5 reasons dogs don't like certain people

You've probably noticed that your dog (or foster dog) has his opinion loud and clear about some people. Barking ferociously or expressing aggression toward a stranger on the street, the mailman, a neighbor's friend, you name it. Why is it that dogs sometimes react so vehemently to some people? 

1. Pitch of the voice

Scientific studies show that dogs do better with high, happy tones than with heavy, angry tones. This is because when you use calm, friendly, high-pitched tones with dogs, it activates their reward system. So don't put on too high a voice, because our four-legged friends can't appreciate a screaming kitchen maid. 

2. Fragrance

The dog's sense of smell is enormously strong. The dog can get a lot of information about a person based on smell. Therefore, if you as a person (according to the dog) do not smell good, the tone is quickly set. Dogs do not like vinegar, lemon and alcohol. Also, if dogs are not fans of other quadrupeds, they will dislike persons who smell like other dogs less. 

3. Body Language 

Dogs are quite fixated on body language because that's how they fill in the gaps of communication. What dogs are not very good at, for example, is making very direct eye contact with them. They may perceive this as a threat. It is better to look at the dog with "soft" eyes and sometimes look away slightly. It is also not a good idea to make big gestures with your arms and force a dog into a hug. 

4. How a person interacts with other people

Through a study, it was found that people who are often unkind to their owner, the dog also dislikes that person less. What loyal animals they are! 

5. Past trauma

Dogs that have been mistreated in the past, rescue dogs, or dogs that have suffered trauma somewhere take this with them for the rest of their lives. So dogs may develop fears or be afraid of certain people who are similar to people they have been mistreated in the past. For example, some dogs are afraid of men or children because they have had an unpleasant experience with them in the past. 

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