Dogs are man’s best friends for a reason. They’re always there to comfort us when we’re feeling down, and they make us laugh with their silly antics. But does yelling at our dogs stress them out? Turns out, the answer is yes – yelling can be extremely harmful to our furry friends. Keep reading to find out why you should never raise your voice at your pup, and some tips on how to properly discipline them instead.
Yelling Only Works Temporarily
The first thing you need to know about yelling at your dog is that it only works temporarily. As soon as you stop yelling, they’ll go back to whatever it is you don’t want them to do.
Yelling might stop them in the moment, but it’s not a lasting solution and it certainly won’t change their behavior long-term. Not to mention, every time you yell at your dog, you’re reinforcing the idea that yelling is an acceptable way to get their attention.
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Yelling Is Stressful For Dogs
Dogs are highly sensitive creatures, and they can pick up on our emotions very easily. When we yell at them, they perceive our anger and stress, and this causes them to feel anxious and stressed as well.
Chronic stress can lead to all sorts of health problems in dogs, including digestive issues, skin problems, and behavior problems. So not only is yelling ineffective, it’s also harmful to your dog’s health.
Learn More: How to Stop a Dog From Chasing Cows
Yelling Causes Emotional Repercussions
Not only is yelling stressful for dogs, it can also have lasting emotional repercussions. Dogs who are constantly yelled at often become fearful and insecure and may start to distrust their owners. In extreme cases, this can lead to separation anxiety or even aggression.
So next time you’re tempted to yell at your dog, remember that it’s not going to do any good – and it might just do some harm. Try one of these positive reinforcement techniques instead:
Praise your dog when they do something you want them to do
· Use treats as rewards
· Ignore bad behavior (this will eventually extinguish it)
· Get professional help if you’re having trouble training your dog
There Are Better Ways To Discipline Dogs
If you need to discipline your dog, there are much better ways to do it than yelling. Try one of these instead:
Use a firm voice – Dogs respond better to a calm, assertive voice than they do to shouting.
Redirect their attention – If your dog is doing something you don’t want them to do, try to redirect their attention to something else. For example, if they’re chewing on your shoe, give them a chew toy instead.
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Remove them from the situation – If all else fails, remove your dog from the situation entirely. This might mean putting them in their crate or another room until they calm down.
The Power of Positive Reinforcement
One of the best ways to discipline dogs is with positive reinforcement – rewarding them when they do something you want them to do. This could be treats, petting, or even just verbal praise.
You can also use negative reinforcement – removing something your dog wants when they do something you don’t want them to do. For example, if your dog jumps on you when you come home, you could turn your back and ignore them until they calm down.
Why Yelling Is Counterproductive
As you can see, there are many reasons why yelling is counterproductive when it comes to disciplining your dog. Not only is it stressful and harmful to their health, but it’s also ineffective in the long run.
If you need to discipline your dog, try one of these positive reinforcement techniques instead.
Calm Humans Lead to Calm Dog
If you want your dog to be calm, it’s important that you stay calm. Dogs pick up on our emotions very easily, so if you’re stressed out, they’ll likely become stressed out as well.
Try to take some deep breaths and relax before interacting with your dog. This will help create a calm atmosphere and make it more likely that your dog will respond positively to whatever training you’re trying to do.
Learn More: Why Is My Dog Sensitive to Touch? Tips for Dogs Who Hate Being Touched
Alternatives to Yelling
There are many alternatives to yelling at your dog when you need to discipline them. As we’ve seen, yelling is ineffective and can even be harmful to your dog’s health. Instead, try one of these positive reinforcement techniques:
Prevent The Bad Behavior From Happening in the First Place:
One of the best ways to discipline your dog is to prevent the bad behavior from happening in the first place. This might mean keeping them away from tempting situations, like putting away your shoes if you don’t want them to be chewed on.
Offer Outlets for Natural Behavior:
Dogs have a lot of energy and they need to release it somehow. If you don’t provide outlets for their natural behaviors, like chewing and digging, they’re more likely to do them in places where you don’t want them to. Make sure your dog has plenty of toys and access to a safe place to dig and chew.
The Impact of Family Arguments on Dogs
Dogs are extremely sensitive creatures, and they can pick up on even the slightest changes in their environment. So when their human companions are engaged in a loud argument, it’s not surprising that many dogs will become quiet and timid. While it may be tempting to dismiss your dog’s response as simply being scared of loud noises, it’s important to remember that dogs are incredibly attuned to our emotions.
And when we’re feeling angry or stressed, they can sense that something is wrong. In fact, studies have shown that dogs experiences similar physiological responses to humans during times of stress, including an increase in heart rate and cortisol levels.
So if you find yourself arguing with your family members, try to keep your voices down for your dog’s sake. They’ll appreciate it—and you might just find that the peace and quiet helps to diffuse the situation as well.
