Does your dog look at you in surprise when you sing or run away when you sweep? If these everyday gestures seem ordinary to us humans, for a dog, it can be confusing.
Humans and dogs do not perceive the world in the same way: we reason through logic, concepts and explanations, they base themselves on observation, their past experiences and the associations established on them. This is why our behavior as humans can sometimes destabilize them, even inconvenience them or provoke unexpected reactions.
Here are 17 human behaviors that destabilize your dog.
1. Force him to physically interact with himself or others
Even though dogs can adapt to us and are tolerant, insisting on cuddling them or forcing them to go towards someone or something they don't like can frighten them and risk harming your relationship.
2. Not focusing your attention on him all the time
A dog can be destabilized when his owner is not only focused on him, but on something else (phone, computer, etc.).
3. Scolding him for something stupid that happened a while ago
Aside from the fact that scolding a dog can harm your relationship with him, doing it when the offense happened a while ago is counterproductive. The dog will not understand the object of your anger since the reaction is not immediate. There is a very short period of time of about 10 seconds between the offense and the moment when he is able to understand his mistake. If you don't catch him in the act, there's no point in scolding him, otherwise you'll scare him.
4. Turn a game into a tease
Taking an object belonging to the dog while playing with him can cause him to develop possessive aggressive or resource-protective behavior. Playing to steal his favorite toy or treats, if there is no reward behind it or replacement object, should therefore be avoided.
5. He follows you into the kitchen
The multitude of smells and noises there are confusing to a curious dog. Plus, letting him follow you there all the time runs the risk of him swallowing something he shouldn't.
6. Music
If certain music seems to calm dogs, it can also disturb them, even inconvenience them, disorient them or excite them.
7. He follows you into the bathroom
Watching us take a shower or a bath may seem strange to him, who is not used to this and who may even hate it.
8. He surprises you in an intimate moment
Who has never caught their dog staring at them almost frighteningly while they are in the middle of a romantic moment with their partner? A simple hug or a more intimate moment may undoubtedly seem curious, from his point of view.
9. Saying something to him when your body language says the opposite
Having clear and consistent communication is one of the golden rules when training a dog. In addition, within the same household, all members of the family must use the same verbal signals and identical gestures.
10. Petting your dog without consent
Consent is not only a concept to be applied between human beings. It is also fundamental for your relationship with your dog. Therefore, if your dog seems tired of your caresses, do not force him.
11. Punish him
Yelling, getting angry or hitting your dog is ineffective, even dangerous for your relationship with him. Using positive reinforcement by praising good behavior is much more effective. Punishing him must remain occasional and really be understood by your dog.
12. Sanction your warning signals, without trying to understand them
Likewise, punishing warning signals in the event of fear, stress or anxiety, such as showing its fangs for example, without understanding this behavior is confusing for the animal who will try to make you see its discomfort differently. Never ignore warning signs.
13. Some of our actions
Behaviors that we have in common, such as a sneeze or a burp, can surprise or even frighten your dog, because he is not expecting it.
14. Changes in smell or appearance
We put on perfume, dress up in new outfits, change our hair at the hairdresser or put on makeup, but all this can destabilize a dog who is used to our usual appearance and smell.
15. Watching us leave for work
For some more sensitive dogs, seeing us leave for work can cause them separation anxiety and distress. They don't know why we are leaving and don't know the difference between “going to work” and “leaving for good”.
16. Clean the house
The vacuum cleaner, the mop, the broom are objects that can disrupt your daily life. The noise and repetitive movements are confusing for a dog who will often prefer to isolate himself to avoid this disturbance.
17. Jokes
Dogs are not capable of thinking like us and therefore do not understand jokes, teasing or sarcasm the same way we do. They will therefore not be able to discern the difference between the truth and the joke.