Shocker, but WE can be annoying to our DOGS! Even though you might treat your dog like a little person, animals have different preferences and ideas about things… like hugs. Here are 15 things your dog probably hates.
“I hate being around fireworks”
A dog’s first reaction to ear-splitting sounds and frightening lights, is to flee. In fact, the ASPCA reports that more dogs get lost on the 4th of July than any other single day in the year. Besides inducing massive fear, loud sounds can also damage a dog’s more sensitive hearing.
“I hate it when you pat my head”
Dogs have personal space too and a hand coming into their face area invades it. Instead, rub his back, side or belly. Let’s face it, you wouldn’t like someone tapping on YOUR head.
“I hate it when you hug me”
This one is a big surprise to most of us. When we hug them, apparently dogs feel too constrained. To them, hugging is an unwelcome sign of dominance. Same thing if you putting your face too close to theirs.
“I hate it when you don’t let me explore when we go on a walk”
A dog’s sense of smell is 10 to 100 THOUSAND times greater than ours, and when you’re out for a walk, there are some pretty amazing scents out there! So let him sniff and explore; it’s in his DNA.
“I hate it when you over-stare!”
Prolonged eye contact is something that makes dogs really uncomfortable. In the canine world, it’s a sign of establishing dominance and a challenge to fight.
“I hate it when you leave me alone all day”
Dogs are pack animals and they need their peeps around them to feel comfortable. Otherwise they can get very depressed and anxious… leading sometimes to Canine Anxiety Disorder.
“When you’re upset, I’m upset”
You can’t always be up and you shouldn’t have to put on a fake happy face for your best friend, but dogs get very anxious and unnerved if you’re upset or depressed, or generally just not yourself. Dogs live for routine and steady environments.
“I hate it when you yell at me”
When you yell at a dog, it sounds like angry barking and that signals trouble. Your dog won’t understand a thing – except that dangers’s at hand.
“I hate it when you force me to…”
Like us, dogs have preferences….and they like routine. So teaching your dog to “face his fears” by keeping him close to the vacuum cleaner when he’d like to flee, or forcing him to socialize, will make him very tense and ill at ease.
“I hate wearing that Hallowe’en costume”
This one doesn’t really need explaining. Some dogs don’t mind if you make them look ridiculous for a few minutes a year, but if your dog objects, don’t push it.
“I hate it when you tease me – don’t!”
I know, who does this? But some people still think it’s funny to tease their dogs. Pretend to throw the ball, don’t throw it. Bark at a stray you see on the street. Pull your dog’s tail. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
“I hate it when you wake me up for no reason”
Dogs have dreams too, and sometimes great dreams. So don’t wake them up unless you really must. It’s startling and unnerving.
“I hate it when you think I know words.”
Dogs CAN learn some words, but they look to your body language and tone of voice for communication. Repeating ‘blah blah blah’ over and over doesn’t help a dog understand.
“I hate it when you suddenly scoop me up off the ground.”
Found wandering in the jungles of New Guinea by an American soldier, Smoky was a full grown 4 pound female Yorkshire Terrier who became a war hero during WWII. She even tried parachuting!
Dogs belong on the ground; even when they’re only a couple of pounds, they don’t relish being scooped up and carried around, usually with zero notice.
“That vacuum? Hate it.”
Dogs can sense vibrations and hear sounds that we miss. Vacuum cleaners have plenty of both and are generally quite frightening for dogs. Invite your dog into another room when it’s time to hoover.