Does My Dog Hate Me? [7 Signs]

We’ve all had those days. You come home from a long day at work, or maybe you are feeling sick. All you want to do is curl up on the couch with your favorite furry friend. But, when you get home, your dog seems disinterested in your presence. 

does my dog hate me
Does my dog hate me? What are the signs?

Maybe you’ve had this happen many times before, or perhaps it’s the first time it’s happened. But the thought of your dog hating you is heartbreaking.

If you’ve had this experience or think that your dog may hate you, there are a few things to consider before jumping to such a conclusion about your pet. 

Here are signs your dog isn’t very fond of you.

They Run and Hide From You

It’s simple to understand when your dog loves you. They follow you around, want to be with you, and even seek your attention. But what about the other way around? Does your pup always run away from you or hide in another room when he sees you?

It could simply mean that they’re frightened of you because they don’t understand the things you do. When they see or hear something unfamiliar, your dog might be afraid and want to get away from it.

a golden retriever looking sad
A Golden Retriever looking a touch sad.

They Avoid You When They Can

Even if their tail is wagging and they’re happy to see you, does your dog veer away whenever they have the option? Do you ever look at them and wonder why your pup turns around and walks in the opposite direction even when they’re free to walk with you?

If so, your dog might be avoiding you because they don’t understand why you are acting differently. They want to play with you, but you seem stressed or upset. So your pup doesn’t know how to approach you.

They Aren’t Excited About Treats or Toys

It’s a great feeling when you have a favorite toy or treat that your dog responds to. When you pull it out, their ears perk up, and they run right over to see what’s going on. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

When your pup isn’t interested in toys, treats, or anything you offer them, then something might be wrong. This could mean they do not trust you. It’s a way to keep their distance from people they don’t think are worthy of their attention or care.

They Don’t Greet You When You Get Home

black labrador stares at camera
A Labrador with a rich black coat looks mournfully at the camera

It’s such a happy moment when your beloved pet runs up to meet you at the door after work. They jump around, excited to see you and ready for any activity that might take place next. 

But what happens when this isn’t the case? Does your dog stand in another room or even outside and refuse to acknowledge your presence?

If so, this is an extremely telling sign about how much your pet cares about you and looks forward to spending time with you. Dogs need exercise and affection just like we do. They can tell when their owner is coming home from a long workday. They know that you need them!

They Don’t Follow Your Commands

We all want to be proud of ourselves as pet owners, but there are definitely times when we don’t feel like we’re doing enough to take care of our dogs or control them when necessary. You might wonder if your dog respects your authority at all because he won’t listen to you even when you give clear commands in a firm tone.

It could indicate many things, including that they aren’t afraid of you anymore. When this happens, it’s important to re-evaluate how much time you spend with your pup and what kinds of activities the two of you are doing together.

black and brown dog looking up at owner
A tan and black dog looking up at its owner

They Bite and Attack for No Reason

If your dog has ever bitten you or anyone else, put yourself in their shoes. For whatever reason, they feel threatened or afraid, and it’s up to you to understand what is happening so that you can work through the problem together. It is extremely serious and should not be taken lightly.

Your dog might not be the perfect best friend that you’ve always wanted them to be, but this doesn’t mean that they hate you. 

When people wonder if their pet hates them, there are a few things that they need to consider before jumping to conclusions about how much unconditional love their pup has for them. All dogs want affection and attention. If they are not getting this from you, then maybe it’s time to step up your game!

As a last note, I’d like to make you aware of your dog’s circumstances. Your dog may be showing signs of hating you in your eyes, but it could be them coping with past trauma. This especially applies to adopted pups that past owners abused. They may have significant trust issues with you and strangers in general. This is just something to consider!

It’s worth it to talk to your vet and consider treatment options, don’t be afraid!

Signs Your Pet Loves You

bichon sleeps on owner lap
A Bichon lazing and snoozing on top of its owner

Not everyone understands how dogs think and act. It’s important to remember that dog language is different from how we talk to each other. So they might not act out in ways that are obvious to us. However, as pet lovers, we all want our furry companions to be happy and healthy, even if they don’t like sharing their toys with us!

Dogs communicate with one another through facial expressions, movements, and sounds. Therefore, if you know this, you have a basic understanding of how your companion will communicate with you. You will understand your companions’ gestures with time as each dog communicates differently.

Dogs typically show you they love you by licking you, wagging their tail, panting happily, and being playful. Of course, every dog is different, so the best way to know how they feel about you is to spend a lot of time with them!

You might notice that your pooch doesn’t show these signs all the time, but there are always moments when you can tell that they love you.

Wrapping Up

We hope this article gives you a better understanding of your pet’s behavior. The more you learn about your pet, the better chances you have of understanding how your behavior may be impacting your pet. It is essential to understand the reasons behind your dog’s actions.

No matter the case, you can work through rebuilding a healthier relationship, even if you feel they hate you. They make such great companions and truly will always love you unconditionally (unless there is something wrong with them mentally). Please give pets a chance. They are honestly just like us under all that fur!