Dogs notice everything—from the tone of your voice to the smallest change in your routine—and they never stop observing. But while they excel at understanding us, we often misread or overlook the signals they send. Some of our most common habits, even ones rooted in love, can unintentionally stress them out.
The bond between humans and dogs runs deep, yet there’s still so much to learn about how they perceive our actions. These 15 everyday behaviors might seem harmless to us, but your dog likely wishes you’d quit doing them for good.
1. Hugging
Physical embraces might be a natural way for humans to show affection, but for dogs, a tight squeeze around their body or neck can feel threatening and restrictive. Many dogs merely tolerate hugs from their trusted humans, but this doesn’t mean they enjoy them.
Studies have shown that dogs display signs of stress and anxiety when being hugged, including turning their heads away, showing whale eyes (where you can see the whites of their eyes), and tensing their bodies. (ref) This is particularly true when strangers attempt to hug them, as it can trigger their fight-or-flight response.
2. Getting in Their Face
Putting your face close to a dog’s face or hovering over them might seem like a friendly gesture to us, but it’s actually quite threatening from a canine perspective. This kind of close facial contact can make dogs feel cornered and uncomfortable.
Even the gentlest dogs may react negatively to face-to-face contact, especially from strangers. This behavior is particularly risky with children who naturally want to get close to dogs, making it essential to teach proper interaction techniques.
3. Yelling or Harsh Punishment
Dogs don’t understand the concept of verbal punishment, and raising your voice only creates fear and anxiety. When humans yell, dogs often become more agitated or shut down completely.
Using harsh punishment techniques can damage the trust between you and your dog, leading to behavioral issues and a strained relationship. Instead, positive reinforcement has been proven to be much more effective in training and behavioral modification.
4. Disrupting Their Routine
Dogs thrive on consistency and predictable patterns in their daily lives. Sudden changes to their feeding, walking, or sleeping schedules can cause stress and anxiety.
Creating chaos in their structured environment can lead to behavioral issues and make them feel insecure. Dogs rely on routine to understand their world and feel safe within it.
5. Forcing Social Interactions
Not every dog wants to be a social butterfly, and forcing them into uncomfortable situations with other dogs or people can be extremely stressful. Each dog has their own personality and comfort level with social interactions.
Pushing a dog into unwanted encounters can lead to fear-based behaviors and potential aggression. It’s crucial to respect their boundaries and allow them to approach new situations at their own pace.
6. Restricting Sniffing during Walks
Walking your dog isn’t just about exercise – it’s their chance to explore the world through their most powerful sense. Constantly pulling them away from interesting scents can be frustrating for them.
Dogs gather crucial information about their environment through sniffing, and it’s a vital part of their mental stimulation. Allowing them time to investigate smells during walks helps satisfy their natural instincts.
7. Using Excessive Baby Talk
While dogs respond to our tone of voice, constant high-pitched baby talk can be overwhelming and confusing for them. They rely more on body language and consistent commands for communication.
Clear, calm communication is more effective than exaggerated vocals. Dogs appreciate a balanced approach to verbal interaction that doesn’t overwhelm their sensitive hearing.
8. Dressing Them Up
While those puppy costumes might look adorable to us, many dogs find clothing restrictive and uncomfortable. Wearing outfits can limit their natural movement and ability to communicate through body language.
Unless necessary for warmth or medical reasons, forcing dogs to wear clothing can cause stress and discomfort. Pay attention to signs of distress when dressing your dog.
9. Staring Directly into Their Eyes
Direct eye contact is considered a challenge or threat in dog language. While some dogs may tolerate it from their owners, prolonged staring can make them extremely uncomfortable.
Instead of direct eye contact, try soft glances and indirect looks to show affection. This respects their natural communication style and helps avoid potential confrontations.
10. Ignoring Their Body Language
Dogs communicate primarily through body language, and failing to read or respect these signals can lead to misunderstandings. Understanding their subtle cues is crucial for maintaining trust.
When we miss or ignore their signs of discomfort, we risk pushing them past their comfort zones. Learning to read dog body language is essential for any dog owner.
11. Overstimulation with Toys
While toys are important for enrichment, bombarding dogs with too many options or noisy gadgets can lead to stress and anxiety. Dogs prefer quality interaction over quantity of toys.
Simple, focused playtime with a few favorite toys is often more rewarding than an overwhelming array of options. This helps maintain their attention and prevents overstimulation.
12. Lack of Mental Stimulation
Dogs need both physical and mental exercise to stay happy and healthy. Simply providing walks without engaging their minds can lead to boredom and destructive behavior.
Interactive games, training sessions, and puzzle toys help keep their minds sharp and satisfied. Mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise for a well-balanced dog.
13. Inconsistent Rules
Changing the rules or having different family members enforce different boundaries can confuse and frustrate dogs. They thrive on clear, consistent expectations.
When rules are inconsistent, dogs struggle to understand what’s expected of them, leading to anxiety and behavioral issues. Maintaining household consistency is key to their well-being.
14. Rushing Greetings
Many people rush to pet or greet dogs without allowing them time to assess the situation. This can be overwhelming and potentially threatening from a dog’s perspective.
Allowing dogs to approach at their own pace and choose whether to interact creates positive social experiences. This respect for their space builds trust and confidence.
15. Leaving Them Alone Too Long
While some dogs cope better with solitude than others, excessive alone time can lead to anxiety and depression. Dogs are social animals who need regular interaction and companionship.
Extended periods of isolation can result in destructive behaviors and emotional distress. Regular interaction, exercise, and companionship are essential for their emotional well-being.
Understanding and respecting our dogs’ boundaries isn’t just about making them more comfortable—it’s about building a stronger, more trusting relationship with our four-legged companions.
By being mindful of these behaviors that cause our dogs stress or anxiety, we can create a more harmonious household and deepen our bond with them.
Source:
Read Next:
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.