As owners, we want our dogs to feel comfortable with us, which means understanding them. However, your dog may speak to you in ways you don’t understand. Every action that they do means something, which is one thing that dog owners should remember. Today, we’re bringing you 10 things your dog wishes you knew.
10. They Age Faster Than You Think
Dogs age way faster than humans. Every age is equivalent to an age in human years, depending on their size and breed. With this, they wanted to be more included in your life than you think. Whether lounging with them or taking them out for walks, it’s already quality time for them. So make sure you make it a part of your routine to spend time with them.
9. They Don’t Know How To Be Alone
You may notice your dog always following you around the house or crying when you’re not around. Admittedly, it can get annoying sometimes, and telling them to stay away won’t make them understand because they don’t know how to be alone. With this, assure them you’ll return to them and leave them with interactive toys to keep them busy.
8. Your Tone Affects Them
Sometimes, we think that our dog won’t get to understand us, but our tone is an indicator of what we’re feeling about them at the moment. So if you’re scolding them, they’ll know by the tone of your voice. Remember that they may not understand your words and will always base on your tone.
7. They Don’t Remember Things That You Do
If your dog does something wrong, they want you to tell them immediately. If not, then they will be able to forget it. While humans have episodic memory, dogs don’t, as they only have an associative memory. It is when a dog builds an association between their experiences and outcomes. They won’t remember going for a walk with you yesterday, but will remember the positive feeling of walking with you.
6. They Can Get ‘Cabin Fever’
Cabin fever is when your dog gets destructive or hyper and is trapped in your house for a whole day. If you notice this with your dog who hasn’t been out for quite a long time, they have cabin fever. They want to tell you they want to run freely outdoors and play, as you could never take that activity out, even for domestic dogs. Make sure you make it a habit to walk them outdoors daily.
5. They Want a Routine
Like us, our dogs also want a routine to follow. Why? It helps them create clear expectations and avoid contradicting rules. So if your dog is used to walking in the morning and evening, stick with the routine and their feeding time. Remember that your dogs thrive on consistency and the benefit of knowing what their owners expect of them.
4. They Also Need Mental Exercise
As much as physical activity is one of the most important things in a dog’s daily life, mental activities should also be on the list. Different activities such as puzzle toys, new walking routes, and sniffing adventures help provide mental stimulation for your dogs. Note that twenty minutes of mental work can be as tiring as an hour-long walk for your dog.
3. Begging Doesn’t Mean Starving
You may notice your dog hurrying down to you when you’re eating. To you, it seems like they’re still hungry, that you couldn’t get over those puppy eyes, and you ended up overfeeding them. However, it’s not the case, as it’s something that they share with their wolf ancestors. With a feast or famine mentality, wolves can chow down on anything before leaving. It’s one of their many traits, even with a domestic dog.
2. Door Dashing = Exploring
Here’s one of the things your dog wants you to understand: door dashing doesn’t equate to them wanting to leave you. It’s a natural way for them to explore outdoor smells. When they see you chase them, they feel like it’s a game, so they will keep running away. If you want your dog to avoid dashing out of the door, make sure they get enough exercise.
1. They Don’t Feel Guilty
Dogs don’t have the same range of emotions as humans do. So no, they don’t feel guilty about destroying your couch. When your voice starts to get too loud, it rattles them. What you need to do to your pup who seems to be like a “destroyer” is to subject them to serious dog training. Choose a trainer who will work with them instead of repeatedly scolding them.