Understanding Dog Behavior: Why They Lick, Bark, Dig & Howl

Lagotto are great dogs with particular habits and traits.

As a Lagotto Romagnolo breeder, we often get questions about various dog behaviors. Dogs communicate in many ways, and understanding their actions is key to a harmonious relationship. Licking, barking, digging, and howling are all natural canine behaviors, but when they become excessive or problematic, it's important to understand the underlying reasons and how to address them. This post will delve into these common behaviors, offering insights specific to the intelligent and sensitive Lagotto Romagnolo, and provide practical solutions and redirection strategies to help you guide your furry companion.

Understanding Dog Behavior: Licking, More Than Just Affection

Licking is a natural and multifaceted behavior in dogs, serving various purposes from communication to self-soothing. While often perceived as a sign of affection, licking can also indicate attention-seeking, exploration, or even underlying medical issues [1, 2].

Why Dogs Lick:

•Affection and Bonding: Licking, especially of their human companions, can be a way for dogs to show love and strengthen their bond. It mimics the grooming behavior puppies receive from their mothers [3].

•Attention-Seeking: Dogs quickly learn that licking often elicits a response from their owners, whether it's a verbal command, a pet, or even a push away. This can reinforce the behavior, making it a tool for getting attention [4].

•Exploration and Taste: Dogs explore their world through their mouths, and licking can be a way to gather information about their environment or to taste something interesting [5].

•Self-Soothing/Anxiety: Excessive licking, particularly of themselves (e.g., paws, flanks), can be a sign of anxiety, stress, boredom, or even pain or allergies [6, 7]. Licking releases endorphins, which have a calming effect.

Lagotto Romagnolo and Licking:

Lagotto Romagnolos are sensitive and intelligent dogs, and their licking behavior can be influenced by these traits. They are highly attuned to their owners and may use licking as a primary form of communication or to seek reassurance. If a Lagotto is licking excessively, especially themselves, it's crucial to rule out medical causes first, such as allergies, skin irritations, or pain. Once medical issues are excluded, consider behavioral factors like boredom, anxiety, or a need for more mental stimulation.

Solutions and Redirection for Excessive Licking:

1.Rule out Medical Causes: Consult your veterinarian to ensure there are no underlying health issues contributing to the licking.

2.Increase Mental and Physical Stimulation: A bored or under-stimulated Lagotto is more likely to engage in repetitive behaviors like licking. Provide plenty of physical exercise and mental enrichment through puzzle toys, scent work (which Lagottos excel at!), and training sessions [8, 9].

3.Redirect Attention: When your Lagotto starts licking excessively, redirect their attention to an appropriate chew toy or a short training exercise. Reward them for engaging with the alternative behavior.

4.Ignore Attention-Seeking Licking: If you suspect the licking is for attention, try to ignore the behavior. Turn away or walk out of the room. Reward them with attention and praise when they are calm and not licking.

5.Lick Mats: For self-soothing licking, consider using a lick mat spread with dog-safe peanut butter or yogurt. Licking is a self-soothing behavior, and a lick mat provides a healthy outlet for this instinct [10].

Understanding Dog Behavior: Barking, Communication and Alertness

Barking is a dog's primary vocalization and a natural form of communication. However, excessive or inappropriate barking can be a source of frustration for owners and neighbors. Understanding why your Lagotto is barking is the first step to addressing the behavior.

Why Dogs Bark:

•Alert/Alarm Barking: Dogs bark to alert their owners to perceived threats or unusual occurrences, such as someone at the door, a strange noise, or an animal outside [11].

•Attention-Seeking: Similar to licking, dogs can learn that barking gets them what they want – food, playtime, or human interaction [12].

•Boredom/Frustration: A dog that is not receiving enough physical exercise or mental stimulation may bark out of boredom or frustration [13].

•Fear/Anxiety: Dogs may bark when they are fearful, anxious, or feeling insecure. This can be directed at strangers, other dogs, or specific situations [14].

•Excitement/Greeting: Many dogs bark as a form of enthusiastic greeting when people or other dogs arrive.

Lagotto Romagnolo and Barking:

Lagotto Romagnolos are known to be alert dogs, making them good watchdogs. They have acute hearing and may bark to alert their owners to sounds that humans might not even perceive [15]. While they are generally not considered excessive barkers compared to some breeds, they can be prone to

alert barking, especially if not properly socialized or if their environment is not managed to reduce triggers [16]. Their high trainability and eagerness to please mean that alert barking can often be curbed with consistent training.

Solutions and Redirection for Excessive Barking:

1.Identify the Cause: Observe when and why your Lagotto barks. Is it at every passerby? When left alone? When they want something? Understanding the trigger is crucial.

2.Manage the Environment: If your Lagotto barks at things outside, consider using privacy film on windows or closing curtains. If they bark for attention, ignore the barking and reward quiet behavior [17].

3.Increase Exercise and Mental Stimulation: A tired dog is a quiet dog. Ensure your Lagotto gets adequate physical exercise and mental challenges through training, puzzle toys, and scent work. This can significantly reduce boredom-related barking [18].

4.Teach the "Quiet" Command: Train your Lagotto to be quiet on command. When they bark, let them bark a few times, then say "Quiet" and reward them with a treat when they stop, even for a second. Gradually increase the duration of silence before rewarding [19].

5.Desensitize and Counter-Condition: For alarm barking, gradually expose your Lagotto to the triggers at a low intensity while rewarding calm behavior. For example, play recordings of doorbells or outside noises at a low volume and reward your dog for not reacting [20].

