According to The British Psychological Society, a new study claims that dogs can get jealous as humans do. Showing interactions towards another furry pet might threaten your dog resulting in social insecurity that leads to jealousy.
Canines do act to any activities made by their owners. However, the recent study suggests that even paying attention to other pooches can trigger jealousy.
Jealousy in Dogs Isn't Your Imagination
It might seem adorable when dogs show jealousy towards their owners. When they show envy, dogs seem to be agitated, wagging their tails and barks. Even so, jealousy in dogs is not our imagination. A study by Taylor and Francis shows that 4 out of 5 dog owners experienced jealousy from their pets when a gesture of endearment is expressed to other dogs.
Even earlier studies have proven that jealousy in dogs is genuine. Based on a published article by Scientific Reports, the dogs that sense lack of attention from their owners pushes them away from interacting with fake dog subjects. Other canines barge in between their masters and the toy dogs. The study suggests that our furry pets can also get jealous even if they don't see actual rivals around or simply imagining their owners petting other canines.
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Dogs are More Self-Aware Than We Thought
Although most dogs can sometimes be destructive to their environment when playing, dogs are very much aware of themselves. So, as much as your fluffy pet occupy your entire bed, research shows that they understand the world around them.
When presented with a problem-solving experiment, various dogs presented almost the same results. Thirty-two dogs with different breeds were tested in hopes to recognize their own body being as obstacle to their goals.
The test was simple: each canine should get the toy attached from the mat they sit. To do this, the dogs had to get off the mat, grab the toy, and pass it to their owners. Next, the same test was conducted in a similar environment but with the toy attached to the ground.
The results from the research showed that more dogs roof off the matt quickly than when conductors attached the toy to the ground. Much like humans, canines can perceive their own size and the space they are in.
3 Ways to Deal with Jealous Dogs
Trainers suggest many methods on how to deal with jealous dogs, according to Royal Examiner. As an owner, you can do the following if your pet exhibits jealousy:
1. Reward them for their good behavior
Giving treats, saying positive comments, and regarding good behaviors can help dogs distinguish acceptable deeds from not. Reward your pet only if necessary when they follow instructions and are relaxed.
2. Expose them to activities and new people
Having a walk with other pet owners is a good idea to familiarize your pup not only with other dogs but with people as well. Making your newcomer's train or use commands can also help your dogs comprehend that they are friendlies and are now part of the pack.
3. Ignore bad behavior
Giving attention when they exhibit bad behavior excites them more. So, much as possible, ignore when your dog barks or growls. However, if they express themselves loudly near you, gently take them off of where they were standing or sitting.
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