What is a dogs favorite?

You would think that a dog’s favorite person would be whoever gives them the most food and attention, right? While that is often the case, it’s not always that simple.

Maybe you have a friend or family member that your dog loves so much they would knock you over to get to them. Why is that? It turns out that there are several factors that can influence your dog’s decision about who their favorite person is. Here are a few of them.

1. Who they socialize with early is a big factor

For dogs, their key socialization period is from birth to six months. Puppy brains are very receptive at this age, so the social experiences they have as puppies influence them for the rest of their lives. It’s important for puppies to have a wide variety of positive interactions with a wide variety of people, places, and things.

If, for example, you adopted your dog at an older age and they were raised by a single female for the first six months of their lives, they may be much more comfortable around women and may have a difficult time bonding with men since they weren’t introduced to them at a young enough age. That could influence who they bond with as an adult.

It’s never too late to start socializing your dog. The more experiences they have and the more people they meet, the easier it should be for them to warm up to others in the future.

2. Attention and affection improve bonds

You might be the one to walk and feed the dog, but if your partner gives the dog more time, attention, and affection than you, they may favor that person. While the amount of attention and affection you give your dog makes a difference, the quality of attention may be the deciding factor. A half hour walk, for example, is not the same to your dog as a half hour interactive play session with you.

3. Positive associations are huge

Why do we give treats to our dogs when we’re training them? It’s so they develop a positive association with following commands. Obey the command, get a treat. Any time they enjoy something, they will form a positive association with the person who gave them the thing or experience that they enjoyed. Your dog’s favorite person might just offer something nobody else does or can.

How to become your dog’s favorite

If you believe you aren’t your dog’s favorite person, but you would like to be, there are some things you can do to improve your bond with them. The best thing to do is spend at least 30 minutes of focused, one-on-one time with your dog every day. This time should be spent doing something active such as playing fetch or tug, having a training session, or trying a new sport such as agility or flyball where you and your dog can work together as a team.

H/T: Rover

@wagonzalez / Instagram

If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or threatened, would you stare deeply into their eyes? No way! Long, sustained eye contact is reserved for people you love, trust, and feel safe with.

The same goes for dogs. Maintaining eye contact isn't just a useful tool while you're training your dog–it can help you create a deep bond, too. In fact, when your dog looks at you, its brain releases oxytocin. Known as the "love hormone," oxytocin is the same hormone mothers' brains release when they're first bonding with their babies.

The key is to maintain natural eye contact while you're playing or cuddling. If you force eye contact with your dog, it'll probably get a little uncomfortable and look away.

• Wisdom Panel™ Team
• 
  Jamie Freyer, DVM

Does your dog attentively watch your every move while ignoring whatever the rest of the family is doing? Do they greet you each morning as though they haven’t seen you in weeks? Do they follow you wherever you go—even into the bathroom? 😅

If so, you’re probably your pup’s favorite person. (Congrats!)

But why do pups play favorites? And if your dog doesn’t choose you, is there anything you can do about it?

Keep reading to find out.

The experiences a puppy has in their first few months of life (known as the socialization period) have an oversized impact on their development. As a result, dogs typically form strong, lifelong bonds with whoever feeds, plays, and generally cares for them most often during this critical time.

In cases where the person they bonded with is no longer around, a dog may still show favoritism toward people that are similar to them. For example, if their primary caregiver in puppyhood was a man, they may seem to like men more than women—even if their new human parent is a woman.

Worried your adult dog may have been socialized to prefer someone else? The next factor can help you win your dog’s favor.

Dogs tend to build close ties with people who show them the most attention (e.g., feeding, training, playing) and love. And remember, quality is more important than quantity here.

Binging Netflix together and other passive activities will have less impact on your relationship than an engaging game of fetch or a challenging training routine. If you’re not sure which activities your dog would find meaningful, check out our breed-based guide about speaking your dog’s love language.

3. Positive associations

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “what gets rewarded gets repeated.” This statement is as true for building rapport with your dog as it is for teaching them new tricks. There’s a reason veterinarians are often quick to give out dog biscuits—they’re trying to create goodwill because what happens during the rest of the visit may not be very pleasant.

Getting your dog to associate you with good things can be as simple as always having a tasty treat on hand when you greet them. You should also limit negative interactions, such as harsh discipline or scolding. (Besides, most dogs respond much better to positive reinforcement.)

Have you ever noticed dogs often resemble their owners in some way? This is more than a coincidence—it’s a proven fact that people tend to choose dogs that are physically similar to them in some way.

Oddly enough, the same is valid for personality. Dogs and the people they love to spend time with frequently have similar dispositions. For instance, a Golden Retriever might jive best with an extroverted, energetic person. But a Basset Hound would likely feel more comfortable with someone who is more aloof or quiet.

Just like for human relationships, the more you have in common with a dog, the more likely you are to become close friends.

5. Breed tendencies

While we’re on the topic of personality… let’s talk about breeds. Throughout history, dogs have been bred to do specific jobs—from controlling pests to guarding property. As such, pups often differ in their temperament based on their ancestry. This impacts what kind of pets they make, as well as how they form relationships with humans.

For example, breeds that tend to have clear favorites include:

• Akita
• Chihuahua
• Dachshund
• Shetland Sheepdog
• Shiba Inu

Whereas breeds that seem to love just about everybody equally include:

Consider learning more about their breed background with a Wisdom Panel™ DNA test. The insights you’ll gain will allow you to tailor training and care to your dog’s unique needs and preferences—helping you build your special bond.