My dog loves me, but he loooooves my youngest brother, Jacob. It’s not even a contest: put my brother and me on opposite ends of a room, and Radar will always run to Jacob first. It’s funny and mystifying at the same time. After all, I’m the one who raised Radar and take care of him every day. I feed him, walk him, let him sleep on my bed…but when Jacob comes for a visit, it’s like I cease to exist.
So sometimes, a dog’s favorite person is not always their primary caregiver. How do dogs choose their favorite person? And is it possible to change their minds?
Of course, every dog is different, but some generalizations apply. Read on to learn all about how dogs choose their preferred people.
If you have the feeling you’re not your dog’s favorite person, don’t despair. You can improve and increase the bond between you. The easiest (and most fun) way is to spend at least 30 minutes of focused, one-on-one time together each day. This doesn’t include walks, yard time, or watching TV together. Your bonding time should be active and focused.
Here are a few bonding activities to engage in with your dog:
- Play fetch, tug, or hide and seek.
- Have a training session. Working on new skills, or reinforcing old ones, is a great way to bond!
- Try a sport like agility or flyball where you and your dog can work together as a team.
- Food (in healthy, appropriate quantities) is love. Aim for wholesome protein sources with limited fillers, and try some homemade meals for your dog. Make mealtime a bonding activity by integrating eye contact.
- Give your dog a grooming session or massage.
Bonding occurs naturally between dogs and the people who treat them well. Take good care of your dog, socialize him, give him positive experiences, and respect his unique personality. He’ll reward you with a lifetime of love (even if he sometimes acts more excited to see your brother).
source : daily treat