Anticipating too much of your dog can increase the level of unwanted stress and behavioral problems for both you and your dog.
Some indicators that you may be expecting too much from your dog include excessive licking, changes in eating habits, aggressive tendencies or noticeable differences in their normal behaviors.
Knowing your dog’s personality and how far to push those limits is essential for a healthy and happy relationship.
Here are 9 indicators that you are likely expecting too much of your dog. It’s essential to acknowledge that dogs have limitations and natural behaviors will not always align with your expectations.
Signs you are expecting a lot from your canine
When we introduce dogs into our homes, we often assume they will easily adjust to our human-centered world and abide by our human rules.
When dogs do not meet these expectations, we become frustrated, and in turn, the dog may become confused or anxious.
A dog that is reprimanded for digging in the yard or chewing a shoe will likely respond with uncertainty to that reprimand in the future, but they may also develop subsequent problems, such as increased destructiveness or anxiety.
We cannot expect a dog to simply understand and navigate the human world that we have forced them to live in.
These are concepts that need to be taught, and this teaching process involves patience and understanding.
Training a dog is a journey rather than a one-time event. A dog will not always meet your expectations when it arrives at your home.
It will bark, dig, and investigate in ways that may be disruptive or inconvenient to you.
These behaviors are not about disobedience, but instead a reflection of instinctive behavior and a response to their environment.
1. Pacing or shaking
You have witnessed your dog shake after a bath or after rolling in grass.
The whole-body shake can be funny and is normal – unless the shake occurs as a result of a stressful encounter.
For example, the “shake-off” your dog performs after jumping off the veterinarian’s exam table is most likely the result of stress.
2. Changes in eyes and ears
Changes in your dog’s eyes and ears may indicate underlying health problems. They can range from minor problems to serious conditions.
For example, red eyes, cloudiness, and discharge can all indicate problems with your dog’s eyes. The same holds true for dog’s ears.
Ear problems often manifest as itching, head shaking, discharge, or odor, and can stem from ear mites, infections, or tumors.
3. Changes in body posture
Changes in body posture indicate different emotions and intentions. Meanwhile, they can indicate relaxation, playfulness, fear, aggression, or pain.
Determining a dog’s body posture usually relates to tail position, ear position, eye expression, and body tension.
Being able to recognize changes in body posture is important for communication and maintaining your dog’s health.
4. Shedding
Shedding is a normal behavior for dogs, where they lose old or damaged hair to allow for new growth. Shedding is a normal part of a dog’s hair growth cycle.
The shedding of hair will vary depending on the dog breed and the time of year.
All dogs will shed some hair, but excessive shedding may indicate a health problem. It is not easy to notice shedding in an outdoor environment, although shedding tends to increase when a dog is anxious.
5. Avoidance or displacement behavior
Dogs may “escape” from unwanted situations by getting their attention on something else. They might dig/scratch the ground, sniff, lick their genitals, or simply turn away.
Ignoring someone isn’t considered to be polite, but it is certainly better than being aggressive.
If your dog does not want to interact with other dogs or people, don’t force them. Remember, our dogs have a choice, too.
6. Hiding or escape behavior
Dogs may hide or escape for numerous reasons. Most commonly, hiding behaviors are often linked to fear, anxiety, and discomfort.
Hiding behaviors may be triggered by loud noises, new people, pain or even sheer boredom.
It is critical to determine what is causing this behavior to ensure the dog’s safety and well-being.
7. Panting
Dogs will sometimes engage in panting as a physiological action to regulate body temperature–usually after exercise or in hot weather.
If a dog pants excessively, pants when there has been no exercise, or behaves abnormally, it is possible that the dog is suffering from stress, anxiety, pain, or other underlying health problems.
8. Yawning, drooling, and licking
Yawning, drooling, and licking are also ordinary behaviors that may entail signals of stress, anxiety, or a medical issue.
Again, context is important, as this may accompany other behaviors. Dogs yawn when they are tired or bored, but they may also yawn when stressed.
A stressful yawn lasts longer and is more intense than a sleepy one. Dogs may also drool and lick excessively when nervous.
9. Whining or barking
Dogs whine or bark for numerous reasons, often indicating desire, emotion, or physical state. Whining, being a high-pitched vocalization, usually relates to pain, fear, anxiety, or the dog wanting something like food or attention.
Barking, a more common vocalization, can be a warning, a greeting, a call for attention, or a sign of boredom or frustration.
Understanding the context of the barking or whining is crucial to interpreting the dog’s message.
Conclusion
Dogs would be much happier doing what they love rather than what we want them to love. Finding a balance in our lives to meet their needs without setting unrealistic expectations can significantly reduce behavioral problems that many dogs face today.
Dogs are most commonly surrendered to shelters due to behavioral issues. Expecting your dog to be a perfect, obedient, and emotionally neutral companion is unrealistic.
Recognizing and respecting your dog’s individual personality, breed traits, and natural behaviors is essential for a happy and healthy relationship.
