Introducing a new dog to a jealous dog is a tricky job. Once it comes to meeting two canines for the first time, initial impressions are crucial. Follow these steps to set their partnership up for success. How the dogs respond in their first few encounters can set the tone for their whole relationship.
We Need to Understand Emotions to Understand Jealousy
To recognize that jealousy is a secondary feeling, as it is more complicated than the fundamental emotions of fear, anger, disgust, joy, and surprise. Primary emotions are universal and are experienced by almost everyone.
Secondary emotions are more complicated because they require more deliberate development. Individual and cultural social norms govern them, and they can be expressed in a variety of ways.
Stanley Coren, a canine psychologist from the University of British Columbia, wrote an essay titled “Jealousy: Dogs and the Green-Eyed Monster” that appeared in the previous edition of Modern Dog Magazine.
In this essay, he describes Friederike Range, a scientist who conducted various studies with dogs to assess their jealousy emotions.
When a Dog gets Jealous
Dogs can smell jealousy in other dogs, according to new research. Researchers tested two dogs in each sample that were placed next to each other and asked to do the identical trick, with only one dog receiving a reward.
The dog who receives the treat must consistently perform the trick until the task is completed. After realizing that the dog next to him or she was being rewarded for the same behavior, the second dog who did not receive the treat ceased executing the trick.
Behavioral Conditioning vs. True Emotion
Treat-based testing and rewards were used in many of the older tests. It got me thinking: would that be a true test of emotion? Is it a training exercise in operant conditioning, a method of learning that uses reward and punishment to elicit behavior?
Symptoms of Jealousy in Your Dog
Biting, nipping, or growling at an animal, person, or item that the dog perceives as a threat.
Urine or Stool Incontinence– Sudden, unexplained pee-pee or poop accidents in the house or in areas where the dog has previously been trained not to go. The jealous dog may have urine or stool on anything connected to the source of your dog’s jealousy.
Pushy Behavior – The dog may become overly attached to you and demand more attention. Your dog may prevent you from getting near to the source of your envy. When dogs are jealous, they have been known to get in the middle of embraces or push out the other animal being petted by the owner. When your dog feels jealous, it’s easy to feel like they’re crowding you.
Withdrawn – In some dogs, this is a more subdued form of jealousy. When the thing, person, or animal producing the feelings of jealousy is near, you may notice your dog behaving disinterested or leaving the room. This type of maladaptive behavior may be passed down as your dog adjusts to the new situation. However, if this is not discovered and handled gently and early, your dog may become depressed.
What Goes Wrong When It Comes to Jealous Dogs
Let’s face it, the ordinary dog owner isn’t a professional dog trainer. They have a dog to keep them company. They haven’t spent endless hours studying dog behavior or committed their careers to teach canines proper manners and behavior. That’s perfectly acceptable because many non-professionals still seek solutions and question how to improve.
As a result, if a typical person believes their dog is showing signs of jealousy, they may unintentionally support the undesirable behavior. Because, just like humans, when a dog becomes pushier for attention, more clingy, and more demanding, it tends to:
- Cuddle the dog
- Speak to the dog in a babyish, high-pitched tone.
- Pay more attention to the dog than normal.
- Allow for some wiggle room in previously established rules or limitations.
It’s simple to understand why we do any of these things. As individuals, we find it reassuring. As a result, we expect our dog to find it soothing as well. However, when understood by the canine mind, these things are not very reassuring to the dog.
Why Doesn’t Comforting Human Behavior Work For Dogs?
All that snuggling and comforting voice, while beneficial to us since we can empathize with other people’s social situations and genuinely hear what they’re saying, is also harmful to them.
A dog lacks the social complexity and ability to interpret the language that we do.
How to Deal with Dog Jealousy
Do you think your dog is displaying signs of jealousy? It’s time to reconsider your treatment strategy. You are not addressing the root issue and are not assisting you or your dog in long-term adjustment if you simply try to boost your dog’s new jealous behaviors as they come for introducing a new dog to a jealous dog.
To the best of your ability, you should try to analyze the scenario. What makes you think your dog is feeling this way? Do you have a new pet? Are you looking for a new partner? Is there a new baby in the house?
Some situations aren’t meant to last. You’re pet sitting for a friend or neighbor, for example. Your dog is envious of the “different” and “new” pet you’re temporarily caring for.
No matter how much you reassure them, your dog will not realize that this is only a temporary situation. They will only realize it when the time comes.
For transitory conditions, you’ll want to keep as much of your current schedule as feasible. Try not to shower your dog with too much affection or comfort.
Rather than supporting their jealousy over the shift, you want them to notice that you accept the new accountability. You’re telling a dog with your body language, “I still love you, you’re important to me, but I also have to take care of these other duties.”
