Have you ever tried to add a pack member to the family? We all know that jealousy is almost certain between dogs at first. There is an adjustment period while the dogs get used to each other being around, and during this time you will see some not so good behavior and maybe even some fighting.
The trick is to let your old doggo know he is as important as he ever was, by spending some extra special time with just the two of you. At the same time, however, you must also welcome your new pup into the pack with open arms.
It is a fine line to walk, especially if you are a single person caring for more than one dog – but you can do it! We have faith in you!
Signs Your Dog May be Jealous
Look Fido – meet Fifi! Isn’t she cute? GRRRRRRRRR, Bark BARK BARK (translated into human as I don’t like her mommy; she can’t come into MY house.) Your dog might be exhibiting some tell-tail signs of jealousy toward a new dog, cat or other pet.
For those of us who have been through this before, we all know the drill.
Some dogs fear they are being replaced by the “new” dog so they act out, much like a toddler does when they get a new sister or brother.
Have you noticed your dog maybe sticking like glue to your side? Has your dog ever taken a toy away from the new dog while you and the new dog are playing? Does your dog sleep on the new Dog’s bed or destroy their new bed or toys? Does your dog growl when the new dog comes near them?
Don’t even be surprised if your dog chews up your shoes or pees or poops in the house when they are perfectly potty trained – this is your dog on vitamin J – the old green-eyed monster!
Your dog, depending on how big they bring the drama, may even stage a hunger strike. This is a sure sign they are not happy with you bringing in a new dog.
Be sure to spend extra special one-on-one time with your “old” dog and assure him that he is still your fur-baby! If your new dog and old dog are near each other, watch for the fur on the back of their necks (their hackles) to go up; this is a sure sign of danger – the danger being that someone is stressed by the other Dog’s presence and may strike out.
Keep a close eye on them if this should happen or remove the stressed dog from the equation by taking them for a walk alone or giving them extra special cuddles.
Here is a trick I always used to get my dog used to another furry face; I rub the newcomer’s scent on a toy or a blanket and I place that in my “old” doggo’s bed.
This way, the “old” dog is getting used to the new dog’s scent without even knowing it.
Score one for the humans!
Body Language
Here are some of the typical signs your dog will show if he’s feeling jealous:
Growling
Staring
Barking
Whining
Guarding
Panting
Jumping Up
Ears Drop
Pacing
Other Signs
Here are some other signs that a jealous dog will be showing:
Depressed
Aggressive
Loss Of Appetite
The History of Jealous Dogs
Charles Darwin, the famous evolutionary biologist, noted in his 1871 book Descent of Man: “…everyone has seen how jealous a dog is of his master’s affection, if lavished on any other creature.”
You hit the nail right on the head, Chuck! You are their person; you are their everything. They have no desire to share your attention.
Since Fred Flinstone dared to pet another pet in front of Dino, jealousy in our dogs has been apparent. Their is a social hierarchy with dogs and their people, much like it is between boss and worker, sister and brother, mother and daughter and so on.
Feelings of jealousy are something we all experience when our understood alliances are changed.
The Science Behind Jealous Dogs
Scientists have been studying dogs for the effects of jealousy for years.
During one such study, they had an owner read to a stuffed dog and ignore their own pet. Their pet would either kneel over the stuffed pet or guard his human to get cuddles and attention. Nearly 86% of dogs would sniff the anal region of the stuffed animal just to try and figure out what this dog had over them.
As with humans, all it seems to take is a rival to pop up and feelings of jealousy begin. Dogs have a very basic instinct to show their displeasure when their person is showing an over-abundance of attention or affection to another human or pet.
Remember grade-school recess, when who you thought was your best friend played with another person you didn’t even know? It’s kind of like that.
A dog’s love for their person is unconditional; they are fiercely loyal and when another pet or person enters into the equation, things can get confusing for them.
In the midst of this article, it is crucial to remember that dogs are fiercely loyal and their love for their person is unconditional.
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ When introducing a new pet into the family, it’s natural for your existing dog to feel jealous. To manage this, make sure to spend some quality time with your old pet, reassuring them of their importance.
2️⃣ There are several signs that your dog may be feeling jealous, including aggression, loss of appetite, guarding, or destructive behavior. If you notice these behaviors, it may be necessary to separate the pets temporarily or give your old pet some extra attention.
3️⃣ Gradually familiarize your old dog with the new pet’s scent by rubbing a toy or blanket with the newcomer’s scent and placing it in your old pet’s space. This strategy can help your old dog get used to the presence of the new pet without any direct confrontation.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. What are some signs that a dog may be jealous of a new pet?
– Some signs of jealousy in dogs include sticking close to their owner, taking toys away from the new pet, sleeping on the new pet’s bed or destroying their belongings, growling when the new pet comes near, and exhibiting abnormal behavior such as chewing shoes or having accidents in the house.
2. How can you address your dog’s jealousy when introducing a new pet?
– It is important to spend extra one-on-one time with your old dog to reassure them of their importance. Additionally, introducing the new pet’s scent on a toy or blanket in the old dog’s bed can help them get used to the new pet without even realizing it. Close monitoring of their interactions and removing the stressed dog from the situation if necessary is also recommended.
3. What are some body language signs that indicate a dog is feeling jealous?
– Growling, staring, barking, whining, guarding, panting, jumping up, dropping ears, pacing, and other signs of distress such as depression, aggression, and loss of appetite can indicate jealousy in dogs.
4. What did Charles Darwin observe about dogs and jealousy?
– Charles Darwin noted in his book “Descent of Man” that dogs can be extremely jealous of their owner’s affection if it is directed towards another creature. He recognized that dogs have a strong desire to have their owner’s attention all to themselves and may become jealous when that attention is shared.
5. What have scientists discovered about dogs and jealousy through studies?
– Scientists have conducted studies on dogs to better understand the effects of jealousy. One study involved owners ignoring their own dog and reading to a stuffed dog. The majority of dogs exhibited signs of jealousy, such as sniffing the anal region of the stuffed animal, when their owner showed attention to another pet. This suggests that dogs have a basic instinct to show displeasure when their person shows excessive attention or affection to another pet or human.
