You love and spoil your canine companions rotten, but their tail isn’t always wagging. The culprit usually is your actions. Believe it or not, some everyday actions we humans find normal can be confusing or stressful for our canine companions. From stare-downs to skipped walks, here are 14 ways you might be annoying your dog without realizing it.
Rushing Through The Walks
Rushing your dog through their walk might seem convenient, but it denies them the joys of sniffing out the world. These explorations are like mental puzzles for dogs, keeping them stimulated and happy. Make walks an adventure, not a chore, for a more fulfilled pup.
Tight Hugs and Cuddles
While dogs enjoy some petting, a surprising number dislike prolonged cuddling. Tight hugs or smothering affection can be stressful, especially for pups with anxious personalities or past trauma. Always read your dog’s body language: a stiff posture, flattened ears, or averted gaze might mean it’s cuddle overload time.
Staring At Your Pet
You may find your pet staring at you often. It helps your puppy learn your habits and communicate their needs. But you definitely shouldn’t stare back at your dog. While a quick look and a pet show affection, staring can backfire. Dogs see prolonged eye contact as a challenge, making them feel threatened or annoyed. Instead, return a brief glance to show you understand their cues, then look away to keep them comfortable.
Leaving Them Alone
Dogs are pack animals and crave our company. Even happy puppies get stressed when left alone for too long. This isolation can trigger anxiety and unwanted behaviors like barking or chewing. If you must leave your furry friend behind, ensure it’s for a short duration and provide them with fun toys or stimulating activities to keep them occupied.
Dressing Them Up
Most dogs find dressing up stressful and uncomfortable. They might tolerate it for a photo but will likely fidget and try to remove the outfit. If you’re set on a festive look, introduce the costume slowly, letting your dog sniff it and reward your pet with treats. Most importantly, respect your dog’s wishes—if they seem scared or refuse to wear it, ditch the costume and find another way to celebrate.
Strong Perfumes
Dogs have super-powered noses that pick up on scents we can’t even imagine. Strong perfumes, colognes, and cleaning products can be bothersome, even triggering allergies. To avoid giving your pup a headache (or worse), skip the heavy fragrances when spending time together. Snuggle up with your pup naturally – they’ll appreciate your fresh scent or lack thereof.
Teasing With Toys
While you might find it funny to fake a throw with your dog’s favorite ball, resist the urge. Dogs communicate and understand the world differently than humans. Teasing with toys is a surefire way to annoy your furry friend. They crave clear and predictable interactions during playtime. When you pretend to throw the ball but don’t follow through, it breaks their focus and frustrates them. Stick to real throws and rewarding fetches to keep playtime enjoyable for both of you.
Touching Their Face
While dogs love good scratch behind the ears, some dogs dislike being touched on the face. This can be startling or even feel threatening to them. If you’re unsure about your dog’s preferences, start slow and gently and observe their body language. Watch for signs of discomfort like flattened ears or lip licking. A better option might be a belly rub.
Vacuuming
That vacuum cleaner might be essential to keep your home clean, but it’s your dog’s worst enemy. The loud whirring noise can be very stressful for pups with sensitive ears. If possible, avoid vacuuming in the same room as your dog. Give them a relaxing break in the yard while you tackle the dirt. This will keep your dog calm and your cleaning session frustration-free.
Interrupting Your Dog’s Sleep
Just like you wouldn’t appreciate a rude awakening, your dog deserves peaceful sleep, too. Disrupting their slumber with loud noises or sudden pokes can leave them disoriented and grumpy. Remember, sleep isn’t just for leisure; it’s crucial for their health. Those precious hours allow their bodies to recharge from playtime, their brains to process experiences, and their immune systems to function correctly. Puppies, needing to grow strong, require a whopping 18-20 hours of daily sleep, while adult dogs function best on around 12 hours.
Talking Loudly
Loud talking goes right over your pet’s head. Even worse, yelling can be frightening. Instead of understanding your words, they react to your body language and tone, potentially hiding in fear. Keep your voice calm and gentle, even during playtime. Remember, positive reinforcement with treats for good behavior is a much more effective way to communicate with your furry friend.
Lack of Routine
Dogs crave predictability, and a lack of routine makes them feel insecure. They love knowing when to expect meals, walks, playtime, and cuddle time. An inconsistent schedule throws your pup off balance, making them unsure when their needs will be met. This confusion can manifest in destructive behaviors like chewing or accidents. A study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science even linked changes in routine to destructive chewing! To keep your pet happy and well-behaved, establish a consistent daily schedule that works for both of you.
Inconsistent Rules
Conflicting commands confuse your canine companion. Dogs crave clear expectations, and wishy-washy rules leave them unsure of how to act. Letting your pup cuddle on the couch one day and kicking them off when guests arrive sends mixed signals. A bewildered dog might be annoyed with this confusing situation. Consistency is critical for a happy pup. Keep the rules the same regardless of the situation, and ensure everyone in the household is on the same page.
Boring Walks
While you may think a quick potty walk is enough, your pup craves adventure. Don’t let your dog get bored with the same old route daily. Dogs are natural explorers, and sniffing out new sights and smells is a stimulating experience for them. Break the monotony by taking a different path occasionally. This mental and sensory enrichment will keep your furry friend happy, engaged, and excited for walk time.