What should I do if the dog won’t let anyone near me?

Researchers believe that dog jealousy occurs for the same reason that we do. The pet feels that what he values ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXband loves is under threat. So, a dog that adores its owner and craves his attention will be unhappy if a person turns this attention to someone else. This is elementary rivalry and unwillingness to share their benefits with others. And the blessing in the case of a pet is the patronage and care of the owner, and someone else can easily take possession of all this (so the four-legged one thinks).

Especially often, dog jealousy occurs when a child or other family member, husband or wife appears in the house. And if earlier the pet received enough affection and attention, then later they began to treat him more indifferently. For a devoted dog, this is a real disaster.

Such a scenario is often encountered: the dog vigilantly guards the owner and begins to bare his teeth and even attack her husband. Or vice versa, the pet simply does not like the soul in the owner, but does not want to get along with his missus.

Most likely, the couple made one gross mistake when raising a dog. They allowed her to consider one household member as the leader of the “pack” and did not react in any way when the pet showed the first “rings” of aggression towards another family member as a puppy.

However, the reaction of the dog is quite understandable if she previously lived with one person and he devoted time only to her, and then a partner appeared in his life who began to pull the “blanket” of attention and love over himself.

What to do in this case:

1. Do not take all the responsibility for the pet only on your shoulders. If only one person spends almost all the time with the dog, she will begin to consider him the leader. Feed, play and walk with the wet-nosed one together or in turn, so that he does not single out any of you.

2. In no case do not show joy and do not play along with the dog, which jealously guards you. On the Internet, you can find many videos with similar content, when a large dog growls at a husband who wants to come over, and the wife strokes the dog and laughs. So you only encourage the behavior of the dog, and then it will be very difficult to correct it. Demonstrate disagreement with her actions, command “no”, etc., but do not scold or punish the four-legged.

3. With a dog you need to find a common language gradually. Let the one whom the dog dislikes, be sure to take part in caring for her: feeds, gives treats, walks, plays, strokes and talks to her more often. Dogs subtly feel the attitude towards themselves, and if a person is friendly, over time, even an incorrigible jealous person will thaw and become kinder. Of course, the dog’s object of love must also devote enough time to him and show that he has not exchanged him for anyone.

4. Don’t push your dog away if you’re hanging out with a partner and your pet wants to play or just lie down next to you on the couch. Willingly accept the dog in your company. But if the four-legged really bothers you, do not show irritation – distract the dog with a toy or a tasty treat, but do it affectionately.

5. Do not sort things out violently with the person to whom the pet is jealous of you. Your negativity is transferred to the dog, and it is also hostile.

You will also have to adhere to certain tactics so that everyone is comfortable:

• Always have a treat for your tailed friend in the stash to appease him at any time.

• When communicating with a dog, never show displeasure, do not use commands. This can only be done by the one whom the dog considers the owner.  

• Try to evoke as many positive associations with yourself as possible in your dog. Once again stroke her, give a treat or throw a ball. Over time, the dog will remember that you are the one with whom she has fun and feels good.

• When you need to approach the person whom the pet is guarding, be sure to affectionately call the tailed one, scratch behind the ear (if it allows), treat it once again. Let him understand that your presence nearby is completely safe.

• Do not drive the dog away, do not let him understand that he is superfluous here. Otherwise, all efforts will be in vain.

Do not be afraid to seek help from a cynologist or zoopsychologist if you can’t manage to correct the dog’s behavior on your own. Love, understanding and a bit of patience will certainly work wonders.