Dogs have unique personalities, preferences, and dislikes just like humans do. While every dog is different, there are some common things that tend to bother or upset dogs. Understanding what dogs generally dislike can help owners avoid triggering stress, anxiety, or fear in their furry companions.
Some of the top things dogs tend to dislike include loud noises, confinement, being alone, unfamiliar people or animals, grooming, vet visits, and certain smells or textures. Dogs also commonly dislike punishment, instability, boredom, and lack of socialization or exercise. Paying attention to your dog’s body language and behavior can help clue you in to their personal pet peeves.
Loud Noises
One of the most common dislikes among dogs is loud noises. Dogs have very sensitive hearing, so noises that may only mildly annoy humans can be painful and scary for dogs. Some examples of sounds that often disturb dogs include:
Fireworks
The explosions from fireworks can be terrifying and disorienting for dogs. The bright flashes and loud booms are an assault on their senses. Dogs may hide, shake, pace, pant, or try to escape when they hear fireworks. Helping dogs cope with fireworks may involve providing a safe hiding spot, using calming aids like a Thundershirt or anxiety wraps, or talking to your vet about anti-anxiety medications.
Thunder
Like fireworks, the loud, rumbling noise of thunder can panic dogs and trigger phobias. Dogs may exhibit shaking, whining, clingy behavior, or destructive behavior during storms. Making sure dogs have access to safe, enclosed hiding spots during storms can help them feel more secure. Anxiety vests, calming treats, or medications may also be needed for dogs with severe thunderstorm phobias.
Alarms & Sirens
The sudden, jarring sounds of alarms and sirens can hurt dogs’ ears and elicit a fearful response. Dogs may howl, bark, or run away when they hear sirens from police cars, fire trucks, or ambulances. Home alarms like smoke detectors can also produce frequencies that bother canine ears. Desensitizing training can help dogs learn not to fear these noises.
Vacuum Cleaners
Many dogs seem to dislike the sound of vacuum cleaners. The droning and roar of a vacuum can hurt their ears and make them anxious or uneasy. Some dogs may bark, flee, or even bite at vacuum cleaners in response. Using vacuums when dogs are out of the house or in another room can help prevent unwanted fearful reactions.
Pots & Pans
The clanging of pots and pans is another common sound that disturbs dogs. The metallic crashing and banging of cookware can produce high-pitched frequencies that are painful for canine ears. Dogs may leave the room, flinch, or bark when pans are being used loudly. Closing the kitchen door or putting dogs outside while cooking can help block the noise.
Confinement
Most dogs dislike being confined or having their movement restricted. Issues like separation anxiety, claustrophobia, or boredom can cause dogs to strongly object to certain types of confinement:
Being Left Alone
Dogs are pack animals, so being left alone for long periods can create anxiety and stress. Dogs with separation anxiety may vocalize, destroy property, eliminate indoors, or exhibit other problem behaviors when left alone. Providing activities like food puzzles, offering calming supplements, and training dogs to accept alone time can help prevent separation distress.
Being Crated
While many dogs can be crate trained, some dislike being confined in a crate. Nervous, energetic, or under-exercised dogs may resist going into crates. They may claw, bite, or try to escape from their crate. Gradual crate training with positive reinforcement can change a dog’s association with crates from negative to positive.
Being Behind Barriers
Dogs often dislike physical barriers like baby gates, fences, doors, or being put in rooms by themselves. Dogs are social animals that crave closeness and interaction with their people. Removing barriers and involving dogs in family activities as much as possible can help prevent frustration.
Being Leashed
Some dogs strongly dislike being leashed and will resist or try to slip out of their collar when on-leash. Proper leash training helps dogs accept leashes calmly, and provides enough exercise to prevent frustration. In some cases, a harness or head collar may be needed to help minimize resistance behaviours when leashed.
Being Restrained
Many dogs dislike being physically restrained in any way, like being held down, hugged tightly, or grabbed by the collar. Restraining dogs can trigger defensive aggression in some cases. It’s important to respect dogs’ dislike of restraint and train them using positive methods focused on consent rather than physical force.
