HATING A DOG!!!!
How can someone ever hate such a lovely creature with goofy little doe eyes and ever so excited demeanor? How can this ever be possible???
When you read today’s blog title, these were some of the first few questions, right? But, people like these exist. And no, not all of them are in the wrong to despise a canine that you so dearly adore.
Hating a dog or puppy can be due to many reasons. You might have a pet, and some of their habits irate you excessively, or you just keep your distance from dogs for good. The reasons can be either psychological, behavioral, or even due to traumatic childhood memories. This can also be because you had a pet and lost it previously, which in some way made you hate and avoid the species altogether.
So, today we will be discussing this rather sensitive topic and look for answers on why some individuals hate dogs. We will also look at some methods to overcome this hatred and hence offer them the chance to see dogs and puppies in a new light.
Table of Contents
Can anyone hate a puppy?
Well, truth to be told, around 45 percent of pet parents have complained of hating their puppies or dogs at some point of time. Maybe when they constantly whine for food, or when they end up leaving minor accidents here or there. This mostly happens with beginners or individuals who just wanted a cute little pup to gain SNS followers quickly.
First of all, a puppy or a dog is never an accessory. It is like a small child that needs your constant care, time, patience, and love. It is a responsibility that you have to take for the remainder of both of your lives. So, it is a given that when having a dog, you will have to confront both bad as well as good days. And by bad days, we mean constant nipping, barking, extreme playfulness, destruction of furniture, sloppy drools and licks, sticky, smelly accidents, high maintenance bills, and the list goes on….. So yeah, some pet owners do end up hating their puppies or dogs, which they may or may not express in actions.
What are the most common causes of hating a dog?
Unlike what many pet parents may claim, not every day is a well-lit fresh rainbow when having a dog. There is a fair load of bad days or bad experiences when you are a pet parent, and hence being on the lookout for these causes might aid in keeping the negative vibe towards your pup in check.
Daily care is a headache
Having a dog is like having a toddler, the only difference being dogs don’t do human language. And hence, understanding their needs, caring for them, feeding, walking, and playing with them can be a tad too hectic. You never know what they want, and therefore they might not cooperate the way you want them to be.
Typically, beginners have a lot of trouble adjusting to their four-legged baby’s schedule during the initial days. Thus, it is also often the beginners who exclaim, “Oh my god, I so hate my dog right now. Why is he/she like that?”
Those sudden sloppy slobbers and licks
Now common. Not everyone is a fan of thick drool dripping down their face, and it’s totally understandable. Dogs do have a specific way of expressing their love, and this sometimes may not be as adored by their pet parents as you may suppose. And for people who don’t like this sticky kind of love, excited jumps or whole face licking is also definitely a frustrating thing that can happen to them.
That doggy smell
No matter just how well maintained a dog might be, every dog smells. This distinct smell, in fact, allows other dogs to understand more about your pup, but that’s not what we are talking about today. So, coming back to the topic, this smell is bound to increase or decrease depending upon many factors, and hence when kept unwashed for long, there is also a fair chance that your sweaters, blankets, and even shirts may start smelling typically like your dog. And this smell can become overbearing for some, thereby leading them to be infuriated on their small canines.
Troublesome puppy phase
Apart from being cute, puppies are also known for being ‘poop machines.’ Unlike big dogs, they have less control over their bladders and hence might pee or poo on your expensive carpets or recently washed tiles. While occasional accidents are acceptable, dealing with such cleaning three-four times a day is never easy. The case aggravates even more if the wacky smell doesn’t go away quickly, requiring frequent touch-ups with fragrant floor cleaners.
Is hating a dog a health condition?
You may have cynophobia depending upon your hatred towards these innocent creatures and any past experiences. A phobia linked to dogs which can be both irrational and persistent; such fear induces severe hateful feelings towards these four-legged partners. As a result, every time you come across a puppy or dog, your fear fools you into thinking of it as an imminent threat that needs to be dealt with. This is also why some people hurt dogs or even small puppies, although they might not be necessarily cruel.
Apart from that, some also have traumatic memories or are brought up under malevolent care. For instance, if you have been previously bitten or chased by a dog, you are more likely to exhibit self-defense moves, and this can easily lead others to think you are allegedly trying to hurt the animal. Similarly, when not appropriately educated, kids can also grow up to be disgusting humans that have no remorse in hurting innocent dogs or puppies and instead gain enjoyment from the act. Such individuals are often psychopathic, which is also a mental disease.
Thus, health condition or not, only you or professionals can give a solid answer.
How do I know if I have cynophobia?
Cynophobia is not only linked to dogs, but even the sight of small cats can trigger adverse reactions. While not all symptoms are physical, you may also suffer from damaging emotional or psychological issues when provoked. Some of these symptoms include:
- Severe panic attacks
- Troubled breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Extreme shaking or trembling
- Sweating with hot or cold flashes
- Tightness in the chest
- Loss of body control
- Intense urge for flight or fight
Good news is that cynophobia is somewhat treatable. But it would be best if you have a thorough mind to do that. Upon consulting with a professional, they might advise you to undergo psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, take medications and change your lifestyle.
With constant practice and a positive attitude, you can soon learn to face your fear head-on rather than end up hurting an innocent woofer.
What should I do next?
If you hate a dog, the best decision is to find the underlying reason behind it. Often, people tend to push down such slight feelings in the start, which only worsens during later periods, leading to extreme outbursts. Thus, if you don’t want to be tagged a ‘monster’ or ‘weirdo’ for not liking the canines, professional consultation is considered best.
In the meantime, it is also highly essential to work out with your pets, if you have any. Introducing professional training, opting for positive reinforcement training methods, or looking for triggering factors can come in handy in treating your pooch’s bad behavior. This way, not only you but your beloved woofer will be able to understand its own shortcomings and therefore act appropriately.
We hope you had fun going through this rather weird topic with us today. Comment down any issues or doubts that you may have, and we will make sure to add even more exciting topics next time. Till then, take care and stay safe.
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