Bored Panda got in touch with one of the moderators of the subreddit “Animals Being Derps”, leftabitcharlie, who was kind enough to answer a few questions about the group and people’s fascination with derpy animals.

The subreddit was created in 2013 and for the time being has more than 7 million members who share their love for silly pet moments. Leftabitcharlie revealed that the idea to create this subreddit simply emerged after seeing similar groups posting much of the same content. “I just came up with the name and did the initial legwork of finding a bunch of derpy-looking animal photos and posting them with admittedly silly and largely low-quality titles. After it began growing, I asked around for extra mods and design help and the rest is really mostly on their shoulders. They have kept the subreddit well moderated and as its subject matter is light and fun, it seems to be constantly growing. At this point, I basically just watch from the sidelines.”

If none of these pictures made you go “aww”, we believe that at least one put a smile on your face. One of the reasons why we find derpy dogs so amusing is their ability to make us feel better, even on our worst days. Their silly antics can be just the thing to brighten up a gloomy mood. Whether it's their clumsiness or their knack for getting into trouble, derpy dogs have a way of reminding us to appreciate the little things in life.

Leftabitcharlie shared that they have never owned a dog. However, they have always had cats and they love dogs too. After being asked what they love about these derpy creatures, the moderator replied that the key to a good derp is a good combination of innocence and silliness. “I think we are drawn to pure emotion and action without any thought (or understanding) of external perception, and we see this kind of behavior in animals and babies (and maybe yearn to be able to be so free).”

Bored Panda has also reached out to Dr. Kate Mornement, Ph.D, a Board Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist (CAAB) through the Animal Behavior Society. She consults with pet owners and people working professionally with animals and writes a regular blog on pet behavior and training.

Kate is passionate about animal behavior, training, welfare and the human-animal bond. You can find out more about her and her work on her website, Instagram or Facebook.

Dogs are known for their loyal and affectionate nature, and as a pet owner, it's important to ensure that your furry friend is happy and content. But how can you tell if your dog is feeling good? According to Kate Mornement, common behaviors that indicate a dog is happy include a slow wagging tail, lying down with their hips relaxed, squinty eyes and a lolling tongue. They may also appear to smile!

Dogs have been man's best friend for centuries, providing companionship and loyalty that is unmatched by any other animal. As a result, it's no surprise that dogs have become an integral part of our lives, and we strive to ensure that they are happy and well-adjusted. But have you ever wondered how our interactions with dogs affect their behavior and emotions? That's what Kate Mornement had to share: "our dogs are always learning about the consequences of their behaviour and how to get what they want when interacting with us. Sometimes people are unaware that they are rewarding undesired behaviour with things their dog values. For example, giving their dog attention when they jump up. Our behaviour can also affect our dog's emotions. If we get mad at them, they often feel stressed or anxious whereas if we play their favourite game with them they will likely feel happy and excited."

We got curious about whether a dog's breed or background affects its behavior and bond with humans. Kate Mornement shared that breed is generally a poor predictor of temperament and behavior. "However certain breeds are more likely to exhibit specific behaviors. For example, most Retrievers retrieve balls and toys and many Border Collies herd things like birds or kids. A dog's early experiences (good and bad) certainly impact their behavior and view of the world and this can impact their bond with people if they've had negative experiences with people in the past. The good news is that these issues can usually be overcome with some love and positive reinforcement training."

Dogs have been our loyal companions for centuries, providing us with love, affection, and companionship. However, despite our long history with these furry creatures, there are still many misconceptions about their behavior. According to Kate, one of them is that dogs need a "pack leader" or for you to be dominant over them in order to behave. "This outdated view has been debunked however it still persists. Thanks to an explosion in canine science we now understand that dog behavior is driven by consequences, just like ours. Dogs repeat behaviors that work for them. They are not trying to dominate!"