A Harvard psychologist claims that when dogs dream, they may be replicating their experiences with humans. Their yelps and movements while sleeping are probably their reactions to either making us happy or upset in their dream state.
Dogs’ entire lives depend on us. If they don’t get enough love from us, or if that love is overshadowed by negative punishments, it can lead to lifelong psychological damage.
1. Rubbing Their Nose In It
If you work for 6 to 10 hours, you undoubtedly make time for bathroom breaks. Similarly, if your dog is already potty-trained, it may need to take a break and urinate in the house if left for too long. Punishing them by “rubbing their nose in it” will only provoke fear and cause them to feel unvalued; it won’t help them understand that it’s necessary to do their business outside.
2. Not Providing Enough Playtime
Your pet deserves more than just a quick pat on the head as you come in with a bundle of groceries; they require dedicated attention. Despite how busy your lifestyle may be, you must remember to set aside time for activities that your pup will appreciate. Investing just 10 minutes for a game of fetch, taking a pleasant stroll in the evening, or even cuddling on the couch, your dog’s well-being is dependent on the amount of love you show them.
3. Punishing Fearful Behavior
When you observe signs of distress in your pup, such as cowering, hackles raised, flattened ears, tail tucked, or growling, the best response is to remove them from the stimulus calmly and kindly. Yelling or becoming too aggressive can make the problem worse. It is sometimes hard to distinguish fear from aggression. If you find yourself struggling with this, you should consider reaching out to a professional dog trainer.
4. Being Inconsistent With The Rules
At some point, all of us have been guilty of this. It does not matter whether you have one rule or fifty for your pup; what matters is the consistency. For example, if you have established that sleeping on the furniture is not allowed, do not change your mind and allow your pup to snuggle on the bed while you are not feeling well, and then punish them the following day for jumping up to take a nap. This same idea should be applied to other behaviors, such as leash-pulling, begging, and jumping up.
5. Segregation From The Pack
Isolating a dog from its family is the worst punishment it can experience. This is because to them, their owners are their entire world!
When it comes to poor behavior, it may not necessarily be a fault of the pup but could be the result of the owners’ lack of commitment in training them. Rather than dismissing the dog’s needs with treats and toys, they need affection and understanding to succeed. If you find yourself facing challenges with your dog’s conduct, it is best to reach out to a professional vet or trainer.
