3 Things Humans Do That Dogs Do NOT Enjoy

While we often like to think that our dogs love everything we do, there are some common human behaviors that dogs do NOT enjoy. And while these things may not be “make or break” for your relationship with your dog, it’s important to try and keep your interactions with your pup as positive as possible. Another note. If you are currently doing any of these 3 things, that is okay! My main goal is to just help you be aware that it may potentially be something your dog doesn’t enjoy. #1- Hugging While the temptation to give our dogs a big bear hug can be strong, it may not be the best decision. Many dogs can be uncomfortable about having people in their personal space. Especially when that involves people being near and around their face. So going up to a dog and giving them a hug around the neck/chest area can be concerning for them, especially if they feel trapped. When a dog gets put into a situation where they don’t feel in control of their ability to move, it can lead to very negative situations.  If you’re still wanting to hug your dog, be very aware of their body language. Is your dog trying to pull away? Is your dog moving their head away from yours? Is your dog licking their lips? Is your dog giving you whale eye (or side-eye)? Is your dog stiffening up, especially on his/her tail? All of those dog body language signals can be signs that your dog is uncomfortable with the current situation. #2- Not Letting Them Sniff Think of your favorite store to go for some leisurely shopping (Nordstrom Rack anyone?)...  You’re excited to see what’s on sale, what is available in your size, and you’ve been hoping to find some nice dress shoes. As you round the corner and see a nice pair of heels you tell your friend you’re with, ‘Oh, I’d love to check those out!’. You both walk close and as you flip them over to check out the price, your friend yanks you away from the beloved shoes. Now, repeat that about 57 times. I can imagine you’d very quickly want your friend to leave so you could enjoy some shopping. Are you doing that to your dog? When we go on walks with our pups it’s an opportunity to not only let them go potty but also to sniff and explore the world! Going out for a walk is a lot like you heading to your favorite department store to shop. There are a lot of items they’re looking to check out, but if they get yanked away as soon as they’re checking it out they’ll probably get frustrated! It’s like letting them look at a nice pair of shoes but not check out the price tag.  And while there are times that our walks are more rushed, try your best to give your dog ample opportunities to sniff and take in the world around them. Our dog’s noses are how they learn and explore. Let them shop! ;) #3- Dressing Them Up While we do have articles on our site about costume ideas for your dog, that doesn’t mean every dog will love it! Some dogs truly hate the experience of being dressed up. That can include jackets, costumes, booties, hats, and any other arrangement of human-concocted accessories. For some dogs, the feeling of being constricted in a jacket or booties can be a serious mental hangup for them. So, just like with all things that may be uncomfortable for your pup, start slow!  Work on desensitizing your pup to any clothes you may want them to wear. And if your dog gets uncomfortable, don’t continue. Again, keep an eye on your pup’s body language and look out for things like yawning, lip licking, moving their body away from yours, etc.