Annoyance is the feeling of being irritated and slightly angry. We get annoyed with loud chewers, people who cut lines, and when our coworkers stink up the office by microwaving their leftover fish for lunch. But are our canine counterparts capable of becoming annoyed? Absolutely, and, unfortunately, we are often the reason behind our dog’s irritation. Read on to learn more about why dogs get annoyed and what you can do to keep the peace.
The 10 Things Humans Do That Annoy Dogs
As much as we would all love to think that our dogs only look at us with stars in our eyes, we definitely do partake in some behaviors that our pups would rather we didn’t. Below is a list of some of the common things we do that bother our dogs:
1. Staring at Them
Staring into your dog’s eyes can release oxytocin—the feel-good hormone—and boost your bond. However, not all pups enjoy direct eye contact, and many will interpret staring as a challenge, making them feel threatened or uneasy.
2. Hugging Them
Dogs don’t hug one another to show affection, so they may not interpret your embrace as such. In fact, putting your arms around your dog’s body or neck can be perceived as a threat. If your dog doesn’t relax into a hug, stays rigid, or tries to move away, they’re telling you that they aren’t into the embrace and you should respect their wishes. This is particularly important when kids are involved, as an ill-received hug can be dangerous.
3. Teasing Them
Almost all of us are guilty of fake throwing a ball to watch our dog’s reaction. While this type of teasing seems harmless and funny to us, it can be highly aggravating for our dogs. They don’t understand the concept of teasing and want to enjoy playing with you. The occasional ‘misdirection’ can be great to get your dog’s mind working, but it’s not nice to tease them.
4. Not Giving Them Space
Dogs enjoy having their own space and not having their “bubble” invaded by humans or other animals. This is one area where crates can be a wonderful addition to your home, as it enables your dog to have some ‘me-time’ when needed.
5. Not Allowing Sniffing or Exploring
Dogs use their powerful sniffers to interpret the world around them, and if you’re not allowing yours to sniff at their surroundings during walks, there’s a good chance they’ll be less than pleased with you.
Spending time outside allows your pup to engage with their environment more than if they were cooped up inside your house. When you take them for walks, they’re likely bursting with energy and ready to socialize with you and other dogs. So, if you rush through this time they look forward to so much, you’re not only annoying them but doing them a disservice. Something to keep in mind is that it’s their walk, not ours.
6. Not Sticking to a Routine
Dogs are creatures of habit, and they find comfort in having a routine to look forward to. If you feed them at inconsistent intervals and don’t give them potty breaks on a pretty predictable schedule, they can become not only annoyed, but stressed and anxious, too.
7. Yelling
No one, be it dogs, cats, or humans, enjoys being yelled at. Your dog doesn’t understand the words you’re screaming at them but can pick up on your emotional tone with no problem. Yelling can be extremely upsetting and even scary for dogs, and it actually doesn’t work as a deterrent anyway. You’re far better off employing positive reinforcement techniques than harsh punishments like yelling.
8. Not Getting Attention
Dogs are social creatures who generally thrive on human companionship. Not giving your pup the attention they desire can result in separation anxiety and problem behaviors.
9. Giving Too Much Attention
While most pups enjoy getting attention from their humans, this isn’t the case for all dogs. Some are more independent and prefer being alone versus snuggling with their humans all day. Spend as much time with your pup as they need without suffocating them.
10. Forcing Them Into Uncomfortable Situations
Most dog owners know when their pup doesn’t want to do something. They’ll put on the brakes and refuse to go along with whatever it is you’re trying to get them to do. If you force them to go ahead with your planned activity, you could not only be annoying them but harming the relationship you have with them, too. Never force your dog into a scary situation. Instead, gradually ease them into the situation by slowly increasing their exposure to the trigger.
Can Dogs Annoy One Another?
Dogs can absolutely annoy one another. For example, an overenthusiastic puppy that hasn’t been trained or socialized well can absolutely drive older dogs bonkers with their jumping, licking, and overwhelming presence.
If your dog is the annoying one, consider stepping up your training and socialization. Consistent training is essential for your pup to grow into a well-rounded and well-behaved adult.
If your pup is the one getting annoyed by other dogs, you might consider removing them from the situation before it escalates.
An essential part of socializing puppies is for them to learn how not to annoy other dogs. Adults tend to be more tolerant and forgiving of puppies, and will tell them off with a strong warning rather than a bite. But if young dogs aren’t given the opportunity to learn this lesson when they are young, they may find themselves being snapped at, or worse, by an annoyed canine.
Signs Your Dog Is Annoyed
A dog’s mood is pretty easy to read once you know what you’re looking for. Your pup will let you know they’re annoyed with you or other dogs by exhibiting the following signs:
- Rolling their eyes at you
- Giving you the side eye
- Flattening their ears
- Walking away from you
- Lip licking
- Tucking their tail
- Yawning excessively
- Averting their gaze
- Growling
Final Thoughts
Dogs can absolutely become annoyed with humans and other dogs.
Unfortunately, there are many reasons your pet may be annoyed with you, so figuring out what you’re doing that’s bugging your pup can be a bit of a challenge. However, it’s more than worth the effort to bring peacefulness back into your pet’s life. Responsible dog owners take the time to work out what it is that’s bothering their pup and do everything they can to reduce their dog’s exposure to that trigger.
Featured Image Credit: Piotr Wawrzyniuk, Shutterstock