Dogs are the most faithful animals on earth, but they have a limitation on how much they can tolerate their parent. It is hard for most dog owners to understand the behaviors that make a dog uncomfortable because dogs will rarely lash out. There are, however, nonverbal signals that you can look for to identify when your furry friend is nervous. Since it is not easy for most dog owners to solve their dog’s nonverbal communication. Now let us take a look at some of the things which seem normal to us that your durry dog hate:
Hugging
I know, you love your furry friend, and you cannot get enough of his furry hugs. I’m afraid, however, that he most certainly does not feel the same way. Canines do not show affection by hugging and have no history of grasping each other. According to your dog, tight hugs are nothing more than an invasion of his personal space. It is even worse when the hugs come from a stranger. Different dogs react differently to tight hugging, but to keep it safe, refrain from hugging your furry friend too tightly and instead, stick to the good old belly rubs that dogs love.
Leaving them alone
Dogs, even though domesticated, still pack animals by nature and can’t stand being alone for too long. As a dog owner, you are practically a member and the alpha of your dog’s pack. Leaving him alone for long might confuse him and make him act out due to boredom and loneliness. It would be unrealistic to spend all day every day cuddled up with your furry friend because humans have careers and other social obligations. It is, however, essential to set aside some time to spend with your furry friend and bond. Create a routine to take your furry friend out for walks and exercises. If you are a frequent traveler, get yourself a trustworthy dog sitter to take care of your dog and spend time with him when you are away.
Dressing them up
Dogs hate being dressed up but most of them tolerate it to please their masters. Dressing up goes against a dog’s nature and biology. It limits their vision and constricts their movement. If dogs needed to be dressed up then they would not have a fur coating, would they? Dressing up a dog might help you take a cute picture of them. However, when prolonged, you will notice that they will start displaying a certain level of discomfort. If you are dressing up your dog for a photo session, stay on the lookout for signs of distress such as tugging against an outfit and undressing him immediately you notice them.
Prolonged eye contact
Eye contact is a critical aspect of human interactions, but it serves an entirely different role in canine interactions. Eye contact is usually a sign of dominance in dogs, and even though you are the dominant one between you and your dog, he will not appreciate you flaunting your dominance all so often. It is even more confusing for your dog when they have to endure prolonged eye contact with strangers. They will not understand why a complete stranger is trying to assert dominance when they already have another master. It is best to avoid prolonged eye contact with a dog, especially a strange dog because there is no telling how he will react to such a show of dominance from a stranger.
Exposing them to loud environments
Dogs have a phobia of loud noises. Whether it is you yelling at them, loud music, a thunderstorm, or a fireworks display, dogs hate it and will react very stressfully when exposed to any loud noise. Yelling at your puppy to reprimand bad behavior does not help but scares him. You can try adjusting the tone of your voice instead of the volume to scold him for bad behavior. If there happens to be noise outside from either fireworks, thunderstorms, or gunshots, it is imperative to lock the windows and doors.
Taking hurried walks
Dogs practically see with their noses. Sniffing is a dog’s primary way of exploring his surroundings. Depriving him of that chance when taking walks can be very annoying and frustrating to him. When taking your puppy for a walk, avoid restraining him to your designated path. Instead, put him on a loose leash that allows him to stray and explore the surroundings.
Inconsistency in your routine
Dogs thrive on routine and structure, and it can be very annoying and confusing for the dog when the dog owner disrupts this routine. A dog owner should stick to a script and keep things like feeding, baths, and walks to a consistent routine. Your dog will ingrain this routine and expect everything at its designated time. Unpredictability in your routine will create behavioral problems in your puppy.
Exposing them to strong smells
A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 – 100,000 times stronger than a human’s so you can imagine how annoying it can be for your furry friend when he is exposed even to the slightest unpleasant smells. Think of it as someone shining a very bright light into your eyes. Not very pleasant, is it? Dog owners need to put their dogs into consideration when using cleaning products and perfumes to avoid making the house a stressful environment for the puppy.
Being upset
That’s right. Your dog hates it when you are upset or stressed. Dogs have an uncanny ability to read your mood without you even uttering a word or doing anything. When your puppy notices that you are upset, it disrupts his equilibrium. As a result, he will either mirror your emotions and become stressed or act out to get your attention. It is, hence, essential that you work on keeping to the routine of walking, feeding, and playing with your dog even when you are worried so that he does not feel abandoned.
