Fido’s Pet Peeves

Does your pup have some specific likes and dislikes? Just like people, dogs all have their own opinions on things. We’re pretty sure that most of our canine patients are very fond of bacon, car rides, and belly rubs, but what do they dislike? A San Antonio, TX vet lists a few things below.

Staring

Staring is another faux pas. It may be instinctive to look a dog in the eye, but this is not a good idea … especially with a pooch that could be aggressive. This translates into an act of aggression or intimidation with our canine companions.

Teasing

Fido won’t care if you put a silly filter on his picture or make a sign to shame him for letting the cat steal his bed again. However, you should never taunt your pup. Doing things like pulling your furry friend’s tail or pretending to offer food or toys and then withholding them is bound to frustrate him.

Hugs

To humans, hugs are signs of affection, love, friendship, and support. To dogs? Not so much. Hugs actually translate to signs of dominance in doggy language. Fido may not mind if you hug him, but you should never hug a strange pooch.

Boredom

Our canine companions are very intelligent. (Okay, some more than others, but that’s besides the point.) Fido can get very restless and unhappy without exercise and stimulation. That means walks, playtime, and toys. Entertainment and enrichment are very important for dogs!

Mixed Signals

It’s easy to forget that Fido doesn’t process information the same way we do. While Man’s Best Bud can learn over 100 words, he doesn’t understand the nuances of human language. To your pet, Sit means something completely different than Fido, sit down now! That can be very confusing and frustrating for him! You also need to be consistent with house rules. Don’t let your four-legged buddy get on the couch one day, and then reprimand him for it the next.

Loneliness

Dogs are extremely sociable, and just aren’t cut out to spend long amounts of time by themselves. Pay lots of attention to Fido, and hang out with him every day. The time we have to spend with our furry friends is truly precious!

Please contact us, your local San Antonio, TX animal hospital, with any questions or concerns about your furry pal’s health or care. We’re here for you!