Why does my dog do that?

Have you ever wondered why your dog does certain things? Like eat poop or grass, lick other dogs eyes, scooch across the floor, do that weird reverse sneeze noise, hump their bed, or lick their paws? Well in today’s episode we answered a few of those of questions so you know why your dog does that, how to stop it, and if you need to be concerned. Listen and learn.

Shownotes:  https://3spoiltdogs.com.au/s1ep12 

Transcript

tanyawilliams
Hey, everybody it's tanya chief porson at 3 sport dogs and it's podcast timeing him and I've got another fabulous episode of positively spoilt today and I'm talking to Dr Tegan Lever from pet circle now we are going to do a bit of an different. Episode today and it's called why does my dog do that because you probably have things where your dog does and you go. Why does my dog do that so we're going to answer some of those questions. Um, how are you Tegan? Thank you for um, agreeing to come on and answer some of these questions that no doubt you probably get asked all the time.

00:28.19
Teagan Lever
Yeah, I'm good. Thanks tenure. Thanks for having me.

00:39.67
tanyawilliams
Get asked all the time and I can sometimes answer and sometimes I'm like I don't know maybe Google it so we gonna clear up some of those myths and um and actually answer some of the stuff for people today. But before we do that would you like. Tell people a bit little bit about yourself. They know what you do.

00:59.11
Teagan Lever
Yeah, sure so I'm I'm head vet at pet circle. So you might have heard of us where Australia's largest online pet supplies company. Um, oh great. Yep.

01:04.98
tanyawilliams
I Just put the new guys the other day. So yes.

01:11.22
Teagan Lever
Um, so we have over 20 vets who are on hand to provide free advice for pet parents. So I lead that team of vets. Um, and I guess our mission is really to help aussie pet parents take the best possible care of their pets or fur babies. Um.

01:27.65
tanyawilliams
Um, of you.

01:28.37
Teagan Lever
You know by providing education and support and.

01:29.92
tanyawilliams
Love it and I think that's really important that you know obviously when we have out whether you're a new owner or you've or you know always had dogs having that support to be able to answer questions and help you raise a happy healthy dog is is super important and obviously we rely. So much on our vets and our medical you know teams that ah you know that we surround ourselves with when we have our dogs to um to do that for us. Well how did you get started in the pet Industry. What made you want to become a vet to start with.

02:00.74
Teagan Lever
Ah, so I wanted to be a vet from the time I was about nine years old I used to go you know with my mom when she'd take our cat to the vet and I just thought what a fantastic job to get to work with animals all day. Yeah.

02:04.81
tanyawilliams
Um.

02:10.22
tanyawilliams
Yeah, absolutely.

02:14.71
Teagan Lever
Yeah, so when I um when I finished high school I um I did a bachelor of veterinary science at yeah Uk in Brisbane um, and then when I graduated I worked for about 6 years in um, both mixed so like cows sheep horses cats and dogs camels.

02:33.16
tanyawilliams
It wos. The.

02:34.59
Teagan Lever
Um, um, but then also small animals so predominantly dog and cat practice in Southeast Queensland but also in canberra for a couple of years um and then sixteen I was sort of looking for a new way to use my skills.

02:40.60
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah.

02:52.76
Teagan Lever
Um, and experience to to help pet parents um, working in a clinic setting. Um, you know it can be quite stressful. Quite long hours and I just sort of open to other avenues and um I joined pet circle. Yeah, in 2016 and and since then the company has grown and I've been able to grow the vet team with it. So.

03:13.55
tanyawilliams
Awesome! Love all of that. Um, let's get into some of these questions shall we because I look these this is just the tip of the iceberg. So um, I'm not gonna ask all the questions that we probably need to to know because there's way too many will do that in another epi say but let's start with a few. So.

03:17.21
Teagan Lever
So.

03:30.52
tanyawilliams
Um I call it a reverse sneeze so you know that like weird noise that dogs make him it sounds like they're choking. So why do dogs get that and is it called a reverse sea like what is it actually called.

03:42.33
Teagan Lever
Yeah, it's really funny I actually remember learning about it at Uni. Um I hadn't owned a dog prior to to starting my degree and I'd never heard of it before um we watched some videos though and really the the best way to describe. It is a reverse sneeze. Um.

03:55.50
tanyawilliams
Um, what.

03:57.75
Teagan Lever
It It does have a fancy technical term called the aspiration reflex. Um, yeah, essentially what's happening is the dog is taking in a big breath through the nose and usually it's because there's irritation or an obstruction in the nasal passages or sort of right at the back of the throat. Um.

04:00.51
tanyawilliams
Okay.

04:06.84
tanyawilliams
Ah wall.

04:15.52
tanyawilliams
Um, okay.

04:16.88
Teagan Lever
And like there's lots of things that can cause it so it could just be inflam inflammation so you know it could be viral. Fungal Bacterial allergic. Um, they could have inhaled something irritant. Um, so you know a bit's smoke or dust or you know, maybe you've sprayed um some. Cleaning product and they've got a whiff of that. Um foreign Bodies. So Grass seeds are a really common a common cause of reverse sneezing um in some cases it could indicate you know, Maybe there's a growth in the nasal passages. So like a tumor. Um.

