6 reasons why you shouldn’t scold your dog

We already know that these furry quadrupeds are excellent connoisseurs of non-verbal language. They can read our facial expressions, interpret our tone of voice, body language and even our smell to understand our emotions and intentions. This means they can immediately sense when we are upset or unhappy, even if we don’t tell them directly and even if they don’t understand why. Well, when we scold them or, worse, become violent, dogs don’t understand why we are angry. All they feel is confusion, anxiety and even fear. Unfortunately this can damage the relationship between the dog and the owner and the trust the owner has in us can be compromised in the long term.

Unfortunately we all have bad days, days in which our patience is put to the test, days in which the quadruped throws a tantrum and the tone of the voice becomes harsh. But before raising your voice to the quadruped who is happy to see you, it would be good to think about how this behavior of yours can affect the quadruped or the relationship you have.

Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t scold your dog

1. Dogs don’t understand verbal punishment like humans

While they may recognize certain words or commands, how we convey something to them is crucial. A harsh or raised tone can be perceived as a threat, even if the words themselves are harmless. Dogs respond more effectively to short, clear signals that we have taught them to understand. A series of emotionally charged words can confuse them and ultimately cause them to fear. The best way to use our time and energy more efficiently is to teach quadrupeds to adopt appropriate behaviors and organize the environment so that they don’t have many options for making mistakes. Instead of resorting to arguments or violence, we can choose to communicate with kindness and understanding. Using clear, consistent commands, positive rewards, and patience, we can teach dogs what behaviors are desired and how to behave in certain situations. This way we inspire them to learn, collaborate and feel safe in our presence.

2. Arguing can reinforce unwanted behaviors
If, for example, the dog barks excessively and we scold him, he may understand from the argument that we are validating his behavior, thinking that we are «barking» at him too. Instead of quitting, he might become even more explicit.

3. We instill fear and mistrust in him
By constantly scolding our dog, over time we risk damaging the relationship of trust we have built with him. A dog that fears its owner will not be as receptive to instructions or learning.

4. Arguing can lead to aggression
While most dogs retreat or hide when scolded, some may react aggressively. This is a natural self-defense reaction that is best avoided. 🙂

5. Behavioral problems can have medical causes
Sometimes unwanted behaviors can be caused by health problems. By scolding him we only make the situation worse, making him feel even worse. The alternative is to try to understand why he behaves this way and, of course, help him overcome the problems.

6. Dogs live in the present
If we discover a pair of chewed shoes and start scolding the quadruped a few hours after his deed has been accomplished, we will only frighten him. There is a big problem with this approach because the dog will not make the connection between the punishment and the wrong action he committed. Even though the dog will show signs of submission, with its tail between its paws and sad eyes avoiding our gaze, it will actually respond to our anger in that moment. So he doesn’t have the ability to recognize the mistake he made a long time ago, but he just tries to calm us down, without connecting the reproach with the destroyed shoes from before.

When it comes to training, timing is key and arguing with your four-legged friend a few hours after the accident is far from ideal. The closest thing to correcting a mistake would be to catch the dog in the act and then firmly explain to him that what he is doing is wrong, and then remove him from the scene.

The relationship between dog and owner is special and precious and having a canine friend means learning to build a bond based on trust, respect and empathy. The golden rule of communication is to avoid arguments and punishments. We always add to the equation that for every unwanted quadruped behavior there are more suitable alternatives. Instead of focusing on what you don’t like, focus on how you can encourage him to adopt positive behaviors. This approach will bring you lasting results and a closer bond with your nonverbal best friend.