Even though you think that you treat your dog like a king or a queen, your pet actually has a different opinion about it. Of course, they need your love, good food, play time and so on, but there are some habits that annoy them so you should stop doing them, otherwise, you risk stressing out your beloved furry friend.  

In fact, people tend to treat their pets the way they would treat their children, and unfortunately, this is a common mistake that every pet owner makes, according to animal experts. However, it’s important to remember that your pet has natural instincts that can sometimes be dangerous. They also have their own unique personality traits and we need to protect their naturalness to avoid canine stress. 

“As much as we hate it, dogs are just not human. They’re devoted, so they’ll tolerate a lot of human weirdness, but they have very different needs physically and emotionally,” says Leslie Brown, DVM, a veterinarian based in Marietta, Georgia.

So, here are some things that you do, that REALLY annoy your dog. Read on for more info!

You hug them

People tend to hug their pets to show them how much they love them, but this is only a common mistake that should be stopped, especially because dogs don’t like to be hugged. 

“Most dogs just hate to be hugged. It can produce a lot of anxiety in some dogs. [You should] offer contact, not a constraint. If your dog leans into you, she’s OK with it. If she struggles, let her go,” explained Dr. Brown.

Hence, the explanation is that dogs are created for swift running, which means that in times of threat (or they are simply stressed or annoyed by other factors around them) their first instinct is to run away, not to use their teeth. So, if you hug your dog, especially when they are stressed, your dog may think that you are immobilizing them and their level of stress increases, so they can bite you.

This is why it’s recommended to train your dog and educate your children to stay away from hugging your dog. Even if you know your dog well, it doesn’t mean they don’t have natural instincts that can be unpredictable.

You trim their nails

Many pet owners don’t know this, but most dogs don’t like the process of having their nails trimmed. According to Nori Warren, DVM, a veterinarian at Four Paws Animal Clinic in Columbia, South Carolina, “dogs can’t stand getting their nails clipped, their ears checked, and their mouths examined. But you’ve just got to do it. Overgrown nails can be painful, and checking your dog’s ears regularly could catch an ear infection before it gets out of control.”

Nevertheless, you can transform this dramatic habit into a positive experience if you offer them treats or start this process from a younger age. Of course, there are a lot of techniques and tools that can help you trim your dog’s nails, but you should allow a professional to do this work. If you don’t cut your dog’s nails correctly, the claw will bleed and your dog will experience severe pain. 

So, try to cut the claw to within 2 mm of the quick – but you should keep in mind that the quick is not visible in dark-colored dogs, so in this case, you should cut the dark claws in several small parts.

You walk your dog when it’s too hot outside

If you think that it’s a good idea to walk your dog on a really hot day, you should change your mind, because that’s not a good idea. Of course, you need to meet their needs, but you should walk them early in the morning or in the cool evening. 

Walking your dog when it’s too hot outside is not only bad for their internal organs, but also for their paws. Some dogs can suffer severe burns on their paws.

“Dogs cool themselves by panting, but it’s really not efficient, particularly in hot, humid weather,” said Gary Yarnell, DVM, a veterinarian with Rye Harrison Veterinary Hospital in Rye, New York. “Moving your walks and runs to early morning or late afternoon will allow your dog to safely exercise all year long.”

You allow your dog to pull on the leash

We all walk our dogs on a leash when we go to the park, right? Although it seems easy to get your dog to walk on a leash, many people don’t know that they shouldn’t let their dogs pull on the leash. This technique requires a lot of work and research. You need to control your dog because they don’t know how to walk politely on a leash. 

According to Fred Zorn, a New Jersey-based dog trainer and creator of the kids’ video dog-training series Pipe Cleaner Pups, “when your dog pulls on the leash, it means she’s paying attention to something other than you. Your goal is to teach the dog to want to stay with you. That way, the leash goes from being a means of control to a way to communicate.”

You don’t set boundaries

If you still like to treat your dogs like your own children, you should also set certain boundaries that they should not violate. If you set some boundaries, your pets will be safer especially when they are home alone for long.

According to Melony Phillips, a certified professional dog trainer and the owner of Delightful Dog in Marietta, Georgia, “boundaries keep your dog safe. Let your dog drag a six-foot-long leash around the house; when she strays into an area you don’t want her to go, step on the leash. When she stops to look back at you, offer a reward and redirect her. Just don’t tug on the leash—it’s for teaching, not controlling. When you’re not around, set her up for success by blocking access to areas where she’s not allowed.”