04:37.23
tanyawilliams
Um, okay.

04:53.62
Teagan Lever
And there is actually a parasite. There's ah, a nasal mite that dogs can get that can cause reverse sneezing as well. I've never seen it before. But yeah it it does happen. Um, yeah so I guess it's a variety of things.

04:59.54
tanyawilliams
Um, when.

05:08.30
Teagan Lever
Um, it just generally indicates. There's there's something going on with the with the nasal passages I mean if it's an isolated episode so you know it happens once or twice and then doesn't you know continue you know it's generally nothing to be concerned about. But um.

05:21.24
tanyawilliams
Um, who.

05:25.74
Teagan Lever
If if it's persistent or you're noticing other signs like discharge from the nose or the eyes or or your dog or cat because cats can reverse sneeze too. Um, if they appear to be unwell then that's probably when you need to go and see the vet. Yeah.

05:33.79
tanyawilliams
Hey yeah because my double just do it at random times and and sometimes the is is because he's excited or like why all of a sudden just randomly doing it. So it's it's probably you know as you said he might have inhaled.

05:42.58
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah.

05:50.15
Teagan Lever
So yeah, yeah.

05:50.99
tanyawilliams
Efforts We're all like something that I've head around or done something so it doesn't seem to be anything too serious. Thank God But yeah, often we'll have dogs that stay with this as well and they'll just get this random thing like what are they doing that for. So yes, so.

06:01.10
Teagan Lever
So yeah, yeah, yeah I was just going to say one of my dogs does it if he lies on his back for a long time I think he must get like a sort of a drip of um like nasal fluid or something at the back of his throat and and he'll often do a reverse s kneeze then and.

06:11.63
tanyawilliams
What? Yeah okay so what do we do when they are doing that like I will often like just sort of rub his throat and go it's right just breathe but like is there something in particular that can help them sort of stop doing it.

06:29.29
Teagan Lever
So yeah I guess if it's a you know if it's if it's one of those episodes where they just keep doing it. Um, you know providing them with comfort is fine. Um, the the good news is that the airway isn't actually blocked when they're doing that so you don't have to worry that they're not getting air.

06:46.85
tanyawilliams
Um, not well. Yeah.

06:46.94
Teagan Lever
Um, as as scary as it. It sounds the the fact that you can sort of hear that that that's reverse sneeze sort of indicates that the airway is still flowing. Um, so you know generally um, you could try to distract them so you know maybe um.

06:56.21
tanyawilliams
Um, a.

07:03.42
Teagan Lever
Offer offer them a treat or something like that and see if that sort of breaks that that cycle. Um, but but generally you know just waiting for it to to pass is is fine. Um, it probably it can be distressing I guess to see from from ah a human perspective but from the dog's perspective. He's sort of just trying to trying to clear his throat.

07:20.62
tanyawilliams
I Thought that's good to know because I think that's the thing you think oh my God are they not getting air because it's bound poking so you worried about them like not being able to breathe.

07:23.42
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, you'll see though when they do it that their mouth is held shut. Um, so they're really just trying to force the air through the nasal passages. Um.

07:39.10
tanyawilliams
Um, wow.

07:40.11
Teagan Lever
You know they they do have the option at any point to open their mouth and breathe breathe that way. So yeah, yeah.

07:43.95
tanyawilliams
Like that's good to know that makes me feel so much better. Okay, but next question why do dogs lick each other's eyes or mouths like 1 of my guys neo loves licking his sister's mouth and it grosses me out. And and he does the same to his other sister and licks her eyes and obviously they get that little bit of discharge and stuff from their eyes. But I'm always like stop licking them and I don't know if it's like he's getting like um, it's like an aphrodisia echo or something. It's really weird. It's like why do you keep doing these so. Why? do they.

08:07.85
Teagan Lever
Yeah.

08:19.16
tanyawilliams
Do it.

08:20.44
Teagan Lever
Yeah I guess the first thing to remember is that dogs explore their environments with their nose and their mouth. So you know they're their primary senses. So um.

08:24.63
tanyawilliams
Well.

08:31.53
Teagan Lever
It's quite common something that we would look at for example, sight being one of our primary senses a dog's first reaction might just be to go up and sniff it or taste it. Um, so I mean they can be doing it as a sign of love and affection so licking releases endorphins.

08:40.72
tanyawilliams
Um.

08:47.52
tanyawilliams
Is it.

08:49.72
Teagan Lever
Um, so if the dogs are ah quite well bonded. Um it it may just be part of a bonding experience. Um, it could just be as simple as they like the taste. So um, my parents had 2 dogs and they used to lick each other's mouths after they've had dinner.

08:54.30
tanyawilliams
Are.

09:07.96
Teagan Lever
To get the the extra just the little extra bits and pieces there. Um, but another reason that they can lick each other um anywhere but you know including in the face and the eyes is what's called an appeasement behavior So appeasement.

