If you’re a dog owner juggling the kids on their half-term holidays, things might be quite manic at the moment. But if you’ve noticed your dog behaving a little more erratically than normal or seemingly ‘full of beans’, you should take note. Canine behaviour and nutrition expert, Alyssa Ralph explains why.
From tail wagging to so-called ‘guilty looks’, many of the behaviours dog owners think they understand are routinely misread, and those misunderstandings could be quietly affecting dogs’ stress levels, feeding habits and long-term wellbeing, according to experts at Years, a UK-based dog food brand specialising in personalised nutrition developed by vets, nutritionists and canine behaviour experts.
“Dogs communicate constantly through body language and behaviour, but humans often interpret those signals through their own emotions, rather than those of the dog,” says Alyssa Ralph, a canine behaviour and nutrition expert at Years. “What looks cute, naughty or attention-seeking is often a dog trying to regulate stress, diffuse a difficult situation or respond to changes in their environment.”
Half term can bring later mornings, different walk times, more visitors, increased noise and children wanting constant interaction; all of which represent routine disruption from a dog’s perspective.
Years’ expert panel says these everyday misunderstandings don’t just affect training or behaviour, they can influence appetite, digestion and feeding routines, too.
The dog behaviours owners commonly misinterpret
Think you know your dog? Here are the common dog behaviours we tend to misread:
Tail wagging always means happiness
A wagging tail doesn’t automatically signal joy. The height, speed and stiffness of the wag matter. A fast, rigid wag held high can indicate alertness or anxiety rather than excitement — something owners frequently overlook.
Clinginess means neediness or bad habits
Dogs that lean on owners, follow them closely or seek frequent contact are often responding to uncertainty, routine changes, or feelings of insecurity. According to Years’ experts, this behaviour is linked to emotional regulation, not dominance or spoiling. During school holidays, increased household activity can heighten this response.
The head tilt is just a ‘cute reaction’
That familiar head tilt is a dog actively trying to process sound and facial cues. “Dogs tilt their heads to better understand us and triangulate where sounds are coming from,” explains Ralph. “It’s a sign of engagement, communication, and information-gathering, not confusion.”
Zoomies are random hyperactivity
Sudden bursts of energy — often after baths, walks or periods of restraint — are a recognised stress-release behaviour. They help dogs reset after emotional or sensory overload. During half term, overstimulation from constant play or noise can increase the likelihood of these episodes.
A ‘guilty look’ means they know they’ve done wrong
As far as we know, dogs don’t experience guilt in the human sense. What owners interpret as shame is usually appeasement behaviour — a response to tone of voice, posture or perceived tension rather than an understanding of wrongdoing. The ‘guilty’ look is usually an attempt to diffuse any of that tension.
Why behaviour misunderstandings can affect diet and health
“A dog that’s stressed or overstimulated may eat too quickly, avoid food altogether, or show inconsistent hunger cues,” says Ralph. “When behaviour is misunderstood, owners often adjust food unnecessarily, rather than addressing the underlying cause.”
Half term can mean children offering extra treats, altered mealtimes or more distraction around feeding areas, all of which can disrupt a dog’s normal eating rhythm.
Expert advice for dog owners during school holidays
Here’s what the Years’ pet panel recommends:
- Looking at behaviour patterns over time, rather than isolated incidents.
- Considering recent changes in routine or environment before labelling behaviour as ‘bad’.
- Maintaining consistent feeding times where possible, even during holidays.
- Treating appetite changes as communication signals, not stubbornness.
- Seeking advice from qualified vets or behaviourists rather than relying on assumptions.
“Dogs are incredibly expressive,” adds Alyssa. “When owners learn to read the signs properly, it reduces stress, strengthens trust, and supports better long-term health.”
Our own experience with Poppy
We know from our own experience with Poppy that dogs like routine. If we go away, visit friends or have people round, Poppy can react in some unusual ways, and it can take two or three days for her to start behaving normally again.
As a senior beagle, she isn’t prone to ‘zoomies’, but we do see signs of stress. Typically, she will behave stubbornly (yes, beagles are stubborn, but even more so), repeatedly going on furniture that she isn’t supposed to or hiding underneath it. She’ll also be more vocal around food and react more than usual to dogs when she’s out on a walk. It would be easy to see this as naughty behaviour but we know from experience that these are just signs that she’s struggling or upset.
Poppy’s waggy tail
We’re also aware of how easy it is to misread a dog’s body language. And this is one thing we struggle to communicate to other people when we’re out and about on walkies. Poppy has a very waggy tail, but that wag can mean lots of different things. One thing it rarely means is that she’s happy to see another dog and wants them to come over and play.
As a scent hound, Poppy will walk with her head down, in her own little world of smells. Her tail will swish from side to side, signalling she is engaged in her walk and relaxed. If she senses a food opportunity, it swishes from side to side in a wide, fast sweep because she’s excited at the thought of eating something (that’s beagles for you).
Sometimes her tail will wag in a more upright manner, usually when she sees another dog. This doesn’t mean she’s happy to see another dog; it means she is alert and has noticed something of interest or concern. We’ve learnt (with the help of a behaviourist) to read Poppy’s body language. Often her body tenses up, signalling her anxiety, but her tail will still be wagging.
Unfortunately, all that other dog owners tend to focus on is her tail. So, they think it’s fine to let their dogs come over. Even if we explain to them that she is nervous and needs space, they don’t believe us because they see her tail and think she’s happy. This has led to a few unfortunate incidents in the past, which is stressful for everyone. That’s part of the reason why I wanted to share this message about understanding your dog’s behaviour.
Have you had any similar struggles? Do you have some top tips for keeping your dog happy during school holidays? Let us know in the comments below!