Tips on introducing a new dog to a jealous dog
When it comes to meeting two canines for the first time, initial impressions are crucial. Follow these steps to set their partnership up for success. How the dogs respond in their first few encounters can set the tone for their whole relationship and introducing a new dog to a jealous dog.
1. To get started, you’ll need the following items:
- Each dog has only one person.
- You’ll have the most control with a 4-6 foot nylon or leather leash (avoid retractable leashes)
- To discourage territorial behaviors and give lots of space between the dogs, the introduction should take place in a large, neutral environment (ideally outdoors).
- Cheese or hot dogs, sliced into little pieces, are high-value treats for introducing a new dog to a jealous dog.
2. Prepare your dog
A new family pet or baby? Bring home unwashed items that your pet or infant has used, and let your dog sniff the clothing, fabric, or other stuff. Then, in the new arrival’s “own” location, the new pet’s bed, or the new baby’s crib, place the goods or apparel.
Treat your dog on time, as much as possible. Because your dog will know that their survival will be maintained, this helps exhibit stability and decreases stress and anxiety for your dog.
3. Do
- Use a cheerful, relaxed tone of voice while introducing a new dog to a jealous dog.
- Maintain control while keeping the leash as loose as possible.
4. Don’t
- Punish the dog if it becomes overly excited, barks, or whines at the new dog. The idea is to motivate your dog and form a positive bond with the new dog.
5. Begin by going for a walk outside
Begin in an open area with plenty of space, such as a park, open field, or calm roadway. Begin walking in the same direction on opposing sides of your space. When one dog looks at the other, he or she is rewarded with a treat. Continue walking until they are no longer paying attention to one other.
Rep your walk and treat strategy, this time moving closer by 3-5 feet. Continue walking as long as the dogs are paying more attention to you and less attention to the other dog. If the dogs get overly concentrated on each other, increase the space between them until they are able to move, receive treats, and ignore each other successfully.
Reduce the distance gradually (this may take several walks) until the two humans can walk next to each other with the dogs to their far-right and left, and can continue forward without worrying about the other dog.
Allow the dogs to circle and sniff each other for a few seconds once you’ve established a good walking routine, then lead them away. This should be done multiple times. Lead the dogs away and take a rest whenever their bodies become still.
After a few meets in which the dogs’ bodies appear relaxed (loose, wiggly bodies), try letting the two canines loose in a fenced area where they can walk around as they choose.
Walk your dog as regularly as possible. Again, this aids in consistency so that your dog can adjust to the new adjustments.
Find an appropriate amount of time to spend with your dog. Don’t go overboard. Smothering your dog is not a good idea. Make your new schedule as realistic as possible. Demonstrate to your dog what you expect of him.
Allow your dog an extra 10 minutes every day to rest with you or play a low-key indoor game with you. Spending one-on-one time with your dog demonstrates to him or her that you still care about him or her and want to look after him or her.
6. Techniques for introducing yourself at home
The methods indicated above provide the best chance for dogs to meet each other. If that isn’t possible, follow these guidelines for a home introduction:
- Before bringing the dogs into the house together, do some outdoor introductions while introducing a new dog to a jealous dog.
- Keep the leashes on both dogs so you can control them if necessary. Remove any bones, toys, or food bowls that your resident dog might feel compelled to guard against the new dog.
- While you’re gone, keep the dogs apart until they’re familiar with each other in a variety of situations for introducing a new dog to a jealous dog.
When you’re at home, keep an eye on them and separate them from one another by crating one at a time or taking them for separate walks.
If the dogs get into an argument, separate them for a few days to give them a break.
It can take this long for stress hormones to return to normal, and if you try to continue the intro too soon, the problems may worsen. You can go back to step one after a few days to continue creating a positive relationship.
Keep in mind that, even after a good first few days or weeks, some posturing and moderate aggressiveness is usual as dogs get more comfortable. Don’t be alarmed!
7. Assisting Your Dog in Adapting to Long-Term Change
If you’re making a large permanent change, think about your dog’s schedule and how you’ll keep the habit going. If you can, try to prepare your dog. Also, reward positive behavior with a few additional treats, but don’t overdo the petting.
If you can’t keep up with the new levels of attention and fuss, and you run out of treats, hugs, and kisses in three days, you’ve sabotaged your plan to help your dog cope with this life shift.
Make your modifications manageable and constant while maintaining your affection.
8. Take care of yourself
Whatever schedule you choose, make time for yourself on a daily basis. Don’t overwork yourself. Taking care of a new pet or newborn takes a lot of your time. This means you’ll have a lot less time for yourself. As a result, you must schedule time for yourself to recharge. When you’ve taken care of yourself, you’ll be able to best care for others!
9. Creating a Stable Pack
When you and your dog go through tiny and huge changes together and adjust to them, your pack becomes even stronger. Keep going and the challenges will fade away, leaving you to enjoy the present and look forward to many more great times ahead of introducing a new dog to a jealous dog.
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