Human Actions or Things that Dogs Dislike or Hate
Things Dogs Hate That People Do
Dogs have lived with us for over 11,000 years. It has been scientifically proven that living around them enhances the quality of our lives. But what about us? Have you ever wondered if your actions are making them uncomfortable? There might be several things that you’re doing that your dog finds annoying but is unable to express. Despite living in close quarters with each other for so long, humans often do things to dogs that they believe dogs love, but dogs distinctly dislike. Misinterpretation and anthropomorphism lead to dogs that are forced to tolerate undesirable behaviors which eventually can cause fearful, anxious and even aggressive responses.our dog could hate the things you do, and you may not even realize it. The things that irritate dogs are different from the things that irritate humans. Generally, dogs dislike hugs, not being allowed to sniff, a lack of routine, and more. Even the most laid-back dog will hate some of the things we humans do—if they tolerate it, it’s just because they love you or don’t want to be dominant. Yes, certain things are unavoidable, like vet visits or grooming. However, there are other ways we can try to take it easy on our dogs. No two dogs are exactly the same, so what one dog hates another dog may enjoy.
Here are some of the common human actions that push dogs away and make them upset, nervous, stressed, or confused.
- Hugging
We often hug because, as people, we enjoy hugs and assume that dogs would love this too. But that’s not the case. Many dogs do not enjoy hugs, especially from strangers. Placing your arms around a dog’s neck or body may be perceived as a threat. Most dogs tolerate gentle hugs from trusted humans, but that doesn’t mean they actually like them.
A better alternative is to let the dog cuddle on his own terms and pet him along the back and on the chest.
- Petting on face or patting head
Most humans think that dogs like being patted on the head. The reality is that while many dogs will put up with this if it’s being done by someone they know and trust, most dogs don’t enjoy it. You may notice that even the most loving dog might lean away slightly when you reach for its face to pet. Interact with your dog by gently petting its back or rear, but don’t pat, and definitely don’t go for the dog’s face.
- Teasing
Many people think it’s funny to tease dogs: barking at one as you pass it on the street, waving or talking to one that is barking at them from behind a window, pulling on a dog’s tail. There are lots of viral videos of humans teasing dogs. People dangle food in dogs’ faces, pretend to throw the ball, or bark at a dog. The list can go on, but the important thing is that you shouldn’t do something you know makes a dog mad for the sake of a laugh — the dog won’t find it funny. And it can lead to some serious behavioral problems.
- Yelling at them
No one likes to be yelled at or harshly punished. Same goes for our furry friends. Dogs may not understand the words you’re saying, but they sense your emotions when you’re yelling at them. We all know dogs dislike loud noises of any kind – vacuum cleaners, thunder, motorcycles, etc. Yelling will make them anxious or scared, or maybe even completely desensitised to it. Most of the time, they won’t even know what you’re saying. You’ll be more successful by encouraging good behavior rather than scolding them when they’re bad.
5.Hugging
We often hug our dogs because, as people, we enjoy hugs with each other and it follows logically to us that dogs would love this too. Most dogs, in fact, do not enjoy this and while some will quietly tolerate the behavior, other dogs can become fearful or anxious when held and may act out to let you know they are unhappy. An even more serious issue is children hugging dogs. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, children are the victims of the most dog bites each year by far, and this is often due to children handling dogs in ways that make their canine friends uncomfortable.
6.Rough handling
In addition to not liking hugs, dogs also are often subjected to handling that can be stressful. Having strangers and even familiar humans reaching their hands right into a dog’s face in an attempt to pet their head can feel very intimidating from a dog’s point of view. Dogs that haven’t been properly desensitized to other forms of handling, such as grooming, nail trimming and veterinary exams can find these situations extremely frightening. It’s important to work with dogs, particularly as puppies, to get them to enjoy handling and to make vet and grooming visits more pleasant in the future.
7.Getting in a Dog’s Face and Personal Space
Much like hugging, dogs tend to dislike it when humans get in their faces. Think about how it would make you feel! Avoid putting your hands in a dog’s face, towering over dogs, and rushing towards them. This is especially important if the dog does not know you well.
