all about dogs

Do you ever wonder why some dogs act negatively whenever an owner brings home another baby or another dog? Jealousy in dogs does exist. Like man, dogs can feel too. They feel excited, delighted, sad, fearful and covetous. Some people do not believe that dogs get jealous. On the other hand, there are instances when dogs feel abandoned and left out. They refuse to eat and to interrelate. You may call it jealousy or something else, but the behavior and actions of the dog must not be ignored and must be addressed quickly as not to make the situation worse. If you own a dog and you think that he or she might be feeling overprotective over something or someone, consider the following tips.

Identify The Different Signs Showing That Your Dog Is Jealous

Before you can intervene, you need to understand the different signs that occur when a dog becomes jealous.

Some dogs bark each time there’s a new baby or pet hanging around the house. You will know that your dog is barking out of jealousy, if you notice your dog barking at you when you are giving attention to another person, pet or toy. It is their way of saying, “Hey, look at me.” Moreover, your dog will want to be always at your side. He never wants to be in a room that is not the same room that you are in.

Another sign that your dog is jealous is if he starts licking himself far more than usual. He is diverting his attention to himself because he is not getting much attention from his master. In addition, observe your dog’s eating habits. Undereating or overeating can be signs that your dog is jealous.

How To Handle A Jealous Dog

Once you established that your dog is jealous, you need to do something to reduce the problems at home. Following are things that you can do about a jealous dog:

Tender Loving Care (TLC)

Your dog is jealous because you are giving more care and attention to another person or pet. Perhaps, if you can give more time for your dog and show him that you still care. You can walk him in the park during breaks. Cuddle your dog just like you used to. Do not make him feel left out. If you can keep your routine as regular as possible, then better. Certainly, this may not be easy if you have a new baby because having a newborn babe is more delicate. Just try to keep your dog’s activities such as feeding or walks on the standard schedule. A break in the usual schedule can be very stressful for your pet.

Reduce Possible Stresses At Home

If your cat loves to play with your dog’s toys, keep them in a place where the cat won’t see them. Dogs get upset when another pet is playing with their stuff. Say, your dog is upset because the new cat is hanging out in his part of the house, do not let the new cat stay there because dogs are territorial animals and they want to have their own space.

Dogs are man’s best friends. They are lovable and they will look after their masters. However, they too have feelings and at times get jealous especially if there is a new pet or new baby around. Take responsibility and supervise your dog during the transition. See to it that you are around when you bring home a new child or a new pet. That is being a responsible owner.