My Dog's Ritual?

Question

My dog has this almost ritual type thing he does everytime before he eats.
First, he will push his nose in and out of his dry dog food several times, then he will rub his nose on the carpet surrounding the bowl also pushing the bowl forward and spilling out bits and pieces of his food. He will repeat this process several times.
It's funny to watch. : )

Any ideas as to why he is doing this?

Here's a quick video that I took>> http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa296/Bunnieluver120/?action=view¤t=3bdb51d2.flv

he didn't do it as well as he usually does but it still works

Answer 1

it sounds like just his natural routine, dogs can be different, i would think they have a reason for what they do, though its hard to figure out, my dog turns around in a circle 3 times, when you sit his food dish down, then he starts eating, doesnt sniff it at all, though he does everything else!

Answer 2

Many animals will do something before starting to eat.

For example, right now I'm taking care of some wolflings (I'm a wild life rescuer) and they are 4, 3 females and 1 male. The male one will circle around its food 4 or 5 times before settling down to eat, and the other 3 will follow him.

They're like us, for example having to do something in the exact same way as yesterday. For example, while dressing, some of us may put socks first, while others maybe pants or shirts, but we do it in the exact same way every day.

Answer 3

Many canines have routines like this that they do before eating, in order to get thier digestive process going (such as increasing saliva production). Remember, dogs are carnivores, and they wouldn't be eating anything even remotely similar to dry dog food in nature.

Answer 4

Not sure, but it sounds harmless enough, and amusing as well. Try sending a video to America's Funniest Animals, you may win $100. Maybe he's establishing ownership of it in his mind's eye, testing it, and controlling it by moving it..(?) Weird dog ya got there, lol. Sounds cute to see.

Answer 5

No idea why, but dogs are big on rituals. Ours has quite a few. I think they like repetition and things being the same every time.

Answer 6

That might just be his special way of eating, my dog kind of does taht but instead he takes it all the way to the carpet then plays with it or just smells it and pushes it and then finally he eats it =]

Answer 7

jsut his little ritual....that all. We as people have our qorks well animals do too. My dog scratches his ear then smells the paw he scratched with.....before he eats he growls at the bowl (no other dogs are wround or people). There funny little creatures.

Answer 8

you are feeding him too much..dogs are from the wild originally.and when they had too much to eat they would bury the food..the dogs bury bones ..this is just a throwback to those times...just the same as when they go round in circles before going to poo..they check there are no unforeseen dangers as this is the most vulnerable time ....look at
http://www.4to40.com/qa/print
or http://www.seefido.com/html/why_do_dogs_bury_bones.
hope this helps..

Answer 9

im guessing your dog is either a yorkie or a maltese :P. since there "rat/rodent hunters" back in the day. they would have there catch and bury there rat or "food" they still have this in there mind so its funny to watch them to it to there food. hiding and burying or unburying it to eat it. no one REALLY knows for sure why, but this is one of the many thoeries. well i hope this helps. and if you catch it on video feel free to share :D

Answer 10

Cleaning the crumbs out of his bowl, maybe?