Being Alone
In addition to confinement issues, most dogs are also averse to being left completely alone. As pack animals, dogs thrive when they have regular social interaction and companionship. Being deprived of that interaction is stressful whether dogs are confined or have free roam of the house. Strategies like hiring dog walkers, taking dogs to daycare, or adopting a second dog can help highly social dogs get their needed social fulfillment.
Unfamiliar People & Animals
Dogs tend to dislike and feel threatened by strangers and unknown animals. Their guarding instincts mean they are wired to be suspicious of unfamiliar beings. Forcefully exposing dogs to new people or animals can increase fear and defensiveness. Instead, use positive associations (like treats and praise) to help dogs learn not to overreact to strangers and unknown dogs or cats.
Grooming
While some dogs enjoy grooming, others find the cleaning and primping unpleasant. Areas of discomfort during grooming include:
Nail Trims
Dogs may dislike having their nails clipped because it can pinch or put pressure on their nails’ quick. Make nail trims more positive by rewarding with treats, starting young, and gradually desensitizing dogs to handling of their paws and the nail clipper.
Bathing
Some dislike being submerged in water or having water poured on them. Introduce bathing slowly with rewards to help dogs associate it with something positive instead of scary. Use lukewarm water and minimal restraint to help prevent added stress.
Brushing & Detangling
Excessive brushing or detangling knots/mats can be uncomfortable or painful, causing dogs to avoid or snap at grooming tools. Regular gentle brushing, using grooming sprays, and getting professional help for serious mats can make coat care less unpleasant.
Teeth Brushing
Putting fingers and brushes in their mouth can make some dogs wiggly and mouthy. Gentle handling, toothpastes they enjoy, and short sessions can improve their tolerance for this important dental care task.
Vet Visits
While essential for their health, many dogs come to dislike going to the vet due to associated stressors:
Car Rides
Car sickness or anxiety associated with past vet visits can make car trips unpleasant for dogs. Take short drives to fun places to reprogram dogs to associate cars with positive experiences.
The Office
The unfamiliar smells and sounds of a clinic can be overwhelming for some dogs. Bringing treats, using pheromone sprays, and respecting dogs’ space can make them more comfortable.
Exams & Procedures
Being poked, prodded, and subjected to uncomfortable tests triggers fear and avoidance in some dogs. Muzzle training, calming aids, and fear-free handling techniques can reduce dogs’ distress.
Associated Pain
Dogs remember pain or trauma associated with past procedures. Fear-free veterinary practices use pre-emptive pain management to prevent dogs from associating vet visits with previous pain.
Certain Textures
Sensory input like touch are processed differently in dogs than humans. Certain textures that don’t bother people can prove irritating or scary for canine paws and skin:
Shag Rugs
Long, fluffy shag textures can be uncomfortable for dogs to walk on and can trap their nails. Hard flooring or short-pile area rugs are better suited for canine feet.
Gravel
Small pebbles and gravel can get stuck between dogs’ paw pads and toes. It can also make surfaces hot and abrasive for paws. Grass or dirt paths are gentler ground cover choices.
Plastic Bags
The slick, crinkly sensation and odd sound of plastic bags is off-putting for many dogs. They may bite, paw at, or avoid walking on plastic bags and tarps. Something more paper-like in texture is less bothersome underfoot.
Costumes
Costumes can restrict movement, block vision, and create unnatural tactile sensations for dogs. Choose comfortable, breathable costumes that don’t overly impede mobility or senses.
Certain Smells
Dogs’ exceptional sense of smell also means some scents proven noxious or overpowering to their sensitive snouts:
Citrus
Citrus fruits and peels contain oils that produce an acidic, tart aroma unpleasant to dogs. The strong smell can cause dogs to avoid or react fearfully to citrus.
Peppermint & Eucalyptus
While pleasant to humans, minty scents from oils, cleaners, or air fresheners contain menthol that dogs find harsh. These products should be avoided or used minimally around dogs.
Vinegar
The tangy odor of vinegar solutions used for cleaning and pet stain removal can be offensively strong for canine noses. Use milder pet-safe cleaners or dilute and rinse vinegar well after application.
Rubbing Alcohol
Alcohol-based cleansers have an abrasively antiseptic smell that dogs seem to dislike and will move away from. Seek alternative disinfectants that are less odor-intensive.
