Why Is My Dog Avoiding Me All Of A Sudden?

Reasons Why Your Dog Might Be Avoiding You

Dogs can be very protective of their owners.

They will often seek out a human when they sense that something bad is happening and attempt to comfort them.

When this happens, it’s important to understand why your dog might be acting strangely.

It could be because they are sick or injured, but there are other reasons as well.

1. Your Dog May Be Suffering from Anxiety or Depression

It has been shown that dogs suffer from anxiety and depression just like people do.

This can make them act differently than usual.

In fact, many dogs who suffer from depression or anxiety will become aggressive towards others around them, including their owner, if they feel isolated and alone.

2. Your Dog Could Have an Illness That Is Making Them Sick

Just like us, our dogs can get sick.

While we are lucky enough to have easy ways to find out what’s wrong with us (such as going to the doctor), it’s not always so simple for our dogs.

For example, some illnesses can be mistaken for another condition, such as arthritis.

If your dog seems lethargic or uninterested in things they usually enjoy, such as playing fetch, they may actually be suffering from illness.

It’s also possible that they are experiencing pain, which could be causing them to avoid you.

3. Your Dog Could Be in Pain

Although it’s rare, sometimes even healthy dogs may experience pain.

When this happens, it can cause them to behave in unusual ways.

Some dogs will start chewing on themselves, while others may become aggressive or scared.

If you notice that your dog is having trouble sleeping, eating, or walking, they may be suffering from pain.

This pain may be caused by injury, surgery, or arthritis.

4. Your Dog Could be Sick

Sometimes, even dogs who are generally healthy can develop a disease.

There are several different types of diseases that can affect dogs, including cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and more.

These diseases can cause a wide range of symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, decreased appetite, and more.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, especially if they seem worse than normal, then it’s time to see a veterinarian.

The sooner your dog gets treatment, the better chance they have of getting better.

5. Your Dog Could Be Hungry

Another common reason that dogs will avoid you is because they are hungry.

If your dog doesn’t eat for long periods of time, they may begin to lose interest in things they used to enjoy.

If you notice that your dog is acting unusually, such as becoming aggressive or frightened, it’s likely that they are starving.

If this is the case, it’s time to feed them.

6. Your Dog Could Be Bored

Some dogs love being outdoors and exploring new places, whereas others prefer staying inside.

Regardless of whether they enjoy exploring or hanging out at home, dogs need exercise.

If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise, they may become bored.

This can lead to aggression, fearfulness, and a general lack of enthusiasm.

7. Your Dog Could Be Sad

Some dogs don’t want to leave their humans, no matter how much they are loved.

This can be particularly true of puppies and elderly dogs.

If your dog is showing signs of sadness, such as crying, whining, or hiding away from you, it’s likely that they are missing their previous companion.

While this may not be the case, it’s still good to check in on your dog every now and again.

Even if they aren’t sad, they may become fearful or anxious without daily interaction.

8. Your Dog Could be Shy

Shyness is a common problem among dogs.

Sometimes, shyness is due to fear, while other times it’s due to socialization problems.

Either way, shy dogs tend to withdraw from social situations, making it difficult for them to interact with others.

This can make them less interested in interacting with you, their owner.

If you notice that your dog is becoming increasingly withdrawn or afraid of strangers, it’s probably time to talk to a professional about behavioral therapy.

9. Your Dog Could Be Overwhelmed

Even dogs who are very calm can become overwhelmed by large crowds or loud noises.

If your dog becomes nervous or agitated whenever you bring a group of people into your home, it’s probably time to consider moving somewhere quieter.

10. Your Dog Could Be Scared

Many dogs are naturally afraid of certain things.

However, if your dog begins to show signs of fear or panic whenever you approach them, it’s probably time to work through those fears with a professional trainer.

Is Your Dog Acting Normal in Other Ways?

There are many reasons why a dog might avoid their owner.

Some of these include:

  • Your dog is afraid of something.
  • Your dog has been hurt by another animal.
  • You have been aggressive toward your dog.
  • Your dog got scared when you were yelling at him.
  • Your dog has a medical condition that makes him nervous or fearful.
  • Your dog is pregnant.
  • Your dog has eaten spoiled food or ingested poison.
  • Your dog is experiencing separation anxiety.
  • Your dog is stressed.
  • Your dog has gotten into trouble with other dogs.
  • Your dog is bored.
  • Your dog is trying to hide from you.
  • Your dog is being bullied.
  • Your dog wants to play but can’t find you.
  • Your dog is protecting someone else.
  • Your dog is acting aggressive towards another animal.
  • Your dog needs help.

These are just some of the reasons why your dog might be avoiding you.

But what if your dog isn’t acting like themselves in other ways?

What should you do about that?

