Dogs don’t like it

Our dogs have to be good natured to put up with us.  There are so many things we do that they dislike, think of neutering and spaying and keeping them on a lead when they want to run off.  Everything has to suit us, we try to make them in to mini-humans and forget that they are a different species.  It’s they price they have to pay to be fed, housed  and looked after by us.

There are other ways we can avoid upsetting them even more –  be considerate and learn what your dog likes and what are his pet hates.  Making eye contact with a dog you don’t know is one.  Your own dog may gaze lovingly back at you but a strange dog can feel threatened.

Don’t pick small dogs or puppies up without any warning.  To them it might feel a weird thing for you to do – what’s coming next?

Some dogs don’t like it when you pat their head.  They can’t see where your hand is going next or what you are going to do.   And if your dog is asleep, wake him gently by talking to him, he won’t appreciate being prodded.

Give a dog his own space, a den under the stairs is good and if he retreats there, leave him be for a while, he might just want to be alone.