My Dog Hates Me. 6 ways to repair your relationship🤝

I can imagine how you feel if your pet doesn’t show you any love. That’s terrible, because we get dogs to have a friend.

But unfortunately, love can be replaced by hate. If you think your dog hates you, don’t despair. This situation can be fixed.

Below, I’ll tell you the most common reasons for this behavior and also the methods that have helped other dog owners regain the love of their pets.

Signs that your dog doesn’t like you

This sounds silly but I think my dog hates me
by in DogAdvice

You can find many similar posts online. It’s common for owners to decide that a dog hates them when:

it shows aggression (bites, barks, growls);
it ignores you (refuses to play, doesn’t come when you call him, hides from you, doesn’t meet you at the door).

This behavior is really strange, because dogs are usually attached to their owners and need communication and interaction. But actually “hate” isn’t the right word for dogs. Dogs may avoid their owners or be afraid, but don’t think that your little friend hates you. There may be other reasons for the strange behavior.

Why a dog might “hate” its owner

If you notice that your dog hates you but loves everyone else, it’s most likely a personal grudge. Analyze what of the following things might have affected your relationship.

If you got your dog from a shelter, he was probably abused before. Also, he spent a lot of time in a kennel. Therefore, it's not surprising that the animal is now behaving in an unfriendly or aggressive manner. I suggest you learn more about the specifics of raising shelter dogs.

👉Aversive Dog Training and Abuse

Aversive dog training methods rely on punishment or negative reinforcement to stop unwanted behaviors in dogs. These include yelling at, hitting or kicking the dog, using shock collars, choke chains or prong collars.

Studies have shown that aversive methods can cause fear, anxiety, aggression and other behavior problems in dogs.

I don’t think you’re a bad owner, since you’re here. But you may have used these methods out of ignorance, because some trainers use them. Also a person can hurt a dog in a fit of anger, and then wonder, why does my dog hate me all of a sudden?

I’m sorry if this has happened to you. Don’t despair, because your relationship with your dog can still be saved! Just change your approach.

👉Lack of attention

The next problem that can ruin the relationship between an owner and his dog is a lack of attention. Dogs need companionship. They also need plenty of exercise every day. Some breeds, such as huskies, especially need this and will atrophy without attention.

Due to some circumstances, the owner might not give the dog enough time. If this continues for a long time, the dog may become resentful and start ignoring the owner.

Also, dogs that haven’t been properly trained or socialized may not understand how to interact appropriately with people. This can lead to aggressive behavior towards their owners.

👉Jealousy

Sometimes dogs react strongly to new animals in the house. These furry kids can become resentful, especially if you give them less attention and clearly prefer another pet.

👉A traumatic event

Any event that has triggered fear or other negative emotions can traumatize the pet’s psyche. For example, if the dog has endured painful treatments or injections, he may blame the owner for his suffering.

Such stories are not uncommon, but don’t worry, it can be fixed. Here’s how it was for one family:

Comment
by from discussion How do a regain my dogs trust after a medical situation
in Dogtraining

Other traumatic events may include a scare, the loss of a loved one, or a move. All of these events can cause stress and anxiety. Subsequently, certain sounds or smells that remind the dog of the traumatic event can also trigger fear and aggression.

What if it’s not hate but a disease?

If your dog suddenly hates you for no apparent reason, the first thing you should do is make sure that there is nothing wrong with his health. Various diseases can cause aggressive or passive behavior:

Pain or discomfort. Dogs that suffer from pain or discomfort can become more irritable and aggressive.
Neurological problems include brain tumors, epilepsy, and encephalitis.
Hormonal imbalance, such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease.
Infectious diseases, such as rabies.
Some medications, especially those used to treat anxiety or aggression, may have side effects that cause aggression or other behavior changes.

Your dog will try to avoid contact if something bothers him. He will have no desire to play with you.

If something is wrong with your dog, you’ll probably notice other symptoms, such as stool problems, loss of appetite, vomiting, etc. In either case, you should see your veterinarian. A simple examination, as well as blood and urine tests, can tell you a lot about your dog’s health.

How do I get my dog to like me again?💞

Once you’ve made sure your dog’s health is okay, there are several steps you can take to get your dog to like you again.

1️⃣Spend more quality time together

Take time every day to play, exercise, and interact with your dog. Speak softly, move slowly, and avoid sudden movements or loud noises that might startle your dog. This way your dog will have positive associations with you.

2️⃣ Make playtime more interesting

Change the routine to make playtime more interesting for your dog. Try playing in different places, use different toys, or play new games. If you have a backyard, you can include water play or a pool. Dogs love that. They also love to dig in the sand.

Check out these wonderful ideas for your dog-friendly backyard.

+Make sure you play with your dog when he’s most interested and engaged.

3️⃣ Buy gifts for your dog

If your Fido doesn’t seem enthusiastic, try different types of toys to see which ones your dog enjoys the most. Just like a human, your dog will be happy to receive such gifts.

Have you tried giving your dog special treats? For example, many dogs love natural beef sticks, peanut butter, and cheese. Perhaps such gifts will help soften his heart. But don’t overfeed your dog!

You can hand feed your dog to build a close bond.

4️⃣ Use positive reinforcement training

Positive reinforcement training focuses on rewarding desired behaviors instead of punishing unwanted behaviors. You can use treats or praise as rewards.

If you’ve used aversive collars in the past, throw them away now! Don’t punish your dog, yell at him, or lock him up in the crate.

5️⃣Create a safe and comfortable environment

Constant noise and fuss can be stressful for pets, especially if they’re emotionally traumatized. Make sure your home is a safe and comfortable place for your dog. Provide a cozy bed, plenty of fresh water, and a quiet place where your dog can retreat when he feel anxious or stressed.

You can provide a separate room for your dog. A crate can also serve as such a den, but you need to choose a suitable place for it.

If you have a new pet in the house, try to minimize their interaction. To avoid competition and turf wars, you should set up a separate area for each pet, such as a separate bed or feeding area.

6️⃣ Consider professional help

It can be difficult for an inexperienced person to approach an injured dog. Therefore, it’s better to seek professional help.

Building a strong bond with your dog takes effort, patience, and love. With time and dedication, you can build a deep and meaningful relationship with your furry friend that will last a lifetime.

Conclusions

Lack of attention, punishment, abuse, and traumatic events can make a dog hate its owner.

To restore a good relationship with your furry friend, use these tips:

Spend enough quality time together;
Diversify your playtime;
Give your dog gifts and treats;
Provide a comfortable and quiet place for your dog in the house;
Avoid aversive training methods, but instead, use positive reinforcement training.

If the problem is serious, you should definitely consult a vet, because the strange behavior may indicate a health problem.

FAQ

What should I do if my dog hates me after the vet?

If your dog hates you after a vet visit or vaccination, give him some time to rest and recover. Offer him treats, toys and kind words. Dogs are usually quick to forgive their owners.

How much time should I spend with my dog?

Adult dogs typically require at least 30 minutes to an hour of active interaction each day, such as playing fetch, walking, or training. Puppies require more attention and interaction than adult dogs, as they’re still developing their social and emotional skills.