My Pet World: Curbing your dog's attraction to cat poop may take some creativity
A: If your dog runs off and chomps on the treats in private, neither you nor another dog can take them away. Dogs are hard-wired to eat as their ancestors did in secluded spots where other animals can't snatch their food away.
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Q: Why does my dog always walk up to me and poke me in the eye with her nose? -- K.M., via cyberspace
A: Are you a dog? I'm sure you've watched dogs greeting one another, extending their noses first. The habit isn't too different, I suppose, from people who greet each other with a hug or handshake.
But why is your dog saying "hi" to your eye? Perhaps she did this once and you laughed, reinforcing the behavior. If this bothers you, you could simply not allow it, for example, by looking the other way when you dog goes to poke you in the eye.
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Q: Why does my dog cock his head when I talk to him? -- S.B., via cyberspace
A: No one really knows, but one thought is that we train dogs to do this. They cock their heads just a tad as puppies, and our tone of voice changes instantly because the behavior is so darn cute. That tone is rewarding, and over time we train them, bit by bit, to cock their heads in a more noticeable way, like the famous RCA pooch.
Since that head cock has been charming humans for centuries, perhaps the behavior is now hard-wired into many dogs, which is my belief.
Another possibility: Dogs are trying hard to figure out what the heck we're saying to them, and in the process, cock their heads. Interestingly, this theory is supported by my wife's similar confused response when I talk!
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