You love your dog—but are you accidentally stressing them out? I found this out the hard way when my pup started giving me the side-eye every time I tried a “fun” trick I thought they’d enjoy.
According to a 2023 study on animals, 63% of dog owners misread their pet’s emotional cues. A 2024 dog trust survey further found that over 62% of dogs actively avoid certain human habits. That means a lot of the things we think are harmless—or even playful—can actually annoy or stress our furry friends.
It doesn’t make you a bad owner; it just shows that dogs have their own preferences and boundaries. Let’s go through 10 things people do that, honestly, your dog probably hates—and how to avoid making your best friend cringe.
Not letting them sniff on walks
A walk for a dog is like scrolling through social media for us. They’re catching up on all the local gossip by sniffing every tree, bush, and fire hydrant.
Dogs have up to 300 million scent receptors (compared to our 5 million), making sniffing their most potent tool for understanding their environment.
Rushing them along without giving them time to sniff is like yanking their phone away mid-scroll. It’s how they explore and understand their world, so let them have their sniffing time. It makes the walk so much more enriching for them.
Staring intensely into their eyes
I know, you’re just trying to have a soulful moment with your pup, gazing into those big, brown eyes. But in the dog world, a long, hard stare is basically a challenge. It can feel intimidating or even aggressive to them.
Instead of a staring contest, try soft, gentle glances or a slow blink. It’s the dog-approved way of saying, “i love you” without accidentally starting a fight.
Giving super tight hugs
Who doesn’t love hugging their dog? Well, your dog, maybe. Some dogs learn to tolerate it, but most feel trapped and anxious when they’re squeezed tightly. Unlike us primates, dogs don’t use their front legs to embrace.
Being restricted can trigger their fight-or-flight instinct. A better way to show affection is with a nice chest or butt scratch—they’ll appreciate it way more.
Invading their personal space
Your dog might seem like your shadow, but they still value their own personal space, especially when eating or chewing on a favorite toy. Hovering over them or trying to get involved can make them feel defensive or stressed.
Give them some room to enjoy their stuff in peace. It shows them you respect their boundaries.
Using words more than body language
We love to chat with our dogs, telling them all about our day. But honestly? They’re probably just picking up on your tone and body language.
Dogs are masters at reading physical cues, but they can’t actually understand the complex sentences we’re throwing at them. To communicate effectively, focus on maintaining clear body language and a consistent tone of voice.
Interrupting their sleep
Would you like it if someone randomly woke you up from a deep sleep just for fun? Yeah, probably not. Just like us, dogs need their uninterrupted rest to stay healthy and happy.
The old saying, “let sleeping dogs lie,” is solid advice. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, let them snooze. A well-rested dog is a happy dog.
Changing the routine constantly
Dogs are creatures of habit. They thrive on a predictable schedule for meals, walks, and bedtime. A 2024 randomized controlled trial of 240 dogs found that those receiving 60 minutes or more of structured daily exercise showed a 45% reduction in anxiety symptoms.
Constantly changing the routine can make them feel anxious and insecure because they are unsure of what to expect. Of course, life happens, but trying to stick to a consistent schedule as much as possible helps them feel safe and secure.
Teasing them
What might seem like a harmless joke to you can be incredibly frustrating for your dog. Things like pretending to throw a ball, barking at them, or pulling their tail can cause anxiety and even lead to behavioral problems.
Play should be fun for everyone involved. Stick to games where you both have a good time, like a good old-fashioned game of fetch (for real this time).
Yelling or using harsh punishment
No one likes being yelled at, and that includes your dog. Using a loud, angry voice or harsh physical punishment doesn’t teach them what to do; it just teaches them to be afraid of you.
This can damage your bond and lead to anxiety. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement. Rewarding good behavior is a much more effective and humane way to train your dog.
Exposing them to strong smells
A dog’s sense of smell is thousands of times more powerful than ours. Their olfactory cortex—the brain region responsible for processing smells—is proportionally about 40 times larger than that of humans, relative to overall brain size.
That new perfume you love or the strong-smelling cleaning products you use can be entirely overwhelming for their sensitive noses. When using products with strong scents, ensure the area is well-ventilated and your dog has a safe place to escape.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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