When to Worry About Your Dog Avoiding You

Whether your dog is a puppy or an older adult, there will come a time when they start acting strange around you.

The problem could be that your dog might have developed some sort of fear about you.

Maybe they think you are going to harm them or they just don’t want to get too close to you.

The symptoms can vary depending on how old your dog is and whether they were raised with other dogs around them.

Here are some signs to look for if your dog is acting strangely around you.

  • Your dog has been hiding from you.
  • They won’t come near you.
  • They growl at you.
  • They act aggressive toward you.
  • They bite you.
  • They try to run away from you.
  • They refuse to play with you.
  • Or, they hide behind furniture or under the bed.

Possible Causes of Why Your Dog is Avoiding You

It’s normal for dogs to avoid strangers at first, but if your dog avoids you on a regular basis, it could be a sign that they’re ill.

There could be many reasons why your dog is avoiding you; it’s important to find out what’s causing this behavior so you can help your dog.

1. They’re Sick

If your dog has been acting strangely lately, then there’s a good chance that something is wrong with their body.

The most common symptoms of illness include:

  • Lethargy (lethargic means slow movement)
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite

2. Their Bones Are Being Broken

If your dog recently had an injury, then it’s possible that their bones have become broken.

This can happen if you accidentally stepped on them when they were running around outside, or even by accidently knocking over furniture.

An injured dog will often have trouble moving around, and they may also start limping.

It’s not uncommon for dogs to break their leg during a fall, so it’s important to check to make sure that everything is okay.

3. They Have An Injury That Needs To Be Treated Immediately

If your dog is having problems breathing or swallowing, then you should see a veterinarian right away.

These types of injuries can lead to more serious issues such as pneumonia or a blood clot.

4. They Could Be In Pain

If your dog is showing signs of discomfort, such as whining or licking their mouth, then it’s likely that they’re in some type of pain.

Dogs can feel pain just like we do, so it’s important to treat their discomfort immediately.

There are many different ways to relieve a dog from pain, including using ice packs, rubbing their paws with olive oil, and giving them painkillers.

5. They Might Be Dehydrated

Your dog may be dehydrated if they’ve been drinking less than usual or haven’t eaten anything all day.

This can cause them to act lethargic and disinterested in food and water.

You can tell whether or not your dog is dehydrated by paying attention to their eyes.

If they appear to be dull and glassy, then they need to drink water immediately.

Keep giving them fresh water until you see them perk up again.

6. They May Need Vaccinations

While you don’t want to vaccinate your dog before they need it, it’s still a good idea to give them vaccines every few months to prevent diseases.

Some vaccines can be given once per year, while others require multiple vaccinations throughout the year.

The most common vaccine that dogs need is the rabies vaccine.

If your dog isn’t vaccinated yet, then you should schedule an appointment for them to get it done.

It’s very rare for a dog to contract rabies, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

7. They May Have Been Stung By Something

If your dog was stung by a bee or jellyfish, then they might be experiencing an allergic reaction.

Common symptoms include:

  • Redness around the area where they got stung
  • Swelling
  • Pale skin
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Severe itching
  • Weakness

If you think that your dog has been stung by something, then you should bring them to the vet immediately.

They may need to receive treatment for their allergy, and it’s important that you keep them calm and comfortable until they recover.

8. They May Be Suffering From Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is when a dog becomes anxious whenever they’re left alone.

They may show signs of stress, such as pacing back and forth, barking incessantly, or even hiding under furniture.

This behavior is usually caused by how much time they spent interacting with people and animals when they were puppies.

Once you leave them alone for too long, they start to associate being left alone with fear.

To help your dog overcome separation anxiety, spend more time with them when you’re home.

Make sure that they know that you love them no matter what happens, and try to stay close to them during the times that you leave them alone.

How to Get Your Dog to Stop Avoiding You

Dogs can become so attached to their owners that they will do anything for them.

However, sometimes dogs will start to avoid their owners, even though there is no reason to.

Your dog could be suffering from a medical condition such as an infection or injury.

It’s also possible that your dog has been bitten by another animal or is scared of something else entirely.

If your dog is normally friendly and suddenly starts avoiding you, it’s best to take them to the vet to rule out any health issues.

what to do if your dog continues to avoid you

It can be frightening when your well-loved pet suddenly changes their behavior completely.

If your dog has been friendly up until recently, but now seems to be avoiding your touch, there could be a number of reasons for this.

The most likely cause is that your dog is feeling unwell and would rather not interact with you at all.

This can happen for a number of reasons, including injury, illness or even just old age.

No matter the reason, however, it’s vital that you take your dog to the vet as soon as possible to make sure that they are okay.

Read on to find out what actions you should take next, and how to tell if your dog is sick or injured.

Megan Turner

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