09:07.98
tanyawilliams
Um, ah what.

09:27.25
Teagan Lever
Ah, Behavior is like a mechanism for the dog to try and sort of diffuse or calm a situation where they're sort of feeling a bit stressed. It's a way of saying I'm not a threat like you're not going to get a. You're not going to get any resistance from me. Um, and so you'll see this with people too like if you go right up into a dog's face. Um.

09:39.17
tanyawilliams
Um, boy.

09:46.53
Teagan Lever
Sometimes they will jump up and lick you and sometimes it's because they're loving and excited to meet you but sometimes it could also be saying hey um you know I'm not comfortable with this I'm feeling a bit threatened. Um, yes, so you really need to look at the behavior in context. So.

09:57.18
tanyawilliams
Oh okay, 4

10:04.47
Teagan Lever
I Guess with your dogs you know I'd be looking at the dog that's getting licked and sort of saying um you know is there. You know how has this been initiated has has the dog that's being licked come over to the dog to initiate the contact or is the liquor The one that initiated the contact. Um.

10:22.87
tanyawilliams
Um, of a or her.

10:23.78
Teagan Lever
How are the dogs looking So the dog that's doing the licking are they um you know yawning licking their lips sort of looking away. Um, and also the dog that's being licked. You know how are they you know are they are they just tolerating it are they that are not.

10:37.91
tanyawilliams
Where.

10:41.19
Teagan Lever
Not bothered by it or or is it uncomfortable for them. Um I think in most cases though it does just come back to that you know it's It's a social behavior. Um, you know they're very comfortable with each other and and it may just be. You know the thing that they do, um.

10:45.70
tanyawilliams
Um.

10:57.43
tanyawilliams
Yeah, yeah.

11:00.13
Teagan Lever
I Mean do your dogs The ones getting licked to either of them seem to be put. Yeah.

11:05.30
tanyawilliams
1 yeah like like um tear she seems to just like tolerate Ms. go yeah okay, whatever and until I'm been telling me I stop doing it hit and light and you know she's just like okay she just sort of takes it lat. He locks Tolick her eyes. Um.

11:10.81
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah.

11:18.34
Teagan Lever
And.

11:20.73
tanyawilliams
And sometimes she's fine with it other times she'll get like a bit of a growl like or leaving why and sort I've had I've had enough but um, it's normally him that I think initiates it most of the time it's like hey and look they are very close because they've been here there for many years and they are very you know a very close sort of pack. So.

11:23.10
Teagan Lever
Yeah.

11:38.61
tanyawilliams
Some of it could be that loving like I'm just going to look after you because Neo loves everybody so it could be yeah.

11:41.59
Teagan Lever
Yeah, I'd say most likely. Yeah, it's just a sort of normal social behavior between dogs that are you know, quite well bonded and know each other very well. Um and there's there's potentially an element of just enjoying the taste of it as well. As gross as that. Um.

11:50.64
tanyawilliams
1

11:59.26
tanyawilliams
Yes, that's what my ah thought was does he like a taste of this is that what because sometimes if I clean his eye and I've still got some of it on my hand he will lick it and I'm like oh buddy gross, but it like seems like the taste of it which to me just seems so disgusting. But.

11:59.88
Teagan Lever
Yeah, so.

12:09.61
Teagan Lever
Yep yeah I know it's It's revolting to think about. But yes, um, they do? yeah they I mean dogs will eat all sorts of things won't they So yeah.

12:22.80
tanyawilliams
Um, it's unfortunately now I just need to just pause for one second I think one of my dogs has just jumped over a gate Joe open my door here I'm just gonna check him.

12:28.77
Teagan Lever
Okay, no worries. Okay, yep, no worries.

12:37.87
tanyawilliams
Come here naughty boy come here.

12:47.51
tanyawilliams
Yes, he has 1 of my guests decided he wants to join us. So um, now you sit down there and be a good boy. Please thank you I'll obviously edit this out. Um.

12:57.25
Teagan Lever
Yeah, no worries.

13:02.12
tanyawilliams
Because he's a puppy I was just worried about him going and trying like chewing stuff. Um, okay so we'll cut that bit out. Um, let's now hey guys come on. We're not doing this where we go I've told you we had to behave and then you'll get treats.

13:03.53
Teagan Lever
Yeah, of course you got to be careful. So.

13:19.36
tanyawilliams
Um, okay so let's get started again. So my next question would be why do dogs scort their bum on the ground like I've always been told Oh they've got worm so they need to be wormed. But I'm sure mine do it and then it's like well they've just been worm So why that is still doing that like is there an actual scientific reason for it.

13:37.93
Teagan Lever
Yeah, so um, scooting is in general. It's just a sign that they've got irritation in that area under the tail around sort of the anal area. So um, you know worms can cause it. So.

13:48.42
tanyawilliams
Ah, what.

13:53.66
Teagan Lever
Particularly fleae tapeworm So Flea tapeworm is transmitted when dogs have fleas and they groom themselves and ingest the fleas. Um, and that's how they pick up the tapeworrm and the tapew worm actually lays.

