Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on August 3, 2009 at 8:45pm

I don't have an answer but my youngest seems to prefer my husband even though I do most of the training and cares...but then he sings to her...and I know that happened to one of my pup owners too...maybe they're just like humans and decide who's going to be their "favorite" for what ever reason ????

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on August 3, 2009 at 9:12pm

They definitely seem to make choices. Frequently, but not always, the female will pick the male human and the male the female human. A book I read by a breeder of Great Danes talked about it. We have that at our house. Sparty is all mine and Izzy worships my husband. It does not appear to have much to do with who feeds them or does the most training. I wonder how many others have noticed this.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Beth on August 3, 2009 at 9:15pm

I have also heard that dogs very often bond most closely with the opposite sex head-of-household.

My father's dogs were all females, and all bonded most with him, even though my mom is the one who feeds them and stuff. We just chalked it up to the fact that he was the one who trained them and took them hunting.

Then my dad got a male lab, and that dog just followed my mother around like crazy, and my mother doesn't even really like dogs.

Jack does not seem to have a favorite between me and my husband. He listens better to me, but that's because I'm the official trainer. He follows my husband around if there is food because my husband sometimes tosses him something, and not only do I not do that, but I scold him if he begs. LOL

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Laura Jones on August 4, 2009 at 1:16am

KC was supposed to be my dog and she is definately my husbands at this point, she seems to tolerate me while he is at work, and she does like to have her cuddle time and she likes to snuggle with both of us in bed but she definately listens to him better and prefers him, and good lord don't get her started if she thinks him and i are getting to close lol. Our two boy dogs are definately more mine than my husbands though. They sort of tolerate him but they pay much more attention to me and the kids then my hubby. Especially my aussie, he does not listen to my husband at all.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on August 4, 2009 at 8:52am

Yeah, my foster dog will start whining when my boyfriend is hugging me. It's something that just sprang up too, it's very odd.

I suppose it is the opposite sex thing that's at work. I wonder how much it happens.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ross on August 4, 2009 at 3:18pm

When we got Atlas we were both still in school, and Meg had a lot more leeway in her schedule, as a result she spent alot more time with Atlas when he was a puppy, and he was more clingy with her.
Now we are both working, even though I'm still pretty busy, I've always tended to bond the closest with my animals ever since I was a kid.
If I go outside Atlas will wait at the door until I return, and if I acccidentally close my room door I will see his grey little nose sticking under it. He's not this way with GF.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kyle, Megan and Loki on August 5, 2009 at 12:15pm

Loki originally loved my husband best- but I think that was because Kyle saw him first and was there for 1/2 a day with Loki before I got home- so essentially Kyle was there to "rescue" him when he was all alone in a new place. As Loki has gotten older though, he definitely shows equal affection. There are some things he has favourites for right now though- for example, he loves to play best with Kyle, unless it's playing tug, then I'm his favourite. If he's being a big sucky he usually wants to come and snuggle with me, but he does this with Kyle too, so overall he's not really biased.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Beauty and the Beast on August 5, 2009 at 3:46pm

I can't really tell who Shiro loves more. He gives both of us equal attention and will follow whoever goes to the kitchen. LOL. I do most of the training, feeding and walking, but he's euqally happy to see my fiance as me.
He absolutely have to lay on our feet or between us when we're higging, making sure touching both of us at the same time. Such a sweet little boy.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Corgibyassociation on August 5, 2009 at 3:56pm

Aaw, how sweet! Freya will follow me to and from the bathroom. Sounds awful, but that's where she gets fed and sometimes gets her special treats in there while I take a bath. So now whenever we head that way--well me specifically, she'll follow. Other than that, I think she follows Cloud or Milo.

• ▶ Reply