15 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Suddenly Acting Differently

How simple our lives would be if dogs could tell us what’s wrong with them! We could just ask them what’s bothering them or take them to the vet when they’re acting pretty weird. Sadly, our four-legged pals can’t use words to express their feelings, so we have to watch out for their behavior and body language to figure things out. Here are 15 reasons why your dog is suddenly acting differently.

Crazy Sleep Runner

Does your dog jump up in his sleep, start running, and then crash into a wall? You see, normally, in animals, brain activity during sleep is pretty much like when they’re awake and alert. The main difference is that big muscle movements, like those in their legs, are usually held back. But with something called R.E.M. sleep disorder, the brain sends signals to the large muscles, and that’s when your dog starts acting out his dreams.

Thunder Phobia

Fear of thunder is a very common issue for dogs—but you need to watch it so it doesn’t turn into a full-blown phobia. Signs of a phobia include shivering, pacing, and drooling. Some pups even try to escape, and there have been many cases of dogs injuring themselves by crashing into glass doors or windows. If your dog acts like he’s seen a ghost from The Conjuring, intervention may be in order.

Don’t Touch My Paws

Some dogs have their pet peeves, like having their feet touched or nails trimmed. If that sounds like your little monster, you might be able to change that by training him to enjoy what he hates. But if your pup won’t let you touch him at all—it means something is very, very wrong. He could have been injured or dealing with some kind of illness. Plan a trip to the vet to confirm there’s nothing concerning.

Poop Muncher

We know what you’re thinking—ew, gross! But if your dog likes to eat poop, he’s not weird. He’s totally normal. Dogs evolved as scavengers, and poop actually has protein in it. Sure, there are a few dogs out there that never get into poop, just like some people can’t stand caviar. So, if your dog turns his nose up at the litter box, count yourself lucky!

Spinning in Circles

Have you seen those dogs on YouTube that spin in circles nonstop? Their owners might think it’s funny, especially if the dog isn’t doing it for hours—yet. But there’s a real risk in letting that behavior slide. It can get worse, especially after something traumatic, and the dog might end up getting to the point where he’s unable to stop.

Firework Freak-Out

If your dog goes nuts every Fourth of July, he might be freaked out by the fireworks nearby. Don’t make it worse by yelling or punishing him. Instead, you can grab a sound effects CD and play the sound of fireworks at a low volume. Then, just slowly turn it up. This trick works for some pups—others may need some help with anti-anxiety meds.

Shadow Chaser

It might be funny to watch your dog chase shadow patterns on the wall. He could be doing it for attention if he gets a positive reaction. If you can easily pull him away from the game, that’s probably fine. But if he tends to get compulsive and you don’t stop the shadow chasing early on, it could turn into something so big that even he can’t control.

Separation Anxiety Drama

Whining and constant barking when you leave—what’s up with that dog? It might be separation anxiety, and your neighbors will appreciate it if you start working on behavior modification right away. Just like people, dogs need to learn emotional self-control. It’s super important for owners to be educated, too. If you make a big deal out of coming and going, it just reinforces your dog’s anxious behavior. 

Snappy or Growly

Most dogs tend to stay calm when they’re feeling sick. But some might snap, growl, or act super aggressive. Sometimes injuries can also lead to snapping or growling. This strange behavior usually comes from their discomfort and pain. It can be tough to figure out the real cause of this attitude just by watching from a distance. 

Sudden Lethargy

Your energetic dog today might wake up tomorrow with barely any energy. You could notice him sleeping more or not wanting to eat. This change could come from many issues—like food poisoning, illness, or food allergies. While most dogs stay calm during this, some might get very grumpy. They could turn down food and leave their water bowl untouched.

Senior Citizen

Has your older dog started ignoring your calls? Does he not greet you at the door anymore? Is he suddenly having potty accidents in the house? He might have canine cognitive dysfunction, which is kind of like senility in humans. Special dog foods with antioxidants or antioxidant capsules can help slow down the process. If nothing seems to work—your vet might be able to prescribe something useful.

Nighttime Blanket Sucker

Does your dog obsessively suck on his own thigh or a blanket at bedtime? There’s a name for that: flank sucking. It’s most common in Dobermans. While owners usually don’t worry about it, this behavior shouldn’t be encouraged. Dogs that suck on blankets can end up swallowing chunks big enough to require surgery to remove them.

Butt Sniffing Other Dogs

It’s easy to think of this behavior as just plain weird. But there’s an evolutionary and biological reason behind it. Dogs can learn so much about each other by sniffing butts. Keep in mind their sense of smell is ten times stronger than ours. They can pick up on fear, happiness, sadness, and stress and can even tell the difference between males and females.

Humping Everything

It can be super tricky to know if your dog is acting weird by humping. Most dogs hump because of a sudden surge in hormones, which can happen if they’re pregnant or reaching sexual maturity. Humping can also indicate dominance, overstimulation, or stress. If a stuffed animal or pillow is the target, you can chill out. However, keep in mind that humping might also point to a medical issue.

Barking for No Reason and Getting Lost

Just like all of us, dogs get older and can experience mental decline. You will see them sleeping more than usual, barking for no reason at all, getting lost in the house, or just staring off into space. All of these are normal signs of aging in your pup and nothing serious. On the flip side—they could also be signs of dementia or cognitive loss.