Nate
Having a dog can be fun and rewarding, but it’s a lot easier once you learn about how they communicate with their humans.
There are a ton of resources out there for dog owners to learn about their dogs, but one of my favorites is this TikTok account which shares dog psychology facts that every dog owner should know. We’ve compiled a list of some of them for you to start, but there a plenty more on their accounts.
Follow Millie The Noodle Horse: TikTok | Instagram
1. This is Millie. She is a Greyhound who was rescued by her owners in 2018 from dog racing.
2. Leaning
“Whenever your dog leans on you and puts their whole body weight on you. That’s actually their way of hugging you and telling you that they love you.”
3. Sneezes
“Dogs will actually sneeze when they are play fighting to show that they are just playing around and they don’t actually want to hurt you.”
4. The Zoomies
“Zoomies are short bursts of energy your dog just can’t seem to control. Researchers have found only happy healthy dogs get the zoomies. So if your dog is doing the zoomies, then you are doing everything right.”
5. Guilt Trips
“You may feel guilty when you catch your dog quietly, staring at you before you leave the house. But fear not, their calmness is a sign that they trust you and know that you’re coming back.”
6. Eye Contact
“Whenever your dog looks deeply into your eyes, right before they poop, it means they feel vulnerable and they trust you to keep an eye out for them.”
7. Smelling Your Crotch
“If your dog is smelling your crotch, this is your dog’s way of checking your health and mood. Dogs use a sense of smell to read details and their surroundings. So your dog is just checking to see if you’re okay.”
8. Dogs Have Best Friends
“Researchers have found that dogs have a best friend. Dogs love humans and other animals too, but any dog owner can attest that they have one true best friend. They’re loyal to one and that’s the dog owner.”
9. Yawn
“Yawn is not quite the same as a human yawn. Dogs yawn in order to reduce stress and reduce anxiety, which helps them calm down and remain comfortable.”
10. Side Sleeper
“If your dog is sleeping on their side with their legs extended, it means your dog feels safe, is relaxed and at a comfortable temperature.”
11. Tilting Their Head
“When your dog tilts their head while looking at you, this is because they’re trying to read your body language and they are analyzing your tone of voice.”
12. Excited When You Come Home
“Does your dog do a little dance or get the case of the zoomies when you come home? Researchers find that a happy, noisy, tail-wagging greeting is one of the surest signs that you and your dog are connected.”
13. Sleeping With You
“Researchers find that if your dog chooses to sleep next to you, it means they trust you like no one else. Scientists have found that sleeping with your dog helps you sleep better throughout the night and decreases overall stress.”
14. Soft Eyes
“When a dog is happy, their eyes will be a normal, soft shape. Their gaze will be relaxed and gentle and they will blink often.”
15. Belly Up
“A happy dog will roll on their back and expose their belly to you. This is a sign that they are happy and trusting of you. In fact, a dog initiates physical contact, such as bumping up against you, putting their head in your hand or pulling at you is expressing their happiness and their desire to be with you.”
16. Kicking Backwards
“If your dog kicks backward, after going to the bathroom, it’s not to cover it up. It’s done to mark their territory, using the scent glands in their feet.”
17. Licking When You’re Hurt
“If you get a cut and your dog tries licking it, this is because your dog has antibacterial compounds in their saliva. So when they try to lick your cut, this is because they’re trying to help you heal faster.”
18. Sleeping On Your Clothes
“If your dog sleeps on your clothes, it means they love you. Your clothes have your scent on them and they just want to get closer to you.”
19. Roll In The Grass
“Dogs roll in the grass for the same reason children do it. It’s soft, smells good and is a fun way to release energy.”
20. Lots Of Sleep
“A healthy, happy adult dogs usually sleep for up to 16 hours a day. If your dog is not sleeping that much, this could be a sign of stress.”
21. The Cuddler
“If your dog sleeps in the cuddler position, it means that they trust you and see you as one of the other dogs.”
22. Dogs Can Fall In Love
“When a dog is looking at their best friend and their owner, their brain releases a hormone called oxytocin, better known as a love hormone.”
23. Sense Of Time
“Researchers have proven that dogs know the difference between an hour and five hours. If conditioned to, they can predict future events, such as regular walk signs and feeding schedules.”
24. Affection Without Food
“Once your dog has finished a meal, have a look to see what they do. Studies have shown that dogs that go straight to you after eating are displaying obvious signs that they love you. They aren’t motivated by food or treats and are simply showing affection because they enjoy being close to you.”
25. Dogs Think Humans Can Do No Wrong
“So if you accidentally step on your dog’s paw in the middle of the night, chances are they’ll think it’s on purpose.”
26. Sleeping
“Researchers have found all dogs dream, but puppies and senior dogs dream more frequently than adult dogs.”
27. Carrying Toys, Treats, Or Food
“If your dog has a habit of carrying the food from one location to another, don’t worry. This is common behavior. Dogs do this as a way to protect their valued resources from being stolen.”
28. The Most Common Sleeping Position For Dogs: The Donut Or Fuzzy Bagel
“This position is done to preserve body heat and protect vital body parts. This is also a favorite position for dogs when they get cold.”
29. The Burrower Sleeping Position
“When dogs sleep in the burrower position, they are searching for comfort and security. Burrowers are affectionate but very needy. They often need lots of attention and affection in order to fall asleep.”
30. The Superman Sleeping Position
“The Superman position allows your dog to get up quickly indicating that they are just taking a nap. It also means they’re in a playful mood and would love for you to play with them.”
h/t: BoredPanda