Like your human friends, your dog can become annoyed with you sometimes. It could be something you did, like not giving them the desired attention or forgetting to feed them appropriately. Unlike humans, dogs have a very different way of communicating their irritation.
Here are ten signs that your dog is mad at you.
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Walking away from you suggests your dog is mad at you.
When your dog is mad at you, it usually occurs after it becomes overly comfortable with you. When the pup considers you to be its best friend, he may begin to act as such.
However, lecturing your dog about why he peed on the carpet may leave you in the middle of your speech, and that means your dog doesn’t care about your lecture and will do whatever it wants.
2. Little or no eye contact
If anyone refuses to look at you and turns their back on you, you will get the message loud and clear that they were angry. Erin Askeland, a dog training and behaviour expert, says it’s the same with dogs.
“A happy and comfortable dog will likely make eye contact with his owner and seek their attention, whereas an angry or upset dog will avoid any type of interaction from their owner and move away from them, they will leave the room, or sleep in a different area,” she says.
What is the solution to this? She suggests spending calm, quiet time together to help you and your dog relax, such as reading a book to your dog or listening to soft music.
3. Your dog is mad at you: Defiance
Do you believe your dog understands what you want it to do but refuses out of spite? You could be correct. Dogs respond to signals when they recognize them, so if your dog stops responding to normal signs, it could indicate that your dog is upset by something in its environment or by you, according to Askeland. Take a moment to check yourself before you get upset.
Are you angry, frantic, upset, or sad? She claims that your emotions can have an impact on your dog. “Take steps to calm down, and this will help your dog feel more comfortable and return to your loving relationship,” she advises. Keep track of your dog’s behaviour.
4. The ‘side-eye.’
Dogs communicate primarily through their bodies, which is how they express their emotions. If you notice your dog giving you a sidelong glance, yawning excessively, licking its lips, and so on, it is communicating that it is upset about something you did. These signs usually indicate that your dog is anxious.
If this is the case, you can calm him down by offering him a snack, speaking calmly, or simply giving him space. After all, we all need space from time to time!
5. Peeing on Your Things
While you may believe your dog peed on the pile of laundry you left on the floor out of spite, the truth is that dogs may pee on your belongings for various reasons. According to The Nest, dogs pee on their pet parents’ belongings to mark their territory. It could also indicate that you did not let them out quickly enough when they needed to use the restroom.
If this behaviour occurs mostly when your dog is alone at home, it could signify separation anxiety. Suppose your dog is housebroken but frequently has accidents on soft surfaces, such as piles of clothing. This could indicate a health issue, such as a urinary tract infection or incontinence.
6. Destructive behaviour
Unlike humans, dogs cannot express what and why something bothers them. As a result, they must devise their means of expressing their discontent. One way they accomplish this is by being destructive.
Chewing, digging, and other destructive behaviours are common when dealing with pets that irritate easily, but they should be addressed. If the issue persists, a good animal behaviourist can help.
7. Loss of appetite
This one can be tricky; a lack of appetite can indicate illness or injury; on the one hand, it can also indicate stubbornness or resentment. If your dog exhibits no other symptoms of illness, it may avoid eating due to negative emotions. So you should consult your vet about the problem because not eating for extended periods can lead to health complications.
8. Tucked-in tail is another reason your dog is mad at you.
If your dog is crouching and his tail is tucked between his legs, it may take your criticism more personally than you realize. This posture indicates that he is guarded and on the defensive.
Dogs are emotional creatures like humans and can pout like teenagers if you scold or speak sternly. If you see them like this, lower your voice and speak softly and soothingly to them. “This will re-establish your bond and reinforce your dog’s trust in you,” she says.
9. Flattened ears
Observing your dog’s body language is the easiest way to tell if they are mad at you. If you notice that your dog’s ears have flattened, it is upset. It may also tighten its lips, lower its head, or close its mouth when annoyed. But don’t be concerned. Dogs forgive creatures, and even a scratch behind his ear will probably soften him up.
10. Rolling his eyes at you
Your dog might occasionally roll his eyes at you if it gets angry because you can’t do what he wants. Imagine your dog is asking for a treat, and you refuse. Your dog may roll his eyes at you to show his annoyance. Remember that dogs can be equally as intelligent as people and communicate similarly to people.
Anger VS Boredom VS Anxiety
Sometimes your dog may appear mad at you, but he is probably experiencing something other than annoyance or rage. Dogs cannot give their emotions a reason; unlike people, animals don’t share and often harbour resentments.
Consider whether there is another explanation for the dogs’ errant behaviour before you start grovelling. Most of these symptoms, if not all, also attribute to boredom or anxiety. Unless, of course, you consciously do something that is upsetting your cherished dog. In that case, stop it.
