Everyone who enjoys the company of a dog knows that sometimes dogs have strange behaviors. They may arrive in your life with the behaviors already in place, or perhaps they are adopted as a puppy and develop a behavior young.
I adopted Sadie when she was 4 years old. In the morning she has a habit of rubbing her face all over the blankets in bed. I’m not sure what she is doing, although I have to ask her if she has eye boogies or worse (ha ha).
Sadie also has a habit of picking her food off her dish and taking it into another room to eat on the rug. She may do this five or six times before she finally stands over her food and eats it from her dish.
I am sure whomever has had a dog understands they all develop certain traits along the way.
Did you know that a dog staring at you doesn’t mean they’re being creepy? They just want affection.
Has your dog ever howled? The other day I came home from town and my older dog Odie was making an awful sound. I could hear him when I got out of my car. Odie is 18 years old, so I was worried and hurried into the house. When I opened the door, he was right there with his little nose in the air, howling. I read recently it was a sign of being annoyed — I guess he was upset I left him. When he noticed me coming in the door, he stopped.
We all love when our canine pet looks at us with those big puppy dog eyes. Most people melt, including myself, and immediately get a treat out. This is a way your dog is telling you that he loves and trusts you; he will no doubt appreciate a tasty morsel, too.
Have you ever noticed your dog squinting or blinking his eyes? He is trying to tell you something and trying to get your attention. Perhaps your behavior showed your pup that you were too busy that day and didn’t show the dog enough love and attention? If so, be sure to make the extra effort to make some quality time. It will be good for both of you.
If you catch you dog looking at you with her tongue hanging out, she is just showing you that she is relaxed, happy and mellow. Dogs usually have this expression after getting the attention they crave.
If you happen to come up to a dog that is baring its teeth, ears back and snarling, the dog is feeling threatened and giving a warning to the enemy. Never approach a dog in this state. Even if he is angry at something else, you run the risk of being bitten.
Always be cautious of a dog you do not know. Let them smell your hand, and talk softly to them.
Dogs and cats are wonderful companions. Rescue, rescue, rescue … that is my breed of animal. There are so many animals in need of a loving home.
If you decide to adopt a pet, make sure you understand what this entails. They can be expensive, but well worth it. You must feed them, brush them, take them to the veterinarian for a yearly checkup or if they are sick or hurt, love them and make sure that they are part of the family.
Check out the Central Aroostook Humane Society, 24 Cross St. in Presque Isle, for some amazing animals. And remember: rescue. Be a responsible pet owner and spay or neuter your pets.
Gail Wieder is a member of the Central Aroostook Humane Society board of directors.