You play the same game over and over again

Of course, we don’t want you to completely forget about the game of chasing the ball (and your dog probably doesn’t want that either) but it is recommended that you sometimes opt for other types of activities that can stimulate both their mind and body. Playing the same game over and over again will annoy (and bore) your beloved furry friend. 

“Dogs love tug-of-war, and it has no connection to aggression, especially if you alternate who wins. If teeth or nails ever touch your skin, game over. They learn really quickly not to go too far,” says Meaghan Ropski, DVM, veterinarian and clinical behavior resident with the Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Fairfax, Virginia.

Phillips recommends playing the game “Automatic Check-In” which involves offering a treat to her dogs when they look at her without being asked. “The more your dog looks at you, the more you can ask him to do,” Philips added.

You try to find new friends for them

If you walk your dog in the same park where your friends walk their dogs too, it doesn’t mean that your dogs should be friends, so don’t force them to be friendly with each other. Your responsibility is to make your dog feel comfortable and happy because otherwise, they risk developing canine stress and it can adversely affect their overall health.  

In fact, “not every dog is a social butterfly. But there are different levels of confidence. Some dogs might do fine with one other dog but feel anxious in a group. Whatever you do, don’t force your dog to stay in an uncomfortable situation. Scared dogs can become aggressive,” said Dr. Ropski.

You are not consistent

It’s quite difficult and frustrating for your dog to understand everything you want to say, so try to use the same verbal and nonverbal language to avoid confusion. 

“Our animals appreciate consistency because it creates that vital association between a situation and how you want your dog to react. Changing the word you use, such as down when you mean off, is confusing to your dog,” said Dr. Ropski. 

In addition, you can schedule your activities at the same time every day. “That way, your dog will not expect playtime while you’re trying to work,” Dr. Ropski added.

You don’t diversify the training places

The truth is that pet owners tend to train their dogs only at home, but according to animal experts, this is another mistake that you should stop making. Your dog needs diversity when it comes to training sessions, so you should help them get acquainted with different places and in different situations, not just at home.

“People will tend to practice at certain times and in certain areas, and this makes a dog very good in those areas at those times. You need to work toward your goal of, say, going to the store in small steps, such as working with her in the parking lot on a quiet day,” Explained Phillips. 

“If she does well, go to the next level. If she gets too excited and won’t listen, it just means you’re moving too fast. Keep working, giving treats for good behavior, and she’ll get there eventually,” she continued.

You don’t focus on their body language

Canine body language is as important as the verbal one. If you see your dog crying, you know that they probably want to go for a walk or are just hungry, but this information may be incomplete if you don’t focus on their body language as well.

In general, “dogs speak with their bodies. Getting to know your dog and her unique language is vital to understanding her, advocating for her, and keeping her stress level low,” explains Dr. Brown.

“Keeping a close eye on how your dog responds to various situations will help you decipher her language and could help you head off a potential issue. Key areas to watch include your dog’s tail, eyes, ears, and posture,” Brown added.

You don’t play with them

Before adopting a pet, it’s important to know that they require some essential things, such as time spent together, affection, good food, care and so on. It’s perfectly normal not to always have the time or energy to play with your dog, but you should try your best to make them feel happy, relaxed and loved as often as possible. 

“Dogs are social and need more than food and shelter. One day your dog feels like she’s part of the family, and the next that she’s been kicked out. It can be very painful and may cause her to act out,” explained Dr. Yarnell.

You pat their head 

Unfortunately, we all tend to pat our pet on the head as a sign of affection or greeting, right? According to animal experts, this is a common mistake that people shouldn’t make. If you pat your dog’s head, they may perceive this action as threatening behavior. 

“That downward gesture is really tough for a lot of dogs, especially if they’ve been abused. Signs of being head shy include closing their eyes, ducking, or swaying away from your hand. If you see any of those behaviors, go for under the chest, then work your way up to scratch behind the ears. [Check their head and ears because] she may have developed an ear infection or have a toothache,” explained Dr. Warren.

You don’t choose their toys wisely

If you are going to leave your dog unattended for a few hours, you need to make sure that they have the right toys around them, otherwise, they risk injuring their teeth or swallowing various pieces of those toys. 

You should try to avoid tennis balls, because “they’re great for tossing around, but allowing a dog to gnaw on a tennis ball for hours on end will eventually wear the enamel off her teeth. The fuzz is like a Brillo pad. Depending on the size of your dog, use a racquetball or even a lacrosse ball,” said Dr. Brown. 

“A dog’s jaws are incredibly strong and can easily shatter cooked bones, antlers, and pigs ears,” she cautions. “The result can be broken teeth, cut gums, or a choking hazard.”