Do dogs have a human preference? I mean do dogs prefer one human over the other?
HERE’S WHY I ASK –
I stood in the doorway of our room as Doodle Dad removed his clothes from his suitcase.
The Boys were each playing with a toy by the foot of the bed. I smiled as I said to him
while you were gone the Boys really missed you…
His expression was one of disbelief. 🙁
Come to find out – Doodle Dad is under some misguided impression that his periodic absences go unnoticed since he’s not their “primary” doodlegiver.
Daily doodle duty is my gig. Not because he wouldn’t – but because I prefer want to do it –
- Walks – that’s my “me” time my meditation time. I do a great deal of reflection, praying and planning during our walks. #Iliveforit
- Meals – like cooking for my family, I know who likes what and how they like it. ex. more pumpkin for Jax, less Omega 3 oil for Harley, egg whites only for Harley, double yolk for Jax but leave it in large chunks… #weirdIknow
- Grooming – different brushes and combs for different doodles and different body parts. It’s one of those things that I know instinctively and we’ve got this rhythm thing going on #dancingpartners
I believe that dogs love us like family.
They relay of us for affection, protection and everything in between. BarkPost
And like family – their love for each of us differs. But it’s true love non the same…
I read an interesting article asking “Do Dogs Like Women Best?” #notgoingthere
But some statements I totally agreed with.
Doodle Dad’s quick to tell me how the Boys are restless and mopey when I’m away.
I SEE SIMILAR BEHAVIOR –
When he’s away – they hang out by the door looking for the car to return…
We have those days where we alter our routine to accommodate the mood swings #Ismelldad
Even though I do my best to keep them engaged in activities…
…they still have their “where’s Doodle Dad” moments…
So I had to chuckle as I remembered what my “Nana” used to say –
Be careful what you ask for – you just might get it
Doodle Dad had plenty of company the rest of the day watching the game…
This is our contribution in the BlogPaws Wordless WORDY Wednesday Blog Hop.
January 27, 2016
Lovely – I can understand completely. When daddy is gone we just lay around and sleep, but we all get up to greet him when he arrives. On the other hand, when momma calls we always can tell she is on the phone and start barking, that is the strangest thing. Momma usually feeds us cause daddy is lazy (shhh!). But I favor Momma, Daisy favors daddy and MOnkey favors whomever he can bug or has food.
January 27, 2016
I love how Jax will run over to me and give me a kiss before he rushes out the door with Doodle Dad. They have such unique personalities. Harley on the other hand won’t go near the door if he thinks I’m staying home LOL
January 27, 2016
My collies all love my daughter and I, but they are not feeling well, they come to me. Like children, they want mom when they are sick. But I think they love us equally…except for Abby. She shows a clear preference for me. She will sleep curled up next to me on the couch, but if my daughter sits next to her and touches her, Abby will get up and leave. If I go in the bathroom to take a shower and don’t invite her in, Abby will lay outside the door. (She doesn’t do this with my daughter.). These are just two of a hundred different ways that she makes her preference clear. But collies tend to do this, they choose their person, but they still love other family members…
January 27, 2016
The Boys are mine Katkia – no doubt about it, but Doodle Dad never knew that he was important in their lives too. They miss him when he’s gone – they really do!
January 27, 2016
Harley and Jax are so funny! I’m sure they love you just as much as DoodleDad. Pets do seem to pick “favorite people” though. My cats are unashamed of the fact that they are biased. Cinco is a momma’s boy and Manna is a daddy’s girl. They both love both of us though.
January 27, 2016
Harley was never questionable – he is mine – ALL mine LOL Jax has come over to the Doodle Mom side and that’s what I think bothers Doodle Dad #ohwell
January 27, 2016
We love both of our humans, but we’re more Mum’s babies : we’re always in the same room as her. Purrs
January 27, 2016
I think I’m primary too – but they have a way of sharing us both – Doodle kisses to you Swiss Cats!
January 27, 2016
We experience these same things! After 4pm the poodles always take up residence by the window waiting for my husband to get home. The routine is important and the poodles are always happiest when all 4 of us are together.
January 27, 2016
I think you just put your paw on it Forest! It’s when EVERYONE’S home that their world is complete!
January 27, 2016
This is such an adorable post. I always say that our dogs look to each of us to satisfy different needs. I feed them, I take care of boo boos, and I take them places. J plays with them in the yard and cuddles with them (but not as much as I do).
They love both of us equally, but appreciate each of us for different things.
I was always told that it’s bad to give dogs egg whites, but then someone else told me that you’d have to give them tons for it to be bad. Have you heard any information about this? I can’t figure it out. But I should just ask my vet. LOL
January 27, 2016
I like your sentence: “They love both of us equally, but appreciate each of us for different things.” It sums it up nicely.
Oops #mybad I was referring to hard boiled eggs! Which I understand are fine w/moderation. I used to give them scrambled eggs but I stopped doing that. And I imagine they get an egg maybe 2-3 times a month. It’s truly a treat! There are some interesting (and conflicting) advice online about feeding raw eggs. What do you think about that? #inquiringminds Years ago I knew some folks who would beat up a raw egg and add it to kibble.
January 27, 2016
I think my gang prefers me more 😉 I do more with them so when I’m home they all want to lay by me but when I am gone each Monday night John does say they all want to lay by him but then Gambler stares out the window looking for me. He is such a momma’s boy.
