As you can see, there are numerous ways to show affection to your dogs based on their individual personalities without showing favoritism to one on a regular basis. Not being obvious about who is your favorite will go a long way towards preserving harmony among your crew. Enjoy your dogs’ individual personalities.
In my household, all dogs are permitted on the furniture but Trent must be polite when others are also on the furniture. Trent can be pushy on furniture but if he is polite, he is welcome to lay on the couch when others are on it. The most frequent scenario is Siri on the couch with me having to direct her to turn around and only use one cushion so I can fit there with her. Kera starts out on the couch (before I sit down) but soon shifts to either the loveseat or the fluffy large mat on the floor or, less frequently, the round dog bed in front of the TV. Merlin loves to lie on the floor next to one dog bed that is near a heater vent. He rotates between the floor next to the bed with his bum next to the vent or on the bed itself. He resists my urgings to get on the couch or loveseat. Occasionally, he takes the round dog bed. Trent sometimes hangs on the couch with Siri and I but most frequently he lays on the couch pillows I lay on the floor in front of the couch. Sometimes he takes the round dog bed. I have not yet figured out what the criteria is for any of them to choose that bed. Siri is the only one who rarely uses it but she is bigger than it.
My dogs understand that just because Siri is the one who is usually snuggling with me doesn’t mean I love her more than them. I always make a point to give each of them individual attention before settling down on either the couch or the bed with Siri. I do the same every morning. Each dog gets quality morning snuggle time.
Another key resource room is the bedroom, if your dogs sleep in a room that humans share with them as mine do. The scenario in my bedroom is Siri typically sleeping on the bed with me, unless it is very warm outside. In that case, she sleeps on the floor next to the bed. I have a three large dog beds along one wall/corner that all the dogs enjoy lying on. But for nighttime sleeping, Merlin’s spot is considered to be the bed next to a dresser. He starts there but moves around to several places, including the bathroom floor if it is warm out. Kera sometimes starts on the bed but usually moves to either a dog bed, the floor, or my robe which I have learned to lay down on the floor for her. Trent favors the dog bed furthest in the corner and rarely deviates from that. All dogs are welcome on the bed at night. This works for us and no one fights over a spot. I have made sure that there is abundance in comfort here for this very reason.
Favorites, we all have them; be they colors, flavors, songs, scents, you name it, everyone has a favorite something. Even among living beings, favorites exist. We have favorite people, favorite children, favorite dogs, etc. Troubles can exist in all of the realms of living being favorites but our concern here is favorites among your dog crew.
Being the hand that feeds the dog is a start, but it isn’t always enough. Meeting a dog’s needs usually ranks second-best to giving them what they want. In other words, quality is more important than quantity if you want to be number one in a dog’s heart. Taking them on walks is nice, but you lose points if you spend the time on your phone ignoring them. Doling out treats is good, but spending time every day scratching their ears and rubbing their belly is better. If your dog’s favorite thing to do is play tug, they’ll automatically gravitate toward the person who’s always willing to take up the other end of the rope.
The easiest way to make it onto the short list of your dog’s favorite people is to be their main caregiver. The person that feeds them every day, takes them on walks, grooms them, and handles training will be the top runner for Favorite Human. Dogs are intelligent, and they learn to relate all those good things in life with the person who makes them happen. If a married couple has a dog, but one of them takes on more of the pet responsibilities, the dog will know who to go to when they need something.
Human friendships work best when the two people share similar personalities, and the same goes for relationships between dogs and people. For example, a high-energy dog that is always moving and likes to play all day will naturally be attracted to an equally-active person. A dog that’s more laid back and prefers quiet over noise will choose a person who values those same things. It’s all about making a connection that provides comfort and familiarity.
Feed them, love them, and give them somewhere safe to call home, and you’re on your way to your dog’s good side. But the question on every dog owner’s mind is, “Does my dog love me more than everyone else?”
If it’s obvious you’re the dog’s top pick when it comes to companionship, go ahead and celebrate. But if you’re not, don’t feel jilted. Some dogs, especially rescues, take more time to bond with their humans. Keep giving them all the love and affection they deserve and be patient. Earning a dog’s love is always worth the effort.
Do dogs pick a favorite person?
Dogs often choose a favorite person who matches their own energy level and personality. … In addition, some dog breeds are more likely to bond with a single person, making it more likely that their favorite person will be their only person. Breeds that tend to bond strongly to one person include: Basenji.