My take on this is that it is the narrator who is confused. The dogs, as they are like to do, are simply trying to keep up.
You see, dogs are fairly single-minded. We pick up a scent and off we go, often following the trail until it takes a sudden turn up a far-off tree.![Dog 7/365 by [¯Ô¯] - Andy C](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3177924589_50b6f69c4b_m.jpg)
Do humans have any idea how contorted their thoughts really are? 
Especially to a linear-thinking canine.
No wonder it took them so long to invent the wheel…
Chow.