Getting Your Dog to Choose You

 Getting Your Dog to Choose You


It is so easy for a person to pick a dog, and say, "that is the dog tat I want" but how do you get your dog to want you just as much back? It can suck when you realize your dog may prefer another human in the house more than you. I'm here to help you in this process so you can feel just as wanted by your dog!



1. Find one that compliments your personality: I see jokes all the time of dogs looking like their owners, or even acting like their owners. To be honest it really is true. If you are an active person who loves to go for walks and hikes, then get a breed that is high energy and enjoys those things. If you are someone who likes to chill and relax then get a breed that's more laid back. Don't think every lap dog is low energy, and every big dog is high energy though. It varies more by breed than it does by size, plus their personality has to be considered. Dogs are going to want to be with the person who spends time doing what they love with them.


2. Be the good and the bad: you cannot be the only one praising the dog. You must also be the one who disciplines them, and is strict with them. Giving them endless love and brushing off bad behavior is not good. While it isn't fun there are plenty of ways to do so. For one of my dogs if you raise your voice he knows it means he's in trouble, and we put him in time out. We have him sit and stay for about 30 seconds. You cannot put them in their kennel though. They should associate the kennel as a safe space, or a den, not as a punishment. We usually have him sit where ever he is and calm down. It cannot be for too long though because they do have a short memory and will forget what they've done. It is why dogs forgive so easily!


3. Train them: Training means treats, love, and attention. If you are the one training your dog, and not pushing them too much, then they will take a liking to you. They will associate you with the treats, love, and attention, but they will also have respect for you. From disciplining to training, the dog forms a bond of respect with you. Once they are trained one thing I learned is to still make sure they listen to others in the house. For instance Alfie will only listen to me when I ask him to do tricks and nobody else. He literally respects no one but me at this point. This is cute, but also bad, because to others it is as if he isn't trained, and it can cause issues when he goes to get groomed, or when I need a dog sitter.


4. Feed them: Guess what? Dogs love food. Do not pass on the responsibility of feeding your dog to somebody else. If you want that dog to want you, you must feed it every time it eats. It goes back to the last point of them associating you with food. They will begin to see you as the one giving them their breakfast and/or dinner and they will love you for it. Being the one taking full care and responsibility of the dog will build a bond. Even things they don't like like baths, for example. While they may hate the process they will begin to slowly trust you more.


    When it comes down to it, you must be the one spending time with your dog. Even with all this and more it may not choose you. Some dogs prefer women and others prefer men, especially if you adopt a dog who may have been abused. It is important to understand that even if they don't choose you they still love you and appreciate you all the same. Just everyone wants to be their dogs person and I understand that. Choose the right breed for you, spend time with it, and the dog will love you! Leave a comment if you have any questions, and don't forget to follow for future posts. Check out @hedgehog_namednewt on IG for more Newt content!

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