Are you your dog’s favorite person? Or do they see you as the “spare” who they turn to when another family member is away?
Have you ever wondered how a dog chooses favorites, what you can do to win their favor? Or, have you been curious if dogs even do choose favorites?
In this article, we’ll explore whether dogs have a favorite person, signs that you’re number one in their hearts, and more.
Do Dogs Have a Favorite Person?
Yes, many dogs do have a favorite person, and they can be quite obvious and rude about it at times! After all, politeness is a human concept that dogs don’t tend to understand.However, this isn’t black and white and it varies between dogs.
There are some dogs who don’t have a particular favorite, or are less obvious about their choice. These dogs tend to be more outgoing and often were well-socialized as puppies.
Also, some breeds are more likely to bond with a single person as well, while others tend to be family dogs by nature and enjoy being surrounded by various people.
How do Dogs Choose a Favorite Person?
While every dog is different, there are some basic behaviors that influence a dog’s choice of the favorite. Here are some of the most common:
Feeding Time
Meal time is an enjoyable experience for all creatures and biologically, all animals know they need food to survive. If you’re the one at home who fills up your dog’s food bowl, chances are good that you’re the favorite!
Dogs understand that you are the means to food and ultimately to their survival. This is also why puppies bond very easily with the person who cares for them from a young age, even if that person is just fostering.
Quality time
Sometimes, dogs choose a favorite person based on who they spend the most time with or who plays with them. They start to learn that this person pays attention to them and they begin to choose them as their favorite person..
Gender and Personality Preferences
Dogs can also favor people based on things we cannot change. For instance, I had a dog who preferred spending time with men over women. Your dog may prefer people who have a matching personality to theirs, such as the person who’s content to spend all day cuddling on the couch as opposed to the family member who’s always up and moving.
Familiarity
If you adopted your dog later in life, their favorite person may be the one most similar to the person who raised them. Or, if you and your dog grew up together, they may favor you over your partner who they only met last year. You’ve simply had more time to develop a bond!
Of course, just like human relationships, you can grow your relationship with your dog by spending time together and participating in activities that they enjoy.
Signs that You’re Your Dog’s Favorite
So, based on these preferences are you the favorite or the spare? Here’s some signs you’re the favorite!
1. They Spend the Most Time Around You
When the whole family is home, who does your dog choose to spend time with? This is likely their favorite person!
Some dogs may choose the person who’s home the least because of the novelty, while others prefer the family member who they get the most time with. If you’re the favorite, your dog might follow you around the house, cuddle in your lap, or even occasionally ignore others trying to get their attention when they’re with you.
2. When They Need Something, They Come to You
Does your dog come to you when they need to go outside, when they want to play, or when it’s time for dinner?
Of course, our pups are smart–so if you’re the favorite person, but your child’s chore is feeding the dog, they’ll likely seek them out at breakfast time. But if it feels like your dog is always pestering you about something, you’re likely their favorite.
3. They Bring You Gifts
Dogs often like to share things with their favorite people, whether they’re bringing you their drool-covered ball, the squirrel they caught in the backyard, or even giving you kisses.
These “gifts” may range from sweet to disgusting, but they all come from the heart.
4. They’re Most Excited When You Come Home
Does your dog wait at the door when they know you’re due back from work? Maybe they get more excited to see you than they do other family members, or greet you before anyone else.
They definitely don’t see you as the spare! Though, if your pup gets very upset when you’re away from home, you may want to look into separation anxiety in dogs.
It’s possible for our dogs to become overly reliant on us, and we don’t want them to feel anxious or distressed while we’re away from home.
5. They Like Things that Carry Your Scent
Whether it’s laying on your spot on the couch or climbing into your dirty laundry bin, your dog may seek out your scent. This is especially common when you’re busy or away from home, and they can’t be with you directly.
Some dogs even steal items like socks, shoes, or underwear and bring them to their dog bed or other cozy spot.
Scent is important for dogs, as it’s how they communicate and bond with others. Smelling their favorite person can help a dog feel safe and relaxed.
6. They’re Protective of You
When your dog senses a threat, their first instinct may be to protect their favorite person. (They may also opt for the most vulnerable person, such as a child.)
Your dog may also be proactive, sticking close to your side and watching for threats. An extreme example of this behavior is if your dog begins to resource guard you. Dogs who resource guard their humans may become aggressive if someone else tries to interact with them. They may feel insecure and threatened when other people are around, as though their favorite person will be taken away.
How to Build a Better Relationship with Your Dog
Once a dog chooses a favorite person, it can be difficult to win them over to your side! However, you don’t have to be number one to have a beautiful relationship with your pup. Here are some ways to bond with them:
- Feed them their meals
- Offer them high-value treats
- Take them for daily walks or exercise with them in the backyard
- Build short training sessions into your daily schedule
- Include them in your activities
- Pet or cuddle with them, if they’re willing
It’s also important to let the dog come to you. Forcing a relationship before they’re ready can backfire, especially if you’re touching them when they don’t want it or yanking them away from their favorite person to go for a walk.
Take things slow, keep your dog’s preferences in mind, and always respect their boundaries. Human or animal, no one likes someone who doesn’t listen when they say “no!”
Especially if you’re a new person in the dog’s life, you may need to begin with something simple, like hanging out in the same room without any direct interaction. In time, they’ll likely come to you with a toy or a demand for pets, and then you can follow their lead.
Final Thoughts
Dogs choose a favorite person based on a variety of factors, many of them outside of our control. While it can be funny to joke about being your dog’s spare human, be sure not to take it to heart. Our dogs often love every member of the family in different ways.
If you’d like a better bond with your dog, start by considering their favorite things and see if you can provide them with more of those experiences. If your partner usually feeds your dog their meals, maybe you can engage them in training sessions and offer up their favorite treats. Or if you don’t walk your active pup, try playing scent games with them instead.