We sometimes make fun of our dog's jealous behavior and give it the same value as the human feeling of jealousy.
But while it is proven that our dogs can exhibit jealous behavior, it is not scientifically proven that it is for the reasons we think.
To discover
February: what vegetables and fruits are in season?
Can a dog really be jealous?
A dog is not really jealous, strictly speaking.
At least, in the human sense of the term.
A social animal accustomed to living in a pack, dogs can adopt behavior that makes us think of jealousy when they feel that access to their resources (food, attention from their master, place to live, etc.) is threatened by another animal or another human being.
More likely to occur in anxious dogs and those of the herding breed, jealous behavior in dogs is actually about safeguarding their “privileges.”
The arrival of a newborn in the home is the perfect example: your dog is not jealous of the baby, he is “jealous” because you no longer give him the same attention as before and that coincides with the arrival of this little being.
What are the signs ?
Some signs of dog jealousy are easy to spot: your dog whines, cries, clings to you as soon as you talk to someone else;
he comes between you and the object of his jealousy by pushing you, jumping or trying to grab your hand, or he adopts aggressive behavior by showing his teeth, barking or trying to bite.
Other signs may be less obvious and appear without a direct link to the situation.
This is the case if your dog starts to sulk at his bowl, to do his business in the house or to destroy objects that he did not touch before.
It can also make you feel more stressed or, on the contrary, depressed.
If this worries you, talk to a behaviorist or your veterinarian.
How to react ?
If you notice that your dog is suddenly becoming jealous, do not scold him.
This would be counterproductive and would only increase his discomfort.
Try to identify the reason for this change in behavior and act accordingly: ignore your dog when he shows signs of jealousy and reward him when he behaves well again.
When a change occurs in your life, such as a move, the arrival of a baby or a new animal, do not change your habits with your dog.
Continue to give him the same level of attention and don't disrupt his routine.
If a new pet comes home, don't ask your dog to share his bed and toys right away.
Create a space for everyone, with their own things, and give them time to get used to each other.