14:01.84
tanyawilliams
Move.

14:09.55
Teagan Lever
Um, what leaves segments it can leave segments around sort of the outside of that area. Um, which is really gross. Um, so if if they're causing irritation. Um, yeah, they can scooot but I would say the most common cause um, is anal Anal Sacquianal gland.

14:18.20
tanyawilliams
Um.

14:28.48
Teagan Lever
Issues. Yeah, very very common. Um, you see it a lot in smaller breed dogs. Um, but any any size dog can be affected um and essentially these little glands. They just sit on sort of the inside of the anus. Um.

14:28.77
tanyawilliams
Um, ah what? yeah.

14:32.85
tanyawilliams
V.

14:45.76
Teagan Lever
And what would normally happen is as they pass Bowel motions a little bit of the contents would you know sort of come out. Um, and it's thought to have like ah a scent marking. Um, it's sort of like their signature scent. Um.

14:53.16
tanyawilliams
Are.

15:02.24
tanyawilliams
The right place.

15:03.53
Teagan Lever
If You want to think about it that way. Um, but what can happen is that little sack or Gland can get impacted. So um, it can get ah you know, really full and for whatever reason it's not draining like there might be um. You know there could be an infection in there. They could just be a buildup of um of material in there. So um, that's probably the most common cause that you see with scooting particularly if it's happening like they're doing it frequently. Um.

15:28.62
tanyawilliams
Yeah.

15:36.48
Teagan Lever
You might also notice they could be licking the area a lot as well or you might notice a bit of a smell. Um, so that that would be the most common cause you do also sometimes see it with food allergies. Um, yeah, and you can actually see food allergies and anal sacck impaction um, occurring together as well. So.

15:47.13
tanyawilliams
Okay.

15:56.49
Teagan Lever
Ah, generally what I would say if you've got a dog that's scooting um particularly if it's happened sort of more than once in ah in a relatively short period have a checkup at the vet. It doesn't necessarily need to be with the vet. Um, most clinics are vet Nurse is also available to check the anal Sachs and.

16:10.78
tanyawilliams
Then you know.

16:14.63
Teagan Lever
If they need to be expressed. They can do that? Um, and when they do that as well. They can sort of identify if it looks infected or if there's masses or anything there. Um, it's still a good idea to keep that flee and whamming up to date. Um, so.

16:28.68
tanyawilliams
See. Ah, yeah.

16:30.96
Teagan Lever
The best way actually to prevent Flea Tapeworrm is with flee control. Um so wormers will depending on the wormy you use will potentially kill the fleae tapeworm. But if you have them on fleet control. They don't have fleas. They're not eating the fleas then they don't get flee tapeworm. So yeah that that would be the main thing but um.

16:44.78
tanyawilliams
True. Yeah.

16:50.27
Teagan Lever
I Mean you do get some dogs that just have this persistent anal Gland Issue. They're coming in very frequently to have them expressed and and that's you know you can look for underlying causes there say for example with food allergies. There's usually other symptoms. Um, and you know in really chronic cases. If. They're just constantly being impacted and needing to be expressed. You can actually remove them. Um, they don't really serve a purpose beyond providing that signature send. Um, So yeah, that's sort of ah a last last ditch um option. Yeah.

17:25.18
tanyawilliams
Yeah, and look mine. Don't do it very often. But I know yeah, they've just had their annual vaccinations and and our lovely vet did all of their anal glands and stuff because it's like it's one of those things you just go Ah, don't even want to go anywhere near that. Yeah to be that.

17:26.84
Teagan Lever
And.

17:36.80
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

17:39.81
tanyawilliams
Sounds and looks so gross when they do it. It's just like I'm going to leave it to the expert to do that.

17:45.25
Teagan Lever
Yeah, there there is a technique to it I mean I have over the years taught people to do it on their own dogs I mean I don't particularly enjoy it. But um, ah it is yeah it's it's a useful skill to have it. You do need to um, be a little bit careful obviously to do it in a way that.

18:02.78
tanyawilliams
Yes.

18:03.11
Teagan Lever
Doesn't hurt the dog or or cause any sort of damage or or pain. Um, but yeah, it's It's very common and no.

18:12.38
tanyawilliams
Yes, not not 1 of the nicest things but 1 of the things that I suppose are unnecessary there and yes, um, okay licking.

18:16.81
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah, it's it's a daily occurrence in the vet clinic. There's usually at least 1 dog that needs the anorb lens expressed. Yeah so.

18:27.51
tanyawilliams
Why do dogs lick their paws now often I think oh okay, they've been outside and it's a bit wet and maybe they've got a bit of moisture there. Um is it moisture related. Um is it allergy related like is there and I think some dogs do it more than others like.

18:33.41
Teagan Lever
6

18:41.68
Teagan Lever
And.

18:44.17
tanyawilliams
Why do they do like why do they lick their their paws and particularly they like the inside of their little pool.

