11 things you do that your dog hates
11 things you do that your dog hates
Dogs are known as man's best friend, but sometimes we make it a little difficult on them. Check out this list of things we do that our dogs hate, as compiled by the Mother Nature Network. [ + - ]
Using your voice more than body language: Dogs have evolved to better understand your body language than the words you say, Mother Nature Network says. Try to go a day using solely gestures and body language to communicate with your dog. [ + - ]
Petting a dog's face or patting its head: Dogs would rather be scratched on their rumps then patted on the head. Rubbing their behinds is less of an invasion of personal space, MNN says. [ + - ]
Hugs: MNN says dogs put their legs and paws on other dogs as a show of dominance, and that many instances of children getting bit is when they go in for an embrace. Most dogs hate it, and you'll be hard pressed to find one who enjoys the hug of a primate. [ + - ]
Not providing structure or rules: Like children, dogs thrive when there are a consistent set of rules to follow. [ + - ]
Excessive eye contact: Some dogs might read excessive eye contact as an act of dominance or even aggression, especially if you are unfamiliar with the animal. MNN recommends approaching dogs you don't know at an angle and limiting eye contact. [ + - ]
Making your dog interact with other dogs or people it doesn't like: Don't take your dog to the park and force it to interact with other dogs. There's no need to push a dog into social situations. [ + - ]
Walking without opportunity to explore and sniff: Try going on "smell walks" -- where you allow your dog to smell spots for minutes at a time -- recommends Mother Nature Network. Trying keeping life interesting for your dog. [ + - ]
Keeping the leash too tight: Nobody likes being yanked around by their dog, but MNN says it's also important to communicate calmness to the dog by allowing at least a little slack. Hopefully the sense of ease will go both ways, and your dog will stop pulling as hard. [ + - ]
Being tense: Dogs, like humans, can pick up on stress and tension. A stressed dog owner can lead to a stressed dog. [ + - ]
Being boring: If your dog is destroying the house while you're away, it could be a sign it's bored. MNN says to try teaching your dog tricks or a game where your dog searches for its favorite toy. Training a dog's mind is worth more than a simple game of fetch. [ + - ]
