Unintentionally Breaking a Dog’s Heart? 7 Signs to Watch For

by sierrag on in Training Tips 61
sad pug puppy

It's hard to tell, but little did you know that every day you are doing things that can mess with your dog's emotions. It's unintentional, but it's hard to undo something that's upsetting your dog because you didn't know the action was breaking your dog's heart, to begin with.

Even though you try to be the ideal dog Mom, you're inevitably going to fail at one point or another and confuse your fur child. Don't worry, though, we all do. It just gives us more reason to improve!

Here's an example: It's your fur child's time to go potty, and she decides to think of it as a sniff break instead. You get upset with her because you want her to go potty, not sniff for fifteen minutes. However, there were other times you recently allowed her to sniff away while taking her to go potty. So right now to her, there's no difference, so why would she understand that she needs only to go potty this time?

Take a moment and think about other habits you may have that may be confusing your pooch. Little did you know that you were confusing your pooch, even if hasn't been intentional.

After the break, check out seven common dog mom and dad “mistakes” you can avoid going forward. Learn these unintentional errors now so you can make your fur baby one happy girl instead of a confused one! 

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61 thoughts on “Unintentionally Breaking a Dog’s Heart? 7 Signs to Watch For”

  8. Cheryl Butler

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    I find my dogs think a good scratching and loving pets are a better reward than treats. Plus I always have my hands with me and a treat trained dog may get confused if you need them to do something and don’t have a treat handy. Add to that, Mik has a weight problem.

  14. Allyson M Gill

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    For those of you that don’t want to scroll through it here is a summary of the article:

    1. Go to your room! (Telling them to go to their kennel/crate).
    2. Bribery (Having treats in hand when giving a command. Command first then get treat).
    3. Punishing a growl (This is how they communicate. If they’re growling their scared or feeling threatened remove them from the situation without punishing).
    4. Chewing (Dogs have a desire to chew and need to chew to promote healthy teeth and gums. Give them things they can chew on and keep things you don’t want chewed out of reach).
    5. Allowing them to pull on a leash (Dogs like to pull because they get to where they want to go. If they are pulling don’t jerk the leash. Stop and stand still until they stop pulling and the leash goes slack).
    6. Come here (Never punish your dog after you have called him/her. Always reward when they do come either with affection or treats).
    7. Rubbing their nose in it ( Yelling at your dog, rubbing their nose in their mess, or giving them a spanking doesn’t teach your dog to potty outside—it teaches him to be fearful of you and to have those accidents out of sight. Your dog should always be within sight and constantly monitored. Kennel your dog or puppy while you can’t monitor them, keep them on a leash, or if they are small, have them in your lap while you are on the couch or at the computer).

  18. Connie Iler

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    IM MISS MY PUG SO MUCH I CRY EVERY CHANCE I THINK ABOUT HIM AND MY DAD AND MY OTHER DOGS I HAD TWO OTHERS DOGS BUT YODA MY PUG OUT LASTED THE 2 OTHERS I HAD SO HE WAS VERY SPECIAL TO ME HE WAS A SON I HAD NEVER HAD WISH I CAN HAVE HIM BACK BUT GOD SAID HE WANTED HIM SO WISH I CAN FINE SOMEONE NEAR ME WHO HAS PUPPIES PUGS I WANT A PINK COLLAR PUG PLEASE THANK U

  19. Noel Duran

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    I don’t do any of this. We don’t have a kennel because this is her house too. She comes with commands and not treats. She doesn’t get punished for growling instead I find out why she’s growling. My pug doesn’t chew on much but her toys and beds. I don’t allow her to drag me on the leash. I always reward when I call my dog. And I never run her nose in anything. Probably why she’s such a good dog

  28. Jamie Lam

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    Don’t have a pug but do have a sweet Aussie, and have only broken one of the rules. I do get the treat first but I always make her wait and gentle. I taught her wait instead of stay (silly human) and gentle was taught cause she was a nipper. Having a dog who nips you when you give a treat is not a well mannered pup, and all it took was taking it away until she did as I asked, then we had a pup party and treat. She has learned and now will gently take the treat from my hands. Also no crate in this house, she has a couch and a bed in my room so no need, plus she feels safer when curled up with me when she is scared.

  38. Paula Dineen

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    Do folks really do this to their pets .. Smh
    I have 3 spoiled dogs .. 2 Labs and a pug!
    They are my world with my kids grown up, hardly home bc of working etc .. My dogs are trained but, being my best buddies, they sleep with me. Lay back watching tv etc.

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