15 Weird Things Your Dog Does When You’re Not Watching
Dogs are full of surprises, and just because you’re not in the room doesn’t mean the weirdness stops. When they are on their own, our furry companions often show secret behaviors that are as funny as they are fascinating. Here’s a list of 15 strange things dogs do when they’re alone or think they’re alone.
Turning Blankets Into Personal Forts
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Some pups turn their bed, your hoodie, or the living room rug into a makeshift nest. You might think it’s random fluffing, but it’s an ancient behavior inherited from wild canines who shaped their sleeping spots to stay warm and feel protected.
Barking Into the Void
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Sometimes your dog barks into a hallway that might sound completely silent. But chances are, it’s not silent to them. Dogs hear much higher frequencies than we do, so what sounds like nothing to you might be a buzzing wire, a mouse in the wall, or another dog a few houses away.
Hiding Toys—and Your Stuff
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If your dog’s toys keep going missing—or your sock turns up behind a cushion—it’s probably not an accident. Some dogs like to stash things in corners, under furniture, or inside blankets when no one’s around. It’s not just about saving them for later. For certain breeds, especially terriers, hiding stuff is hardwired.
Digging Like There’s Treasure Under the Rug
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Some dogs dig at cushions or floors when left alone out of boredom, instinct, or curiosity. It’s also a known stress-reliever, a kind of fidgeting for humans, only with more fabric damage involved.
Going in Circles With Their Own Tail
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Alone in a quiet room, a dog might start spinning in circles after its tail, not always out of playfulness. Sometimes it’s a reaction to an itch, a bug bite, or lingering irritation. Other times, it’s a sign they’re under-stimulated and need more activity. If it happens often, it can become a habit that’s hard to break.
Rolling in Stuff That Smells… Suspicious
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Out of sight, dogs often go straight for the worst-smelling thing they can find and roll in it like it’s treasure. Many experts think it’s a leftover instinct from the wild, a way to mask their scent with something stronger.
Licking the Same Spot Like It’s a Job
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It’s not always obvious right away, but if fur looks damp or thinning, your dog might be licking obsessively when alone. This can start as simple self-grooming, but if it becomes excessive, it may signal stress, boredom, or allergies. And it usually goes unnoticed until the skin shows it.
Investigating the Floor With Detective-Level Intensity
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When there’s nothing else going on, some dogs get to work using their strongest sense: smell. They’ll methodically sniff every corner or floor tile looking for crumbs, traces of your scent, or something that passed through hours ago.
Fixating on a Wall With Full Focus
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A dog staring at a wall in silence can be unnerving. Sometimes it’s as innocent as hearing something behind the drywall. Other times, especially in older dogs, it can be linked to cognitive changes. Either way, when no one’s there to interrupt, this odd behavior may play out for a while.
Sleeping in New Spots for No Obvious Reason
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Your dog might start in their bed but later snooze in the hallway or next to a shoe pile. These shifts in napping locations often result from sound, light, temperature, or scent changes. Some pups even follow your scent trail around the house and nap where it feels most familiar.
Scratching at the Door After You’ve Gone
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The first few minutes after you leave are often the hardest for dogs. Many will scratch or paw at the door briefly, trying to reconnect or understand the separation. If it stops shortly after, it’s harmless. But when it turns into pacing or vocalizing, it could be early separation anxiety.
Treating Grass Like It’s a Delicacy
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Out in the yard, the grass often gets more attention than the toys because many dogs like the taste or the feel of it. One bite leads to another, and before long, they’re grazing like it’s a salad bar. It’s usually nothing to worry about unless it turns into a pattern or ends in vomiting.
Scooting With Determination
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When your pup slides their rear end across the floor while alone, they’re usually trying to relieve discomfort. Rectal gland irritation is the most common cause. Scooting indoors often escapes notice until you see the marks, or until they greet you with that guilty, itchy look afterward.
Freezing at the Doorway Like a Statue
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A dog might stop at the front door and stand perfectly still—no movement, no sound, just waiting. It doesn’t last long and often goes unnoticed. But in that pause, it’s fully alert, listening for footsteps or keys, hoping someone’s about to walk through. It’s quiet, but it says a lot.
Settling Down With Ears on High Alert
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Once they give up on your return (for now), many dogs lie near the door, not fully relaxed. Even when they close their eyes, their ears remain responsive to outside sounds. That half-dozing posture keeps them ready to pop up the second they hear your keys or footsteps nearby.