
In this article you’ll discover:
- Why your dog suddenly avoids you.
- Why dogs prefer to isolate themselves.
- Why punishments are no longer acceptable.
- Tips on how to solve your dog’s sudden avoidance.
- And a lot more to know…
Table of contents
- Why is my dog avoiding me all of a sudden?
- People also ask:
- 9 reasons why your dog is avoiding you (all of a sudden)
- #1: An illness is bugging your dog
- #2: Your dog is aging
- #3: Your dog is suffering from mental issues
- #4: Traumatic events haunt them
- #5: Your punishment went overboard
- #6: Something/Someone intimidates them
- #7: You encourage their avoidance
- #8: You made them feel like they’re in trouble
- #9: They grew from isolation
- 7 tips on what to do if your dog is avoiding you
Why is my dog avoiding me all of a sudden?
Your dog is avoiding you all of a sudden because of several common reasons. It can be due to illness, aging, and depression. Their physical detachment is a sign that they aren’t well. One of the usual symptoms is isolation. They will also dodge your attempts to play and cuddle with them.
People also ask:
9 reasons why your dog is avoiding you (all of a sudden)
#1: An illness is bugging your dog
According to this article, a dog’s role in society is companionship. You may even become the reason behind their socialization skills when they were pups.
One of the leading causes of unusual detachment is illnesses or injuries. Some common symptoms that took place before the avoidance are:
- Fidgety.
- Vomiting.
- Nose bleed.
- Loss of appetite.
- High temperature.
- Lethargic movement.
- Lack of interest in playing.
- Urinating and defecating with blood.
Some of these typical warning signs aren’t too worrisome. But be mindful of what your dog is exhibiting, especially if it’s becoming severe.
For instance, this study showed that vomiting might be an indication of diseases. The different outcomes brought by vomiting are diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, parasite, etc.
Also, this book (pg. 15) dissected unusual urine descriptions.
It shows that strange urinal conditions can be a symptom of a deadly disease. One example is myoglobinuria, which can affect dogs’ kidneys.
Why dogs prefer to conceal the pain
Dog owners aren’t foreign to the fact that dogs prefer to hide the pain.
Findings showed that dogs remain less interactive when in pain because of their owners. Dogs are aware that their owners’ way of comfort is physical interaction.
For example, you accidentally put pressure on your dog’s body upon hugging. As a result, their pain worsens.
Some dogs allow this. But the majority tend to become aggressive and unwillingly hurt their owners. Your furry friend doesn’t want that. So they hide the pain away, instead.
#2: Your dog is aging

Aging dogs are like humans. Their health deteriorates, too. Your senior dog avoids you because they aren’t as active as they were before.
Instead of running around, they prefer to lay down. Unlike when they were pups, they will stop following you around the house.
Findings from this article confirmed that senior dogs undergo physical and cognitive changes like:
- Lethargy.
- Sagging skins.
- Prolonged sleep cycle.
- Uncontrollable loss of fur.
- Impaired senses such as poor eyesight and hearing.
Last but not least, your old dog could be suffering from dementia. This is a condition of the brain which could cause your dog to forget the most important person in their lives – you.
Judging from these indications, it’s evident that they can’t keep up with you anymore. Dog owners don’t often appreciate their senior dogs.
But as a loving dog parent, your appreciation should come with determination. Make sure you’ll exert efforts in getting close with them for the last time.
#3: Your dog is suffering from mental issues
Depression, along with other mental issues, lead dogs to steer clear away from you. Most distressed dogs’ common coping mechanism is to isolate themselves.
Have you wondered why your whiny dog when you leave, suddenly becomes distant?
Another typical cause of avoidance is separation anxiety or becoming a velcro dog. Your lack of attention will resort them to avoid you at all costs.
Dogs and humans are both emotional beings. If humans can have mental issues, then so do dogs.
But unlike humans, the community often pays no attention to dogs. Their inability to coherently talk leads them to speak their actions.
#4: Traumatic events haunt them
Did you know that dogs can become victims of post-traumatic disorder, too? This study showed that military dogs are often the victims of PTSD.
For them, it’s like war flashbacks that insinuate exposure to near-death experiences. The researchers pointed out that dogs do not display verbal signs of trauma.
Instead, they avoid the people they encounter. Regardless, it doesn’t mean they seek comfort from fellow dogs or animals.
There are also dogs that suffer from trauma due to dog-fights. Animal shelters frequently encounter and rescue dogs from battlegrounds.
Dogs also show anxious actions like excessive shaking, when you get too close. Sometimes, a loving home isn’t enough. You also have to exercise suitable solutions to ease their mental pain.
#5: Your punishment went overboard
Your dog’s habitual activities can become annoying. Imagine waking up to see your favorite slippers chewed. Better yet, imagine seeing your homework in pieces.
It’s beyond understandable that you’ll feel angry. But dogs are sensitive animals. This research displayed that dog-human interaction inclines more on dogs.
The researchers found that dogs are sensitive to their human’s emotions. In fact, they seem to interact more through emotions.
Harshly reprimanding your dogs will make them feel an understanding that you’re in rage. They become guilty that they cannot muster up the courage to show their face.
Are punishments necessary for dogs?
For dog owners who wish to train their dogs, punishments are no longer necessary. For years, reinforcing physical sanctions for dogs was acceptable.
But this journal discovered that punishments are the leading source of aggression. The author suggests that if there’s an alternate solution, use it instead.
For example, if your dog keeps jumping on your chair, violence isn’t the answer. Rather, find a way to block the dog from jumping on the chair.
#6: Something/Someone intimidates them
Have you recently moved out of your house? Did you invite someone without warming them up to your dog? Or perhaps, introduced a new furry friend?
If you have, watch out for signs of avoidance. Owners are at fault too, if they fail to pay attention to their dogs.
An intimated dog is afraid to socialize due to the fear of sudden attack. If you’re inviting someone over, allow your dogs to warm up to them.
A new environment will also make them avoid you. Dogs tend to build their own safe space. Without it, they become uneasy and will pay no attention to your presence.
You might also want to check out: 13 Surprising Reasons Why Your Dog Is So Aloof + 13 Tips
#7: You encourage their avoidance
Dog owners resort to giving treats and rewards when their dogs do something unusual. While it’s beneficial and is a great solution, it reinforces unwanted behavior.
For instance, giving rewards to your dog who suddenly avoided you will bring encouragement. In fact, this study proved that dogs see treats as a driving force.
Meaning, it motivates them. This is why dog trainers have lots of treats stored in their pockets.
But then again, it will only make the avoidance worse.
They’ll keep avoiding you if you constantly supply them with what they want.
#8: You made them feel like they’re in trouble

