Why Do Some Dogs Become One Person Dogs?
Do you have a one person dog at home? A dog that’s way more attached to one family member than anyone else?
It’s not unusual for a dog to listen better to, or even slightly prefer, one family member over another. But when their over-attachment is so black-and-white, it can be tough!
Dogs can get over-attached to one person for several reasons.
There are dog breeds traditionally thought of as “one man dogs” – German Shepherds and Akitas come immediately to mind. It’s very common for dogs of certain breeds to be 100% loyal, devoted, and attached to “their person”. They may be friendly and happy to be around different family members, but they always see that one relationship as elevated far above any other.
Adult rescue dogs from difficult situations may be the most likely to over-bond to one individual in a new home. This might be the first person they developed a bond with. Or it could be the person who was least threatening, most sympathetic, or that gave them the most comfort (or space) when they needed it.
But puppies with no bad history can also develop into one person dogs. It can happen when one family member assumes most or all of the puppy raising duties. That puppy will naturally develop a closer relationship to one person.
I’ve known many cases where a pup got sick or injured and the puppy needed constant care for weeks or months. Those pups always bonded like superglue to their caregivers.
And, of course, dogs can simply enjoy the company of certain people more than another. (We do the exact same thing, right?)
Most instances of “person-preference” in dogs are mild, and more a source of funny anecdotes than any real inconvenience to the family or harm to the dog.
But when a dog bonds very strongly to one member of the family, to the complete exclusion of the others, it can create difficulty both for the dog and people involved.
They constantly spend time with their owner.
When you let your dog sleep in your bed, train them, care for them, and spend lots of time with them, you form a strong bond between the 2 of you. Any positive activities with your fluffy friend help their love for you grow, like partaking in a grooming session, massages, walks, and cuddles. This way, they learn to listen to you and feel the fun that comes from spending time with you.
If you live with a big family, your dog can have several favorite people. But they only get extra attached to the one person who takes care of them the most. If you fill their bowl with food and take them for a walk every morning, a dog will notice it and make you their favorite. The amount of attention and affection your dog receives will influence their behavior toward you. The more you give the more you receive — it’s that simple.
The Kind of People Dogs Love
Dogs choose their favorite people based on positive interactions and socialization they have shared in the past. Like humans, dogs are especially impressionable as their brains develop, so puppies up to 6 months old are in their key socialization period.
Like their human counterparts, dogs develop favorite people over time based on positive experiences and positive associations with that person. Some people use tasty treats and other rewards to create strong bonds with pets, but the best way to build a healthy relationship with your dog is through play. Active, focused games and fun activities with your pet can help build connections and strong bonds.
Dogs choose best friends for many of the same reasons people do, and part of it is simple personality compatibility. More predominantly though are the early impressions your dog has of your, especially if youâve known them since puppyhood. Quality time and the amount of time spent together is another factor that might determine your dogâs best friend. If your dog has had some really fun, deep bonding time with you and is anticipating more of that, they might stay nearby, ready to play or snuggle up.
Often those humans that are part of our petsâ daily lives and contribute to meeting their social, health, and activity needs in positive ways become our petsâ favorites. Your dogâs caregiver in puppyhood is likely to always have a special place in their lives, but healthy relationships can be built throughout your dogâs life through feelings of care and expressions of friendship.
Ultimately your dog is not only seeking a trustworthy, long-term caregiver, but a friend and companion who likes to play and respects their autonomy when they need it. The favorite parent is usually the one that invests the most into the bonding process.