Interpreting Your Dog's Behavior

A wagging tail seems easy to read, but the details matter, because each kind of wag carries its own meaning. A tail held high and sweeping fast and wide usually means a happy, excited dog. A slow wag often means the dog is unsure or a little insecure. Short, tight strokes can mean nerves or tension. Even direction may play a role: one study found that dogs tend to wag more to the right when they feel positive and want to approach something, and more to the left when they are wary, an asymmetry tied to how the two sides of the brain handle emotion. Treat it as one clue among many, not a precise readout.

Barking is one of a dog's main tools for communication. It can signal alarm, protectiveness, boredom, or a simple hello, and sometimes separation anxiety or illness. Noticing when the barking happens often explains it: barking at an approaching stranger is likely protectiveness, while barking that starts once you leave points more to boredom or anxiety. If it has become a problem, look into quiet-cue training or bring in a professional trainer.

Few things frustrate a proud gardener like fresh holes in the lawn. All dogs dig now and then, but some breeds are far more driven to it, terriers especially, who were bred for the job. Dogs dig to carve out a cool spot to lie in, to stash a treat, to escape a yard, or simply to burn off extra energy. If your dog is a digger, make sure they get plenty of exercise, and try training them to dig in one designated spot away from your prized plants.

All dogs chew, because it is soothing and helps relieve boredom, stress, and fear. Anything with a satisfying texture is fair game, and your belongings are especially tempting because they smell and taste like you. With some patience, you can usually redirect a chewer to a chew toy, and something that smells or tastes like food tends to work best. For a teething puppy, a teething ring can ease the ache and steer them away from your shoes.

It is widely believed that dogs eat grass to settle an upset stomach, but vets say that is rarely the reason. Some think dogs simply like the taste; others suspect nibbling plants is just instinct. Either way, grass itself will not hurt them and rarely signals a problem. The exception is grass-eating paired with other signs of illness, like lethargy or vomiting, which is worth a call to the vet.

Scooting is when a dog drags their rear across the ground, and they do it to relieve some kind of discomfort, so it helps to pin down the cause. Most of the time it is nothing serious: an itch, minor irritation, or a bit of debris. Occasionally it points to a real problem, like a food allergy, blocked or injured anal glands, or intestinal parasites. If you are unsure, check with your vet.

The play bow, front end down and rear end up, is an invitation to play, aimed at people or other dogs alike, and it often comes with a wagging tail or excited barks. Accepting the offer and roughhousing for a few minutes is an easy way to lift your dog's mood. The bow does double duty, too: if a dog bites too hard mid-game, a quick bow works as an apology and a sign that they want to keep going.

Dogs are social animals that crave physical closeness, and leaning against you is one way they ask for it, along with sitting on your feet or curling up in your lap. Sometimes a lean is about reassurance rather than affection: a scared dog may lean while hiding behind you. If it is tied to separation anxiety, you will usually see other signs too, like destructive behavior or excessive barking.

Behaviorists are not entirely sure why dogs lick their people. The leading guess is affection, though some think dogs just like the salty taste of skin, and it may trace back to puppyhood, when licking a mother's face brought food and attention. If the licking is too much, standing up and walking away when it starts gets the message across. A dog licking themselves over and over is a different matter, and can point to skin irritation worth having a vet check.

Behaviorists generally see jumping up as a greeting: dogs greet each other nose-to-nose and jump to reach our faces the same way. It can also be a bid for attention, particularly for dogs left alone much of the day. Jumping can be genuinely risky around small children or older adults, so it is best to train dogs to sit for greetings, which keeps everyone steady on their feet.