Why is the dog angry

Sometimes the owner comes home, and the frustrated dog rushes at him instead of greeting him. If at the same time the house looks like it was hit by a tornado, you might think that the pet was angry that the owner left. Everything you need to know about anger in dogs and how to tell if your four-legged friend is upset is in this article.

Dogs and anger

“Is my dog ​​mad at me?” is the wrong question. Although some situations can really upset a dog, it does not know how to get angry in the sense that a person puts into this word. According to HealthyPsych, psychologists call anger a secondary emotion, which is a person’s response to primary emotions such as fear and sadness. Anger is too complex a feeling for a dog. She is able to experience simpler emotions, that is, exactly those that people hide under anger.

Dogs are not capable of blaming others for their disorders the way humans do. They may form associations between an object or situation and the feelings it evokes. For example, a puppy will carry a toy in his teeth and stumble while walking up the stairs, get injured. After this incident, he will begin to associate this toy with something unpleasant. But he will not consider this object to be guilty – it simply does not occur to him to blame her or the owner for his misfortunes.

Signs that your dog is upset

When a dog is angry, he tries to communicate it in ways that make the owner think he is angry. Most likely, the four-legged friend is just trying to express his feelings and hopes that the owner will stop his suffering.

The most common dog behaviors that are often mistaken for anger towards their owner are:

Ruins furniture.

This is probably a desperate attempt by a bored dog to have fun in the absence of company or a useful activity.

What to do: Give your dog toys when he is alone. Interactive toys, such as jigsaw puzzles or treat dispenser toys, are best suited for such occasions. Turning on the radio or TV will also help your dog feel less alone. A video or recording of the owner’s voice will work even better.

Growls or barks angrily

Growling is a standard way of letting a human know that something is upsetting the dog and wants it to stop. Animals growl for various reasons that have nothing to do with anger, such as following their guard instinct. If your dog is growling over a bowl of food or a toy that he thinks will be taken away from him, this is most likely the case. Sometimes the dog can growl if you drive him away from a convenient place.

What to do: Do ​​not punish or yell at your dog for growling. This can only exacerbate the unwanted behavior or scare her, and she may start biting because of this. It is better for the owner to remain calm and ignore such manifestations. “If you need to take something away from a dog that has awakened its guarding instinct, try to distract it with a treat,” suggests iHeartDogs. Other signs of aggression should also be watched for, including the color of the whites of the eyes, flattened ears, compulsive licking of the lips, or baring of teeth. If the dog has any of these signs, it is best to leave him alone and wait until he loses interest in the subject. Otherwise, she may use her teeth.

Peeing on your things

It may seem to the owner that the dog wet a pile of laundry left on the floor out of spite. In fact, there are many other reasons why dogs might do this. According to The Nest, one of the reasons why dogs pee on their owners’ belongings is because they want to mark their territory. This may mean that the pet was not released on time when he needed to go to the toilet. If such troubles most often occur when the owner is not at home, this may be a sign of anxiety caused by separation. If your dog is toilet trained outside, but frequently urinates on various soft surfaces around the house, such as a pile of laundry, this could be a sign of a health problem, such as urinary tract infections or urinary incontinence.

What to do: If the owner suspects health problems or separation anxiety may be the cause of this behavior, a veterinarian should be consulted. It’s important to understand that your dog’s bladder doesn’t always work according to your schedule, and to pay attention when he asks to leave. If the owner’s routine doesn’t allow time for the dog to go outside, you may want to consider hiring a walker or installing a dog door to continue teaching your dog that the street is the best place to go to the bathroom. Special training mats in areas where the dog most often sneaks to the toilet should be used only as a last resort. Do not leave dirty laundry or other items in places accessible to the animal.

Avoids owner

This could mean that the dog is stressed for some reason and needs some alone time to deal with it. If the dog is hiding, this may indicate that something hurts him.

What to do: The dog may be picking up a bad mood from the owner, and this is what causes her stress. In addition, the reason may be completely harmless, for example, she may not like the smell of perfume or hair products. Sometimes, after active games or teasing, the dog may be unhappy or overexcited. She needs time to calm down. In any case, it’s best to leave her alone for now and analyze if the pet’s anxiety is caused by the atmosphere in the house.

But if the dog is in pain for any reason, it is necessary to take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

This article will help you understand your pet’s emotions. Understanding his behavior will only improve and strengthen your bond.