Good Life

7 Ways You're Accidentally Confusing Your Dog (Trainer Explains)

By Beth Ann Mayer Parade Pets

Updated April 21, 2026 6:17 AM

A dog feeling conflicted and puzzled by its owner. Getty Images josephgruber

Dogs can have an enviably simple life. Their lives are basically revolve around eating, sleeping, pooping and playing. While it may also seem kind of boring, experts stress that dogs thrive when they have a "Groundhog Day" rhythm for their daily lives. However, when changes occur that your dog doesn't expect or that go against something they were told not to do, it can make the feel disoriented and puzzled. To find out 7 ways you are confusing your dog without realizing it, according to a trainer, keep reading.

"Dogs learn best through clear expectations and repetition," says Shannon Kenny, CPDT-KA, a professional dog trainer with Woofz. "Creating an environment that is predictable allows your dog to recognize which behaviors you find desirable and which ones you don't like. As a trainer, I always say that dogs excel when things are black and white-'yes' or 'no.'" Yet, pet parents can sometimes add some color, or at least veer into "gray" territories, which can throw their dog off.

"When dog owners are inconsistent or unclear with communication, dogs will struggle to understand your expectations," Kenny notes. "This can lead to frustration, anxiety or behaviors that look a lot like disobedience-when really, your dog is just confused about the rules."

So, if you're here to learn what dog owner mistakes you may be making so you can fix them and learn how to communicate with your dog better, Kenny shares a few common ways you may be confusing your dog on accident below. She also points out some some signs your dog is confused that you can look out for. See if you're guilty of any of them!

7 Ways You Are Confusing Your Dog Without Realizing It, Trainer Warns

How can you tell if your dog is confused by something you said or did? Kenny says that confused dogs may stop following commands or display signs of anxiety or stress, such as restlessness, chewing on things other than their toys and even overgrooming. To avoid all of that, check out some ways you might be sending mixed signals to your dog. After all, tons of pet parents are unaware of simple things they do each day that can be confusing to dogs.

1. Switching Words Up For Specific Commands

What confuses dogs the most? Words! As humans, we may know that words like "place" and "bed" mean the same thing. Yet, Kenny reveals that dogs don't thrive when people use important commands and any associated hand gestures interchangeably. "Dogs learn cues through repetition and consistency," Kenny explains. "If you tend to switch your verbal cues or change your hand gestures, your dog may not realize that they mean the same thing."

Sometimes, this confusing habit stems from family members not speaking the same "language" to a dog. One person may say "place" while the other says "bed," for instance. Because of this, Kenny explains that everyone being on the same page and using the same doggy lingo can help make your dog less confused. "It's important to make sure that every member of the family uses the same language," Kenny notes. "Choosing one word and one hand gesture will help your dog understand your request much faster."

2. Hugging

You may mean to share an affectionate moment with your pup when you hug them. However, if you do embrace your dog, Kenny shares that it's one of the ways you are confusing your dog without realizing it. "Dogs are constantly using body language to communicate," Kenny points out. "Though, many of their social cues are very different from ours. To humans, a hug is a sign of affection, support or even a greeting."

Dogs don't necessarily agree-in fact, most don't. "To a dog, a hug can actually feel quite stressful," Kenny says. "It can feel restricting and intimidating to have a human's face so close to theirs. This can be confusing, but it will often appear as stress."

Kenny says some signs you are confusing your dog may include them freezing, looking away, licking their lips, yawning or giving you the side-eye in that moment. To help keep your dog from feeling uncertain and perplexed by your action, pet experts say to pay attention to how they are behaving. "Always ensure that you're familiar with the dog before you go to hug, and check their body language as you go to do so," Kenny advise

3. Yelling For Something That Previously Happened

Too loud, too late. "Dogs are extremely smart and can connect consequences to actions if they happen immediately," Kenny says. "However, if your dog chewed a shoe earlier in the day and you scold them later for it, it will be impossible for them to link the punishment to the intended behavior." Instead, this is a classic example of a dog training mistake that can confuse your dog and create dog communication issues.

Kenny adds that showing them the shoe doesn't help. "It is more likely that your dog will associate the scolding with the action that they're doing at that moment, which can make your behavior seem very unpredictable and stressful," Kenny states. "It's also important to note that the behaviors that we typically associate with 'guilt' are actually fear or 'appeasement gestures.'"

4. Having Unpredictable Work Hours

Kenny says that dogs thrive on routines and predictability. "They are very well-versed in identifying patterns and learning our schedules," she reports. "Frequent routine changes can make it more difficult for dogs to predict when meals, walks, play time or nap time will happen."

That doesn't mean you have to quit your job if your schedule is one of the ways you are confusing your dog without realizing it through inconsistent routines. "If you do have a changing work schedule or inconsistent hours, it may be a good idea to stabilize small portions of your dog's schedule," Kenny suggests. "Try to create consistent feeding times, hire a dog walker for walks at the same times every day or keep the same bedtime routine."

5. Saying "It's OK" When Your Dog is Scared

Kenny knows people mean well with this one, but when your dog is scared, telling them "It's OK," isn't the best idea. In fact, it can confuse your dog and weaken clear communication signals. "Providing comfort to your dog when they are scared/nervous is absolutely alright to do," Kenny states. "However, it is important to realize that words alone may not help your dog like they would help another person."

Tone is crucial here as well. "A soft tone and slow pats can be relaxing for some dogs," Kenny notes. "For others, it may be more effective to provide more assistance. Getting them out of the situation or environment, feeding them treats that they love or playing 'pattern games' may be more helpful."

6. Staring At Your Dog

Save the staring contests for your favorite human child because dogs aren't game for it. In fact, staring at your dog can send mix signals and make your dog unsure what you're communicating to them. "In dog language, direct sustained eye contact can signal pressure and act as a threat," Kenny reports. "This type of eye contact is often accompanied by stiff posture, attentive ears and tail and a closed mouth." Kenny adds that brief eye contact is generally less intimidating and less likely to confuse your dog.

7. Changing Your House Rules

If you cuddle on the couch nightly with your dog and then suddenly when your parents come over you tell your dog they aren't allowed on the couch, your pet will get confused because in the past, that was something they were allowed to do.

"Dogs are trying to exist in a human's world with all of these made-up rules they have to follow," Kenny reminds us. "Changing those rules can make it even more difficult for your dog to know what's right and wrong. If they are allowed only on some pieces of furniture or only in certain situations with unclear cues, they may never be able to guess correctly."

Instead, Kenny shares that clear, predictable rules and boundaries are the way to go if you want to help your pet learn which behaviors will consistently work. "You are sending mixed signals otherwise," she warns. "Dogs may make the some mistakes, start hesitating about some behaviors or appear more anxious/stressed because they are conflicted about what to do. Very confused dogs can even lose confidence and shut down behaviorally."

Source:

Shannon Kenny, CPDT-KA, a professional dog trainer with Woofz

This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 6:10 AM.