How To Stop Dog Jealousy Aggression: How Do Dogs Get Rid Of Jealousy And Aggression?
Our dogs are seen in all of their glory, good, bad, and ugly. Have you ever noticed your pet becoming irritable? Like humans, dogs can be envious of toys, food, other pets, and even their owners’ attention. Jealous dog behaviour can quickly escalate into dog aggression if not addressed properly. Though dogs may display jealousy similar to that of humans, it is only in response to a perceived social threat. Dogs are incredibly skilled at reading and responding to human signals. This shows that they can pick up on social cues like pointing and eye contact.
It’s possible that your dog does not experience “jealousy” in the same way that humans do. Instead of being jealous, they may be assertive, pushy, or impolite. Your dog establishes social hierarchy in this manner. Canines used human social cues to find hidden food, which was discovered in a study. By observing our social cues, some canines can tell if they aren’t being rewarded or complimented as much as their peers. Jealous dog behavior can spiral out of control if left unattended, causing problems for pet owners.
It’s probably not your imagination if your beautiful dog becomes irritated whenever your new spouse, baby, or pooch enters the room. Certain indicators of jealousy in dogs are present, but don’t be alarmed; everyone can be taught to get along just fine. Let’s look at some of the indicators of jealousy in dogs, including reinforced behaviors, positive reinforcement, and the need for more attention.
- Aggression: Whether it’s new pets or how you spend time with a new love interest, your dog may become aggressive towards the object of their envious gaze. Whether it’s biting, barking, nipping, or jumping, you need to make it clear that this aggressive behaviour is unacceptable without demonstrating hostility yourself. It’s important to note that the dog has no personal animosity toward the human or the pet; they simply dislike them. They’re just worried that this visitor will jeopardize their place in the house.
- Resource Guarding: Most people believe that jealous dogs begin with resource guarding. Your house provides them with food, drink, and toys. If a new person or animal enters the scene, your dog’s basic brain warns them that these prized possessions may be taken away. When they see the object of their envy, they may gather their toys and hide them, or they may act suspiciously around their dining establishment. Resentful dogs would pull hard on their leashes when their owners seemed to stroke other pets or dogs. Whatever the case may be, a jealous dog will warn you if something isn’t right.
- Destructive Behavior: In addition to displaying anger, your dog may use your furniture to vent their frustrations. In some cases, a dog that is normally well-behaved may become disobedient due to jealousy. When an animal is not given the attention it requires, it may resort to destruction in order to get it.
- Pushy Attitude: A possessive dog or forceful behaviour are both signs of jealousy. If you and your partner are snuggled up to watch a movie or TV series and your dog keeps butting in between you, there’s a serious problem. Your dog has an envy problem if it whines, stares at you longingly, and jumps up on your lap whenever it gets the chance.
- Toileting Misconduct: Jealousy can lead to poor toileting habits. Indoor peeing or pooping is inconvenient, but it’s a clear sign that your dog is jealous. Because your dog is unable to communicate or write about what is bothering them, they devise novel ways to get your attention. While this could be a sign of a medical problem, it’s more likely a behavioral issue that needs to be addressed.
- Avoid interaction: The most polite way for a dog to show jealousy is to leave the room when the object of its envy enters. They, like humans, will turn away from people they don’t want to see. Because dogs are social animals, withdrawal is a sign that something is wrong, so don’t dismiss it. Following them from room to room will only encourage them to continue their bad behavior. Instead, wait for them to return and shower them with gifts and attention when they do well.
- Over-Grooming: If your dog appears to be cleaning itself all the time, it’s a sign that it’s agitated. When they feel they are missing out on the caressing and love that you appear to be giving to another person or pet, they use grooming to self-soothe. Your dog may clean itself excessively due to frustration, boredom, or stress.
How do you get your dog to stop being jealous?
There are many different ways for a dog to show jealous behavior, so pay attention to it and make sure you’ve addressed the problem properly. There are a few things you can do if it’s envy.
- Record the factors that lead to envy or hostility. If you notice any bad habits that you can’t handle on your own, you can share the list with your veterinarian or a professional animal behaviorist.
- Take care of both animals. Don’t give one pet more attention than the other.
- Make your dog feel safe and secure in his or her box so that it becomes their personal space. Allow your cats to have their own room.
- Separately feed pets to avoid mealtime conflict. Give your pets the same number of treats as you.
- When you get home, make sure you don’t pay more attention to one pet than the other, or that you wait a while before doing so. Their aggressive behaviour will be reduced as a result of this.
- If you’re walking two dogs at the same time, use a leash for each of them and consider using a gentle leader to keep them under control.
- At least two toys and a bed per furry child, though food-based toys should be avoided unless closely monitored.
- Make the most of your pets’ good manners. Pay attention to them and reward them when they are calm and not jealous.
If your dog has a persistent behavior of jealousy, don’t be afraid to seek help from a behaviorist, a veterinarian, or a trainer. You’re still a fantastic pet parent even if you hire help. You become a strong and self-aware dog parent when you recognize that you and your dog require assistance. Take a chance!
