The Signs You’re Not Showing Your Dog Enough Affection
The difference between affection and attention
Before we delve into the signs that you might not be showering your pup with enough affection, it’s essential to understand the difference between affection and attention. Dr. Nelson defines affection as a gentle feeling of fondness or being loved/liked. You can show a dog affection by petting, kissing, stroking, hugging, or snuggling them. Attention, on the other hand, has more to do with regarding someone as interesting or important. Ways to pay attention to your dog include playing, walking, feeding, training, or talking to them. For a truly successful relationship, you need both. Here are 15 everyday habits of great dog owners.
It’s important to note that when you’re attempting to do either of these things, you should steer clear of certain behaviors. One biggie is aggressive play, especially with puppies. This can lead to biting behavior and enforce negative habits, which become even more problematic as they get older. You should also make sure not to show your affection through food; this can predispose dogs to begging behaviors and medical problems related to obesity. Hugging your dog may also be a no-no, depending on your dog and how you’re doing it.