If you’re like us, then you absolutely adore your dog. They bring so much joy into our lives, and we would do anything for them. However, sometimes they can also be a real pain in the neck!
From chewing up our favorite shoes to pooping in the house, it’s easy to get frustrated with our furry friends. But you know for a fact that you would never give them up, no matter how crazy they drive you.
So, if your dog has been causing you some grief lately, don’t worry! We’re here to help you with 9 tips on how to avoid frustration. Trust us; your life will be much better for it.
My Dog Is Making Me Miserable – 8 Tips To Avoid Frustration
- Redirect Your Focus
Want to avoid frustration? Simply shift your focus to something else! Instead of fixating on the negative behavior, try to think about all the good things your dog does. This will help you see the situation more positively and make it easier to deal with.
Again, we do understand if you cannot think of anything good in the heat of the moment. In such a case, you can simply focus on things you enjoy. Go for a walk, watch TV, or listen to your favorite song. Just do anything that helps you calm down and relax.
- Don’t Take It Personally
Did your dog spoil your new shoes or chew up your favorite book? Or perhaps, they had an accident in the house even though you’ve been working hard to potty-train them. Whatever the case may be, you shouldn’t take it personally.
Dogs are known for acting on impulse, and they don’t always understand the consequences of their actions. So, instead of getting angry, try to see things from their perspective and have some patience. They’ll eventually learn what they can and cannot do.
Remember, dogs are not malicious creatures. They don’t understand that what they’re doing is wrong. All they know is that they want to play with you and make you happy.
- Change Your Perspective
It’s also essential that you change your perspective on the situation. Instead of viewing it as a problem, see it as an opportunity to bond with your dog. After all, they’re only acting out because they want your attention!
So instead of getting mad, try to view the situation as a chance to show your dog some love. Spend time playing with them, petting them, or just talking to them. They’ll appreciate the gesture and, hopefully, stop doing what annoyed you in the first place.
- Take Deep, Long Breaths
When you start feeling frustrated, just take some deep breaths. This will help you calm down and avoid doing anything you may regret later.
As we all know, dogs are incredibly good at reading our emotions. So, if you’re angry or frustrated, they’ll pick up on that, and it’ll only aggravate the situation. By taking some deep breaths, you’ll be able to remain calm and collected, which will, in turn, help your dog stay calm as well.
- Let Go of Things You Cannot Control
There are certain things in life that are simply out of our control. And that’s perfectly alright! We’re only human, after all.
The same goes for our dogs. There will be times when they do things that we don’t like, no matter how much we try to stop them. In such cases, the best thing you can do is let go and accept that there are some things you cannot control.
This doesn’t mean you should simply give up training your dog. It just means that you should be more understanding when they make mistakes. Dogs are not perfect and will make mistakes from time to time.
- Look at the Bigger Picture Instead of Getting Mad
When your dog does something that frustrates you, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and lose sight of the bigger picture. However, it’s important that you try to take a step back and look at things from a different perspective.
Will your frustration stop your dog from doing what it did? Probably not. In fact, it’ll likely only worsen the situation. Will the mess your dog just created matter in a week or a month? Probably not.
So instead of getting mad, try to stay calm. It’s not worth getting worked up over something that won’t matter in the long run.
- Talk About It With Friends and Family
Is your friend a pet parent too? Then they’re probably going through the same things as you! Talking to friends and family members who also have dogs can be a great way to vent your frustrations.
It’s also a good opportunity to get advice from people who have been in your shoes. They’ll likely have some helpful tips and tricks you can use the next time your dog does something that frustrates you.
- Take Some Space from Your Dog
Who says space is important only in relationships between humans? It can be just as important in our relationships with our dogs.
If your dog is driving you up the wall and you need a break, don’t hesitate to take some space from them. Go for a walk, take a nap, or just go into another room for a little while. You can even take the weekend off and get away, provided you have someone to watch your dog while you’re gone.
It’s important to remember that you’re not a bad pet parent just because you need some time away from your dog. We all need a break from time to time, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Conclusion
There’s no need to get frustrated or angry with your dog every time they do something you don’t like. Just take a deep breath, relax, and remember they’re only doing what comes naturally to them.
Dogs aren’t perfect, but they’re still our furry friends. So instead of getting mad, try to show them some love and patience. And you’ll be amazed by how they return the love tenfold!
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years, I’ve tried many different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But it’s products that I use daily myself, and I have the utmost praise for.
Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, I’ve been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dog’s specific needs, and as my dogs absolutely love the product, I’m pretty sure I’ve found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.
Dog Training: If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you know that it requires a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and it’s something I strongly recommend you consider.
Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, you’re going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply can’t beat this brush for everyday grooming.
If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
