Affectionate, helpful and loyal like few others, such are our companions, the dogs, who have rightly been defined as man's best friends, since we find in them one of the best companions, forming a bond very deep emotional that we can rarely define with words.
Surely you have been able to observe in your dog behaviors that seem very human and you must not forget that dogs are also capable of building complex social structures, in addition to generating a lot of empathy with what we feel and transmit.
Maybe you've ever wondered Do dogs get jealous? This is the question we address in the following animal expert article.
Emotions that humans and dogs share
Dogs are capable of dreaming during deep sleep phases, dogs also have a certain structure of thought, so why wouldn't they feel the emotions that we consider to be exclusive to human beings? ?
Our canine friends are not only able to show empathy towards what we feel, but they also have emotions that we can recognize in U. S:
- Crying
- Sadness
- Happiness
- Concern
- Jealousy
Yes, dogs are also capable of feeling jealousy as a result of a complex social structure and it is believed that this jealousy fulfills an important function: preserving the relationship they have with its owner.
The Jealousy Test
A team of researchers from the University of San Diego, led by psychologist Christine Harris, were commissioned to carry out a study in order to determine if dogs were capable of feeling jealousy, the results were amazing.
The behavior of 36 dogs of different breeds was studied. When their owners interacted with different objects, such as three-dimensional children's books, the dogs were indifferent, however, When the owners interacted with stuffed animals that imitated a dog, the jealousy mechanism was set in motion. march and some pets even tried to break the connection between their owner and what they considered a canine rival.
How do dogs show they are jealous?
When a dog is jealous the behavioral changes are very evident and also surprising, they can be observed as follows:
- Barking and Growling
- Extreme wagging of tail
- Mechanisms to interpose between the loved one and the one who is considered a rival
- Anxiety and restlessness
This behavior shows that dogs are afraid of losing their owner's attention and moving into the background or third place, so do everything possible to push away their rival, in the experiment, in addition to barking, it was very common for the dogs studied to push the stuffed dog and get between it and its owner.
What are dogs jealous of?
Although the study focused on the behavior of the dog in front of a canine rival, if you share your life with a pet of these characteristics, you will know that it can feel jealous in any situation in whichdoesn't get your undivided attention , such as:
- Coexistence with another dog
- Coexistence with another pet
- Shows of affection with the partner
- Shows of affection with children
- The arrival of a baby
If your dog feels that you divert your attention and your displays of affection to a third party, he will feel jealous and believe that it is necessary to protect the relationship he has with you.
Preventing jealousy in dogs
Preventing a dog from becoming jealous will also help you prevent possible alterations in its behavior and enjoy a more harmonious coexistence, for this, the following tips will be very useful:
- Don't treat your dog as if he were a child
- Socialize your pet early
- Properly train the dog, establishing clear limits
- Eradicates aggressive and possessive behaviors from the puppy stage
