Has your furry friend been acting distant lately? Is there any change in his behavior around you? You might wonder if your dog is mad at you, but how can you be sure?
And if your dog is upset, what can you do to make them feel better? We will answer all your questions and much more; read on to find out!
Quick Links:
How To Tell If My Dog Is Mad Or Upset With Me?
Could My Dog Get Upset After Surgery?
Could My Dog Get Upset Because I Got A New Pet?
Will My Dog Be Mad At Me For Boarding Him?
What To Do If Your Dog Is Upset Or Mad?
Can Dogs Get Mad?
Do dogs get mad, or can dogs get annoyed at you? According to excerpts, it is completely natural for your canine friends to feel emotions such as joy, fear, anxiety, and discomfort. But anger is an emotion that is much more complex.
While your dog can feel upset, it's highly unlikely that he considers you to be a source of his anger. They won't associate you directly with these emotions.
Most of the time, your dog may seem mad, but underlying this emotion would be fear, frustration, or annoyance.
Why Is My Dog Mad At Me?
There are many reasons why your dog may seemingly be upset with you. It could be because you haven't been spending enough time with him, and he needs affection.
He may feel stressed or anxious if you brought a new baby home or a new pet. He may not feel comfortable in a new environment, especially if you have changed homes.
In other cases, there may be some underlying sickness or injury that is causing changes in his behavior. The better you are at identifying what it is that's causing your dog's anger, the easier it will be to make him feel better.
How To Tell If My Dog Is Mad At Me Or Upset With Me?
What are the signs that your dog doesn't like you? There are many signs that your dog is not happy. Here are 6 most common signs you might encounter:
1. Your Dog Is Keeping A Distance
The very first sign is your dog keeping a distance from you. You may try to grab his attention or run after him, but he will show indifference or won't react at all.
If you feel like your dog is avoiding you, he isn't necessarily angry at "you." Remember, dogs don't feel anger quite the same way as humans.
If your dog is keeping a distance, he is likely stressed about something else. He might feel overwhelmed or tired, or he may even be sick.
Some dogs have a habit of lowering their activity if they fall sick. If you notice signs of pain, you should head over to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
2. Your Dog Is Not Behaving Like His Normal Self
A true pet owner will instantly realize if his dog isn't acting like his normal self. Your dog could be expressing less affection, giving you the side eye, or simply not reacting to you the same way. In these cases, it's likely there is something that's causing him to be upset.
If your dog is showing the whites of his eyes or giving you an averted gaze, constantly licking his lips or yawning excessively, he may be annoyed or stressed. These are all signs that your dog needs his own space.
Sometimes dogs show this behavior around new guests or when strangers hold them. Likely, he is not enjoying the experience, and you should give him some space, offer him a snack and speak to him calmly, so he relaxes.
3. Your Dog Is Smacking You With His Paws
If you tried to approach your dog and he smacked you with his paw, headbutted you, or hit you with his nose, he might seem upset to you.
In reality, this is his way of saying he needs something from you. This could be his way of telling you he needs affection and attention, or he wants you to come to play with him. Some dogs even use this as a way of asking for more treats.
4. Your Dog Is Avoiding Eye Contact
If someone was to repeatedly avoid eye contact with you, you would assume they were upset. The same applies to your canine friends.
If he is happy and feels safe and comfortable around you, he will hold eye contact with you. Some dogs also avoid eye contact because their instincts tell them it is a sign of conflict or threatening behavior.
If that is the case, you should spend time together doing a calming or relaxing activity for your furry friend. The stronger your bond is, the more likely he will establish you as a trusted friend, and the less likely his instincts will have him avoid eye contact with you.
5. Your Dog Is Hiding
In some cases, you will find your dog cowering behind the sofa or hiding in the laundry room. If your dog hides or shies away easily, he may not feel very comfortable in his environment. You may want to take a moment and reflect on your behavior here.
Have you been harsh when correcting your dog's behavior? If so, try instead adopt a more loving mannerism when correcting him. Give him plenty of tasty treats and talk to him in a calm voice to make him feel comfortable again.
6. Your Dog Is Peeing On Things
Is your dog peeing on your shoes, or on the corner of your sofa? You might think he is doing so out of spite, but that's not always true.
Dogs traditionally have a habit of peeing on areas to mark their territory. Dogs that are new to the household have to learn to take their bathroom breaks outside.
However, if this habit springs up only when you are not home, it may be a result of separation anxiety. Other times, he may be feeling stressed or afraid if you introduce a new pet to the household and, in turn, develop this habit.
For more information to find out if your dog is mad at you, see the video.
Could My Dog Get Upset After Surgery?
Surgeries can be a confusing, frustrating time for your dog. Naturally, he wants to spend his time running around, so he will be disappointed if he is stuck in recovery.
If the surgery was invasive, he might feel itchy or painful at the incision site, which can add to his frustration. So yes, your dog may be upset, but if you think, "my dog is mad at me after surgery," think again. Your dog isn't mad "at you,” he is likely disappointed by his circumstance.
If your dog is recovering from surgery, make sure you spend as much time with him as possible.
Offer him lots of love and reassurance, and try playing games together that won’t require moving around. Bring him his favorite chew toy, and offer different toys from time to time to prevent boredom.
Could My Dog Get Upset Because I Got A New Pet?
Is my dog mad at me for getting another dog? Your dog has established a territory at your home. Any stranger entering your home will raise alarms for him. He may feel upset, jealous, or neglected. This can also be challenging for your new dog.
It's important to take it slow, introduce them to each other, and help them grow accustomed to one another. Offer the older pup something that belongs to your new pup, so they grow used to his scent. Slowly he should be able to accept him into the household.
Will My Dog Be Mad At Me For Boarding Him?
Yes, it's natural for your dog to feel upset after boarding. Some may carry a lot of stress from staying at the boarding kennel. You may notice him avoiding eye contact or acting distant due to this stress.
Other dogs may get extra clingy when they reach home. It's important to give him time to relax and offer love and affection, so he is back to his normal self.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Upset Or Mad?
My dog is mad at me what can I do? You should first identify what is making him upset. The list we have above is a guide you can follow. As a pet parent, you are better positioned to understand what's bothering your canine friend.
No matter the reason, you should try offering him affection and care. Take some time out to do some fun activities that he loves. Offer him tasty treats and words of praise from time to time to show that he is loved and cared for.
These are all simple ways you can make him come around.
How Long Will A Dog Stay Mad?
