Dogs and Jealousy
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For ages, many animal experts held that all dog behavior, including possible jealous tendencies, stemmed from instinct rather than emotions, but new research is proving that theory wrong. So, if you recently brought a new friend or another pet into your life, and your dog suddenly seems less than friendly, you may just have a jealous pooch on your hands.
Paul Morris, Ph.D., a psychologist and animal behavior expert at the University of Portsmouth in England, determined that certain animals, including dogs, experience a wide array of emotions. Along with jealousy, these emotions include anger, anxiety, surprise, pride, embarrassment and shame.
While cats, pigs, horses, rabbits and hamsters also seem to get jealous, dogs appear to feel this emotion more often and with greater intensity. Dog owners who were included in the study consistently reported that their dogs pushed in between themselves and third party rivals for their attention.
Scientists as of yet can't communicate with dogs to know what they are truly feeling, but the evidence so far suggests that canine emotions -- including jealousy -- are comparable to what we experience.
"All we can do is look at behavior and context," Morris said. "Both the behavior and the contexts observed are consistent with current scientific definitions of jealousy. I suspect that a highly social species such as the dog has a very developed repertoire of social emotions."
He and others plan to study animal emotions more in future. Meanwhile, what should you do if you suspect your dog is feeling jealous? Here are a few guidelines:
1. Recognize the signs
Like a spurned lover, your dog will have a hard time containing itself if it feels jealous. Sulking, snarling, growling, fighting and sluggishness can be symptoms of jealousy. Some dogs even get so upset that they stop eating. In that case, be sure to schedule a veterinary check-up to rule out possible medical causes.
2. Maintain routines
You likely have a daily routine for interacting with your dog, even if you did not establish this routine consciously. Think back to what your schedule and habits were like before the new pet or person was introduced and, whenever possible, try to reestablish that pattern with your dog. Routine is important to your dog because its jealousy, in part, comes from fear of losing its place in your life. By continuing to feed, walk, and play with your dog according to a normal schedule, you reassure your pet of its place in your heart.
3. Give extra attention
Try to spend even more time with your dog than usual during the transitional period. If the subject of your dog's jealousy is another person, encourage that individual to play, pet and otherwise positively interact with your dog as much as possible.
4. Reinforce basic training
Your dog thinks of you as part of its pack. Now it must share you with another individual. You must remain the leader, so gently show your dog who is boss by verbally scolding negative behavior as soon as it starts. At the same time, reward positive behavior with sweet talk, head rubs, and treats, especially if your dog makes an effort to socialize with your new pack member.
5. Empathize
Whether the object of your dog's jealousy is a new pup or person, try to remember that from your dog's perspective, it was with you first. Your dog has attempted to earn your loyalty and affection over the years, while sharing those same gifts with you. Its jealousy is actually a measure of how much it values both you and its position within your now-growing pack.
About the Author
Scott Rose , a columnist and contributor for Pampered Puppy, has also written for Modern Dog, New York Dog, Conde Nast Traveler and several other publications.
Add a comment or Ask our expert
My Jealous Dog
My dog, Isabelle loves playing with other dogs but I know if I were ever to get another dog she would be sooo jealous. I want her to have a buddy to hang out with while I'm at work but I'm not sure how she would react..she has shown some signs of aggression when she gets jealous about other dogs being at the house. Do you think getting a puppy would make her think it was her baby?
Posted by Emilie on 2007-10-05 at 22:26:23
This Article
I believe that canines do in fact have jealousy. My companion dog, Betty, shows this behavior all the time around other dogs. Is this bad?
Posted by Crise Billwalk on 2007-10-06 at 15:45:34
jealousy
We have 4 babies: 9yr Dobie, 9yr border collie, 3yr Dobie and 6months old all female & spayed except the problem male who is neutered. 6 months ago, we brought home a dobie puppy of 6wks. at 4 months old our other 3yr old dobie got her playing and tore the bottom portion off her ear. on labor day.Now 2 months later,in the corner of the bathroom (I also was in there) the 3yr dog again lashed out and now torn a portion(flap)on the pups other ear. It is being repaired surgerically as we speak. What can correct these triggering moments of what we are assuming jealousy?
Posted by julie on 2007-11-27 at 16:18:50
BRENDA
BRENDA, Is the name of my dog, she is 2 yrs. old. we had her for 4 yrs. When my brother and his girlfriend brought they're new puppie to out house, brenda immidelty showed aggression, and other times she would be playful. Well, just recently she has been pooping in the house, i assume to mark her territory? I came across this artical, and i now know what i didn't know. yes brenda is my frist and she will always be, she has been through everything with me, even the hurricanes when i lived in fl. Now back in my home town of california brenda is well liked, very protective, and very loving, she is a family dog. mixtuer or rottwiler/caddledog. very rare breed, infact i haven't seen any in florida or here in califronia... anyway thanks for the artical
Posted by jennifer on 2008-01-01 at 23:59:04
Jealous dog
I have 10month old border collie, she is friendly and very social with humans and other dogs, but if i go to stroke another dog she goes for it, any advice on what to do?
