New dog owners sometimes find understanding dog behaviour a bit mystifying. The following list, with tips on how to deal with these dog behaviours, might help.

* Does your dog eat out of your cat's litter?

Cat's stool has a high protein content, and many dogs like eating it for this reason. Obviously, their sense of smell and taste is a bit different to ours! Even well fed dogs will do this, so it's not an indicator to feed your dog more. The best thing to do would be to use a covered cat litter tray. They aren't very expensive, and many cats prefer them too, especially in mulit cat households.

* Has your dog developed a taste for your socks and pantyhose?

Dogs usually chew objects that aren't food related out of boredom, anxiety, or frustration. And their instinct being what it is, once they start to chew something, they generally try and swallow it. Sometimes, dogs may chew things, or grab at them, because they're missing their favorite owner too. Clothing and such has our scent, even when it's washed. My mother's dog, Ginger, has a habit of jumping up at her skirts on the clothes line. She's ripped more than a few as she tries to pull them off. The best remedy here is to keep your clothes away from your dogs as much as you can. In the case of items within the house, this won't be too much of a problem. You can always shut the door to the room they're in.

* Does your dog chew your shoes?

Puppies when they are teething often chew things, and both puppies and older dogs chew things because of the attention they receive when they are discovered. In the case of teething puppies, giving him alternatives such as chew toys bought from a pet store, and keeping your shoes out of the way, will help. For older dogs, don't make a big scene out of discovering the remains of your shoes, no matter how angry you may be. Giving him even bad attention will only reinforce his behaviour. Keep your shoes away from where he is able to get them, and spend more quality time with him. Take him for walks or play with him for a little each day. Even having him sit with you whilst you watch television is good.

* Is digging holes in the garden a problem?

No, your dog is not in training for a job with the local council. Digging is an instinctual thing for dogs, and if there is no apparent reason for his digging, you could train him to dig in an area of the yard especially for him. The easiest way to do this is to spray the other parts of your yard with a non toxic dog repellent. Other reasons he could be digging, is that he has buried something there, or is trying to. Or he could simply be trying to reach cooler soil because he's too hot. In this case, and especially if you live in a hot climate, make sure he has a cool and shady area for him, with his water nearby.

* Does your dog jump on your people at your door?

If your dog is of the hostessing, meet-and-greet kind, he is just being very affectionate and is excitedly saying hello. Generally, this kind of behaviour started from when he was a puppy, and was not corrected. It's a mistake not to start training puppies out of this when they start doing it. Whilst puppies are small, when the dog grows, his behaviour will not seem very endearing. And he might knock over small children if he grows to be a large dog. Remember that puppies grow to their full size before your children will.

* Your dog sticks his head out the car window

This is really quite dangerous, especially should you have an accident. Not only that, small insects, rocks and dirt can fly in your dog's eyes. You could even find your dog suffers head injuries. Dogs do this for fresh air, but it is certainly a practice that should be stopped. Yes, your dog may like it, but just as we make sure children have their seat belts on for their own safety, so does the safety of the dog have to be protected by their owners.

* Dogs afraid of thunder and loud noises

Dogs probably cower and whimper when they hear thunder and loud noises as they feel they cannot escape what they experience as a looming danger. Being confined, they express their distress by whimpering, howling, crying and pacing.

* Dogs and dirt

Dogs love to roll around in dirt, even smelly dirt, to mask their scent. They do this especially after a bath! Unfortunately, this instinctual behaviour is unlikely to be changed by training.

* Dogs chasing their tail

This somewhat humorous behaviour is very normal in small doses. it can become excessive however, and dogs can do this when they're craving your attention. This is especially true if he's noticed you laugh or clap or give him other types of positive reinforcements. The best thing you can do is to remember to give your dog attention in other ways, and on a regular basis. And make sure that when he does chase his tail, he isn't in danger of hurting himself.

* Dogs and grass

It's natural for dogs to eat grass. If your dog is really getting a reaction from eating the plants in your backyard, make sure that you don't have species or grass which is toxic to him. Dogs can vomit and get diarrhea if it doesn't sit well in their digestive system. And some plants are poisonous to dogs.