As an owner, if you need to poke and prod your dog for his own good (like ear cleaning or tooth brushing) go slowly, be gentle, and reward your dog with treats and/or praise. If your dog exhibits appeasement gestures, shows signs of fear, or acts aggressive, back off! It’s always best to be careful and prevent a dog bite.
8.Not Letting a Dog Sniff and Explore on Walks
Dogs enjoy going on walks for more than just the exercise. Taking a walk outdoors gives your dog a chance to explore the world. Your dog explores the world primarily through scent, then with his other senses (whereas most humans explore the world first through sight). Rushing your dog through a walk without allowing him to stop and sniff (and mark) is unkind.
If you think about it, it’s like someone dragging you by the arm through your favorite shop without allowing you to stop and look at anything. If it happens all the time, that would be pretty frustrating, wouldn’t it? So next time you walk your dog, give him plenty of time to explore his environment.
9.Lack of Routine and Rules
Your dog may not seem like it, but he needs rules. If your dog is acting out, it’s probably because you have not taught him the rules. Training is an important part of providing structure in your dog’s life. A routine is important because your dog has an internal clock. Try to feed your dog at the same time each day. Establish an exercise routine too if possible.
After a few days of structured rules and routine, you will probably notice that your dog is happier. Routines and rules make your dog’s world more predictable and can actually boost his confidence.
10.Being Left Alone or Ignored
Dogs are social creatures who generally hate being left alone. Some dogs are comforted by the presence of another dog, but others only want human companionship. In extreme cases, some dogs actually fear being left alone and experience separation anxiety.
The problem is that most dog owners have to work in order to pay for all that gourmet dog food. You also need to have a life, run errands, take vacations, etc. Of course, your dog doesn’t understand all that. So, what’s the solution?
Spend as much time as possible with your dog when you are home. Take the time to bond with your dog. Set a daily routine, providing plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. If you travel frequently, find a trusted pet sitter with whom your dog is comfortable. If you travel constantly, consider whether or not it’s fair to even have a dog (or any pet for that matter).
11.Forcing Them Into Uncomfortable Situations
Most of us have experienced it: your dog “puts on the brakes” and refuses to go somewhere or do something. Maybe it’s the bathtub. Often it’s the veterinarian. Sometimes it’s the car or even a certain street. It might even be a certain person or animal your dog wants to avoid. Most of the time, your dog is refusing because he has a fear or phobia.
When you force your dog into a scary situation, you are keeping him in a state of stress. It’s actually a technique called flooding that does not always work (and can cause more harm than good).4 A better method is to ease your dog into the situation. Keep him at a safe distance and reward him for staying calm. Gradually increase the dog’s exposure to the “trigger” and reward for non-reaction. If it’s the vet he fears, you can take steps to get your dog to love the vet. If the phobia is serious, you may need to get help from a trainer or behaviorist.
11.Disregarding their Boundaries– Much like humans, dogs have a sense of personal space and appreciate their privacy. They do tend to dislike it when others, especially people they do not know or trust invade this space. Aggressively hugging your dog or being overly affectionate towards them may cause irritation and lead them to act out aggressively. Certain dogs may even dislike their owners touching and prodding their faces. It is therefore advised to be understanding and to respect their personal space.
12.Strong Fragrances –Dogs have a very strong sense of smell. Their sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times stronger than the sense of smell of humans. Dogs use this sense of smell to identify things and even people. This is why we often observe them sniffing things wherever they go. However, the flip side of having such a strong sense of smell is that pungent odours and other heavy scents can tend to be overpowering for our pooches and cause them irritation. As pet owners, you should therefore use air-fresheners, deodorants, hairsprays and other scents when your pets are not around.
13.Dressing them Up –One of the things dogs hate that people do is force them to dress up in unique costumes and attires. While we find dressed-up dogs cute and adorable, it is not natural for dogs to be dressed up. Dressing them up makes them feel uncomfortable and often restricts their movement. To add to it, dogs often feel embarrassed when we dress them up. While a few dogs may tolerate being dressed up, they certainly do not enjoy the experience.
14.Blowing in their Faces –Blowing in your dog’s face causes them discomfort and is a really unpleasant feeling for them. Blowing in their face might cause them to become ultra-defensive, which in turn can lead to violence in the form of a dog bite. A dog’s face is much more sensitive than the face of a human, and thus blowing in their face unexpectedly causes them to flinch.
