Things Dogs Hate Owners Doing

1 Overview

1. Hugging the dog

We hug what we love, but to a dog a hug means being dominated – it resents it.

2. No sniffing and exploring on walks

On walks dogs ‘see’ with their noses, learning the world as we do with eyes.

So give them time to sniff and explore; do not cruelly take that away.

3. Touching the face or patting the head

A dog that accepts you as boss lets you touch its face and head; a stranger sees it duck away. Normal petting is along the back or rear, not patting. To reward good behavior, touch near the tail base, not the face.

4. Tight leash

Dogs read body language; leash tension tells them you are tense. A loose leash says you are calm and in control, so the dog stays peaceful.

5. Being teased

Do not bark like a dog near them, wave at barking dogs from doors, or pull their tail.

Do not do things that drive your dog crazy just for fun, or it can end badly.