Have you ever wondered why your dog exhibits certain behaviours. Dogs and wolves are closely related but wolves are near impossible to domesticate. Both however show similar genetic behaviours. Read our blog below to clear up that question of ‘why does my dog do that?’
1) Why does my dog lick my face?
Dogs will lick your face to greet you but young wolves will lick their mothers mouth as she will regurgitate food into the pups mouth. Thank goodness humans haven’t followed on that behaviour!
2) Why does my dog circle before it lays down?
Artic wolves will circle to flatten the snow to make a nest and to check for predators such as snakes before they lay down.
3) Why does my dog howl at the TV?
Wolves and dogs both howl as a form of communication and certain sounds and pitches can cause your dog to howl and exhibit other sounds. Howling is also a way for wolves to communicate with their pack.
4) Why does my dog dig?
Wolves dig to hide their food from rival packs. If your dog is digging in your garden, they are preparing a potential hiding place for their meal
5) Why does my dog kick the grass up after going to the toilet?
This is very common and is a way of the dog promoting their scent but pushing it further up in the air. Some dogs will even do a handstand up a wall to push their scent even higher.
6) Why does my dog roll in fox poo?
Dogs will roll in other substances as a way to disguise their scent from other dogs. Wolves will do this a way to protect their pack. Scent glands are located at the base of the neck.
7) Why does my dog bark at the postman?
Alpha wolves will chase off potential predators who are a threat to their pack. When your dog barks at the postman they are defending their territory. The dog assumes that they have scared the postman off yet when he returns the next day the dog will display this behaviour all over again.
8) Why does my dog eat so quick?
Wolves will eat quickly as their bellies become temporary larders to eat as much food as possible to prevent rival packs stealing the prize.
So remember that even though our dogs have been domesticated to live alongside us, they are still an animal who have supressed instincts and that they will still show you behaviours passed down from their more wild ancestors
Click here to watch the video ‘The Wolf In Your Living Room’
Woof!
Damion