17 Misunderstood Dog Behaviors, Explained By The Expert

Dogs often show discomfort through subtle body language long before they bark or growl. Lip licking, turning the head away, freezing, yawning, avoiding eye contact, or showing the whites of their eyes can all be early signs of stress or anxiety.

A growl is often a dog's way of saying, "I'm uncomfortable," "I'm scared," or "Please give me some space." Punishing a dog for growling may suppress the warning without addressing the underlying emotion.

Research consistently shows that dogs learn faster and develop stronger relationships with their owners when training focuses on positive reinforcement instead of punishment.

Punishment can work, especially in the short-term. But, it can also often make the behavior worse, damage the relationship, teach the dog not to give warning signs, and create a number of other side effects.

A wagging tail simply means a dog is emotionally aroused. Depending on the position, speed, and stiffness of the wag, it can signal excitement, curiosity, nervousness, or even frustration, not just happiness.

Although this position can signal relaxation, many dogs also sleep on their backs simply because it's comfortable or helps them cool off by exposing their belly.

Dogs will also sometimes go belly up when they are feeling threatened, so it can actually be an appeasement signal as well.

Dogs often yawn when they're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or uncertain. It's one of several calming signals they use to cope with uncomfortable situations.

That famous "guilty look" usually appears because dogs are reacting to their owner's tone of voice and body language. Rather than admitting they did something wrong, they're responding to the situation unfolding around them.

Age isn't the biggest obstacle to learning. Healthy senior dogs are fully capable of learning new behaviors, commands, and routines when training is patient, consistent, and rewarding.

While genetics influence certain tendencies, a dog's personality is shaped by many factors, including early socialization, training, environment, health, and individual experiences.

The idea that dogs are constantly trying to become the "alpha" has largely been abandoned by modern animal behaviorists. Most unwanted behaviors stem from fear, stress, confusion, excitement, or a lack of training, not a desire for control.

Dogs lick for many different reasons. They may be greeting you, seeking attention, gathering information through taste and scent, showing submission, or simply soothing themselves.

Just like people, dogs have different social preferences. Some enjoy meeting every dog they see, while others feel happier interacting only with familiar companions.

A dog that doesn't respond to a command may be distracted, confused, anxious, overstimulated, or simply unsure of what's being asked, not intentionally disobedient.

Dogs don't experience colors the same way humans do, but they aren't colorblind. They can distinguish shades of blue and yellow, although reds and greens appear much less vivid.

Effective socialization is not just about exposure. The goal is to help puppies develop positive—or at least neutral—associations with the world around them. Experiences should be gradually and carefully introduced at a level the puppy can comfortably manage. Puppies should be able to move away or opt out rather than being forced to interact. They can be comforted if they seek comfort. If they are placed into situations where they feel uncomfortable or unsafe, it can actually contribute to increased fear and have the opposite effect of what people are seeking.

Those sudden bursts of frantic running, officially known as Frenetic Random Activity Periods (FRAPs), are a healthy way for many dogs to release excitement and excess energy.

When dogs chew furniture, have accidents indoors, or destroy belongings, there's usually an explanation such as boredom, anxiety, stress, frustration, or unmet physical and mental needs, not revenge.