18:49.41
Teagan Lever
Yeah, that's a really good question. Um, it is a very. It's a common behavior you know and typically you'll hear from people say it's three o'clock in the morning and my dog went't stop licking their damn paws. Um, why are they doing this? um and they sort of too.

19:01.25
tanyawilliams
Um, yes.

19:06.54
Teagan Lever
Main reason so the first would be um, actually it's a behavioral thing. So um, as sort of mentioned earlier. The licking can release endorphins and be quite calming for dogs. Um, so over time.

19:17.60
tanyawilliams
Well yeah.

19:24.42
Teagan Lever
That can develop into an obsessive behavior again sort of like nail biting or sucking your thumb. Um the the other potential cause and one that's important to rule out is you know is there irritation or pain there. So um, it could be ah.

19:27.88
tanyawilliams
It was Ill oh.

19:43.72
Teagan Lever
You know do they have skin allergies and ah because you know some dogs may have allergies to grasses for example, so they're out there walking on the grass and that's irritated the the skin on their paws and so it's itchy and they're lookingcking at that. Um. With that you can sometimes get secondary bacterial infections which then make them want to lick more because it's sort of more irritated more itchy. Um, you can see grass seeds depends on where you are in Australia. So for example, I'd never seen one in Queensland but when I worked in canberra they were pretty regular occurrence. You'd find grass seeds between dogs' toes.

20:05.33
tanyawilliams
It had.

20:17.98
tanyawilliams
Are more.

20:20.27
Teagan Lever
Um, they actually burrow in under the skin um can be be quite painful. Um, no, it's not it's it's satisfying when you get the the grass seed out um for everyone involved. Ah, but yeah, not very pleasant. Um.

20:25.89
tanyawilliams
Let's suppose it doesn't sound pleasant.

20:37.12
Teagan Lever
Obviously wounds as well. You know if they've um, stood on something sharp or um and even so one of my dogs. He's quite elderly and he has some Arthritis um in his feet and he licks his feet. Um, when they're when they're sore. Um, yeah, so it's.

20:41.19
tanyawilliams
Um, wall.

20:50.43
tanyawilliams
Full wall.

20:56.43
Teagan Lever
There's lots of potential causes. Um, definitely worth just ruling out the pathological. So um, you know having a look between the toes if it looks like it's very um, the skin's very red or moist or you can see you know pustules and things. Um. If. It's affecting just one pore versus all of the pores that can give you some clues as well. Um, it's a good idea as well. Just to um, yeah, rule out. Um, any of those pathological causes. Um and treat them if if need be um. 1 thing you might notice as well dogs with um, white hair in particular, you do start to see staining so kind of like a reddishbrown staining with the licking. Um and that's actually from a pigment in the saliva. So um, that yeah that in itself isn't pathological, but.

21:38.35
tanyawilliams
And get yet.

21:46.72
tanyawilliams
Um, ah.

21:51.11
Teagan Lever
You know if I see a little white dog with um yeah, little sort of reddish brown feet. That's a pretty good indicator that they're they're licking their feet quite a lot. Yeah yeah, and.

21:57.39
tanyawilliams
Yeah, what's a great thing to know because you do get some sort of discoloration or they dirty or maybe it. It's actually from licking who.

22:08.76
Teagan Lever
And yes, yeah, from the saliva um, there's a yeah pigment called Porphrin that um, over time can build up and and leave that color.

22:15.65
tanyawilliams
Wow Now there's all sorts of products and stuff out there now for their paws and little balms and stuff like that that those sorts of things help us that sort of situation if they are sort of you know maybe have you know at little issue should we be putting those types of things on our dogs.

22:21.60
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah, so.

22:33.40
Teagan Lever
Yeah I mean look if it's just ah, a mild irritation um putting a balm or something like that on can help in terms of restoring the skin barrier. So when the skin's barrier is Compromised. So if it's inflamed or dry or flaky. Um, that can make them more susceptible to um, you know that allergic reaction because in some cases the allergen say from the grass is absorbed across the skin like it comes across the skin. So um, there can be some benefit to that I would just be Cautious. You know if there's ah if there's a wound there or if it looks like it's infected. So. It's very moist or there's um, signs of pustules probably better to to have that treated um either with a medicated um cream or potentially with oral antibiotics to clear the infection.

23:27.45
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah.

23:29.19
Teagan Lever
Um, but you can definitely use those things um to sort of help with the the barrier function I Know you know some people like to have their dogs pause um clipped and sometimes putting something like that on after the clip-in can help as well just to soothe soothe any irritation and.

23:42.46
tanyawilliams
Yeah, okay, good to know right? Okay, so licking their pause is not necessarily a really wide thing. It's just a matter of figuring out why they're licking and then treating that problem. Yeah.

23:55.91
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah, and look if you don't land on a pathological cause like if you've sort of explored all those avenues and it's just they're just licking them heaps. Um you you can you know, try to redirect that behavior and break that cycle because um.

24:10.82
tanyawilliams
Um, never miss. Yeah.

