Let’s be honest—while dogs are often called “man’s best friend,” they’re also masters of manipulation. Not in a sinister, plotting world domination kind of way (leave that to the cats), but in the charming, “I’ll get what I want by being outrageously adorable” kind of way. Your dog may act like they live to serve, but let’s be clear: they know they run the show.
Here are 10 daily power moves your dog pulls to remind you who’s really in charge.
1. Stealing Your Spot the Moment You Stand Up
You get up to grab a snack, stretch your legs, or—god forbid—go to the loo, and by the time you return, your dog has taken your warm, perfectly contoured spot on the couch or bed. Bonus points if they immediately pretend to be asleep or look at you like you’re the one being unreasonable for wanting it back. It’s the canine equivalent of “this is my seat now, peasant.”
2. Making Direct Eye Contact While Disobeying You
“Come here!”
Your dog: locks eyes, yawns, slowly walks in the opposite direction.
This isn’t confusion. It’s not forgetfulness. It’s a tactical power play. They’ve heard you. They’ve understood. They’ve simply chosen not to participate. It’s their way of saying, “I acknowledge your leadership—and I reject it.”
3. Insisting on a Walk… Then Refusing to Move
They begged for it. Whined, twirled, brought you the lead. So out you go… and 30 seconds in, they decide to just sit. Or sniff the same blade of grass for 8 minutes. Or lie down in protest halfway up the road. You’re not walking them—they’re walking you. At their pace. On their terms.
4. Turning Their Nose Up at Kibble Until You Add ‘A Little Something’
Straight-up kibble? Boring. Dry. Offensive, even. But the second you add a splash of gravy, a crumb of cheese, or just pretend to stir it dramatically with a spoon—chef’s kiss. Suddenly, it’s a gourmet experience. Your dog wasn’t hungry, they were simply unimpressed by the lack of effort. Respect the palate.
5. Sleeping Like a Starfish on Your Entire Bed
They’re tiny. You are not. But somehow, by 3am, your dog has managed to stretch out like a Victorian noble on a fainting couch, leaving you curled up on the edge like an unwanted guest in your own bed. It defies physics. But not dog logic: “If I am comfortable, we are comfortable.”
6. Pretending They Haven’t Eaten in Days When Guests Arrive
You feed them like royalty. They’re on a consistent, nutritious, expensive feeding schedule. And yet, the moment a guest enters your home, your dog turns into an emaciated Victorian orphan, staring longingly at the kitchen like they haven’t eaten since the Great Famine. It’s emotional blackmail—and it works.
It’s not a request. It’s a demand. The toy drop is a classic move: firm, deliberate, and perfectly placed on your foot or lap. Then comes the stare. Not playful. Not hopeful. Intentional. Your dog isn’t asking if you want to play. They’re telling you that you do.
8. Refusing to Pee Until You’ve Walked at Least 500 Metres
Rain? Doesn’t matter. Wind? Doesn’t matter. Freezing cold and you in pyjamas and slippers? Really doesn’t matter. Your dog will not go immediately outside the house. That’s amateur stuff. They must walk the perimeter of their domain, assess several sniff zones, reject at least three potential pee sites, and then—finally—do their business. It’s about standards, darling.
9. Strategically Placing Toys (or Their Body) Where You’re Most Likely to Trip
Your hallway, your stairwell, right next to the bed. These are all prime locations for a squeaky duck ambush or a full-body sprawl. Is it sabotage? Possibly. Is it effective? Always. And if you fall or stumble, your dog will look at you like, “Well, you should have been paying attention.”
10. The Long Sigh of Passive-Aggressive Judgment
Nothing hits harder than that exaggerated, slow exhale from a dog who’s had enough. You didn’t share the food. You’re typing instead of playing. You said “walk” but meant “later.” The sigh is loud, pointed, and utterly loaded with judgment. It’s the dog equivalent of an eye-roll—and somehow more cutting.
Bonus Move: The Selective Hearing Power Flex
You say “vet” and they hide.
You whisper “treat” from across the house and they come running like a guided missile.
Your dog hears exactly what they want to hear, when they want to hear it. The rest? White noise. It’s not a flaw—it’s a strategy.
Final Belly Rub
Dogs may be loyal, loving, goofy companions, but let’s not kid ourselves—they’re also brilliantly manipulative little masterminds. These daily power moves aren’t just funny quirks; they’re how your dog maintains total psychological dominance over your household without ever raising a paw. And the wildest part?
You love it. You live for it.
Because even when they’re stealing your pillow, ignoring your commands, or sighing like a jaded aristocrat, your dog is still the best thing in your world. And deep down, you wouldn’t change a single manipulative move.
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Amanda O’Brien is the owner of The Dog Snobs website. She is dog mad and dog aunt to Clover in London and Poppy in Sydney. She can’t wait to have a schedule that allows her to have a dog of her own (for now it is two Siberian cats) and loves learning about dog breeds and dog behavior.
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