Dogs can show jealous behavior, for example due to a change in the family composition. It can have a pet or a baby. The attention is mainly focused on the new family member, which can make the dog jealous. With a new family composition, the dog will also try to rise in the ranking. All of this causes unwanted behavior. To avoid this, the dog must remain at the bottom of the ranking. But it is important to make time for the dog and to give positive attention.
A dog’s natural behavior
In nature, dogs live in packs where a certain hierarchy prevails. The leader eats and mates first, thus producing more offspring. Because a leader has more rights, he will always defend his position. In the domestic circle, the dog regards the family as a pack. In this pack, the family members must be at the top of the ranking, the dog is at the bottom. When the composition of the family changes, the dog will try to rise in this ranking because that is natural behavior. The dog starts to demand attention, often as the new family member receives it. Unwanted behavior can also be caused by less attention being paid to the dog. This can cause the dog to display jealous behavior, but because the brain of a dog works differently than the brain of a human, he experiences this emotion differently.
To avoid behavioral problems, the dog should always be at the bottom of the ranking. A clear ranking is created by:
- That you as the boss determine the schedule of the day.
- That the dog is always the last to go through the doorway
- First to eat, then the dog can eat
- Not walking to the dog, but letting him come to you
- Obedience training, he has to follow the commands given
- That he does not sit at the same height, so not on the couch, chair or in bed.
- That you as the boss win every game and determine when it starts and ends.
- Brushing the dog
The ranking
Without the presence of the parents, the dog considers children (up to the age of 12) lower in the ranking. Therefore, never leave them alone with the dog. With an unclear ranking, the dog does not know where he stands and this causes a lot of stress.
Preventing jealous behavior
You can prepare a dog for the new family situation by involving it in the activities and showing that something is about to change. Let him smell the baby clothes or toys of a new pet.
The arrival of a baby
- Include the dog in the activities by talking to him in the meantime.
- Have the dog come to you while nursing the baby.
- If the dog receives less attention, you do not have to immediately feel guilty. A dog senses this and will ask for even more attention.
- Respond to jealous behavior immediately to keep problems from getting worse
- Never leave the baby alone with the dog.
The arrival of another pet
- Divide attention fairly between both animals.
- Pet both animals at the same time
- A dog must learn to share attention with other animals. He can learn this by letting him play with several dogs so that he does not always get all the attention.