20 Human Behaviors that Dogs Hate the Most

Owning a dog is one of the best things in the world, but it does come with its challenges and learning curves. Your dog is way more than just a pet; they’re a family member whose life you are responsible for. Dogs have their own likes, dislikes, and fears, just like people. Your dog may often tolerate human behavior because they are easy-going and loyal, but you should do your best to understand their preferences. In this video, we’ll discuss the top 20 human behaviors that dogs hate.

Poorly Timed Walks
Unlike humans, dogs don’t sweat. Your dog has some sweat glands in their paws, but those do little to regulate their body temperature. Your dog’s primary cooling mechanism is panting. Sometimes when it’s very hot outside, panting isn’t enough to keep them from overheating. Pay attention to the weather outside. If it’s too hot, a walk may not be a good idea. Often when it’s very sunny, the pavement could be scorching hot and hurt your dog’s paws. During the hot summer months, keep your walks to early mornings or evenings when it is cooler. Make sure your dog has sufficient shade and plenty of water to drink or play in. You also don’t want to walk your dog when it’s too cold. Walking your dog through the snow can be tiring for them. Your dog could also get snow stuck between their toes, making it painful for them to walk.
Strong fragrances in your home
Your dog has an incredible sense of smell, which means many scents you barely notice may be very strong to them. In general, your dog will enjoy taking in all types of smells and odors. However, strong fragrances and chemicals like perfumes, vinegar, ammonia-based cleaning products, citrus, incense, and chili peppers are smells that may irritate your dog’s nose. As a rule, avoid directly spraying your dog. If you need to apply a medical spray to your dog, avoid their face, or spray it onto a cloth and apply it to them that way. When you use your own products like hairspray, perfume, or air fresheners, do so away from your dog. Make sure none of your products are toxic.
Interruptions at dinner time
If someone kept touching or interrupting you during your dinner time, you’d get annoyed. When your dog is eating, respect their space and let them enjoy their food. For your dog, dinner time is a blissful experience so leave them to be happy in that moment. Once you’ve dished up their food, put their bowl down in a low traffic area and tell all your family members to let your dog eat in peace.
Rough play from children
Children can be impulsive and unpredictable. They can often agitate or irritate your dog, especially if your dog is not used to unpredictable and energetic behavior. Kids may pull on your dog’s ears or tail, poke their eyes or try to ride a big dog. Before you have kids over to your house, ask their parents to explain that dogs are not toys or play-things and should be treated with respect.
Teasing with treats
It may seem like fun and games from your perspective, and your dog may seem to enjoy the teasing. However, treats should be used as a reward, not a way to trick or tease your furry friend. If you want to have fun with your dog, rather use one of their favorite toys and leave the treats for good behavior.
Extended Isolation
As much as you would probably like to spend all day at home snuggling your dog, you may have commitments to work and social engagements. While it is understandable to leave your dog alone sometimes, leaving them alone at home for extended periods of time can cause behavioral issues. Your dog may develop separation anxiety and become extremely bored. If you are away for longer periods of time during the day, ask a friend or dog sitter to check in on your furry friend and take them for a walk. If that’s not possible, consider a doggy-day-care.