While we love our dogs, there’s no doubt that sometimes they do some seriously weird and yucky things. It\u2019s easy to pretend your perfect dog never does anything like that \u2013 because let\u2019s face it, it\u2019s not exactly a topic for polite conversation. Plus, you might be too freaked out to even want to tell anyone! It’s time for a dog behaviourist question and answer session, where we’re going to lift the lid on some of those things that sometimes make you, just for a moment, reconsider your life choices…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We asked you what the most embarassing, weird or gross questions are you’d like to ask me as a dog behaviourist, and you didn’t disappoint!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are lots of things dogs do that are yucky or just downright embarrassing. One of the most common questions I get as a dog behaviourist is “why does my dog sniff other dogs’ bums?” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While we’re all about politeness and handshakes, our dogs are all about the bum sniffing. Yuck! For humans, this often transfers as crotch sniffing too… It\u2019s hard to ignore a Labrador nose up your skirt \u2013 and it can make greeting important guests tricky. Especially those who aren’t dog-savvy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a dog, however, this is an entirely natural behaviour. Dogs find out about each other by smell \u2013 and with their incredible noses, they can discover all kinds of things! That includes another dog\u2019s sex, reproductive state, age, and even their mood. Impressive, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did you know they can discover if another dog is going to be friend or foe by sniff alone? Thing is, sniffing the front end where their 42 teeth are could be dangerous. And is thought of as rather rude too! But an area that’s as far away from the sharp end as possible? Much better and safer! Especially one with a great concentration of information-giving scents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So while we think yuck \u2013 or want to hide under a duvet with embarrassment \u2013 actually, our dog is being very polite. Honest!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pups with a taste for poo are another top dog behaviourist question I get asked. Many things that make us think \u2018yuck\u2019 about our dogs come down to their habit of eating gross things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eating poo \u2013 theirs or anyone\/anything else\u2019s \u2013 is definitely up there on things that challenge our love for them… There are several reasons for this behaviour \u2013 depending a lot on whose poo it is!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter how disgusting we find this, to our dogs: some poo is tasty. As an example, cat poo is almost totally protein and so comes out almost as it went in! Other animals\u2019 poo (and I hate to say it, human poo) can be full of nutrients: undigested fats, proteins, or other delicious smelling delicacies that are irresistible. Especially to those permanently hungry breeds or individuals who err on the side of \u2018eat now, ask questions later\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Go back to the days of dogs\u2019 early domestication, \u2018cleaning up\u2019 the village was one of the jobs that made them successful neighbours. If you watch a mother with her puppies, she’ll clean up after them by eating their poo to keep the nest tidy and avoid detection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, this is natural behaviour \u2013 even if yuck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n