January 27, 2016
Harley’s the same way but now Jax has joined the “I want Mommy” club too. Lee found it hard to accept that he was missed – he thought as long as they had me life was normal. He needed this post LOL #men
January 27, 2016
In our house, it varies. I’m the disciplinarian and main caregiver, yet the dogs are always happy to see Dad. I have a sneaking suspicion it has something to do with the fact that he feeds them a snack when he comes home! 😉
January 27, 2016
LOL – Yeah, I’m sure it does. Doodle Dad is a treat giver also.
January 27, 2016
Each of us have different roles in our family and dogs pick up on those. Cody and Bailey run to Dad if they hear a loud noise and they run to me for cuddles. It works out.
January 27, 2016
So true Sharon – I guess for my husband, he never realized how important he was to the Boys. He just assumed with me around they were okay even if he wasn’t. Truth is – they are, but that doesn’t negate them from missing him just as much. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week.
January 27, 2016
I think our dogs just like to see everyone in the family together. But Honey definitely prefers my husband as her playmate and me as her caregiver. We bring different things to the mix.
It may be the same for Harley and Jax.
January 28, 2016
They are similar, yet I can see the concern when Lee is gone overnight. It’s nothing major – yet I can see them looking for him over time. Lee’s the one who didn’t think he was missed.
January 27, 2016
We like to have our whole pack together, but within the pack we have favorites. There is no one that can replace mom for us but we love everyone in the family.
January 28, 2016
Harley would totally agree with you Emma – she’s a momma’s boy through and through.
January 27, 2016
Love this post! It has such a lovely rhythm and your hashtags interspersed throughout really cracked me up. After reading this I feel a sense of wonder and thoughtfulness about “what do they REALLY think”?
Your blog is something special!
January 28, 2016
Thank you so much Jasmine, a lot of times I love to watch them in total wonder as to what makes them tick. Dogs amaze me…
January 27, 2016
This is so cute. Nola is the epitome of a one person dog: she couldn’t care less what other people do, so long as I’m there.
January 28, 2016
Soulmates is what I’d call you two! So sweet.
January 27, 2016
My guys miss me for their long walks, but prefer J for how much food he gives!
January 28, 2016
Sounds like a great team to me!
January 27, 2016
I hadn’t really thought about it, but you know you’re right…dogs DO love us all for different reasons! Personally, I think Sam only requires a live breathing upright but I could be wrong. [wink] ღ
January 28, 2016
living and breathing qualities are certainly something to look for in a human! LOL
January 27, 2016
They are too cute!
Phoenix definitely prefers me. She only tolerates my husband. If they both had to pick, they’d both choose me. Zoe does love my husband and he’s fun to hang out with but they both want mom the most.
January 28, 2016
Sounds like all the girls are sticking together at your house! #sweet
January 27, 2016
Bailey is Momma’s girl, but our beagle was definitely Daddy’s girl. Since I’m the main feeder/walker, it’s not that. They just have their preferences, I think. That last pic is so cute!
January 28, 2016
Thanks Jackie – I wonder if I ever had a female Doodle around the house if she would follow Doodle Dad around like the boys follow me #hummmmm
January 27, 2016
Mr. N is a mama’s boy all the way!
January 28, 2016
Like my Harley-Darley
January 28, 2016
what a wonderful post. I love that last pic especially. Now as to preference. Cole sees daddy as his plaything. The one who stands forever when Cole is shiffing (unlike the impatient momma) the one who chases, and wrestles. But! When a poodle doesn’t feel well?? Momma is the favorite. When a poodle needs reassurance it’s the momma again he turns to. Favorites at different times, but both are needed to make a full pack! LeeAnna
January 28, 2016
I like that – you each have different yet important roles in Cole’s life. PAWfect 🙂
January 28, 2016
Mom read a book once that said most dogs prefer an adult female, then male, and kids were last. It has something to do with tone of voice and gestures.
Keep Calm & Bark On!
Murphy & Stanley
January 29, 2016
I saw something similar in an article. This house blows that theory though – you see I’m the loud boisterous one in the family, yet they cling to me #gofigure
January 29, 2016
Storm is such a brat. LOL. If I decide to move in with a boyfriend she ALWAYS chooses them over me!! Apparently she’s sick of me being her owner. Hahaha!
January 29, 2016
Not necessarily – PAWhaps she likes your boyfriend too!
January 29, 2016
I love your pictures they tell your story perfectly! I can see it with our dogs as well, though we’ve only had 2, so far, in our 5 years of marriage. Shasta is mopey when either of us our gone and when we are both home and in 2 different rooms for whatever reason he is totally torn. Restlessly checking in with each of us at about 20 minute intervals.
January 29, 2016
Thanks so much Denise – If we’re both home it’s no contest, they both hang out with me. Occasionally Jax might go searching for Lee, but he comes right back.
January 29, 2016
Our dogs seem to love both me and the Dadz pretty equally. He does the feeding, but I do the playing, grooming, and training.
When one of us is gone, they bark at every noise they hear, just waiting for each of us to come home, and they do that for both of us.
January 29, 2016
I can certainly understand Harley choosing me. Most of his life Lee was traveling so I was the primary. the first year of his life he came to work with me #thebestjobever But Jax has had two retired pet parents so it’s interesting that he follows me around. Maybe he just mimics Harley …
February 3, 2016
This post is so cute! I love it. I do think that Simba loves us differently, but the same. He gets really excited when Jordy returns or if I return…but he cuddles with me more. He just shows his love differently for each of us.
February 3, 2016
Kia I find it A-mazing that they are able to love differently. Don’t you?