As mentioned, dogs’ emotions interlink with human’s. Sometimes, it becomes too much for them. In fact, a single stare can make them cower away.
You will notice the result of your behavior even before they start avoiding you. They will usually hang their head low to avoid staring at you.
When dog owners do this, they unknowingly make their dogs feel scared. As a result, dogs become wary to the point that they avoid you.
#9: They grew from isolation
Isolation distress usually occurs to shelter dogs since shelters rescue abandoned animals. You will notice this distress when you adopt a dog.
Their wariness often goes with confinement. Because to them, they got used to being alone.
Isolation can also cause violent reactions, especially when you attempt to get closer.
Compared to a traumatic experience, growing up in isolation is easier to cure. Regardless, dogs’ behaviors end up in the same field – distancing themselves.
7 tips on what to do if your dog is avoiding you
#1: Seek professional help
Unless you’re a veterinarian doctor yourself, you need professional help immediately. Your dog’s sudden avoidance might be a sign of underlying illness.
Typical warning signs are lighter but the outcomes are heavier. They can distance themselves from you, but you shouldn’t do the same.
Better yet, to avoid these circumstances to take place, schedule regular check-ups. In that way, you’ll know beforehand if your dog is experiencing something unwanted.
This goes the same for dogs with mental issues. You may unknowingly become the very reason why they have anxiety and depression.
Aid from a professional shall fix this.
In addition, take note if your dog had a past medical record. Knowing so shall save you time, especially with the medication requirement.
But make sure the symptoms are similar. Otherwise, you have no choice but to visit the nearest veterinarian hospital.
#2: Do not punish your dog
Training dogs can be handy, but keep yourself from applying physical punishments. As mentioned, you might want to rethink your disciplinary rules.
Instead, you can think of something that will not hurt your dogs. Sometimes, soft tones of lectures are enough. Remember that your dog is sensitive to your feelings.
To them, hard stares are equivalent to punishment.
Calm interactions are better, along with praises every now and then. This way, they’ll know where they did well.
#3: Make them feel noticed
If your dog started avoiding you, don’t do the same. In fact, spend more time with them. Encourage them to play outside or have a nice walk in the park.
This report concluded that dogs have ways on how to seek attention. When engaging in a playful activity, dogs can sense when humans are inattentive.
Another study shows that a prolonged absence of playfulness results in boredom. As time goes by, boredom becomes progressive.
It will come to the point that they may become temporarily monotonous. To resolve this, ignite their senses and play with them more!
#4: Warm them up to people

Familiarizing is extremely important to dogs. According to this article, the first step in training dogs is familiarity.
The researcher recommends allowing dogs to get used to a stranger’s presence. If done successfully, inviting someone over should not be a problem.
This goes the same for other animals that you will introduce. If they become familiar with people, aggression and avoidance are unlikely to take place.
But the case for matured dogs who grew from isolation is different. It will take patience, and trust in reinforcing new principles to a grown dog.
#5: Take baby steps
Let’s say you adopted a dog from a shelter. By the time they reach their new home, expect them to avoid you.
What you will do is to let them feel at home. Their first instinct is isolation because everything is new to them.
Do not force your dogs to be with you at all times. Also, avoid invading their personal space. Their untamed trait may come with violent reactions.
#6: Do not encourage their sudden avoidance
To stop encouraging their sudden avoidance, diagnose them first.
Don’t just give them treats right away. If they’re sick, aging, have a bad past, and are depressed, seek professional help instead.
Giving them rewards will keep the avoidance going for a long time.
#7: Take them on adventures
Sometimes, taking your dog with you is fun. Perhaps, you both needed a break from your daily routines.
This study found that dogs and humans benefit from being together. For humans, a surge in euphoria is evident. But for dogs, euphoria is an understatement.
You were with your puppy 24-hours before, what’s stopping you from doing the same?
Besides, adventures actually work for aging dogs. You’ll get to spend time with your furry friend before the final farewell.
Note: The majority of old dogs may not be able to go on adventures anymore.
If your aging dog has an underlying sickness, consult the vet first. Though optional, healthy aging dogs may also seek professional help before venturing.