40 Common Human Behaviors That Actually Really Confuse Dogs
Communicating with dogs is a tricky business. "Dogs aren't humans with fur," said veterinarian Sarah Ochoa. "They're going to roll in the mud and do things that normal dogs do." We can't expect them to pick up on subtle human cues or inconsistent rules based on contextual situations; we have to meet them halfway and learn which of our own behaviors are hard for them to understand. Dog owners who avoid confusing their pets with these common moves will have a much simpler time training their canines — and have much happier dogs, too!
40. Dealing With Stress
When thunder is shaking the house and our dog is scared, we might leap to their protection, cradling them and whispering positive phrases. This could be confusing! "You can actually make your dog think it's good to be scared if you pet them and say 'good boy,'" veterinarian Heather Venkat. "You're actually encouraging fearful behavior through sweet talk and petting."
39. Command, Reward, And Repeat
If dogs could speak, all this would be so much easier. While our sci-fi fantasies await to be realized, we have to be mindful of how we command our pooches. "When training your dog," said veterinarian Sarah Ochoa, "try to stick to the same keywords. It can be puzzling for a dog when you ask them to 'go potty' one day and 'go pee' the next day."
38. Change In The Air
Canines are all about the smell. They don't just sniff butts and junk on the side of the road for fun (well, okay, it's a little fun for them). Scents help them understand the world, so if we change up how we smell too often — a new perfume, a change of coats — we may end up confusing our buddies.
37. Not So-Loving Hugs
We love our doggos no matter what, so of course we want to hug them to share our affection! Be careful, though: While some dogs feel secure in a loving embrace, others feel trapped or uncomfortable. Make sure you understand your dog's feelings on hugs before squeezing 'em tight.
