Most asked
Head tilts, ear positions, the soft eye
Body language is the original dog dictionary. Read it correctly and most "behavior problems" stop looking like problems.
Topic · Dog Behavior
Dog Behavior
Why dogs do what they do — head tilts, sneezes, joyous growls, midnight howls. Decode the behaviors so you can respond, not react.
7
Articles
12
Book reviews
2026
Updated
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Vocalizations
Howls, growls, and barks
What your dog is actually saying when the neighbors complain.
Energy & play
Why your dog won't quit
Boundless energy is rarely a problem with the dog. It's usually a problem with the schedule.
Quirks
Air-licking, sneezing, head tilts
The weird stuff dogs do that means something — and the stuff that means nothing at all.
Breed-specific
When a growl isn't a threat
Why some breeds growl when they're happiest, and how to tell the difference.
All Dog Behavior articles
Fresh from our team — practical guides updated as we publish them.
Why Do Dogs Lick The Air? Unraveling the Mysteries of Canine Behavior
Hello, dog enthusiasts! Today, let’s unpack a rather peculiar, sometimes baffling dog behavior – air licking. You…
Read the article →Unveiling the Canine Mystery: The Excessive Licking Phenomenon
Hello, fellow dog aficionados! Have you ever found yourself buried under the enthusiastic licks of your furry best friend,…
Read the article →Understanding the Joyous Growls of Rottweilers
You might have noticed your Rottweiler offering you a peculiar sound that seems to oscillate between a rumble and a growl when…
Read the article →What’s Behind My Dog’s Boundless Energy?
Oh, the vibrant world of our fur-babies, always brimming with an unrestrained zest for life, right? It’s both a joy and a…
Read the article →The Canine Quirk: Unraveling the Mystery of Head Tilting in Dogs
Hello dog lovers! Have you ever caught your furry friend tilting their head in a peculiar yet utterly adorable manner when you…
Read the article →The Moonlit Symphony: Understanding Why Dogs Howl at Night
Ah, the tranquil canvas of the night, frequently punctuated by the captivating, sometimes haunting, howls of our canine…
Read the article →Why Do Dogs Sneeze When Playing? An Exploration into the World of Canine Communication
Hello fellow dog enthusiasts! Have you ever paused and wondered, amidst the enthusiastic frolics of a play session, why our…
Read the article →
If you only buy one book
Lucky Dog Lessons by Brandon McMillan
If you're going to invest in one dog training book this year, make it this one. McMillan's 7-day method covers every foundational command and works on dogs other trainers have given up on. It's the book we hand to every new dog owner we know.
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Common behavior questions
Is my dog being naughty or anxious?
Almost always anxious. "Misbehavior" is usually a stress response or a need that isn't being met. Reading body language is step one.
When should I worry about a behavior change?
Sudden change is the signal. New compulsive behaviors, sudden lethargy, or out-of-pattern aggression all warrant a vet visit before assuming behavioral.
Can I fix anxiety with training alone?
Sometimes. Mild cases respond to predictable routines and counter-conditioning. Severe separation anxiety or noise phobia often needs a vet-behaviorist team.
My dog growls — should I be worried?
Context matters more than the sound. A play growl, a possessive growl, and a fear growl all sound similar but mean very different things. Read the rest of the body.
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