Hi, I have a unique situation and I’m looking for some guidance. I have schizophrenia, which affects how I interact with my 4-year-old pug. When I first adopted him, I was in a much better mental state, but now I’m very scared of touching or even praising him out of fear he might feel uncomfortable. I still take him on two long walks each day and play with him, and he seems happy and relaxed most of the time. He doesn’t act out or seek extra attention, but I worry he may feel neglected because I don’t pet or talk to him much. How can I make sure he feels loved, even if I can’t touch or praise him like most people do with their dogs?
It’s clear you care a lot about your dog. Just being there for him daily like you are shows love. I’d say, getting support for yourself is also part of helping him, and it sounds like you’re already trying so hard. He’s lucky to have you looking out for him.
Dogs feel love through actions, like feeding, walking, and playtime. If he’s content with the routine you have, he probably feels loved. If you work on overcoming the fear gradually, maybe one step at a time, it could help you both.
Therapy could be helpful in navigating these worries. Your dog is happy with you—keep that in mind. Maybe adjust any meds if your doctors think it could help. He loves you just as much even if you’re not showing affection in typical ways.
Try talking to him, even if it feels strange at first. Dogs love hearing their humans’ voices, and even a simple ‘good boy’ would likely make him happy without making him uncomfortable.
Ripley said:
Try talking to him, even if it feels strange at first. Dogs love hearing their humans’ voices, and even a simple ‘good boy’ would likely make him happy without making him uncomfortable.
I worry it might make him uneasy. But I’ll give it a try… maybe a quick ‘good boy’ won’t hurt.
Dogs really do love getting verbal praise. Even if you say it softly, I think he’ll love hearing it. Plus, taking care of your mental health will benefit both of you. He’s lucky to have such a devoted owner!
Look into dog communication signals—they’re usually very clear if they’re uncomfortable. You could also try ‘cooperative care’ training where he can signal when he wants interaction. This might help ease your worries about making him uncomfortable.