Understanding Dog Behavior: Digging, An Instinctive Drive

Digging is a deeply ingrained, natural behavior for many dogs, stemming from their ancestral instincts for hunting, denning, and burying food. While it can be destructive to your yard or home, it's important to remember that your dog isn't doing it to be naughty; they're fulfilling a natural urge.

Why Dogs Dig:

•Prey Drive: Many dogs dig to unearth rodents or other small animals they hear or smell underground [21].

•Boredom/Excess Energy: A dog that isn't getting enough physical exercise or mental stimulation may resort to digging as an outlet for pent-up energy [22].

•Comfort/Temperature Regulation: Dogs may dig to create a cooler spot to lie in during hot weather or a warmer spot in cold weather [23].

•Burying Treasures: Instinctively, dogs may dig to bury bones, toys, or other valuable items for safekeeping [24].

•Escape: Some dogs dig under fences to escape the yard in search of adventure or a mate [25].

Lagotto Romagnolo and Digging:

For the Lagotto Romagnolo, digging is not just a common behavior; it's a fundamental part of their heritage. Bred for centuries to unearth truffles, the Lagotto possesses an innate and powerful digging drive [26]. This means that digging is deeply embedded in their DNA, and attempting to completely suppress it can be challenging and frustrating for both dog and owner. Instead, the focus should be on redirection and providing appropriate outlets for this natural instinct.

Solutions and Redirection for Excessive Digging:

1.Provide a Designated Digging Area: Create a "digging pit" or sandbox in your yard where your Lagotto is allowed to dig freely. Bury toys or treats in this area to encourage them to use it [27]. Reward them enthusiastically when they dig in the designated spot.

2.Increase Exercise and Mental Stimulation: As with barking and licking, ensuring your Lagotto receives ample physical activity and mental engagement can reduce their desire to dig destructively. Scent work, in particular, is an excellent outlet for their natural instincts [28].

3.Supervise Outdoor Time: Do not leave your Lagotto unsupervised in the yard, especially if they are prone to digging in unwanted areas. When you are outside with them, redirect any inappropriate digging to their designated digging spot.

4.Secure Fences: If your Lagotto is digging to escape, ensure your fences are secure and extend underground to prevent tunneling.

5.Address Boredom: Provide a variety of interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and chew toys to keep your Lagotto mentally stimulated when you can't actively engage with them.

Understanding Howling: A Call from the Wild

Howling is one of the most ancient forms of canine communication, a direct link to their wolf ancestors. It's a vocalization used to communicate over long distances, announce presence, or express a range of emotions.

Why Dogs Howl:

•Communication: Dogs howl to communicate with other dogs, often to announce their presence or to locate pack members [29].

•Response to Sounds: Many dogs howl in response to high-pitched sounds like sirens, music, or other dogs howling. They may perceive these sounds as another dog's howl and respond in kind [30].

•Attention-Seeking: Similar to barking, some dogs learn that howling can get them attention from their owners [31].

•Separation Anxiety/Loneliness: Dogs suffering from separation anxiety may howl excessively when left alone, as a sign of distress and loneliness [32].

•Pain/Discomfort: In some cases, howling can be a sign of pain or discomfort, especially if it's unusual or accompanied by other symptoms.

Lagotto Romagnolo and Howling:

While Lagottos are not typically known for excessive howling, they can be vocal, especially when they feel the need to alert their owners or respond to environmental stimuli. Their sensitivity to sounds means they might be more prone to howling in response to sirens or other high-pitched noises [33]. If a Lagotto is howling frequently, it's important to consider if they are experiencing loneliness, boredom, or anxiety, particularly if they are left alone for extended periods.

Solutions and Redirection for Excessive Howling:

1.Identify the Trigger: Determine what causes your Lagotto to howl. Is it when you leave? In response to specific sounds? When they want something?

2.Address Separation Anxiety: If howling is due to separation anxiety, a comprehensive plan involving gradual desensitization to your departure, creating a safe and comfortable space, and providing engaging distractions can help [34].

3.Increase Exercise and Mental Stimulation: A well-exercised and mentally stimulated Lagotto is less likely to howl out of boredom or frustration. Ensure they have plenty of physical activity and engaging toys or activities when you are away [35].

4.Ignore Attention-Seeking Howling: If your Lagotto howls for attention, avoid rewarding the behavior. Only give attention when they are quiet.

5.Counter-Condition to Sounds: For howling in response to sirens or other noises, you can try counter-conditioning by associating the sound with positive experiences (e.g., treats, playtime) at a low volume, gradually increasing the intensity as your dog remains calm.

Conclusion: Building a Deeper Bond Through Understanding

Understanding your Lagotto Romagnolo's behavior is a cornerstone of responsible pet ownership and a pathway to a stronger, more fulfilling bond. Licking, barking, digging, and howling are all natural canine expressions, but by recognizing their underlying causes and implementing appropriate solutions and redirection strategies, you can guide your Lagotto towards more desirable behaviors. Remember, consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement are key to successful training and a happy, well-adjusted companion. By meeting your Lagotto's needs for physical exercise, mental stimulation, and companionship, you'll foster a loving relationship built on mutual understanding and respect.

Northwest Lagotto is pleased to announce that we have puppies born July 30, 2025. Contact us for more info. NWLagotto@gmail.com

References

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