How Do Dogs Choose Their Favorite Person?

We have all noticed that our dogs have a favorite person. How do dogs choose who is their favorite person?

Early Socialization

Puppy brains are most receptive from when they are born to six months of age. The experiences your pup has during this time influence them for the rest of their lives. This is why some dogs may be wary of men if they were raised by a woman. So, it is important for your furry friend to have a wide variety of interactions with people, places, and things. However, it is never too late to socialize with your pup.

Attention and Affection

Attention and affection are big reasons why dogs have favorite people. Even though one person may feed and walk the dog, if someone gives more attention and affection to them, they will favor them. Additionally, interactive play is much more meaningful to your pup than walking sessions. For dogs, their love language is quality time. They will develop a much stronger bond with people that give them meaningful attention.

Positive Association

Anytime your pup is having fun or enjoying something, they will form a positive association with the person who gave them that thing or experience. This is why we give treats to our companions when we are training them. They will develop a positive association with the command. Similarly, they will develop a positive association with a person that gives them treats or experiences that they enjoy. Sometimes, someone can give your pup something that no one else can. So, don’t be jealous of this connection and instead enjoy that your pup has a strong bond with others.

So, if you want to become your dog’s favorite person you should spend one-on-one playtime with your pup everyday. This can include fetch, tug-of-war, training, or any other sports where you work together.