Posted by Athena on 2008-01-27 at 06:11:08
Garm
My dog Garm is about 2 years old now and he started showing signs of jealousy when we brought home a new friend for him when he was 7 months. Vidar, and other dog of similar size is two months younger than Garm. At first they seemed to get along splendidly and seemed to be inseparable companions. Then, Garm would start attacking Vidar occasionally when Vidar got attention from me and my husband. It's escalated now to him actually growling and snapping at me and my husband for showing the other dog attention. I wish I knew how to make him stop. He seems to really like Vidar, unless he is getting attention from us.
Posted by Jay on 2008-01-27 at 13:45:38
zeliousy
Fantastic article and so true i realised immidiately
Posted by vicckey on 2008-02-20 at 14:42:01
My jealous dog
My 3 year old female lab/shepard mix rescued/abused/neglected/abandoned gets mildly jealous when I pet other dogs at the dog park. She walks in between us or she get between my legs. Sometimes she whines/moans. BUT when I pet my two favorite dogs in the park (both female Viszla) she whines loudly, jumps on me and sometimes barks at them. HELP
Posted by Tom & Gloria on 2008-04-02 at 03:04:31
Jealous
I rescued a neglected abandoned Australian Shepherd dog. She is my shadow, and protective. She does get mildly jealous if anyone comes near me. Overall, she is the most wonderful dog and a great companion.
Posted by sarahlyn Bennett on 2008-04-16 at 14:49:59
Jealous Dachshund
I have a five year old female Dachshund named Maggie and recently purchased a male Dachshund puppy. Maggie has now ficiously attacked him at least 5 or 6 times. I am afraid she is going to hurt him. I think it is because she is jeolous. I got the puppy to replace my 10 year old male Dachshund which I had to put down due to a terminal illness. Maggie would also attack him on different occasions during their life together. Do you have any suggestions or advise for me? When she attacks the puppy I grab her and hold her down and bring the puppy to her until she stops growling at him and seems to get submissive, but she continues this behavior at least once a week. How do I correct her of this behavior? I do not want to have to find a new home for her.
Posted by Jolene Guarniere on 2008-06-11 at 23:04:17
Upset Maltese
I've had my dog for 5 years now im sitting my cousins 7 week old puppy while she is in iraq, now my maltese does not want to be bothered with me or the puppy...he dosent respond to me or come when i call him he seems very depressed...how long will this last???
Posted by breanna on 2008-07-11 at 00:29:03
My Little Ozzie
Ozzie is a new member as a canine when I first got him he didn't mind toni and charlie (the kittens) but now he is chasing after them and growling,I am pretty sure it is cause of me ,and his relashon with charlie...what do you think i should do?
Posted by Curlycue on 2008-08-05 at 12:20:08
jealous Lady
My little border collie/terrier mix has become very possessive of my husband. When I sit next to him she tries to push me away and if he is sleeping and I walk into the bedroom she snarls and growls at me ( we sleep in seperate rooms) My husband thinks this is funny. But I think that she is going to bite me. What should I do?
Posted by Joy on 2008-08-07 at 09:43:10
Jealous dog
Hi, I have a 2 and a half year old springer spanial. When my husband and I hug each other he braks and tries to get between us. Also when our kids and us touch he does the same thing. He is fine when we hold our cat but not when we give each other attention. What do we do?
Posted by Gretchen Spyhalski on 2008-09-05 at 15:40:21
jealousy
My fiance recently moved in with me and my two 8 year old pit bulls. Although he has developed a stong bond with the female, there is significant jealousy between he and my male (both ways). My male is not aggressive at all, however, he will work his way between the two of us on the couch, insist on sleeping on the other side of me in bed, etc. Most recently, he has begun to urinate on anything and everything with my fiance's scent on it. He is very well house trained and knows better, so he sneaks around and has never been caught in the act. What are you suggestions in correcting his behavior? He is not neutered, but I REALLY dont want to take this action, as I want a pup from him in the future. Thanks so much, Carla
Posted by Carla Langley on 2008-09-12 at 23:41:00
Dogs and Jealousy
I have a 7 month old neopolitan mastiff named brutus. He is a wonderful and loving boy great with my 4 young children. Three days ago i rescued a kitten and brutus is not happy at all. The past 2 mornings he has urinated in my house which he has not done since we got him house broken. My husband is very upset and wants to get rid of the kitten which my children have now fallen in love with him as well. I have tried all the suggestions above but i don't foresee brutus conforming back to his ways.
