To build a better relationship with your dog, you can begin by working to understand the meaning and causes behind some of the most common dog behaviors.

Why Does a Dog Chase its Tail?
According to a research by a group of Turkish researchers at the University of Uludag in Bursa, Turkey, the reason why a dog chase its tail may be biological. A connection was found between habitual tail-chasing and high blood-cholesterol levels.

The team examined 15 tail-chasing dogs to establish the fact that they had no other problem or diseases while fifteen healthy, dogs with normal behavior were used as controls. Each dog’s blood sample was taken after a 12–16-hour fasting period. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were all measured.

The scientists discovered that that the tail-chasing dogs had expressively higher levels of total cholesterol and both high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol than did the control dogs. The other measures did not differ between the two groups.

The research team deduced from the results that dog tail-chasing behavior may be linked with serum cholesterol elevation.

Why Do Dogs Spin Around Before They Defecate?
Dogs act in strange ways, before or after they defecate. Some dogs will normally spin around before they squat to have a bowel movement. Some even eat their poo or kick their back legs over it. According to study, dogs prefer defecating while their body is aligned north-to-south with the earth’s magnetic fields

Why Do Some Dogs Suck on Items such as Blankets?
Some dogs suck or chew on blankets, a behavior is said to be connected with the dog’s experience as a puppy. Breeds that are famous for blanket-sucking behavior are Dachshunds and Doberman Pinschers. Dobermans suck on blankets and also on themselves.

Puppies are born with a nature to nurse at mother’s “milk bar,” and if provided with this opportunity, they will suck to their satisfaction, or until at some later stage of development when the female kicks against their attempts. Occasionally, some pups will still return to their mother’s milk bar for a comfort suckle even when the milk bar is dried up, particularly if they become terrified by surrounding events.

Why Do Dogs Pant?
When dogs pant, they regulate their body temperature. Dogs perspire through the pads on their feet. When they pant, most of their body heat is expelled through their mouth. Dogs also pant to cope with pain.

Why Do Dogs Dig?
Digging behavior is especially strong in terrier breeds. Natural dogs will dig to hide food or to unearth food like rodents. Dogs can dig in the cool earth to provide shelter from blazing heat.

Why Do Dogs Jump up?
When dogs jump, it may appear look like play behavior or an eager greeting. However, jumping may be a sign that your dog is attempting to declare its authority over you. You may be strengthening the behavior unknowingly by encouraging jumping up with affection.

Why Do Dogs Chew on Items?
Your dog may develop the tendency to chew on toys and other objects in order to get rid of the pain of a new set of teeth coming in. A full grown dog may take on their chewing behavior on your couch, cushions or favorite pair of shoes. They chew not because they enjoy the taste, but it could rather be a sign of separation anxiety or boredom. So, endeavor to get chewable toys for your dogs.

Separation anxiety
Animals live and travel in packs, so it’s natural for them to develop separation anxiety when they are separated from their pack-mates. If you intend to leave your dog alone, take him on a nice, long walk first. When your dog is in a resting mode, it can help still her anxiety.

Source: http://www.healthdiary365.com/2018/01/10/why-dogs-behave-the-way-they-do/