"What's Wrong With Your Dog?": People Are Sharing Pics Of Their Dogs Acting Bizarre (40 New Pics)

While the pups on this list look like they're having fun, it's a great opportunity to talk about what to look out for when communication with your pet becomes challenging.

"It's important to understand what is normal for your dog so that you can recognize when something is amiss," a PDSA Vet told Bored Panda. "The close and loving relationship that owners have with their dogs means they can be very good at picking up the subtle signs that their dog is unwell, sometimes even without realizing it. Often when a dog is feeling unwell they may withdraw and not want to spend time with their owner or other dogs. In some cases they can yelp in pain, or even growl if you approach them - they're saying 'back off' because something is wrong. You may also see your pet going off their food or being 'picky', not wanting to go out for walks or just not being quite themselves."

The tighter the bond between you and your dog, the more you'll be able to help it should the two of you — God forbid — end up in a marginal situation. “It's wise to get to know your dog's normal respiratory rate. Watch your dog when they're resting or even sleeping (not when they're dreaming though) as any significant changes in your dog's normal respiratory rate and pattern when they're resting could be a sign of underlying illness."

The vet said it's also a good idea to make a mental note of when your companion goes to the toilet. "Noticing your pet's toileting habits may not be the most pleasant pastime, but it tells us a lot about your pet's health. More obvious signs of health problems include vomiting, diarrhea, lameness or labored breathing, all of which indicate that veterinary help should be sought," they added.

The PDSA has an online Pet Health Hub which offers lots of great information and advice about all sorts of conditions and symptoms.

Dogs also exhibit some behaviors we tend to misclassify as sweet that can actually lead to problems if not addressed.

Like snoring. "Lots of people find it really funny when their pets are snoring loudly on the sofa and will often video them thinking it's really cute," the PDSA Vet added.

"Unfortunately, loud snoring is often due to health problems, particularly in flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs. These types of dogs have a normal amount of tissue packed into a much shorter nose. This means that they often suffer from narrow nostrils, narrow nasal passages, a narrow windpipe, and an overlong soft palate, all of which combine to result in breathing problems, which are made worse when they are asleep and relaxed, hence the snoring. There are even videos of some of these dogs falling asleep while sitting up – they do this because this is the only position they can breathe comfortably in, not because it’s cute! As these breeds have become more popular, many vets are having to do corrective surgery to try and relieve some of these breed-related conditions, to help them live a more comfortable life. If your dog snores, speak to your vet about what they can do to help."

According to the vet, another risk factor for snoring is obesity, as weight gain can lead to even narrower airways. "It's essential to address the issue of excess body weight to help any dogs who are struggling. Not only does being overweight or obese affect a dog's breathing, but it can have long-term health effects for dogs including a reduced lifespan, arthritis, incontinence, and even cancer."

Also, keep in mind that not all funny faces are funny. "I cringe when people laugh at dogs that are giving a 'cheeky smile' baring their teeth and curling their lips. Many owners think it's a happy dog doing a trick, rather than recognizing that the dog is warning people off and could be close to biting!"

To find out more about bad dog behavior and how you can deal with it, go through this comprehensive guide by the PDSA.