15 Dog Behaviors That Seem Strange But Make Perfect Sense

Dogs come wired with instincts that don’t always fit into our tidy homes or quiet routines. Yet those quirks often serve a real purpose. Instead of correcting them, it helps to understand what they mean. So, let’s explore 15 natural behaviors your dog needs to express and why honoring them leads to a better bond.

Sniffing Everything On Walks

Sniffing is how dogs gather information, as each scent reveals details about other animals, territory, and environmental changes. With 300 million olfactory receptors, a dog’s nose is incredibly more sensitive than our own, which has just 5 million. Limiting sniffing time reduces mental stimulation, especially for scent-driven breeds like Beagles and Bloodhounds.

Spinning Before Lying Down

This behavior isn’t just quirky—it’s inherited. Wild canines circle to flatten the grass and check for threats before resting. Even in domestic settings, the instinct remains strong. Den-like comfort and safety drive this ritual in breeds with strong ancestral links to outdoor life.

Barking At The Doorbell

While it may be loud and inconvenient, this is a dog’s way of alerting their pack to possible intruders. Dogs hear frequencies up to 65,000 Hz, far beyond human capacity, and can detect sounds from four times farther away. Guarding instincts are especially prominent in breeds like German Shepherds.

Digging In The Yard

Digging satisfies multiple canine needs. It helps them cool down and serves as entertainment or burying prized possessions. Terriers, bred for burrowing prey, are particularly prone to it. Instead of punishment, offering a sandbox or designated dig zone keeps your dog engaged without destroying the entire yard.

Rolling In Smelly Things

This habit likely stems from ancestral survival strategies. Dogs use it to mask their scent, sneak up on prey, or signal something important to their pack. Rolling in manure or trash may be repulsive to us, but deeply satisfying to them. Sighthounds, like Greyhounds, often exhibit this behavior during outdoor excursions.

Chewing On Objects

Puppies chew to ease teething discomfort, while adult dogs chew to relieve stress, boredom, or to keep their jaws strong. It’s also a way to explore their environment. Breeds like Labradors have strong oral fixations—redirecting them to safe chew toys is far better than discouraging the habit entirely.

Chasing Moving Objects

Whether it’s squirrels or joggers, chasing taps into a dog’s prey drive. This instinct is especially strong in herding and sporting breeds like Border Collies and Pointers. Instead of suppression, channeling it through controlled games like fetch or lure coursing satisfies the need in a safe, productive way.

Licking People Or Themselves

Licking serves multiple functions—grooming, bonding, and showing submission. Dogs also lick to relieve minor irritations or soothe themselves when stressed. Excessive licking can signal allergies or anxiety, but moderate licking is normal in affectionate breeds like Golden Retrievers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Carrying Objects Around

This behavior mimics how wild canines transport food or care for pups. Retrievers, bred to carry game gently, often exhibit this with toys or even clothing. It’s usually a sign of comfort or an invitation to play. Golden Retrievers are known for constantly carrying something in their mouths.

Herding People Or Other Pets

This is pure instinct. Herding breeds like Australian Shepherds and Corgis were developed to move livestock and may attempt to corral kids, other animals, or even adults. Nipping at heels or circling is part of the pattern. Structured play and agility training help meet this need constructively.

Sleeping In Odd Positions

Sprawled out, curled into a ball, or upside-down with legs in the air: each position tells a story. Dogs instinctively sleep in ways that regulate temperature or protect vital organs. For instance, the “donut” curl is common in colder weather among breeds like Akitas and Alaskan Malamutes.

Marking Territory With Urine

Dogs mark to communicate status or respond to environmental changes. This is especially common in intact males but also appears in spayed or neutered dogs under stress. Sudden increases may indicate a medical issue, but occasional marking is instinctual, especially in breeds like Dachshunds and Chihuahuas.

Guarding Food Or Toys

Resource guarding is a survival trait passed down from wolves. Dogs protect what they consider valuable. While aggressive guarding needs management, low-level guarding, like hovering near a bowl, is normal, particularly in breeds like Rottweilers and English Bulldogs that value their possessions.

Howling At Sounds

Howling is a throwback to wolves’ long-distance communication. Dogs may howl in response to sirens or when left alone. Breeds like Siberian Huskies and Beagles are genetically wired for it. Trying to stop the howling entirely can frustrate dogs who use it to relieve anxiety or seek connection.

Head Tilting During Conversation

That iconic head tilt isn’t just cute; it helps dogs pinpoint the source of a sound and better interpret human speech. Studies suggest dogs tilt more when hearing unfamiliar or meaningful words. This behavior is especially common in intelligent, responsive breeds like Border Collies and Poodles.