'dog habits'

kelly (152.163.34.241) -

why do dogs eat grass? some people say its because they want to barf... but is that true?

Comment #1 joey (152.163.35.243) -

The behavior of dogs is based on their instinct. They do not think about what to do or not do. They do not think about what they want or don't want.

They simply act upon their programming by mother nature.

Comment #2 MissyG (64.136.27.228) -

I think dogs think a wee bit about they want to do. Probably at least to choose between their instincts.

But really, to that affect, I think dogs eat grass because they have to for some reason.

Comment #3 Xaviersmommy (70.39.124.216) -

I always thouhgt that too. My dog will barf a bit and thn eat grass. I was always told it calms thier stomach.

Comment #4 Lucy (66.24.100.217) -

I always heard they eat grass if they have an upset stomacha and eating the grass will help settle it. It is weird because my husband had a dog growing up and she ate grass all the time and never got sick from it. My older lab eats grass and the next thing you know she is vomiting in my house. It probably affects every dog differently.

Comment #5 Courtney (1) from The South -

I wish my dog would eat grass over cat poop. My dog has never ate grass that I know of, but she probably sneaks some when I am not looking like the cat poop. I have also heard they eat it for digestive reasons. If we need vegetables, dogs do too. :)

Comment #6 endora (24.45.126.104) -

I bet its to calm the stomach after eating all the poop. :P Seriously though i think they would eat anything.

Comment #7 att (207.200.116.137) -

my dog Tucker, rolles in poop when i take him on walks HOW CAN I SOLVE THIS!!!

Comment #8 Anna Brown (172.142.229.248) -

Why when a visitor arrives does my dog run to his food dish start eating and then run around so happy like crazy and again start eating his food? he also does this when I arrive home after being out for a couple of hours.

Anna

Comment #9 Daniel Tracy (67.34.56.139) -

They eat it to induce vomiting. If there stomach is upset they know. So they eat the fiberious material and it binds to the ingrediants of their stomach and they regurgitate.

Comment #10 john downs (195.93.21.67) -

my 8 week old pup eats its own poop how can i stop this will she stop it?

Comment #11 Sara (192.251.125.85) -

Two questions. First one, my pitbull/husky will be eating his bowl of food and he will pick random pieces of food out of the bowl and set them on the floor next to him. He might eat them later or we end up throwing them out. What does this mean? We thought maybe he was trying to make our other dog jealous. Also he will chew his one nail on his paw or pick up one foot and move it either away or closer to him. What does that mean?

Comment #12 John Tillis (24.129.33.72) -

Why do dogs kick their hind legs when they relieve themselves?

Comment #13 Betty Cruikshank (74.229.100.123) -

My dog seems to have developed an obsessive licking habit.

Comment #14 Ludmila (72.65.170.250) -

Hi, i have a bull terrier and i noticed a very funny habit that she has, everytime she sleeps she has to stick her nose into something, like for example if she is on the bed she will sleep with her nose into the bed, or pillow, or blanket sometimes i am afraid she is gonna run out of oxygen by covering her nosdrils and she is gonna asfixiate is that normal for bull terriers, or for any other dog?

thank you

Comment #15 MC and PINK from North Carolina -

my dog eats grass too but i dont know what to do to stop it

Comment #16 Kathy (165.155.200.87) -

hi my name is kathrynn and i wont to sayb is that dogs should not gbet there fur taken off

Comment #17 bill (64.59.144.22) -

my 9 wek ol yorkie eats its own poop can it be stoped?

Comment #18 Alisa (64.1.70.252) -

More important than the "Why" is the fact that many grasses can be poisonous to dogs! Small breed dogs are even more vunerable to the poison. When a dog is properly feed and is receiving the correct amount of vitamins and minerals, there is no reason for the dog to eat grass. You must never allow your dog to chew on any grass, flower or plant. Never mind a dog throwing up! If it happens to be a certain type (there are 100's that are poisonous), your dog can die. Whenever your dog tries to chew on grass, yank on thier collar and say a very loud and stern "No!". When your dog stops trying to chew on the grass, reward him or her with happy, kind words to show that you approve of their behavior.

• Chihuahua Information

Comment #19 Caroline (82.3.99.173) -

My dog has a fixation with cans and bottle tops and always trys to get them in his mouth. I have resorted to making him wear a muzzle when out walking him, yet he still manages to pick up a can, he is always cutting his mouth.

Comment #20 Jean (216.160.222.160) -

Why do dogs sit an spin on their butts after they have a bowel movement?

Comment #21 Carol (64.1.70.252) -

Please know that it is very dangerous for a dog to eat a lot of grass. There are many theories about WHY a dog does so, but an owner should care most about not allowing their dog to eat a substancial amount. Many types of grass can be poisonous and "regular" grass, eaten in large quantities will make a dog very ill. The best way to stop a dog from this habit is to keep him/her on a leash and when they make an attempt, jerk the leash back, sternly say "No!" and walk to a new area. When you dog does NOT eat grass, offer lots of hugs, pats and praise. Dogs want to please their owners. Once shown what is expected, most dogs will happily follow the rules.

Regarding Jean's question... this is most often because the glands have become enlarged. If so, a veterinarian should release the fluid from them. If this is not done, they may "explode" on thier own, which can make a huge mess for you in your home... or an infection may occur.

• Shih Tzu Information

Comment #22 Addie (90.202.2.249) -

My 11 month old dog (She's a mix of some sort) sometimes snaps her jaws at me (Not trying to bite me).

Sometimes she does it just after I stroke her.

She usually does it when she's exited or happy.

My mum said breeds like Jack Russell's do this, but I'm not sure.

Just wondering if anyone has an idea as to why she does this?

Thanks.

Comment #23 Badger (85.90.235.43) -

Why does my dog, constantly chew my hand 24hrs a day at any time

Comment #24 kathy forbes (68.45.191.82) - Fri Jul 4 12:26:05 2008

why do collies lean on people?

Comment #25 Bryan Butler (142.167.97.72) - Tue Aug 12 16:03:09 2008

I have a 10 year old Rottie. I walk him every day since he was a puppy. This last month, everytime I walk him, he does 3 or 4 bowel movements. I had him to the vet and there is nothing wrong. I have tried putting him outside before we go, I tried waiting a longer lenght of time after a meal before we walk, but still, he walks and has a bowel movement. He does not stop, so I have to keep watching behind so I do let the dropping stay on the sidewalk. I feel like I just want to leave him home.

Please help

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