It can feel odd when your dog tends to favor others in the house. This can be a spouse, kids, or even a roommate depending on your living situation! However, it can also leave you asking, “What are the reasons my dog likes everyone but me?” and that’s a valid thing to wonder.
It is something that’s normal but can be upsetting for those on the wrong end of the equation!
In general, you are going to start noticing this type of behavior early on in a dog’s time at home. For a lot of people, it happens during the first few months as the dog latches onto 1-2 people in the household.
The dog’s behavior can include:
- Moving Away From You
- Growling at You or in Your Direction
- Barking at You
When this happens, it’s important to understand the dog doesn’t have a personal issue with you and it’s more about comfort.
This guide will help answer the question, “What are the reasons my dog likes everyone but me?” along with what you can do about it as a dog owner.
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Best Toy for Bonding with Your Dog (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
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Last update on 2023-12-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Outward Hound Plush Dog Toy is a wonderful starting point when it comes to winning over your dog and playing with them. This plush dog toy is unique, durable, and is going to capture your dog’s attention immediately.
With a squeaky noise and a puzzle-like design, this dog toy is going to keep your pet entertained throughout the day.
It comes in various sizes and types allowing you to choose a plush dog toy that is ideal for your dog. It is going to allow you an opportunity to play with the dog and just bond with it over the coming days.
Reasons Why My Dog Likes Everyone But Me
Dogs prefer comfort and familiarity, which can often lead to creating bonds with specific members of a household. This may have to do with time spent with the dog, giving out dog treats, specific smells, and other relaxing factors that push a dog towards certain family members.
Unfortunately, this means someone has to be left out especially early on.
The reasons can include:
- Lack of Time with the Dog
- Not Enough Positive Connections
It’s okay to be in this type of position as long as you’re willing to put in the hard work. If you do, the dog is eventually going to start wanting to be around you.
In a lot of cases, this is going to end up taking a few weeks/months depending on the situation. There is no reason to panic when you start following the tips mentioned below.
Stay patient, spend more time with your dog, and watch as it starts welcoming you into its life. Sometimes, the transition can be faster than you ever imagined!
Tips for Bonding with Your Dog
Tip #1 – Play with Them
The best way to bond with your dog at home is to play with them.
A dog is always going to want to do something and this is a good way to build a stronger relationship with your dog. Whether it is grabbing a tennis ball or a plush toy, it’s up to you.
The goal is to get the dog engaged and understand having fun means being around you all the time. This is a must when it comes to making sure the dog sees you as a positive part of its life.
The benefits include:
- Increased Time Around the Dog
- Fun for the Dog
- Builds a Stronger Bond
A lot of dog owners don’t bond with their dogs and wonder what’s going on. This often has to do with the role you are playing in their lives from their perspective.
For example, just being in the same house as them is not enough. You are just going to become an accessory in their eyes and not someone they wish to be around.
To avoid this from happening, you need to focus on becoming an active participant. Playing doesn’t mean having to take the dog out to the dog park. Instead, even playing games at home and having fun will excite the dog.
Tip #2 – Stay Close to the People Your Dog Trusts
Let’s assume your dog loves being around your family member.
This can be a parent, sibling, spouse, or even a child. The person doesn’t matter, but it is the bond that is going to signal their importance to the dog (i.e. the dog always being by their side).
If this happens, you want to start showing the dog you’re trusted by that person. This means spending time with them too and simply being in the same area as the family member. This will go a long way in earning the dog’s trust.
Unfortunately, a lot of dog owners try to go 1-on-1 with their dog at first. This is a bad idea because it is going to take much longer to win over their trust.
However, when they see someone they love bonding with you, they are going to become more receptive to the idea. They will know you can be trusted and that will ease up the concerns your dog has.
Remember, this is going to take time and you have to make a concerted effort to remain around the family member. If you don’t do this often, the dog will never make the connection.
Tip #3 – Use Dog Treats
Dog treats are a wonderful starting point because they will act as an incentive for the dog.
If the dog realizes you are the ones that gives out dog treats, they will want to spend more time around you. This can always be done in unison with other activities such as training or going for a walk.
By doing this, you are going to allow the dog an opportunity to have fun and enjoy itself in your presence.
The benefits include:
- Building a Positive Connection
- Keeps the Dog Happy
- Will Make the Dog Want to be Around You
It’s important to note, you have to make sure the dog treats are used wisely. This means only investing in high-quality dog treats that are going to work well in all situations. You want something the dog already likes to eat and then use it as a treat.
You can even invest in a dog chew toy if that is the way you want to approach it.
Tip #4 – Share the Same Space Without Engaging the Dog
Is there a passive way of building a stronger relationship with your dog?
Yes, it includes sharing the same room as the dog. For example, if the dog is in the living room, then you should be there as well even if you are not interacting with the dog.
The first thing you have to do is get them used to you being in their “territory.”
This will go a long way in building trust because they won’t see you as a negative part of their life. They will also not fear you, which can happen if you are rarely home.
The best part about this tip is, you won’t have to do much at all!
Instead, you are simply going to be lounging on the couch or sitting around with the dog in sight. At first, they may feel apprehensive but after a while they are going to get used to you.
This is a major step in the right direction because that means they are not fearing your presence.
Once they are used to your smell and seeing you around, it becomes ten times easier to win over their trust. It won’t be immediate, but this is going to speed things up quite a bit.
Tip #5 – Remain Consistent
This is essential when you are wondering, “What are the reasons why my dog likes everyone but me?” because inconsistencies are going to weaken the bond.
When you want to earn the dog’s trust, you have to become a positive part of its routine. This includes play time, treats, and general activities around the house. Even something as simple as going for a walk.
If you do this, the dog is slowly going to start realizing you are an important part of what it does throughout the day.
There are many advantages that come along with simply being consistent and that is where your focus has to go.
The benefits include:
- Earning the Dog’s Trust
- Creating a Proper Routine
- Getting the Dog Used to Your Presence
If you are a person that is busy all day, it’s still important to make time for the dog. Bonding isn’t always about who is spending more time with the dog, but who is spending “quality” time with the dog.
If you are the one that is going for long walks in the evening then that is a positive relationship for the dog. They know you are taking them outside and that is essential in keeping them healthy.
Don’t underestimate the power of consistency and what it can do for your bond with a dog. They will start loving your presence after a while.
Final Thoughts
For those asking, “What are the reasons why my dog likes everyone but me?” it’s time to start with what has been mentioned in this guide.
Yes, it is going to be off-putting, but that’s a part of being a pet owner. It won’t always be easy and this is just a part of that learning curve.
By implementing the strategies listed in this guide, you will eventually start to bond with your dog. You will become an important member of the “pack” and one the dog is going to respect. However, you have to give it a bit of time!
To learn more about how to bond with your dog at home, go through these articles – how to walk with a scared dog, how to get a dog to stop growling at you, ways to keep a dog busy in dog crates, and the right treats for your dog.