This important information was taken from iHearts recent email. I was forced to reflect on what I may be doing. I am sure that none of us want to hurt our dog’s feelings any more than we want to hurt any member of our family or group of friends.
5 Ways We May Be Hurting Our Dog’s Feelings Without Even Knowing It
“A Harvard psychologist recently declared that when dogs dream they are likely reliving their experiences with their humans. Those yips and kicks we see are their reactions to either pleasing us or annoying us in dreamland. For better or worse, our dogs’ entire lives revolve around us. If they do not get enough of our time or that time is marred by unwarranted punishments, it can leave lasting emotional scars. Dog owners usually make one of these 5 mistakes because we simply do not understand canine behavior. It’s important to know why dogs do the things they do in order to avoid inadvertently damaging our precious relationship.
1. Rubbing Their Noses In It.
When we think about it, we use the bathroom during the 6 – 10 hours that we are at work or home, right? Chances are our dog also has to go during that time, and sometimes he or she may not be able to hold it. Once a dog is potty trained, accidents in the house can be a sign of distress, physical illness, or simply going too long without a break.
Yelling or “rubbing their nose in it” will not teach our dog to potty outside, but it will teach him to fear us and unnecessarily hurt his feelings.
2. Our pups need to play
It’s one thing to halfheartedly pat our pup on the head as we breeze through the door with an armload of groceries. It’s quite another to set aside designated one-on-one time. No matter how busy our life is, it’s important to prioritize time to do something our dog enjoys. Whether it’s 10 minutes of fetch, a nice evening walk or just cuddle time on the couch, a dog’s level of happiness depends on the attention they receive from us, their favorite humans.
3. Punishing fearful behavior
Cowering, raised hackles, flattened ears, tucked tails and growling are all signs that our pup is not comfortable in a particular situation. What they need at these times is to be calmly and quietly removed from the upsetting stimulus. Yelling and over-assertiveness on our part will only escalate the situation. Fearful behavior can often be mistaken for aggression in dogs and vice versa, so if this is an issue we are dealing with, contact a professional trainer.
4. Being Inconsistent With The Rules
We are probably all guilty of this from time to time. It doesn’t matter whether we have one household rule for our dog or fifty. What matters is remaining consistent. If sleeping on the furniture is a no-no, don’t decide to let our pup snuggle on the bed while we’re sick, then punish him the next day when he hops up for a nap! The same goes for leash-pulling, begging and jumping up.
5. Segregation From The Pack
MOST IMPORTANTLY TO KNOW is that our dog will be hurt most by keeping him away from his family. Remember, we are his whole world! Some owners are unable or unwilling to provide the necessary training that dogs need in order to understand what is expected of them. These misunderstood pups are labeled “bad” and isolated to a kennel or backyard – possibly even abandoned.
Our precious pups want to make us happy. More than treats or toys, they crave our love and approval. If anyone is having trouble with our dog’s behavior, we must be responsible and attentive. We MUST seek professional help from our veterinarians or an experienced dog trainer.