8 HABITS THAT DOGS OFTEN ACCEPT – Almost every dog owner knows that dogs tend to imitate people from the family in which they live. According to some sources, dogs are, so to speak, conditioned to behave in a certain way like humans. These little habits that dogs have, can really look a lot like yours.
There are many benefits to having a dog, but it is very important to be aware of the fact that they have a natural tendency to imitate our actions, so that you do not teach them some negative behavior that can be bad for their health and general well-being. As veterinarian Stephanie Leaf from “Pure Paws Veterinary Care” claims, dogs have excellent observation power and react a lot to sound and visual stimuli from their environment, much more than people think. Precisely because of that trait of theirs, it is very likely that they will adopt some habit of their owner, especially if that human habit is repeated in front of them.
Below are 8 habits that dogs often adopt from their owners
- They can “talk” as their owner – Some breeds of dogs are more vocal than others, so if one of these breeds is close to the owner who likes to talk to them, it is not surprising that some of them will start “talking back”. Some races will growl or bark loudly, if their owner addresses them in a louder tone – claims coach Russell Harstein. If such behavior is rewarded, ie the owner reacts positively, the dog will continue with that behavior.
- They can sleep as their owner – Dogs naturally sleep much more than their owners during the day, but many dogs will try to adapt to their owner’s sleeping habits. For example, if the owner likes to stay up late, the dog will try to stay awake with him in order to keep him company. The same goes for getting up early.
- They can get hungry when their owner – If you tend to feed your dog at the time of your meals, it is very likely that your pet will start to feel hungry when you do. Dogs quickly get used to feeding at the same or similar time, and if their diet changes, they can become frustrated or nervous, says Dr. Lif. Just like people become nervous if, for example, they stay longer at work and are late for lunch.
- They may want a similar exercise routine as the owner – One of the habits that dogs can mimic is the routine and need to exercise. Your exercise and walks will become a routine for them, even if yours changes. If your dog, for example, is used to going for a walk at the same time, if the schedule changes it can have a negative impact on your dog. Also, if you miss one day of exercise, you will notice that your dog will be more than eager for physical activities the next day.
- They can share their moods – Most dog owners know that their pet gets excited when they are excited and happy, and that they can also spend the whole day lying on the couch when they notice that their owner is sad. You probably did not know that behind this behavior there is actually a science or phenomenon of “emotional contagion”. This phenomenon represents the sharing of emotions between two social beings when they are often in physical proximity. As trainer Harstein claims, if the owner is calm and confident, the dog will be prone to the same traits. On the other hand, if the owner is scared and hyperactive, the dog will be the same. Sharing feelings can go beyond the current mood and turn into general emotional habits.
- The way they express affection – People express affection in different ways, and some people are more prone to it than others. Nicole Ellis, a professional dog trainer, claims that our pets have similar habits, from keeping their distance to cuddling, wagging their tails and kissing. If your dog likes to be petted to a greater extent, it is most likely because you are used to putting him in your lap and cuddling because you are prone to such expressions of affection.
- They can move as their owner – Dogs tend to mimic the way their owner moves. This feature is more than known to professional trainers and they often use it to their advantage when training. As Ellis claims, there are training methods that are based on this feature. Also, many dog owners get into the habit of dancing with their dog, and often dogs develop their dance movements from jumping up and down, howling to spinning in a circle. While many dogs will not end up on the “dance floor” with their owners, many others will find small ways to mimic the movements of their surroundings.
- They can get excited about the same people as their owner – you’ve probably noticed that your dog has a “sixth sense” for people you don’t really like. This is partly because they read your emotions well and can notice when you feel uncomfortable around someone. Also, if we get excited every time a certain person comes and our dog will soon start to get excited about that same person. This trait of dogs means that they can protect you from people around you who feel uncomfortable, and on the other hand, they will help the people you love to feel comfortable.