6 Things Your Dog Really Thinks About You!

As “The Secret Life of Pets” gets ready to debut in theaters nationwide, the tagline rings true for most owners: “Ever wonder what your pets do when you’re not home?” Sure, a camera can be set up to keep an eye on your favorite furry friend, but what about what your pet thinks about you? Here are some common things that bother your pet and what goes through his or her mind: 

1. Dogs hate hugs. Even though loving owners might want to show affection with a hug, dogs don’t like it, Mother Nature Network wrote. They do not have arms and therefore cannot hug. In fact, a dog sees a hug as an act of dominance.

2. Your dog hates when you don't use body language to express yourself. Most humans love to chat, but it’s not the best form of communication for dogs. Even though they might know some words-- like "no," "walk" and "treat"—they cannot understand human language, Mother Nature Network reported Thursday. Instead, try to use body language by leaning forward when you say, “Stay." 

3. They hate when you pet their face or head. The same thing goes for humans, too, when you think about it. If you wouldn’t want a stranger to touch your face, the same goes for a dog. Instead, dogs prefer a rub on the rear end by the tail.

4. Using different commands. If a dog is barking, an owner might shout the pet’s name to get him to stop. A different time, the owner might change it to: “Quiet,” “Hush,” or even “Shut up!” All of these different sounds send mixed signals to the pet. This is also why body language is important.

5. Dogs will test owners if they feel like the owner is not the leader. Some dogs are just plain spoiled, but others are testing their owners, Dog Secrets wrote. They could even play dumb just to get their own way. They might think things like, “Give me a treat or I’ll poop near your bed tonight.”

6. Your dog might not love you back. While there are plenty of owners who are convinced their love is reciprocated, there is no research to support this.

"There was no evidence to support the view that because a person has a strong emotional bond to their dog, their dog is similarly attached to them," a study conducted by a group of Swedish and Danish researchers revealed, according to Scientific American.