Who’s your dog’s favorite person? You, maybe? Let’s find out!
If I asked you who your dog’s favorite person is, you’d probably smile and point at yourself. Am I right? I would do the same in a heartbeat, even though deep down, I know my dog adores my children—and maybe even my husband—just a little more.
It’s not always about who fills their food bowl. Sometimes, it’s about who gives the best scratches, plays the most, or takes them on the most exciting adventures. And my dog knows how much my husband likes running in the woods with him.
From selective snuggles to following a specific person everywhere, dogs have a unique way of revealing their favorite human. Or at least, that’s what they make us think!
Veterinarians say our beloved furry friends are a lot like us when it comes to bonding. They form attachments based on socialization, personality, and experiences. Pretty interesting, right? So, are you curious to find out if you’re truly their number one? Let’s dive into the signs and see who your dog’s heart belongs to!
But before we begin, there are a few things you should know…
While it’s true that pups tend to gravitate toward one person in the household more than others, it’s important to remember that this bond forms for many reasons—not just natural affinities.
Since dogs rely heavily on instincts, hierarchy plays a significant role in their relationships. For example, the person who trains them positively and consistently is more likely to earn their loyalty and attention.
Experts explain that proper training doesn’t just strengthen the bond between a dog and its owner—it also fosters trust and respect, making the human an important figure in the pup’s life.
But here’s the catch: You shouldn’t assume all the extra attention is positive. Overly excited greetings for someone in particular could actually be a sign of separation anxiety, not just favoritism.
Moreover, a pup being overly possessive of someone doesn’t indicate a healthy bond. If a furry friend refuses to let others near a specific person, it might be “claiming” them, just like it would with a favorite toy or treat.
On the other hand, if the dog has a good temperament, it will show more affection to someone special but won’t display aggression toward others. As experts say, healthy dogs are calm and even-tempered. They feel comfortable around everyone in the household, and while they might have a favorite human, they won’t panic or act out when that person leaves the room.
Who’s your dog’s favorite human? Check out these telltale signs:
1. You’re the first one to be greeted when coming home
If you’re your dog’s favorite person, they’ll greet you when you walk in, regardless of what’s going on. In case that’s not adorable enough already, your pup might also bring a toy with them to welcome you and say hello. They could also be circling in front of you, so give them a huge hug and pet them on the head.
2. You’re always followed—either with their eyes or body
Another way to tell who’s your dog’s favorite person is by analyzing their behavior. If you’re at home, pay attention to whom they stick close to, following them from room to room or keeping a watchful eye on them.
Dog trainers say that when a dog’s favorite person gets ready to leave, their pup will eagerly try to tag along. But what if it’s someone else? The furry friend might not even bother getting up or watching them go. Funny, right?
In my house, when my kids are watching TV on the couch and there’s no space for Loki, our pup, he’ll settle on the chair across from them—but he’ll keep his eyes locked on them the whole time. The moment one of my boys looks over and smiles, I instantly see that tail start wagging. It’s one of the cutest moments in our household. It brings me so much joy!
3. Your pup will touch you when sleeping
If your furry friend is allowed to sleep in your bed or lie on your couch with you for an afternoon nap, it will gladly do so, especially if you are their favorite human. In this case, they’ll do anything to touch you.
Even if you roll over, the pup will immediately adjust and move closer to you. Whether they touch you with their paws, tail, or fluffy back, they crave that “skin to skin” connection, and it’s one of the cutest things ever.
4. They show you their belly
Could you be your dog’s favorite person? If they expose their belly for those much-needed scratches, consider yourself lucky! This is a sign that your furry friend feels completely comfortable and safe around you, trusting you enough to be in such a vulnerable position.
And if they only do this with you? Well, that’s a pretty strong hint that you’re their number one human—and that’s something truly special.
If you want to discover who’s your dog’s favorite person, keep reading for more telltale signs you should be looking for!
5. They’ll search for your scent
Dogs have a special way of finding their favorite people by using their scent! If you and your furry friend have been hanging out in one room, and you step away to another, your pup will happily sniff around to track you down.
They might wander from room to room, following your scent until they find their special someone. It’s just one of the many ways our loyal pals show their love! Isn’t that nice? It’s like hide and seek but with scents.
What can you do if you’re not your dog’s favorite person?
There’s no need to worry if you’re not your dog’s favorite person because I have good news: You can always bond with them! Experts say the best way to do this is to give them healthy attention, help them burn off energy, create healthy boundaries, and keep those good routines. If you need some inspiration, here are a few things you can try to climb that favorites ladder:
Create healthy boundaries
Our canine friends need to feel like their owners are in charge so they don’t have to worry about anything. While we often joke that our beloved furballs protect us with their constant barking, it’s actually a sign of anxiety and stress, as experts say.
If you want to help them feel more secure and carefree, show them both guidance and affection. You can try teaching your dog some fun tricks to build healthy communication and understanding.
For instance, you can teach them commands such as “go to bed” or “go to your spot.” Another useful tip from the experts is to have your pup sit beside you on the couch, but without touching. Do this for a couple of minutes, and then call them over for some snuggles. They will surely appreciate it!
Stay positive
As annoying as it can be to always stay positive and patient when training your dog or teaching them commands, you should never punish your pup. They may not understand all your words, but an angry tone won’t make them happy. It could actually make them distrust you, which can cause problems in the long run— that’s surely not a good way to become your dog’s favorite person.
Stay calm when entering and exiting the house
As tempting as it is to use a high-pitched voice when you leave or enter the house, it’s more likely to make your furry friend agitated. Instead, wait until your dog is sitting quietly, happily waiting for your attention, before you greet them.
Trust me, I get how excited you are to greet your pup and hug them, but this will induce separation anxiety, and it’s not healthy for either you or your pup.
If you want to become your dog’s favorite person, don’t forget to take them out for plenty of walks. It will make them happy! Make sure you take your doggy bags with you! So, now that we’re at the end of this article, are you your dog’s favorite person? Let me know in the comments below!
If you liked reading this article and would love to check out something else from Cute Animal Planet, here’s another great post for you: 9 Attention-Seeking Dog Breeds That Stick to You Like Glue
