Dog Behavior, Explained

The big questions, answered

• Why does my dog lick me?: affection, attention-seeking, taste, and the rare compulsive case
• Why does my dog eat grass?: mostly normal, occasionally boredom, rarely the "upset stomach" myth
• Why does my dog follow me everywhere?: bonding, breed traits, and the line where it becomes separation anxiety
• Why does my dog shake?: drying off, excitement, stress, cold, and the shaking that means pain or illness

When is my dog's behavior a health problem?

Behavior is a dog's only language for pain. A dog that suddenly hides, snaps when touched, stops jumping on the couch, licks one spot obsessively, or shakes without cause may be telling you something medical. Cross-check the symptom guides and the signs your dog needs a vet, and when a behavior change is sudden and out of character, call your vet before you call a trainer.

When is my dog's behavior a training issue?

If the behavior is learned rather than physical (barking at everything, pulling on leash, destruction when alone), the fix lives in the training section, built entirely on positive-reinforcement methods. Boredom is behind more behavior problems than owners suspect: a walk plus five minutes of training games or a puzzle-grade chew toy solves a surprising amount.

Frequently asked questions