Why do some dogs love other people as their owner?

Sometimes the owners are offended that the dog loves other people as well as the owners. But is this true and is it worth it to be offended by a dog? Let’s figure it out.

The love of a dog for its owner consists of 2 components.

1. Emotional connection. It is formed as a result of the experience of the reinforcements that communication with a person gives. The owner is associated with a dog with a pleasant: games, walks, delicious food, affection. If not only the owner communicates with the dog in this way, an emotional connection can be formed with other people too. And, as a result, she rejoices at a meeting with them, offers games and communication.
2. An important difference in relations with the owner in most cases is the presence of the second component of attachment. This is the security base. The basis of safety for a dog is normally a person. In his presence, the dog will behave more actively, more and bolder to explore the world around him, more willing to play.

It is important that attachment to a person is safe. In this case, the dog, of course, worries if the owner leaves, for example, but quickly calms down and, when the person returns, joyfully greets him – and calms down again. If a secure attachment is formed between a person and a dog, the pet will be more inquisitive, independent, persistent in achieving goals, full of enthusiasm, much better at learning and much more willing to interact with the outside world.

Attachment can be formed to more than one person, although there is an opinion that the number of attachments is limited.

Note that we write “man” almost everywhere, not “master”. The dog is not aware of who bought it (took it in a shelter, picked it up on the street, etc.) It is important for it with whom it has formed an emotional connection and who is the base of safety. This may be one or more people whom she, respectively, loves. And whether the owner is among them depends only on him.