Some people may try to quiet their dogs when they howl but there is a reason that your dog will make this primitive sound. In short, this is a dog’s way of yelling. Just like yelling is a way for humans to release any angry feelings they have inside, dogs do the same thing by howling.
It is a form of catharsis for the dog, who may be holding in some kind of frustration, annoyance, or pain. Owners assume that dogs howl in order to assert their dominance, but in reality, they are doing so because it feels good for them to do it.
Why Your Puppy Bows
When a human bows, it is usually to show a sign of respect to the recipient of the bow. But when a dog bows, it can be for several reasons. The way that they bow is by lowering their heads and keeping their body erect. Most of the time, it is a sign that they want to play.
They might add in a pair of swinging hips or start wagging their tails in a wild and excited manner. This is the most common sign your dog will give you when they want to play. Dog trainers call this the “play bow.”
Walking in Circles Before Lying Down
Sometimes your dog may walk in circles before they lie down. If you are wondering why they do this, it actually is a habit that perhaps their wolf ancestors passed down to them. Wolves do this before they lay down in order to flatten leaves or debris that have made their resting spot uncomfortable.
While your dog probably doesn’t have any debris lying around their dog bed or kitchen floor, they seem to have retained this habit and it is quite funny to watch them do it. You know what? Cats also do this, but probably just to get comfortable before committing to that eventual rest.
Hugging With Their Eyes
If your dog gives you puppy eyes, then this is a really good sign. Most dog owners think that puppy eyes are a sign that their dog is trying to get their attention by being cute. But actually, puppy eyes are a show of their affection for you and their way of hugging you.
This adorable look of innocence is a sign that they adore you and are looking for you to hug or kiss them. If your dog looks straight into your eyes and stares at you, you should be very happy because it shows that your dog is crazy about you!
Yowling
While you may think your dog is trying to yodel, this may be your dog trying to communicate with you. In fact, many owners swear that their dogs can speak to them, even if there is no substantial evidence to back this up.
A writer for an animal journal comments about his dog's yowling: “Our German Shepherd rescue, the sweetest dog we have ever owned (unless you happen to be a cat), is 9. She 'talks' about everything! Grumbles, over being denied a cat lunch, has 5-minute conversations over going out for a walk, exchanges pleasantries (you would swear) over how happy she is to see someone.”