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Mayra Calvani from Mayra’s Secret Bookcase said her golden retriever Amigo (not pictured) barks like crazy when her family members hug or kiss. She wonders if it’s because her dog is jealous.
What do you think? Is a dog’s barking sometimes a sign of jealousy? Is that the case with Amigo?
I think dogs do get jealous. When I’m playing games with my cats or talking to them, my mutt Ace is always watching. He usually comes over and tries to get my attention away from the felines. He will also bark or cry if he is separated from the rest of us, like if he is put in his kennel or is purposely put in another room. But this has more to do with his longing to be with the pack than actually feeling jealous.
Whether Amigo is jealous or not, it sounds like he is trying to control the situation and demand attention. Perhaps he has learned that he gets attention when he barks. Maybe he is protective of one or more members of the family, and most likely he thinks he is in charge. It’s probably cute at this point but could be really annoying or lead to a more serious issue. If it is a problem, it could be corrected easily by making him lie down and wait for a given amount of time. Enforcing more rules with him in general will also help.
When my boyfriend Josh and I are play fighting, Ace will bark and try to get in between us. It’s not because he is jealous, it is because he gets anxious by our energy and tries to control the situation.
What do you think? Is a dog’s barking ever a sign of jealousy?
Email your dog-related question to me at Lindsay@thatmutt.com, and I’ll post it for others to answer. Click here to read all my weekly question posts.
(Image is from Roxy’s Reign Ends, a whole blog about a jealous dog.)
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September 9th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Oh, what a nice surprise!
Yes, I think you’re right when you say he’s trying to control the situation, and that he wants attention and doesn’t want to be left out.
Mayra Calvanis last blog post..My Interview with BookPleasures.com
September 9th, 2008 at 9:34 am
I think it can be jealousy - I know when I would be silly with my dog and pay attention to the cat she would sometimes bark in jealousy…but that is only if I egged it on!
Apryl DeLanceys last blog post..5 Questions With And One - Part One
September 9th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Definitely dogs can be jealous and I think they show it in different ways. I’ve never had one that barked. Mine will get between me and any object of my affection. Pretty funny to watch.
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September 9th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Oh I think absolutely! We just got our new rescue dog on Friday and Trooper has been a lot more vocal. We’re trying hard to give him equal attention every time we give Timber attention. I noticed he was doing his version of a bark when we were showering kisses on Timber. He also growled (a sure sign of jealousy if there ever was one).
Trooper’s biggest thing is to walk between you and whatever you are giving attention to - another person or a dog.
He thinks the world revolves around him - which it kind of does! hahahaha But I do continually work on him not being “doggy” rude. It’s a bad habit.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:09 am
Mmmm I have different thoughts than the others Lindsay.
I think its pack behaviour. If our pack is a pyramid with us on top, sometimes a dog will shuffle, with children or other animals to be second to us.
Often it is our nature to attribute human emotion to dogs, we personify them as it helps us best explain/understand any behaviour. The reality is they are pack animals that work on a social order. So I dont think its jealousy but a dominance type gesture.
Abz & Chelss last blog post..Rainforest Romp
September 10th, 2008 at 7:19 am
I would say definitely! My dogs are very jealous of each other, if I’m hugging one another is bound to try and push their way in for some attention as well.
Barking sounds more like attention seeking though than pure jealousy.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Thanks for your input, everyone.
Abby, I like your comment that we tend to humanize our pets. You are right, their behavior is usually related to dominance.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
It’s funny…yes I humanize my dogs but I also think that the ‘dominance’ is what I consider jealousy on their part.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Casto, that’s how I am too. Ha.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
I definitely think dogs get jealous. Every dog I owned showed it in their own way. Dogs are always wanting our attention and affection.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Hi Ross. Thanks for stopping by. I know my dog is always wanting attention!