Why do dogs dislike some people? It could be one or a combination of elements that makes your dog uncomfortable. Here’s what could put your dog off someone.
Why do dogs dislike some people? Pets seem to have a sixth sense about a person’s true personality–even dogs who love almost everyone. They may come into contact with a stranger who makes them feel uncomfortable, which could even lead them to display aggressive behaviors.
There are quite a few reasons why a dog might dislike someone they’ve just met. Your friends at Union Lake Pet Services want to help you delve deep into some of the causes of a dog not immediately accepting a new person.
They Dislike the Way they Sound
Dogs make immediate judgments on people based largely on the tone and sound of their voices. If someone approaches a dog with a high-pitched, excited tone, the dog will usually reciprocate the sentiment. If a person uses an angry or very low tone around the dog, however, he will become defensive and untrusting. If someone new is meeting your dog, you might want to encourage them to use an excited tone on their first meeting.
They Dislike the Way they Move
Canines communicate a lot through body language, so while they are listening to someone’s tone of voice, they will also be checking out their body language. In the animal kingdom, direct eye contact is actually a sign of dominance, which can make your pup feel threatened. People using big arm movements or trying to be too physical with the dog can make her feel nervous, which will negatively affect her opinion of the person. New people should avoid looking directly into a dog’s eyes or using big movements until they both feel comfortable with each other.
They Dislike the Way they Act
Dogs can tell if someone is being rude or unhelpful, and if they notice some behavior they do not like, they might not warm up to a person very easily. This is especially true if a new person is rude to the dog’s owner, which feels like a personal slight to your canine companion.
They Dislike Their Scent
A dog’s nose lets her interact with the world, so if someone has a scent that bothers your pup upon the first meeting, it will be hard to get back on his good side. It’s hard to tell which kind of smells will trigger a dog, but if you notice that your pup is not taking to someone, try not to force it.
A Past Experience
Dogs can experience trauma just as much as humans can, and sometimes new people remind them of this traumatic experience. Physical attributes, smells, and even the sound of a voice could bring your dog back to this scary time of life.
If you need some help dissecting your dog’s behavior, Union Lake Pet Services is here for you. Whether you want to work on training or want to take advantage of our daycare, boarding, or grooming services, we have what you need to keep your pets happy and safe. Call (248) 363-6262 to learn more about our services.
FAQs
When a person's pheromones smell different than what a dog expects, they may become nervous, frightened, or aggressive. They simply don't know what to make of your new friend! A dog can also pick up when a person is uncomfortable or anxious, which can trigger a negative response from your dog.
Why do dogs like some strangers and not others? ›
Dogs tend to like people who have the same personality as theirs. The more a person has in common with a dog, the more likely the dog will prefer them to other people. For instance, a Gold Retriever will prefer an extroverted, active person, while a Basset Hound will prefer a calmer person.
Why do dogs like some dogs and not others? ›
“Dogs communicate with each other in ways that we don't get, that we are just totally blind about,” she says. A dog will see something in another dog's body language or pick up olfactory clues that signal something the first dog either likes or doesn't like.
Why does my dog not like me? ›
There are plenty of reasons for dogs to dislike humans – just like humans find lots of ways to dislike each other. Some of the most common reasons for dogs not bonding with their owners are down to the owner's behavior. This could be obvious things like yelling, aggression, excessive punishments, and even violence.
What does it mean when a dog doesn t like a specific person? ›
Dogs can tell if someone is being rude or unhelpful, and if they notice some behavior they do not like, they might not warm up to a person very easily. This is especially true if a new person is rude to the dog's owner, which feels like a personal slight to your canine companion.
Can dogs sense a bad person? ›
They can tell apart kind and dangerous people. It's almost like they have a sixth sense for detecting bad people. Studies show that dogs have a great understanding of human behavior. Research at Kyoto University in Japan found that dogs can recognize trustworthy and untrustworthy people just by looking at them.
Why do some dogs not like strangers? ›
Many dogs are fearful around people they don't know well. Some people automatically assume these dogs have been abused in the past. Usually, this is NOT the case. Most of the time, if a dog fears strangers, she has simply been under-socialized to them.
What to do when a dog doesn't like someone? ›
Give Them Time. Try not to take it personally. Dogs, just like people, are emotional creatures. Sometimes they just need a little time to adjust to a new person or environment.
Why do dogs get aggressive with certain people? ›
Most often a dog's aggression is motivated by fear, anxiety, conflict about what to expect and what to do and the anticipation of possible punishment (see Aggression – Diagnosis and Overview, (Dominance, Alpha, and Pack Leadership – What Does It Really Mean?, and Canine Communication – Interpreting Dog Language).
Do some dogs just not get along? ›
Some dogs simply cannot abide other dogs and are happier being the “only child”. This is not the fault of the dog, only a special consideration that makes a dog unique.
You know that look your dog gives you when you come home smelling like another dog? When they look at you with that sense of betrayal, it's easy to believe your dog is jealous. Just like their human counterparts, dogs can get jealous.
Why do dogs pick on one dog? ›
Dogs in the same household can become aggressive toward each other for a variety of different reasons. Aggression may be dominance-related, territorial, possessive, or caused by fear/anxiety. Some dogs have “alliance aggression”.
How do you befriend a dog that doesn't like you? ›
Offer treats.
It is best to give an unfriendly dog treats in an indirect way. Toss a few treats to the ground in front of the dog while looking slightly away. If the dog begins to associate your presence with food, then you are making progress in the battle of bonding.
Why don't dogs like certain people? ›
Smelling faint scents and forming associations is one way dogs might not like a person. Research also shows that dogs can smell different human emotions through changes to chemosignals, such as adrenaline, sweat and body odor. And when it comes to their humans, they can determine if fear produced sweat.
Can dogs sense if you don't like them? ›
However, dogs excel at emotional intelligence. If you get mad at your dog, they will sense the change in your mood through your body language, tone of voice, and even your scent. Even if they might not remember the exact reason you were mad, they will remember the feeling of you being upset with them.
Can dogs tell if you dislike someone? ›
Dogs can sense and respond to the emotions and attitudes of their owners. While it's challenging for a dog to understand the concept of dislike, they can pick up on cues such as body language, tone of voice, and overall behavior.
Do dogs prefer certain people? ›
In fact, it's natural! As social animals, dogs choose the person or people who give them plenty of love, attention, and positive experiences. Let your dog be a dog and enjoy hanging out with and being in that person's presence, whether it's you or someone else. But don't give up on being one of the favorites!
Why does my dog dislike strangers? ›
Many dogs are fearful around people they don't know well. Some people automatically assume these dogs have been abused in the past. Usually, this is NOT the case. Most of the time, if a dog fears strangers, she has simply been under-socialized to them.
Why do dogs stop liking people? ›
Something in His Environment Changed
A sudden change in his surroundings could cause him to suddenly avoid you or even make him depressed. Did you move, introduce a new person or pet, or make drastic changes to your home? Just the presence of strange noises can cause anxiety in some dogs.
