Dogs are man’s best friends, but, like in most relationships, both parties can get it wrong occasionally. If dogs could talk, they would likely tell us humans that they are over these 18 things we do to them.
Tight Hugs
It is an instinct to jump in for a cuddle with a dog that walks up to us; we should be careful not to make the wrong move. It is true that, like us humans, many dogs love to be cuddled, but some may be wary of strangers hugging them. Often, dogs see hugging as a display of dominance and may react badly if anxious. You should always observe a dog’s body language to see if they are comfortable when you move in for a hug.
Verbal Cues
Dogs are not able to understand verbal cues as humans do so they rely on primary vocal lines and body language. Commands that are difficult to understand can leave your dog feeling confused, so keep your gestures simple, make eye contact so your dog can read your facial expressions, and have a strong posture that your dog knows how to interpret.
Maintaining Eye Contact
As we have learned, dogs can read facial expressions and respond to you more when they can see you. Humans make the mistake of not making eye contact with dogs when they speak for them, which makes it hard for them to read us. However, there is a word of caution regarding prolonged eye contact. When we hold eye contact with dogs for too long, they perceive us as a threat and try to challenge us. Once your dog has listened to your command, you can look away so they remain comfortable.
Making “Doggy Dates”
Forced interactions with other dogs are not recommended as they can make your dog distressed. Just as humans do not like being forced to be friends with someone, our four-legged friends prefer to play with the dogs they choose. While some dogs love to play with other dogs, others are fussy and can become stressed.
Tight Leashes
Dogs love to be outdoors and be as accessible as possible, but sometimes, being on a leash is safest for everyone. Leashes are great for walking dogs in public areas, but be careful not to keep your dog on too tight a leash. A tight leash threatens dogs so they can react to being confined.
Predictable Routines
It is easy to get stuck in a predictable routine with your dog, but try to shake things up once in a while to give your dog some variety. You don’t need to do anything drastic; it could be playing a new game or taking a new walking route to enrich your dog’s day-to-day life.
Boring Walks
Not all dog walks will be exciting, especially those cold early morning walks before work. However, don’t allow your dog to get bored by the same old walk every day. Dogs like to explore their surroundings, so try taking a different route now and again so they can explore new terrain and enjoy the sensory experience a new walk offers.
Lack of Rules
Like children, a dog will thrive from routine. Now, we know we have said that you should shake up the routine now and again, but the changes should be manageable. Dogs like to know their expectations are being met, so spending days away from their bed or allowing them to sleep on your bed one week but not the next will be confusing for them.
Stroking Their Faces
Not all dogs enjoy being touched on the face, so you should do so with caution. You should take care by taking things slow and being gentle if stroking a dog’s face. If you are nervous, you can use treats to reward the dog for good behavior when they allow you to pet them.
Blowing in Their Faces
Do you like it when someone blows in your face? Well, dogs don’t enjoy it either, as their faces are very sensitive. Blowing in a dog’s face is not pleasant for them and will cause them to become defensive, so if you see them flinch, cease blowing at them.
Taunting Them
Dogs don’t like being taunted at all, just like no adult enjoys being manipulated. At best, your dog will get in a hump with you and walk away, but sometimes taunting dogs can be dangerous. Dogs trust you, so when teased, they can react badly and may harm you in defense.
Disrespecting Boundaries
Dogs, like humans, love interacting with people but often need their own space. When people invade their space by constantly being in their faces while trying to relax or sitting on their bed (which children can often try), they will not be happy.
Being Tense Around Them
Dogs are very intuitive and can be sensitive to how people are feeling. When you are scared of them or feel tense around them, dogs will become uneasy as they can’t understand why you are feeling the way you are. It is a bit like you asking someone how they feel, and they reply with a curt “fine.”
Staying Away from Home Too Long
Dogs often suffer separation anxiety when their owners leave them home alone. As well as becoming distressed, they can become destructive by chewing home furnishings and barking. If left for very long periods, dogs can become lonely and depressed.
Dressing Them in Complicated Outfits
While some dogs will enjoy wearing a coat in cold and wet weather, they definitely do not like being dressed up for Halloween. Dogs are not made for wearing clothes, so anything too restrictive will make them feel uncomfortable and irritable.
Wearing Strong Fragrances
Dogs are known for their strong sense of smell, so they do not take kindly to strong fragrances. A dog’s sense of smell enables them to identify objects and help them navigate their world, which means that anything too strong can hinder their perception. Try to limit air fresheners and scented candles in the home if you want a happy dog.
Yelling at Them
Dogs do not enjoy being yelled at, so you should be careful about reprimanding them. You can disclose your dog in a more gentle way by using treats to train them to respond to soft instructions.
Disrupting Their Sleep
Like humans, dogs need unbroken sleep to rejuvenate and keep them feeling well. This means that, like humans, dogs do not like to be woken up while sleeping. Try to wake up your dog naturally if needed, as abrupt awakenings lead to grumpy dogs.
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