Punishment
Whether verbal or physical, punishment is ineffective for dog training and can harm the human-animal bond. Dogs dislike punishment and can develop new behavioral issues in response:
Yelling and Verbal Intimidation
Harsh scolding frightens rather than teaches dogs. It can lead to insecurity, mistrust, and anxiety. Use positive reinforcement and ignore unwanted behaviors instead of angry yelling.
Physical Correction
Techniques like leash jerking, alpha rolling, smacking, and scruff shakes teach dogs to fear hands and flee from humans. They can worsen behavior problems and damage trust.
Startle Methods
Squirt bottles, penny cans, citronella collars, and other tools that frighten dogs using unpleasant stimuli cause stress and erode the human-canine bond. Seek kinder training alternatives.
Isolation
Confining dogs away from family as punishment for misbehavior increases anxiety and social frustration. Instead, safely manage them using leashes, gates, etc. to prevent problem behaviors until they are trained.
Instability & Change
Dogs crave consistency and predictability in their routines and environments:
Frequent Moves
Dogs are very bonded to territory. Frequent moves between homes can be highly stressful and disruptive for them. Make moves gradual and keep familiar objects for comfort.
Changing Family Members
Dogs grow attached to their people. New family members, absence of previous ones, can be unsettling changes. Help dogs adjust through slow introductions and maintaining of routines.
Varying Schedules
Inconsistent feeding, walking, playing, training times from day to day make it hard for dogs to relax and understand what to expect. Sticking to a routine helps provide stability.
Furniture Rearrangement
Dogs memorize furniture/room layouts as part of feeling secure. Frequent redecoration disorients them. Make home changes in phases so dogs can become accustomed.
Boredom
Being understimulated mentally and physically can lead to restlessness and behavior problems in dogs. Insufficient outlets for their energy and instincts cause dogs to act out. Preventing boredom keeps dogs engaged and out of trouble.
Lack of Socialization
Deprived of adequate positive exposure to people, places, and animals, dogs fail to develop proper social skills. This contributes to fear, anxiety, and reactivity issues. Socialize dogs extensively during puppyhood.
Not Enough Exercise
Pent-up energy from lack of activity manifests as hyperactivity, chewing, digging, and other disruptive behaviors. Ensure dogs get adequate running/walking time and play daily to prevent behavior problems.
Absence of Toys
Without appropriate chew toys to relieve teething pain and satisfy chewing drives, dogs chew furniture and household objects instead. Rotate novel, stimulating toys to keep dogs engaged and entertained.
No Training or Challenges
Dogs thrive when given activities that engage their brains and teach them new skills over time. Do ongoing positive reinforcement training sessions and provide interactive puzzle toys.
Conclusion
Understanding common canine dislikes like loud noises, confinement, unfamiliarity, grooming procedures, punishment, instability, and boredom allows owners to structure the dog’s environment and training in ways to prevent anxiety and fear. Ensuring dogs feel safe, secure, and enriched helps them behave well and form strong bonds with their human families. Paying attention to each dog’s unique personality and sensitivities allows owners to further customize care and training for that individual’s needs. By being patient, using positive methods focused on trust, and making dogs’ well-being the top priority, owners can raise dogs who are happy, confident, and well-adjusted companions.
| Category | Specific Examples |
|---|---|
| Loud Noises | Fireworks, Thunder, Alarms, Vacuums, Pots & Pans |
| Confinement | Being Left Alone, Being Crated, Behind Barriers, On Leash, Being Restrained |
| Being Alone | Separation Anxiety, Lack of Social Interaction |
| Unfamiliarity | Strangers, Unknown Animals |
| Grooming | Nail Trims, Bathing, Brushing, Teeth Brushing |
| Vet Visits | Car Rides, The Office, Exams/Procedures, Past Trauma |
| Textures | Shag Rugs, Gravel, Plastic Bags, Costumes |
| Smells | Citrus, Mint, Vinegar, Rubbing Alcohol |
| Punishment | Yelling, Physical Correction, Startle Methods, Isolation |
| Instability | Frequent Moves, Changing Family, Varying Schedules, Furniture Moves |
| Boredom | Lack of Socialization, Exercise, Toys, Training |