STOP SCROLLING: 12 Everyday Things You Do That Drive Your Dog Crazy (Fix Them Now!)

You might be bugging your pup without knowing it—here are 12 common habits that stress or confuse dogs

Article by Nicole Wilde, CPDT-KA

As much as we adore dogs, we humans pull some moves that get under their skin. Almost always by accident, sure, but these habits can still irritate—or even harm—our four-legged pals.

Just like plenty of dogs don't at first get that certain canine habits bug us—think sniffing a private spot or jumping on strangers—we too slip up in ways that worry, annoy, or even tick off our dogs.

The 12 annoying human habits below are common breaches of doggy etiquette. Could you be guilty of a few? Read on to see if your rapport with dogs could use a tune-up.

Why Dogs Get Annoyed By Human Behaviour

Dogs and humans don't always speak the same 'language,' and that gap can breed frustration on both ends. Plenty of things we read as friendly—hugging, staring, loud talk—land as confusing or even scary to dogs. Since dogs lean hard on body language and tiny cues, they can stress out when we miss or misread those signals. Getting these differences is step one to a calmer, trust-filled bond with your dog.

Notice you haven’t spoken yet! After more reps, once you can predict he’ll glance back quickly after tracking the treat to the side, extend your arm and immediately call his name. Mark and treat for eye contact. Repeat. You’re conditioning him to look at you on hearing his name. Then practise outside sessions too—call his name when he’s not distracted, and build up to busier settings like outdoors.

Conditioning him to respond to his name is one thing. But how do you act day to day? Does he blow off your verbal cues even when he knows them? A common mistake is repeating an ignored cue louder. Trust me, he can hear a potato chip hit the carpet two rooms away—he heard you the first time. The fix is consequences. Say you’re about to walk him. You ask for sit-stay before the door. As it cracks open, he stands. Do you go anyway? No—close the door and ask for another sit-stay. Stay consistent with consequences and you’ll be shocked how fast his listening improves.

1. Staring Into Your Dog's Eyes

To a dog, a hard stare reads as a challenge. Watch your pup lock onto a squirrel—that fixation isn't friendly curiosity. The last thing you want is to out-stare a dog. You'll likely be fine with your own (though he still won't love it), but with a stranger's dog it can read as a threat. Instead, tell folks to glance into his eyes for a few seconds, then look away. And never lock eyes with a dog who seems worried, edgy, or aggressive!