People born in the Year of the Dog are some of the most loyal and loving yet pessimistic and worrisome. Dogs have a lot going for them with how faithful they are. But they also tend to focus on the negatives more than they should. If you or someone you know was born that year, it’s good to keep in mind that while Dogs are great friends, they can also get stuck in their own heads sometimes with all the what ifs.
The dark side of the Dog includes being overly anxious, pessimistic, stubborn, and self-sacrificing to a fault. While Dogs make devoted friends and partners, their anxieties and worries can become overbearing. Read on to gain insight into the darker aspects of Dog personalities, and how to keep them in check.
Loyalty Turned Possessiveness
The Dog can be fiercely devoted to those they care about, but that loyalty may turn possessive or obsessive. Dogs tend to get very attached to the people in their inner circle. They want to spend as much time as possible with the ones they care about. This can come across as smothering or clingy to some, though.
Dogs also don’t like it when the people they care for give their attention to others. They may try to monopolize their time and isolate them from friends and family.
It’s in a Dog’s nature to be protective, too. But taking that protectiveness too far can look like controlling behavior. They may try to dictate who their loved ones spend time with or what they do for fun. It comes from a place of caring deeply, but ends up doing more harm than good.
The best thing for a Dog to do is to work on managing their anxiety over losing people. Trust that the bonds they’ve formed are strong enough to withstand outside influences. With effort, Dogs can channel their loyalty into being supportive partners instead of possessive ones. As long as they don’t smother the flames of independence in those they care for.
Pessimism And Anxiety
As a Dog, pessimism and anxiety can weigh heavily on you. Your sensitive nature means you tend to worry – a lot. You may dwell on little things and blow them out of proportion in your mind.
The “what ifs” plague you as you fret about all the things that could possibly go wrong. This negative thinking and glass half-empty outlook often do more harm than good. Learn to recognize anxious thoughts and try to adopt a more balanced perspective. Instead of stressing about things you can’t control, try living in the present moment.
Stubbornness And Inflexibility
Chinese zodiac Dogs can be quite stubborn in their thinking and unwilling to accept different perspectives. Once they make up their mind about something or form an opinion, it can be difficult to get them to consider alternative views. They tend to see things as either black or white, with little room for shades of gray.
Compromise may not come easily to the Dog. They believe what they believe and don’t see the need to meet in the middle. Their rigid and inflexible nature can make them seem unreasonable and closed-minded at times. If you’re in a relationship with a Dog, their obstinacy can lead to frustration. They have a “my way or the highway” mentality that doesn’t leave much room for cooperation or concession.
The loyal Dog means well and wants the best for everyone, but their immutable beliefs and reluctance to accept other perspectives can negatively impact relationships and partnerships.
They would benefit from learning to be more open-minded and willing to find common ground. Developing flexibility and seeing that there are many right answers, not just their own, will help reduce conflict and lead to healthier connections with others.
Afraid of Disappointing People
As a Dog, you have a hard time saying “no” to people. Your eager-to-please nature means you often take on more than you can handle in order to make others happy.
You hate the thought of letting someone down or not living up to their expectations. So rather than be direct and risk upseting them, you accept extra tasks and responsibilities that you don’t really have the time or ability to complete. Learn to be more assertive and speak up when you’re close to reaching your limit. It’s better to say no upfront than to disappoint people later by not following through.
You Feel Guilty Easily
Your sensitive conscience means you feel guilty for turning down requests or not being able to help someone in need. But you must accept that you can’t do everything and be there for everyone. Set healthy boundaries to protect your own wellbeing. Don’t feel bad for putting your own needs first at times.
You’re A Pushover
Your eager nature and desire to please make you an easy target for manipulation. You have a hard time standing up for yourself and saying no when people try to take advantage of your kindness. Be on guard for people who would exploit your generous spirit. Don’t be afraid to be firm in your convictions and stand up for what you believe in. Learn to recognize when you’re being taken for a ride.
If You Were Born In The Year of The Dog..
..don’t let this discourage you. Your positive qualities far outweigh any negative tendencies. Just be aware of your weaknesses and work to overcome them. The Dog is a sign of loyalty, kindness, and compassion. Focus on cultivating those traits, and you’ll be on your way to becoming your best self.
