Your dog isn’t a living toy for you and your kids to play with. It is a big responsibility and should be treated with care and respect.
It’s been proven by scientists that our pets usually don’t like some of the things we do to them.
They can only tolerate some of the things we do to them because they love and are loyal to us.
Nonetheless, if you want your pet to always be happy with you and trust you enough to respect being around you, then there are changes you need to implement when dealing with them?
What are those things you constantly do that your dog hates?
1. Hugging them constantly
Extensive research has proven that 81.6% of dogs tested exhibited signs of anxiety or stress when embraced. 10.8% of them showed neutral emotions, while the response of 7.6% of them enjoyed being hugged.
The most common display of stress included sad eyes, flattened ears, head turned away so they can avoid eye contact with whoever is hugging them and lack of enthusiasm.
It is advised you to study your dog’s reaction before you decide to give them hugs.
2. Head patting
Dogs usually see all actions or activities towards them directed from above as a threat. You should consider stop trying to pat your dog on the head if you notice it is avoiding being touched, turning its head or growling.
This is your dog expressing its dissatisfaction and may get violent if care isn’t taken.
3. Rushing walks
Dogs are social animals and would like to socialise when they get the opportunity to step out of the house.
They would want to sniff around, check spots, have bathroom breaks, mingle with other dogs if possible, and do anything and everything.
Dogs would seize any opportunity to have all the fun they can once they are outside with their owner. You will be killing the fun if you rush them.
Allow them to play. Play fetch with them. Let them breathe in the fresh air outside.
4. Avoiding dog training
All living creatures, including humans, live by specific rules, so they don’t give room for chaos. With cats, the rules are more visible, especially since they are independent animals who prefer to be on their own.
The same, however, can’t be said for your canine friends. Dogs require training, and they like being sent on errands. It’s in fact what they live by. To serve. To be active.
If you deprive them of these, they make them become lazy and spoiled pets that would rather lay and chew on your favorite shoe. We don’t want that now do we?
Your dog should have a name that it knows itself by and understand commands like, “heel,” “sit,” “stay,” “roll,” and “no”.
All this is to help you;
- Build a stronger and healthier relationship with your dog
- Teach your dog to behave well in a social gathering
- Encourages good communication skills
- Provides your dog with enough exercises to keep its muscles toned
- It also helps to ease emotional stress
5. Yelling at your dog
It can be challenging to maintain your cool sometimes when your dog gets naughty. You might come home and find them chewing on your slippers, tire up your special pillow or pee on your carpet, worst still, on your bed.
This is enough to upset any owner to the point of shouting at their pet.
Your pet confuses yelling as punishment when you shout at them. Your pet was probably bored and decided chewing on something would cheer them up.
It just happens; it’s something that is still very useful to you. Rather than shouting, you could communicate with them sternly.
6. Dressing up your dog when it’s not cold
It’s okay to get your dogs warm clothes for cold days, so they don’t get sick. It makes sense of buying your dog matching outfits with your coat or bag just for the fashion of it. Your pet’s fur can efficiently regulate its body temperature.
If you must have them dressed, ensure they don’t get overhear and get stuck in these clothes, that they shouldn’t be wearing in the first place!
7. Scaring your pet with noises
Most living creatures, if not all, feel fear. Some animals, like dogs, are born with a genetic disposition to this feeling of fear.
This is especially critical if it isn’t a sound they are used to while growing and this may lead to psychological problems (trauma), and the only reaction they can associate with this noises is fear.
Sounds like fireworks, loud honks, hairdryer or vacuum cleaner among other irritating sounds can cause your dog to be afraid. It is best to calm your dog when you notice they are scared of a particularly loud sound so they can be comfortable around the sound next time they hear it.
8. Forcing your pet to socialise with your friends
Your opinion of your friends may be in direct contrast with your dogs. What you see in your friends isn’t what your dog understands, so it isn’t advised you force your dog to show your friends any attention or affection.
Pay close attention to how your dog reacts when there are strangers around who try to pet it, if you notice any form of hesitation or even aggression, then you need to put a stop to it immediately. Allow your dog pick for itself who it wants to be around.
9. Teasing your dog just for the fun of it
Your dog may initially perceive teasing as a regular game, but would eventually understand that something is off. Your dog would realise you are making a fool of it if you gesture to give it something to eat, but you end up giving it nothing.
Pulling its tail or placing something sticky on its fur and have it running and turning around to get it off. Dogs don’t like this at all. You as a human wouldn’t like it either if someone was teasing you this same way. Doing this would only lead to your dog losing trust in you.
10. Allowing your dog to stay in places with offensive smell
Dogs can easily differentiate and recollect around a million different scents from different sources. Their nose is a very strong tool that serves them well and makes them very unique.
Nonetheless, some strong smells can cause this ability to deteriorate or cause severe dysfunction to their nervous system.
You could cause this damage if you strong chemicals in your home or spray a combination of strong perfumes or fragrances. I suggest you keep your dog away from where these smells are stronger, so it doesn’t affect your pet.
Let them have a toy to keep them busy while you get busy with spraying or fumigating your house.
What things do you do to your dog that ticks them off? Share your experiences in the comments. Thank you.