15.Interrupting their Sleep –Dogs, just like humans, don’t like being woken up suddenly in their sleep. Older dogs especially have a deeper sleep as compared to younger ones and might not be alerted by footsteps approaching them. A sudden nudge on their back to wake them up might catch them in surprise and even cause them to act out. We must try and let them wake up naturally and not wake them up abruptly. Giving them a routine and structure may help them wake up on time so that you don’t have to shake them awake.
16.Forcing Your Dog to Interact With Dogs or People She Clearly Doesn’t Like
Like other social species, dogs have their favorite friends and their enemies, it’s easy to tell what other dogs (and people) a dog wants to hang out with and those with whom she’d rather not associate. Yet, many dog owners ignore this or simply fail to read the cues their dog is giving them. It is common for enthusiastic owners to push their dogs into social situations at dog parks or allow strangers to give them pets despite the dog clear signs of wanting to be left alone.
True, there is value in encouraging shy, fearful, and reactive dogs out of their comfort zones so that they can develop necessary social skills, However, knowing the difference between gentle boundary-pushing and forcing an interaction is vital to your dog’s safety and sanity.
When dogs are pushed too far in social situations, they’re more likely to lash out; after giving multiple cues, their last resort for sending a clear message is to use their teeth. What’s worse is that their trust in you as a protective leader is weakened, and they have an even more negative association with a park, a certain dog or person, or a general social setting. So take care to read the body language she gives you when she doesn’t want to be around certain other individuals, and don’t force it.
17.Going for Walks Without Giving an Opportunity to Explore and Smell
It’s important to allow a dog to have some time to explore her surroundings while walking. Dogs see with their noses, and they place as much importance on their sense of smell for interpreting the world as we humans place on our sense of vision. Too often, we deprive them of that experience by treating walks only as rushed, required potty breaks and exercise, trudging along the same old route without any variety or sense of leisure.
Dedicate one of your daily walks to having a “smell walk”—going slow and letting your dog take in the world with her nose. Go somewhere entirely new, explore a different neighborhood or trail, let your dog sniff at a spot until she gets her fill before moving forward, even if it’s for minutes at a time.
To help your dog know the difference between a walk where she should obediently stay beside you and a walk where she is free to explore, dedicate a special backpack or harness for smell walks; make sure it is clearly different from your usual collar and leash setup so the different purpose of the walk is obvious to your dog. These walks are a wonderful opportunity for your dog to get some of the mental and sensory stimulation that keeps life interesting for her.
18.Keeping a Tight Leash, Literally
Just as dogs are amazing at reading our body language, they’re amazing at reading our tension levels through the leash. By keeping a slack leash, you’re letting your dog know that there’s no reason to be worried or tense—that you are calm and in control so your dog is free to be calm as well.
On the other hand, keeping a tight leash sends a message to your dog that you’re tense, nervous, and on alert, and your dog responds in kind; their levels of stress, frustration, and excitement rise. Plus, it doesn’t feel good for your dog to constantly be pulled and thus cued to be on alert, and they’re also well aware that they can’t get away from you even if they think they need to.
This is why it is so important to teach a dog how to walk on a slack leash. It is a difficult skill to master, and something the majority of dog owners can commiserate about, but it’s essential to having pleasant walks with a relaxed dog.
19.Being Tense
Tension on the leash isn’t the only way a dog can pick up how you’re feeling. You can tell when a person you’re around is feeling tense, even if you don’t realize it. Dogs have the same ability. The more stressed and wound-up you are, the more stressed and wound-up your dog is. And dogs, just like us, don’t like stress.
You might roll your eyes, but the next time your dog is acting frustrated and tense, check in with yourself—have you been feeling that way for the last few minutes, for the last few hours, or the last few days? Your dog might just be acting as your mirror. If you need a reason to meditate, helping your dog calm down is a great one.
20.Teasing
Many people think it’s funny to tease dogs: barking at one as you pass it on the street, waving or talking to one that is barking at them from behind a window, pulling on a dog’s tail. The list can go on, but the important thing is that you shouldn’t do something you know makes a dog mad for the sake of a laugh; the dog won’t find it funny. And, it can lead to some serious behavioral problems.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
