The middle finger is one universally understood language that goes far beyond different tribes, nations, countries, cultures, and languages. This is not only considered rude, it is offensive and may not be taken lightly in many situations.
However, why do dogs hate the middle finger? When someone gives you the middle finger, it is definitely perceived as an insult and can trigger feelings of anger for the person on the receiving end.
Why Do Dogs Hate the Middle Finger?
Oddly, only humans think of the middle finger as offensive. Apparently, even dogs can recognize this as rude and they hate it as much as humans do.
Not every animal can recognize the middle finger to denote something rude or insulting. Animals like cats do not even care and may assume you mean something else like a signal for food or to come for a head scratch.
Dogs, on the other hand, are very emotional and quite intelligent. As such, if you “flip the bird” at your dog, best believe that your dog may react strongly in different ways. In some cases, dogs could:
- Growl at you for showing him the middle finger
- Turn his back on you in protest
- Bite your finger and injure you in the process
Why do dogs hate fingers?
It definitely comes as a surprise that dogs are able to understand what that finger means when it is used even though it was created for humans as a way to express anger among people.
How dogs have come to understand and learn what the middle finger means is quite explainable. Below are some reasons why dogs hate the middle finger
Dogs Understand Aggressive Behavior
Dogs can sense danger easily. It is in their nature to quickly pick up on signals and strange or aggressive behaviors in their environment.
This is why your dog may become very defensive and bark intimidating and continuously whenever it sees a stranger coming close to it or new visitors in your house.
It may simply mean that your dog is not comfortable around that person and feels unsafe.
However, whenever you give your dog the middle finger, it will immediately pick up on the signal that it is “bad” and will react almost immediately as they have very strong instincts.
An Invitation to Play Rough
When dogs engage in playful activities with humans and other animals, it is completely normal for them to get excited and bark as a result.
These playful actions are completely harmless and are not deliberate but they may be considered violent, aggressive, or dangerous by people and strangers who are watching from the outside.
Previous Treatment by Former Owners
Dogs will clearly have a negative reaction when they see the middle finger. That is if it is intended to insult them or mean something rude and offensive.
Many dogs will become aggressive and violent once they are being shown this middle finger and it may be perceived as an indication of playtime.
Although not all dogs will react aggressively when shown the middle finger, it may induce another form of reaction such as:
- Intimidation
- Fear
In turn, this will cause your dog to retreat and go back to its crate or safe zone.
Dogs are creatures of habit. They learn and understand human behavior as they watch carefully how humans behave and act in different situations and scenarios. Dogs are also very perceptive
While they are able to remember happy and joyful memories, they can also remember the negative memories and emotions vividly.
This means that if you have ever shown your dog the middle finger intentionally as an insult, your dog will probably not forget.
Hence, even if you playfully show your dog the middle finger again, it will remember when the gesture was used and react negatively.
If the gesture was used mostly by its previous owners as a way of scolding or warning your dog against doing something, your dog still has that in mind and will feel you are scolding or reprimanding it when you show him the middle finger even if you did so playfully.
Ways to reprimand your dog that are not aggressive
If you have been using the middle finger to warn, scold or reprimand your dog whenever it dies something that you do not like, then it is advised that you stop doing so.
There are other better things you do to correct your dog whenever it misbehaves that do not have to be insulting or offensive. For instance, you can use a strong “no” to let your dog know that what it has done is wrong.
Do not shout at your dog, hit your dog or use the middle finger as this will not encourage good behavior and may make your dog become frightened or aggressive towards you.
Encouraging Good Responses
The three major theories behind dogs’ behavior towards the middle finger are:
- Dogs are not triggered by it: Some dogs will not react when shown the middle finger. They could even see it as a sign of rough play.
- It can induce fear: If your dog becomes frightened or afraid when it sees the middle finger, then this may cause them to retreat and run into their crate or safe place.
- It can be perceived as aggression: Once this happens, your dog will immediately respond in an antagonized manner
Dogs that react violently when being shown the middle finger are a serious threat and you should endeavor to stop doing this immediately.
This is because, over time, your dog may become more aggressive and can cause you harm or serious injuries if the situation is not handled properly.
Whether jokingly or not, if you know your dog behaves differently when you give it the middle finger, then it is best to stop the gesture completely.
This will cause your dog to be more comfortable and safe around you.
Also, if you are having friends and guests over at your house, caution them against making such gestures as it will only upset your dog further.