Dog owner shares 'common habit' that could be upsetting your pooch A TikTok user who's also a dog owner has shared a 'common habit' that could be upsetting your pet, and has been met with mixed reviews - with some saying it's relatable (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto ) Every dog owner wants their pet to be happy and healthy - and they'd be devastated to discover they've unintentionally upset them. But according to one canine enthusiast, there's a typical human action that dogs find rude and intrusive. ‌ A TikTok user going by @happystaffyco highlighted the importance of respecting your dog's personal space, suggesting that ignoring their boundaries could chip away at their trust. ‌ Read more: State pensioners wake up to mysterious £921 payments in bank account She explained: "[You could be hurting your dog's feelings by] not respecting their boundaries. Sometimes we all want a little bit of space and if you're giving your dog attention and they walk away from you, if you follow them that can really break the trust that your dog has in you." However, that's not the only typical issue, as scolding your dog for something they don't understand can lead to bewilderment and distress, reports the Express. Article continues below Adding to her advice, she stated: "If your dog did something when you were at work and you came home and then saw your pillow was destroyed and scolded them afterwards, they're not going to connect the dots. "The thing we love most about our dogs is that they live in the moment, which means they're not aware of what they did five hours ago. "Although they may appear sad and guilty, it's simply because you're upset at that moment, rather than an understanding that they've ruined your treasured pillow." ‌ Reflecting on her input, a follower commented: "My staff won't respect my boundaries, it feels like she wants to be in my skin sometimes and it makes me happy." Another user commented: "How true especially the last one if you don't catch them doing it you shouldn't scold them". A third user shared: "If my dog walks away and I don't follow him he'll either start barking at me or walking into me." ‌ One more user said: "I could never scold my baby. I can't get upset with him no matter what he does. I don't have the heart too." According to Dr Erin Hecht at Harvard University, canines express their emotions in various ways, mostly through body language like tail wagging, ear position, and subtle facial expressions. A statement on The Dog People reads: "Empathy refers to the ability to understand another person's (or a pet's! ) emotions and consider what they're going through. When you understand your dog's feelings, you'll generally have an easier time interpreting their behaviour and responding to their needs.That said, empathising with your dog may come with some limitations. "Reading dog signals can be surprisingly difficult for humans, and sometimes a signal can mean different things depending on the context," Barton explains. Article continues below For example, if your dog tucks their tail or hides, you might think they feel guilty or embarrassed-when in reality, they're afraid or in pain. Ultimately, the best way to understand dogs involves learning their individual body language and vocalisations, considering the context, and then applying that to the feelings you know dogs can experience.