Why You Should Never Yell At Your Dog
It’s safe to say that most dog owners have, at one point or another, yelled at their furry friend. Whether it’s out of anger, frustration, or simply to get their attention, yelling is a common way to communicate with dogs.
But what many people don’t realize is that yelling at your dog can actually do more harm than good. In fact, there are several reasons why you should avoid it at all costs, particularly when it comes to yelling in anger.
8 reasons why you shouldn’t yell at your dog
1. It can cause fear and anxiety
One of the main reasons why you shouldn’t yell at your dog is because it can cause them to become fearful and anxious. Dogs are incredibly perceptive creatures, and they can sense when their owner is angry or upset.
When you yell at your dog, it may become scared and unsure of what to do. This can lead to anxiety and stress, both of which can have a negative impact on your dog’s health.
2. They’ll be afraid of you
Another reason why you shouldn’t yell at your dog is that it will become afraid of you. Dogs are social animals, and they rely on their owners for love, attention, and guidance.
If you’re constantly yelling at your dog, they’ll start to see you as a source of terror instead of a loving friend. This will inevitably damage the bond between you and your dog and make it difficult for them to trust you.
3. It can lead to aggression
One of the most dangerous side effects of yelling at your dog is that it can cause them to become aggressive. When dogs feel scared or threatened, they may lash out in an attempt to protect themselves.
Yelling at your dog can make it view you as a threat, and this can lead to aggression and even biting. It’s important to remember that dogs are not aggressive by nature, so if your dog is acting aggressively, it’s likely because you’ve inadvertently taught them that it’s acceptable behavior.
4. It might cause them to wet themselves
Another problem that can occur when you yell at your dog is that it might wet itself. This is because dogs often associate yelling with punishment, and they may become so scared that they lose control of their bladder.
This in turn will make everyone involved even more frustrated and upset, and the dog will become more distressed.
5. They might not understand what they did wrong
Unless you’re capable of speaking dog, chances are your furry friend won’t have any idea why you’re yelling at them. Dogs live in the present moment and they don’t have the same cognitive ability as humans to understand complex concepts like cause and effect.
Yelling at your dog for something they did hours ago will only confuse and upset them, and it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to connect your anger with their previous actions.
6. You’ll feel terrible
When you look into those puppy dog eyes (literally) and see the fear and confusion caused by your yelling, it’s unlikely that you’ll feel too good about yourself. Yelling at your dog will only make you feel guilty and regretful. That’s not a great way to start or end your day.
7. It’s not as effective as you think
Despite what you might think, yelling is not an effective way to train your dog. Dogs thrive on positive reinforcement, and they’re more likely to respond to treats, praise, and petting than they are to shouting.
Dogs don’t respond well to verbal abuse, and chances are they’ll tune you out completely if you try to communicate with them through yelling.
8. You might have your dog taken from you
If you live in a state with strict animal cruelty laws, then you could be in for some serious trouble if you’re regularly caught yelling at your dog. In some cases, Animal Control may even remove your dog from your home if they believe that it’s being mistreated.
Thus, yelling at your dog is not only harmful to them, but it could also result in you losing your furry friend forever.
Conclusion
We get that the urge to yell is sometimes overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that yelling at your dog is rarely an acceptable solution. There are much better ways to train and communicate with your furry friend, and yelling will only damage your relationship with them.
And remember, dogs don’t understand our language, so chances are they have no idea why you’re yelling in the first place.
