The Behaviour I Cannot Explain

young Moose retrieving!

One of the things I love most about dogs is that no matter how many years you spend studying behaviour, training dogs, and living alongside them, they still manage to surprise you.

I have spent much of my life observing dogs, most behaviours, if you watch carefully enough, eventually reveal a pattern. Dogs are wonderfully predictable creatures when we take the time to understand what motivates them. Behaviour links to some reward the dogs wants, be it food, attention, excitement, play, strokes, control of movement or stopping movement, any form of attention.

Baby Moose

Except, perhaps, for Moose.

For those who don't know him, Moose is my Papillon. His food is always available to him, he has a lovely figure, doesn't overeat, and generally helps himself to a few pieces of kibble here and there throughout the day. Often I don't even notice he has eaten until I notice his bowl is empty.

Many of the dogs I have lived with over the years have also been fed this way. Interestingly, they generally chose to eat later in the day, frequently after 8pm. I always assumed they preferred to eat once they knew the day's activities were over and there would be no more walks, training sessions, or excitement.

Moose, however, appears to have no such routine. His eating habits seem completely random. Well... almost completely. There is one thing that will reliably send him to his food bowl.

Beach Moose

Vacuuming.

The moment I start vacuuming or cleaning the floor, Moose heads off to eat, not every now and then, not occasionally, but almost every time.

Naturally, I have spent far longer thinking about this than any sane person should. I have watched myself for patterns. Behaviour is usually linked to something, so I assumed there must be a connection. Perhaps vacuuming signals that I am settling down for the evening? No. Perhaps it means I am about to go out? No. Perhaps it predicts a walk, training session, visitors arriving, or some other event? Again, no.

My vacuuming habits are almost as random as Moose's eating habits. And yet the connection remains.

So, for once, I am turning to you. What do you think is going on?

Have you noticed your own dog doing something that seems completely illogical but happens with remarkable consistency?

Moose at 7 years!

Do you have a theory about Moose's vacuuming-and-kibble ritual?

After more than forty years of studying dogs, I am still fascinated by the little mysteries they present us with. Sometimes the best lessons come not from having the answers, but from remaining curious enough to keep asking the questions.

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Avril@thedogcalmer

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