Is Your Dog Weird Enough for Times Square?

Does your pup have a bedtime routine that makes no sense, a suspicious obsession with household objects, or dramatically howl at their own reflection in the oven door? Congratulations. You might be living with a contender for the World's Weirdest Dog. Embark Veterinary has officially launched its search for canine oddballs, inviting pet parents to submit photos and videos of their furball’s most gloriously bizarre behaviors before November 15, 2026. The winning pup will earn the ultimate claim to canine fame: their face on a Times Square billboard, the official title of World's Weirdest Dog, and a $200 gift card. 

The contest celebrates the behaviors that make dogs funny, unique, and truly memorable; the ones that make us smile when we think about them, while also highlighting  Embark's Behavior Insights & Training feature, which explores how canine DNA may influence behavior. 

Sock Thieves, Bathtub Sleepers, and Other Household Oddballs

Furry weirdos have interesting, different habits; Embark's examples include a dog who sleeps upside down in the bathtub, one who carries a sock around without chewing it, and a canine who spins exactly three times before lying down. Not two. Not four. Three. 

Then there's the dog who refuses to walk past one particular house, or the dinner diva who won't touch a meal until someone has given it the full restaurant treatment. 

Such behaviors are entertaining partly because they are so unique and specific. Most pet parents can share at least one story that would make a perfectly reasonable person wonder what goes on inside that furry little head.

A sock might be a very treasured object, a source of comfort, a reminder of their favorite person’s scent, or simply something fun to carry. A particular walking route might feel uncomfortable for reasons a person cannot detect, most likely a scent… but then again, who knows? And a bedtime ritual may have started with nothing more mysterious than finding a comfortable position.

Of course, some dogs are just little weirdos, and that's part of their charm. But there's a difference between a pup who has always slept with their legs in the air and one who suddenly starts acting strangely. If your pup begins staring at walls, repeating the same movements, or turning down food when that's not normal for them, don't automatically label it as a new amusing personality trait. Pain, illness, and anxiety can all show up as changes in behavior. If something feels off, put the camera down and call the vet.

Is Your Dog Born Weird, or Did You Accidentally Teach It?

Genes can influence behavioral tendencies, but they don't write a complete script for an individual dog's life. Learning and environment play a big role, too, sometimes in ways pet parents never intended.

Take the sock thief. A dog grabs a sock, their pet parents react with dramatic excitement, and suddenly the household is involved in a thrilling chase. From our perspective, it's a laundry crime. From the pup's perspective, it may be an excellent new game.

Behaviors that lead to positive or rewarding outcomes are more likely to happen again. Attention, play, food, and access to preferred activities can all reinforce behavior, even when nobody is training anything on purpose.

Genetics can contribute, too. Inherited tendencies may influence a dog's motivation to chase, retrieve, explore, or seek food. But a predisposition doesn't guarantee a particular behavior, nor does it explain every individual habit. A dog's behavior comes from a combination of biology and learned experience, which is often less convenient than blaming everything on their breed, but it is much closer to reality.

What the Science Says About Dog DNA

A 2022 study published in Science looked at the behavior and DNA of thousands of dogs. Researchers found that a dog's breed explained only about 9% of the differences in behavior between individual dogs. In other words, dogs of the same breed can have very different personalities and behaviors. Genetics plays a role, but it doesn't tell the whole story.

That doesn't mean genetics is irrelevant. The researchers found evidence that many behavioral traits do have a heritable component. Rather, the findings show why breed alone is a poor crystal ball for predicting how an individual dog will behave.

Some dogs may be especially motivated to retrieve, chase, or investigate, reflecting tendencies shaped partly by their ancestry and breeding history. But individual dogs still vary, and experience helps shape how those tendencies appear. However, with more data, we may learn new things; science is ever evolving along with our technologies. 

Your Dog's DNA Is Not a Personality Horoscope

Embark's Behavior Insights & Training feature connects genetic information with behavioral insights and training guidance. Genetic results can be useful, but they are one piece of the puzzle and not a personality prediction.

Behavior is best understood in context. Has the habit been present for years, or did it start last week? What happens before the behavior? Could pain, fear, stress, or another medical issue be contributing?

If a pup is safe and comfortable, there's often no reason to stop a peculiar routine unless it’s a problem. A dog who carries a favorite toy around the house doesn't need a corrective training plan. When a behavior does create a problem, redirection and positive reinforcement can help teach an alternative response without relying on intimidation or punishment. This is the science of behavioral modification.

The goal isn't to turn every pup into a perfectly polished obedience champion, but to help us understand what each dog needs and help them become great family members.

How to Enter the World's Weirdest Dog Contest

Pet parents can enroll their weirdos through November 15, 2026, by uploading a photo or video of their pup's strangest behavior, with an optional short story, at Embark's official contest page. No weird dog? No problem. You can still get involved by casting your vote for the weirdest dog through the official voting page.

The first-place winner will receive the World's Weirdest Dog title, a Times Square billboard feature, and a $200 gift card. Second through fifth place will receive $150 gift cards each, while sixth through fifteenth place will receive an Embark Breed + Health Dog DNA Test with the Behavior Insights & Training upgrade.

So, if you know your furry pal is a weirdo, this may be their moment. Let that freak flag fly!