Treating your dog like a human is a mistake and can lead to problems down the line, an animal behaviour expert has warned. 

Jim Stephens from the Pet Behaviour Centre said pets do not think the same way as their owners and this can result in “issues of misinterpreting behaviour”.  

“The most common one is assuming the dog understands what it’s done wrong,” he told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“People say, ‘Oh, he knew he did wrong, he’s guilty’ - when in actual fact… he doesn’t remember.” 

Mr Stephens said this can lead to potentially very serious problems. 

“We assume that they like to be hugged, which is not in the behavioural repertoire of the dog,” he said. 

“So, children can be put at risk by hugging dogs that don’t really want to be restrained like that. 

“Eventually it can lead to growls and barking and, in the worst case scenario, a bite.”

Main image: A man hugging his dog. Picture by: Alamy.com