogs need to release pent-up energy.

Zoomies often occur after baths, during play, or when your dog is especially excited. They’re more common in younger dogs but can happen at any age. As long as your pet has a safe space to zoom without injury risks, there’s no need to intervene.

These energy releases actually help prevent behavioral problems that might otherwise develop from excess energy. Just clear away breakables and enjoy the show!

6. Extended Sleep Periods

Adult dogs typically sleep 12-14 hours daily, while puppies and seniors may snooze up to 18-20 hours! This extensive sleep isn’t laziness—it’s biologically necessary for their health and wellbeing.

During deep sleep, dogs process learning, strengthen memories, and allow their bodies to repair and grow. Disrupting these natural sleep cycles can lead to irritability and even health issues over time.

Creating comfortable, quiet sleeping spots throughout your home helps your dog get the quality rest they need. If your normally active dog suddenly increases their sleep time, however, it might warrant a veterinary check to rule out underlying health concerns.

7. Tail-Chasing and Self-Play

When your dog spins in circles chasing their tail or playfully pounces on their own feet, they’re engaging in healthy self-entertainment. These solo play sessions help dogs burn energy and provide mental stimulation when human playmates aren’t available.

Occasional tail-chasing and self-directed play are signs of a dog who knows how to keep themselves occupied. This independence is actually a positive trait in dogs. Only when these behaviors become obsessive—occurring for extended periods multiple times daily—should you be concerned.

Otherwise, feel free to chuckle as your pup entertains both of you with these silly antics that showcase their playful personality.

8. Resource Guarding in Moderation

Mild resource guarding—where dogs show slight possessiveness over toys or food—has roots in survival instincts and shouldn’t always be viewed as problematic. A dog who simply moves away with a prized toy or gives a subtle warning when approached during mealtime is displaying natural behavior.

Experts distinguish between this normal guarding and aggressive guarding that involves lunging, snapping, or biting. The former is acceptable; the latter requires professional intervention.

Respecting your dog’s space during meals and teaching children not to disturb dogs with high-value items prevents escalation. Many trainers now recommend against deliberately taking food away during meals, as this can actually increase guarding behaviors.

9. Licking as Affection and Self-Soothing

Those slobbery dog kisses serve multiple purposes in canine communication. When your dog licks you, they’re often expressing affection or seeking attention in one of the few ways available to them.

Licking releases endorphins in dogs’ brains, creating a calming effect similar to how humans might feel after meditation. This explains why dogs often lick themselves or their humans when feeling anxious or uncertain.

Moderate licking of paws or fur also serves as normal grooming behavior. While excessive licking can indicate allergies or anxiety that needs addressing, regular affectionate licking is simply your dog’s way of saying “I care about you” in their native language.

10. Rolling in Smelly Substances

Your freshly bathed dog finding the smelliest patch of grass to roll in follows ancient canine programming. Wolves and wild dogs roll in strong scents to mask their own smell when hunting or to bring information about interesting scents back to their pack.

While unpleasant to our human noses, this behavior helps dogs communicate with other canines. The stronger the smell, the more fascinating it is to your dog’s sophisticated scent system.

You can minimize the inconvenience by keeping dogs leashed in areas likely to contain tempting smells.

However, allowing occasional rolling in safe (if smelly) substances provides sensory enrichment that satisfies deep instinctual drives your dog naturally possesses.

11. Leaning or Sitting on You

When your dog leans against your legs or plops their full weight onto your lap, they’re displaying a beautiful sign of trust and affection. This physical contact creates a bonding experience through the release of oxytocin—often called the “love hormone”—in both you and your pet.

Dogs are naturally pack animals who crave physical closeness with their family members. Your dog sitting on you is their way of saying “you’re my person” while also seeking security and warmth.

Unless it causes discomfort or creates safety issues, this sweet behavior should be welcomed. These moments of connection strengthen your relationship and provide emotional benefits for both human and canine participants in this age-old bonding ritual.