Posted by Jeannene Diaz on 2008-09-25 at 14:33:13
my two not jelous dogs
some people think if you get two dogs one will be very jlous. But my dogs love o play together. They have so much fun.
Posted by Emily on 2008-10-08 at 19:22:44
Jealosy
We rescued a dog ffrom the pound and it was fine for the first couple of days. Now as it has gotten more attached to my wife it seemd to have issues with the other family members,my 3 year old daughter to be more specific, in the area of aggression.When I say aggression I mean growling, barking, adnnd lookinglike he is going to bite her. He also growls and barks at me if I go for a nap and then come down the stairs after couple of hours, almost like he doesn't recognize me, but after I say his name and call him he is okay. I need to know what to do because if he bites my children I don't know what I will do. Can someone please help me we love this dog already even though it has only been three days with him.
Posted by William on 2008-10-14 at 20:50:59
Two dogs and jealousy
I adopted two puppies a month apart from a humane society. One is a border collie, the other a black lab mix. I had my border collie for a month before we went back and got him a companion and he and I bonded quite a bit in that month. The lab is a female and they have gotten along great for a long time. All of a sudden, my lab is always following me around and demanding all my attention and I noticed that the border collie does the same thing the moment the other dog is distracted. It's getting ridiculous to have them constantly follow me around, get in my face all the time and everywhere I step. Both dogs get a lot of attention and I have catered it to how they best respond to affection. I can't figure out what they're doing all of a sudden and if it's jealousy or a competition for dominance. I was told the lab would be the dominent dog, however, the bordie collie seems to be the first out the door, first in the door, first to come to me, first on just about everything and so I have tried to go along with that and address him first in all situations and it's been working... until now. I want both my dogs happy and well adjusted and am wondering if there is anything further I can do to help them adjust to this time in their lives or if it's just a phase. The border collie is now about 8 months old and the lab is about 9 months old and outweighs the border collie by about 15lbs. Any Suggestions??? Thanks!!
Posted by Michelle on 2008-11-13 at 17:48:26
New Member w/issues
We have a 3 year old cockapoo which we have had since she was a puppy and we recently decided to bring in a 3.5 year old yellow lab. The lab follows me everywhere and uses her nose to move the cockapoo away from me. I bring home a toy for each and the lab tries to take both. What is going on with the lab and what do I do?
Posted by Samantha on 2009-02-02 at 12:33:25
new dog jealousy
I have an 8 year old Pekingese and just adopted a new 11 month old peke. The puppy does not bother my older peke, but the older one is still pouting. We have had the new puppy 3 days. How long will this jealousy last? I keep waiting for them to play, but my older peke looks miserable.
Posted by Erin Wallace on 2009-03-03 at 18:04:03
jelous dog
i have had my dog since it what a puppy (lily)recently we got another dog (gloria)that is a lil bit older she seems alright with it until she sees us touching or playing with the other dog then she starts fighting with the other dog aggressively what can i do? is she just jealous or what
Posted by jesus on 2009-03-21 at 00:58:59
jealousy withmyson
My 3 year old mixed breed sometimes when my son comes near me Jessie starts to growl and a high pitch whine at him . What do I do I had Jessie since he was 10 weeks old we go him from Northshore animal League . Please help
Posted by Patricia Sciddurlo on 2009-04-10 at 18:11:02
jealous foster dog
About a month ago, I fostered a pair of mastiffs for a rescue. They have both bonded with me, but the female especially has gotten jealous of my youngest son. She took a run at him the other day, she wasn't growling or barking, but instead was doing this high pitched yapping. As soon as I yelled at her, she dropped to the ground, and at that point, I put a finger through her collar and led her back into the kennel. But she is very posessive and jealous of even her companion trying to get closer to me than she is.
Posted by Beth on 2009-05-03 at 23:40:20
dog jealous
i have a one year old beagle male dog. he is very well behaved. any time my husband or my kids hold me, he jumps righ in between us and starts whinning.
Posted by gita on 2009-06-11 at 14:37:24
jealousy
Newly adopted 2 year old Schitzu mix. Growls at my daughter when we enter the house together even though she is the one who usually feeds and also walks him. What should I do immediately when this happens?
Posted by sharon on 2009-06-12 at 11:42:09
Tibbie is Jealousy
My 2 yr Old dog Tibitan Spanial went on hunger strike, I am very worried same time new pup is very ill she got severe diarreha. So I have to feed the new pup and take care of her little extra. meanwhile my old dog is not responsding when I am calling her name, whole day she slept in one hidden corner. She's not eating. Please help as new pup is already ill I dont want my old dog to get ill 2. I am very worried. I love her
Posted by shahneela on 2009-06-27 at 15:20:35
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