A Harvard psychologist recently said that when dogs dream, they are probably reliving their daily lives with humans. The whimpers and little pawings they make are their dream reactions to our joy or anger.

For better or for worse, our dog's life revolves exclusively around ours. If we don't spend enough time with him, or if that time is marred by punishment, it can leave him with many emotional scars.

Dog owners often make one of these 5 mistakes because they simply don't understand dog behavior. It's important to understand why dogs do what they do, so you can avoid unintentionally harming them.

Shove his nose in it

Think about it: You use the bathroom at least once during your 6-10 hour workday, right? Chances are your dog needs to go too, and sometimes he can't hold it. But once a dog is trained, such household accidents can be a sign of distress, physical illness, or simply a need for a potty break.
Raising your voice or shoving your nose in your dog won't teach your dog to go outside, but it will teach him to fear you, and that will hurt him emotionally.

Not letting him play enough

Giving your pooch a quick pat on the head as you whizz past with your arms full of groceries is one thing. Setting aside some time to play with him is another. Your life may be hectic, but it’s important to set aside time to do something your dog enjoys. Whether it’s 10 minutes of tossing a stick, a nice evening walk, or just cuddling on the couch, a dog’s happiness level depends on the attention he gets from his owners.

Punishing fearful behavior

Trembling, flattened ears, a tucked tail, growling, and raised whiskers are all signs that your dog is not feeling well in a given situation. What he needs at such times is to be calmed down and removed as quickly as possible from whatever is bothering him. Raising your voice and being bossy will only make the situation worse. Fearful behavior is often mistaken for aggression in some dogs, and vice versa, so if your pooch is suffering from this problem, contact a professional trainer.

Not being consistent with your period

We are probably all guilty of this from time to time. It doesn't matter if you have one rule for your dog to follow, or fifty. The important thing is to be consistent. If you refuse to let him sleep on the bed, don't let him curl up on the duvet with you when you're sick, only to punish him the next day when he goes back for a nap! The same goes for pulling on the leash, begging for food, and jumping up in the air.

Separate him from the pack

Worst of all, one thing will do your dog the most harm: separating him from his family. Remember, you are the center of his world! Some owners are unable (or unwilling) to take the time to train their dog to better understand how to care for him. Often, these misunderstood dogs are characterized as mean, and are relegated to the kennel or the backyard, or even abandoned.

A dog wants only one thing: to make us happy. And even more than rewards or toys, he needs our love and approval. If you have problems with your dog's behavior, seek professional help from your veterinarian or an experienced dog trainer.

Source: Warniz