Do dogs actually feel jealousy? This video explains the behavioral signs of jealousy in dogs, how to tell it apart from other problems, and practical ways to manage it safely.
People tend to attribute emotions or feelings typical of human behavior to their animals. However, stating that dogs are jealous can be a very imprecise term since there are various behavioral problems that can explain why a dog behaves jealously towards us, our partner, children and even another animal. However, unlike cats, there are currently some studies that shed some light on this subject. Therefore, in this new video from Animal Expert, we will talk about jealous Dogs Dogs are jealous Jealousy can be understood as a set of emotions and feelings that appear when a social figure they consider important is threatened by a third party they perceive as a rival. Jealousy is common in gregarious animals such as humans or dogs and has an important adaptive function. However, they are also complex emotions that require the individual experiencing them to have high cognitive capacities that allow them to reason and compare with past experiences. Thus, dogs can experience jealousy towards other individuals but not towards inanimate objects. However, the use of this term is highly debated due to the few studies that exist and there are doubts about whether this behavior is comparable to that experienced by humans. However, it is essential to note that there are other behavioral problems that can explain some behaviors that we would consider jealousy in dogs, such as territoriality, resource guarding, boredom or play. The Behavior of Jealous Dogs it is difficult to determine the exact behaviors and differences with respect to other common behavioral problems in dogs. We can notice it through the following 1. It tries to get our attention when it feels ignored. 2. It tries to interrupt the interaction between us and its possible rival. 3. It shows attention when we interact with the rival. 4. It may push, attack or show various negative calming signals. We can find many videos of jealous dogs on the Internet. However, we must point out that some tutors reinforce inappropriate or aggressive behaviors in dogs, probably due to ignorance, which further increases these behaviors in dogs. Dogs can show jealousy towards other dogs, children, babies or partners, among others. What to do with Jealous Dogs Jealous dogs, especially if they carry out behaviors related to canine aggression, can become very dangerous, especially if directed towards a child or a baby. Therefore, we will start by taking the pertinent safety measures, thus avoiding direct contact between the dog and the third person or social rival. If we have made the muzzle positive, we can use it temporarily, but never for more than 60 minutes. We will completely avoid the use of punishment as this can further aggravate the condition. It is essential to go to a veterinarian specialized in ethology or a certified dog trainer, rule out health problems and receive an accurate diagnosis. Only in this way can we receive management guidelines and begin conducting behavior modification sessions. The professional will most likely ask us to report our dog's interactions with other individuals, offer advice on how to handle this situation, and propose an activity plan that will help us improve the relationship with our dog through positive habits and routines. It may also be necessary to hold work sessions using positive reinforcement as the main tool to improve the dog's behavior. Now you know some of the symptoms that a jealous dog can show and what to do when the situation becomes serious. Is your dog showing jealousy towards a social rival? Tell us in the comments. And don't forget to like and subscribe if you like this content and found it useful. Thank you very much for following us. See you next time. Experts oh.
