Recently, a study on dog behaviour proved that dogs do get jealous. Whether it is jealousy as humans experience it or anything else, dogs do feel envy. We often think that they can feel the same way that we do. But that is not true. Moreover, your dog may be acting assertive, pushy, or rude. However, it is hard to tell its exact feeling. Jealousy and possession are hard to concede. It can be troublesome for others, so you should identify the true feelings of your dog.
A jealous dog behaviour may include:
- Snapping
- Getting between you and other objects
- Behavior towards others
- Extra attention to you
What Causes Dog Jealousy
Dogs want your attention, their favourite food, and other things from you. But when their demand increases to another level, you should look into the matter and check for its cause. Most of the time, your dog feels jealous just because of the changes in your lifestyle that affect your dog a lot. It can be a new schedule, home, or neighbourhood. A new pet or a new member of the house can also be the reason for your dog’s jealous behaviour. It is not easy for your dog to adapt to sudden variations.
Read Also: How To Start Dog Training As A First-Time Pet Owner
Another reason for your dog’s Jealous behaviours is boredom or insecurity. They want your attention, cuddles, care, and time. They want to have fun with you and want you to keep them busy with something or the other. When you fail to fulfill their expectations, there is a shortage of resources and space. That will lead to poor behaviour development in the dogs.
signs of Dog Jealousy:
- Aggression
- Going to the bathroom indoors or outside the litter box
- Giving extra attention to you
- Being Pushy
- Growling and hissing
- Fighting with other pets
- Trying to scare off strangers
- Leaving the room
How to reduce Jealous Behaviour in Dog
- Keep notes on the reasons that cause signs of jealousy. It will help you to manage your dog alone. You can also share the situation with your vet for professional advice.
- Give equal love and attention to everyone if you have any other pet besides a dog.
- Make your dog feel safe, secure, and relaxed in its crate. So, it sees it as its personal space.
- Feed dogs separately to avoid a quarrel. Give them equal treats.
- When you arrive home, you must give equal attention to your every pet.
- Give them attention and praise when they behave calmly and do not show jealous behaviours.
Managing to keep the mental health of the dog stable is the most significant task to avoid any unwanted and unpleasant situations. You need to understand their basic needs as our pets only want our love and nothing more than that.
Read Also: 15 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Dog From Animal Shelter
Tips to Help Your Jealous Dog
If you see any symptoms of jealousy in your dog, you must eliminate the cause or try to find a permanent solution to reduce the problem. Pet parents generally think that their dog needs to understand and will eventually learn to deal with the cause of its jealousy. But if you consider the signs of jealousy, you will see that it is beneficial for you also if you balance the situation. Here are some things that you can do to check the jealous behaviour of your furry friend:
- Ignore
To avoid unwanted behaviour, do not react when your dog shows jealousy. If your dog is doing something unpleasant in front of you, gently move it away or leave and carry on with your chores. That will make it understand that its behaviour is not acceptable.
- Reward
As you ignore the bad, you must praise the good behaviour. Therefore, reward your dog when it is calm and relaxed. That will make it understand how it can make you happy and get a treat.
- Give Attention
Give your dog the required attention. It may need a little extra love during this time, as it is already going through something that cannot be expressed and is easily acknowledgeable by all. You should be a responsible pet owner who can provide that extra care and love to your baby in its bad times.
- Review training exercises
Use commands like sit, stay and come. You can use these commands when your dog is showing unacceptable behaviour. Reinforcing behaviours will help establish your leadership and polish your skills in managing your dog’s jealousy behaviour.
- Include new members
If the behaviour of your dog changes due to the presence of a new person, then help your dog become familiar with it. When you go for a daily walk with your dog that time you should bring the new member with him. Sharing meals and spending playtime together will make it understandable that the new person is now part of the family. Offer appreciation or a treat at some calm and obedient behaviour only.
- Stand Firm
Never tolerate bad behaviour, and do not allow your dog to rule the house with unwanted behaviours. Implement whatever disciplinary methods you use whenever your dog starts hissing, growling, tearing things up, or acting out.
- Witness Changes
Try to supervise your dog during any changes. Make sure you are present when bringing a new member into the home. You may feel angry at your dog for acting out, but the truth is that it is your responsibility to make sure your home stays safe and stable.
Read Also: Types Of Dog Toys And How To Choose The Best Toy For Your Pet
- Be Patient
Wait it out. Your dog is adjusting to the new situation, so try to be patient.
Taking Care of Yourself and Your Dog
- Divide and conquer: If you have a lot of issues going on at once or if the jealousy issue of your dog is leading to secondary behaviour issues, you should focus on one problem at a time.
- Manage like a pro: Follow the pet management rule. Engage them in exercise, make them feel contented, and do not forget about resource management.
- Keep calm and carry on: Decide and make up your mind to share your life with an imperfect pet. That will reduce your and your dog’s anxiety and stress. As they are experts in tone and facial expression. They will understand your expectations by your gestures.
Get Help
Do not be afraid to call in a dog behaviour specialist or work with a trainer if dog jealousy is an ongoing issue. Give your dog some alone quality time. Going on walks with another pet is good social time, but sometimes, your jealous pet may need space. Give your dog the gift of individual attention.
Conclusion
You are still a great pet parent. It is wise to call the vet or professional for extra help. If your dog becomes aggressive or their behaviour is affecting their health or safety, be sure to enlist the assistance of a professional trainer. Recognizing your dog need help makes you a self-aware pet parent. Some people would respond that animals do not know how to be jealous, but you could tell from the actions of some pets that they feel jealous about everything.
Perhaps you do not want to call it jealousy because that is an emotion that you do not think animals can feel. But can you deny the behaviour? You would say that your dog is acting territorial. Call it what you will—it happens, and it is something that you may need to deal with sooner or later if you have pets in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Use positive reinforcement to encourage calm behaviour. Reward your dog when they respond positively to others and gradually expose them to situations that trigger jealousy while maintaining a calm environment.
Provide equal attention to each dog, ensure they have separate resources like food bowls and sleeping areas, and use training to promote teamwork and sharing.
Identify triggers for aggression, redirect negative behaviour, and use commands like “sit” or “stay” to calm the dog. Seek professional help if the aggression persists.
Signs of jealousy include pushing in for attention, whining, snapping at other pets, or destructive behaviour like chewing or scratching.
Yes, dogs can feel jealous when they perceive a loss of attention or resources, especially when a new pet or person is introduced.
Jealousy signs include avoiding the baby, excessive barking, pushing between you and the baby, or seeking constant attention.
Introduce the puppy slowly, supervise their interactions, and reward the older dog for calm and friendly behaviour toward the new puppy.
Start with neutral ground introductions, keep them leashed, and gradually increase their interaction time while monitoring their behaviour closely.
Your dog may feel jealous due to changes in routine, lack of attention, or the presence of a new person or pet in the household.
Spend quality time with your dog, create a consistent routine, and reward positive interactions with treats and praise.
Jealous behaviour seeks attention or affection, while territorial behaviour involves protecting spaces or resources from perceived threats.
Your dog sees you as their pack leader and may feel insecure when your attention is diverted to another dog.
Yes, Chihuahuas can be jealous, often due to their strong bond with their owner. Proper training and attention can manage this behaviour.
Dogs may perceive a partner as competition for your attention and react by seeking more affection or displaying protective behaviour.
Dogs can feel jealous if they think the cat gets more attention. Providing equal attention and encouraging positive interactions can help.
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