24:11.56
Teagan Lever
What starts as a soothing behavior if they're licking them a lot can then develop into you know if it's really moist there they can start to develop um wounds and stuff. So um, you can look to break that cycle. Um, you can use a physical barrier so you can use the cone of shame for a week or 2 to let them heal up. Um.

24:15.12
tanyawilliams
More.

24:28.29
tanyawilliams
Ah, redded cone.

24:31.39
Teagan Lever
Yeah I know um you can also look at sort of what's the underlying cause for this behavior you know do they have some sort of stress and anxiety that's going untreated um and you know in some cases that might involve. Um, you know modifying the environment or potentially.

24:39.62
tanyawilliams
You know.

24:51.10
Teagan Lever
Medication or things like that. Um, also redirecting the behavior. So if you see them start into a licking session. You know redirecting their behavior to you know something. So maybe you get up and you do 5 minutes of um obedience training with them. To to sort of snap them out of it and and redirect the behaviour to something positive and.

25:12.13
tanyawilliams
Good idea, Good idea. Okay, ah next question Now there's probably people have all different theories about this. But why do dogs hump.

25:19.38
Teagan Lever
Um.

25:23.25
tanyawilliams
Bed now I've got 1 guest at the moment and he just goes crazy on his poor little bed and it's like oh my god and like I've always been told dogs humping at each other is more a sign of dominance when they're doing it to each other because they're trying to dominate and say I'm in charge. But what are they trying to dominate their bed like why do they have a little play with it.

25:37.61
Teagan Lever
Yep.

25:42.56
Teagan Lever
Yeah, um, so yeah, yeah, absolutely right? when a dog humps another dog that can be ah, a sign of of saying hey hey I'm in charge here. Um it it can be a reciprocal thing though you can see them playing and they they might do it each. Do it to each other.

25:42.57
tanyawilliams
Ah.

25:50.81
tanyawilliams
Yeah, yeah.

25:56.52
tanyawilliams
Yeah to each other. Yes.

26:00.33
Teagan Lever
Um, ah, it's I think when it comes to like inanimate objects. Um, probably the most common cause is like it's a sign your dog has big feelings. Um, and they're trying to soothe those feelings so find a place for those feelings so it could be um, it could be excitement. So. Maybe you've got you know visitors over the to the house that they've never met before um it could be anxiety as well. So you know again, you know they might be feeling a little bit both excited and nervous that there's you know, new people here or they're in a new place or there's new things. Um. And for whatever reason it's sort of 1 of the behaviors that they used as an outlet for those those feelings is this um tendency to hump inanimate objects. It could excuse me sorry it could be um, it could be a ah toy. It could be um, beds are obviously a good size and a good shape for that kind of behavior. Um, so so that's probably the most common cause I mean it's a sexual behavior as well. So it. It can be hormone driven. Um, even in desex pets. You can still see that behavior.

26:59.13
tanyawilliams
Yeah.

27:14.46
tanyawilliams
Um, yes, yeah.

27:14.67
Teagan Lever
Um I think look if it's if it's something that they've always done or they've done for a long time. It's probably nothing to be concerned about again. It's probably just ah, a big feeling kind of situation. Um.

27:27.93
tanyawilliams
Well thought that like I thought Okay, there's got to be a like ah a more scientific reason mind it. But the fact that they're feeling like either remember really excited or anxious or whatever I mean that really makes sense too.

27:30.97
Teagan Lever
So yeah. Yeah, yeah, Yeahp Yeah um I Guess yeah, if it if it suddenly starts happening or if it's getting really intense. Um is probably worth with checking that out. Um you know the v. Might just want to check their hormone levels and things because very occasionally you can get sort of weird and wonderful conditions that that cause those sex hormones to to change. Um, so.

27:54.29
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah.

27:58.71
tanyawilliams
Take their better way if they're doing it all the time. It's like give me the bed and yeah and drop the behavior or like just like leave boy.

28:06.10
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah, if if it's not causing any problems I don't really see a need to solve it. Um, you know if if it's providing them with an outlet for those feelings. Um, if you take the better way. They'll probably look for something else to to be the outlet. So.

28:10.17
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah.

28:21.81
Teagan Lever
Um, another good example of that is you know if you come home and your dog greets you with a toy in their mouth. You know they're They're really excited running around with the toy in their mouth. That's another sort of self-soothing big feeling behavior. Um, so.

28:35.28
tanyawilliams
Um, one of my guys does that every time he hear why he? But why are you bringing this and yeah guy. So he's he's happy to see mummy. That's good to know.

28:40.90
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah, yeah, so um, you know I see that as a fairly neutral or positive way for them to express those feelings. What you don't want them to develop is sort of less.

28:50.27
tanyawilliams
You know.

28:55.97
Teagan Lever
Less socially acceptable ways to to express big feelings and you know that could be could be jumping up or or doing other things that might be destructive. Yeah, um.

