In our efforts to express love to our four-legged family members, we sometimes forget that they are not actually people, but animals, and instead of the positive emotion we think we are conveying to them by kissing, cuddling, or petting them, we are actually causing them stress and discomfort.
Here are the five things we recommend you not do with your pets.
1. Kisses on their nose and muzzle.
In humans, a kiss is a sign of affection and love, but that doesn't mean our puppies understand this gesture in the same way. Discomfort in a dog most often occurs when you grab his muzzle to touch his nose or forehead with your mouth. Even the most playful and cheerful puppies in this situation often lower their heads in a sign of disagreement with the action taken towards him. Many dog bites are the result of this exact situation. It is especially important for parents to teach children early on not to do this.
2. Sharing personal belongings with our dogs.
From a young age, people are taught to share their belongings with others, and this is even considered a sign of good upbringing. But this is far from the case with puppies. Our beloved four-legged friends are quite territorial and like to have things that belong only to them.
So you might think it's cute to "give away" your stuffed animal, or "borrow" your dog's favorite chew toy - and they might let you do it because you're the boss - but it makes them feel very upset, as they don't have the obligation to share everything with others.
3. Surprise party for your dog's birthday.
Did you know that dogs have no concept of time like humans? Let alone when their birthday is? Such a party will bring nothing but stress to the animal. Even if you have prepared a huge pate cake or other type of treat, there is a possibility that the animal will become so stressed that it will not even want to eat the otherwise appetizing treat that you have prepared for it. Dogs love their routine and really do not like changes in schedule, especially surprising ones. Therefore, the best gift you can give your pet is to keep their schedule consistent: wake up at the same time to take them out, feed them at the same time and keep their exercise routine consistent.
4. Forced befriending of other dogs and everyone around them.
Your calm, friendly pup may not be as keen on street meet-and-greets as you think. While your dog may adore your affection, he may not be as keen when it comes to others. He may do it to please you, but if he shows any signs of discomfort, don't insist. It's important to respect your dog's wishes and give him space if he doesn't seem interested in saying "hello" to unfamiliar people or dogs.
Patting their heads.
You can pat your dog on the head, but that's only because they love you and recognize you as responsible. For the most part, dogs really don't like being patted on the head. To a dog, a pat on the head is a somewhat rude and threatening gesture, especially when the person is standing over the dog, as most do. Dogs prefer it if you crouch down to their level and let them come to you. And if you're petting a dog, opt for a chin or chest scratch instead of a pat on the head.
5. Speak to them in “their language.”
Dogs don't understand "speech." Just because you turn up the volume doesn't mean the dog understands the words. And yelling at them to calm them down doesn't work. In fact, your dog may even become more anxious or stressed because they'll think you're trying to play a barking game. Instead, figure out what your dog is really trying to say with all that barking, along with the other sounds they're making.