It is frustrating to animal behaviorists and dog trainers that the behavior of other people is so hard to influence, but it also makes sense. Because we’re humans and not dogs, we don’t intuitively know how dogs interpret our actions. Even when we are aware of what we’re doing with our body, we’re watching through a primate filter while they’re tuned to the canine channel.

The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs 

Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D.