29:03.50
tanyawilliams
Like maybe so okay, well,, that's good to know. Okay, um, I'm going to talk about something that I think is probably always sounds disgusting and but I Know. Hairdresser has a dog who has some issues around this and it's eating poo like it is thing Oh My God That's so disgusting whether it's their own poo or other dogs Poo. We occasionally get a dog here that will do that and it grosses me out. But why do they do it.

29:21.50
Teagan Lever
So yeah.

29:34.47
Teagan Lever
Yeah, this is actually 1 of our most commonly asked questions that we get. Um, yeah, um again I think it comes back to dogs will explore through taste and smell as their primary senses. Um.

29:39.50
tanyawilliams
Um, I'm not surprised.

29:45.88
tanyawilliams
Are.

29:50.38
Teagan Lever
There's a lot of reasons why dogs can eat Poo. We don't always know the exact cause um so sometimes if they've got a dietary insufficiency. So Maybe they're missing say a trace mineral in their diet so you can see that sometimes with homemade diets. Um, you know if you're not. Sort of careful to balance for for all of the minerals. They can develop a efficient a deficiency over time. Um, and that can lead them to eat all sorts of things so not just poo but it could be dirt or rocks or whatever. Whatever they they decide is is going to help.

30:09.54
tanyawilliams
Okay.

30:25.75
tanyawilliams
Are.

30:28.46
Teagan Lever
Um, you can see it with if they've got like ah a tummy or or gastric issue that is causing malnourishment again or or hunger or both. Um, so they're just looking to try and fill that that insufficiency in their diet from the malnourishment.

30:45.64
tanyawilliams
Wow. Okay I we have thought that because it's like it's that they're hungry so they're eating their own poop like what.

30:48.35
Teagan Lever
Um, yeah, yeah, you you do actually see that. Um so labradors are a great example. So they're very food motivated. They're always hungry and then.

30:58.65
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah.

31:02.48
Teagan Lever
Typically you'll put them on ah say a weight loss diet. They might be eating less. They might be a bit hungry and then you know they might start doing you know, eating the poo. Um, so I mean that's something to be mindful of um they can do it out of boredom or um.

31:10.15
tanyawilliams
Are all.

31:21.95
Teagan Lever
You know separation anxiety so they're they're trying to I guess um, you know they're they're just trying to generate some kind of experience in their environment. So um, it it can be related to that and.

31:34.75
tanyawilliams
Um, and.

31:38.27
Teagan Lever
I Mean as gross as it is as it is you know sometimes it does just seem to be like a taste and smell thing. They just like it. Um, you can see it particularly you know if if you've got say you've got a puppy that's on like ah a very rich puppy diet that.

31:44.25
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah.

31:55.60
Teagan Lever
Potentially could be more appealing or if they're eating um something that's got a very strong odor So like a maybe a fish-based diet that could be more appealing as well. Um, yes, is it I mean there's a few few reasons that we think they do it at the end of the day. Um. It's gross, but the the health risks are pretty small. Um, yeah, no I mean in terms of Health risks. Probably the main one would be things like transmission of parasites or diseases. So. It's a great way to get worms.

32:16.99
tanyawilliams
I Can't get like if they eat constantly eating poop then or.

32:30.93
tanyawilliams
Um, walk home there.

32:33.94
Teagan Lever
Um, you know and there are some ah you know there are some health conditions some viral and bacterial in particular that can be spread by that that route. Um I mean it's not a ah behavior that anyone wants to encourage. Um.

32:44.79
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah.

32:49.94
tanyawilliams
Like different ah pick some up and pop it on top of their food. Yeah, he's a little bit but.

32:52.17
Teagan Lever
Say it.

32:56.29
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah, um so I mean strategies to try the first is trying to reduce their access to it as much as possible. So you know that might mean daily or twice daily poo pickups. Um, you can also you know make sure they're they're on a balanced diet. So.

33:06.17
tanyawilliams
Are.

33:14.51
Teagan Lever
Ah, feeding a high quality diet or if you are um, feeding sort of a homemade diet. Um, you know potentially work with a pet nutritionist or a vet to make sure that it's balanced um, providing them with some mental and physical stimulation just to sort of if it if it is that boredom side of things. So um.

33:21.92
tanyawilliams
Yeah.

33:33.68
Teagan Lever
And actually a great one for the dogs that are hungry is to use like a slow feeder or a treat dispenser as the the way that they get their meal. Um, so they're taking that time instead of inhaling it in 30 seconds it takes some 20 minutes to you know say if they're on dry food to get it out.

33:41.15
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah.

33:48.21
tanyawilliams
Actually good idea.

33:53.39
Teagan Lever
Um, yeah, and I mean there's there's sort of people have tried adding things to their diet with varying success. Um, you know so pineapple is a big 1 whether that's actual fresh pineapple or pineapple juice. Um.

33:59.93
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah.

34:09.73
Teagan Lever
Papore is another one I've heard and also so yeah, so it doesn't so it doesn't taste as good when it comes out the other end. Yeah yeah, so um, yeah, poor poor pineapple. Um or even yogurt. So again being careful about.

34:11.92
tanyawilliams
For like adding that sort of deters them from eating their Um, what.

34:29.76
Teagan Lever
How much you feed making sure making sure it's safe for dogs. So for example, the yogurt would be like just a plain in Greek yogurt. No artificial sweeteners or anything like that and and not a lot of it. Um, but yet it's particularly common in puppies. So most of the time they will grow out of the behavior.

34:32.64
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah, yeah.

34:47.57
tanyawilliams
Yeah, yeah.

34:49.65
Teagan Lever
Um, but yeah, just sort of trying to limit their access and and provide them with alternative I Guess outlets for their um, their energy and their mental stimulation. So.

35:01.48
tanyawilliams
Good good tips, good tips. Um okay eating Grass. So while we're talking about eating. Um, you know there's obviously lots of different theories around this as well. But most common one I think is oh, It's like a medicine for the for the dog. Is that why they eat grass because there's something off in their gut like what is the reason behind that one.

35:15.50
Teagan Lever
Um.

35:20.10
Teagan Lever
Yeah, it can absolutely um, be a calming a calming thing so to calm an upset stomach. It doesn't necessarily mean that they're going to vomit if they eat the grass. Um, so absolutely we you know we see dogs that that might have um you know a bit of nausea.

35:27.99
tanyawilliams
Yet. Well now.

35:36.70
Teagan Lever
Ah, eating a bit of grass. Um, you can also see it again with the nutritional deficiencies. Um, or if they've got a diet that's really low in fiber. There's a thought that it may be a way to add a bit of fiber to the diet.

35:49.88
tanyawilliams
Um, oh.

35:50.28
Teagan Lever
Um, because if you think about you know it's obviously been a long time since the domestic dogs were in ah a wild setting. Um, but you know when they were they would have eaten the whole you know, potentially the whole whole animal. Um.

35:57.32
tanyawilliams
Um, you.

36:04.76
tanyawilliams
Um, well.

36:05.20
Teagan Lever
And that includes the gut contents which you know if their herbivores is is things like grass and and plant matter. So um, you know that that could be something that they're seeking in their diet. Um, again, it can be a boredom thing. Um or they just enjoy it. They like the taste.

36:11.48
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah.

36:25.50
Teagan Lever
Um, yeah, no, um, yeah, no I I don't ah you know I wouldn't say that most dogs enjoy enjoy eating grass. But um, there's probably a subset that that do.

36:25.94
tanyawilliams
I Can't imagine that it tastes too great like it's print what the eating lettuce or something by itself. It be like ah bit yak.

36:43.37
Teagan Lever
Of mine is sort of partial to munch on a little bit of grass every now and again and um, yeah, it's yeah it sort of seems like ah, a bit of a I think for him, it's It's potentially just ah, you know needs a little fiber boost and doesn't mind the grass. So.

36:57.24
tanyawilliams
Yeah, we shouldn't be worried about if our dogs are eating grass. There's a reason for it and just it's fine just to let them have a bit of grass.

37:01.27
Teagan Lever
Yeah.

37:06.67
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah, absolutely I mean if they're eating the grass and they're vomiting. Um, and that's happening like you know a 1 ne-off format here or there's probably not to be concerned or concerned about. But if it's consistent. Um, or if there's other signs that they're unwell then then worth getting checked out and.

37:18.98
tanyawilliams
Um, yeah.

37:24.32
Teagan Lever
I guess just making sure as well. It's fine for them. Eat eat grass but keeping them away from other plants in the garden that can be toxic so like yeah ycads are a big one. Um Oleenda as well. Probably they're probably 2 of the most common garden plants that are quite toxic to dogs.

37:29.46
tanyawilliams
You That's good for.

37:40.72
tanyawilliams
Okay, yeah I wouldn't know about that because I like I'm a hopeless gardener so I got some ground that's going to just stay alive without me watering it and then I'm done. Thank you so much. Dr Tegan for answering.

37:43.27
Teagan Lever
Yeah.

37:51.31
Teagan Lever
Yeah, yeah, no I can relate to that.

37:59.64
tanyawilliams
All of those little. Why do my dog Do. Why does my dog do that um questions because you know it's one of those things you're always wondering I Wonder why?? Um, so having you know someone as as qualified as you to answer those questions can hopefully ease a few porent minds and know that we're not doing anything wrong and. And this is what we need to worry about and what we don't need to worry About. So I Really appreciate you taking the time and and sharing some of that wisdom with us. Yes, you look I've definitely got more questions on on why my dog does that So we're gonna do that one less another episode because there's like.

38:27.48
Teagan Lever
Yeah, worry is always happy to. Um, yeah, we always happy to talk about pet parent questions.

38:38.50
tanyawilliams
So many other things that I'm like oh my god I've thought of a whole bunch ball. but but um let's leave it at that one that for today and and um, we'll do another ah episode on why my dog does that soon. Thank you? Dr. Tegan a pleasure talking to you.

38:41.98
Teagan Lever
Yep.

38:46.81
Teagan Lever
Great. Thank you.