Have you ever thought your dog might be jealous of another pet or person? While dogs can’t express this emotion the same way we do, their body language and behavior tell us a lot about their emotions. Here’s what to know and a few signs of jealousy in dogs:

What Causes Jealousy in Dogs?

Many owners have seen their dogs exhibiting some kind of jealousy. Dogs have emotions, but they can’t express them to us easily. Dogs have emotional needs just like humans, and it’s important not to neglect that. They need attention from their owners, and if they feel like they’re not getting it, they may act out.

If you’ve noticed your dog acting cold towards you when you’re paying attention to another pet or human, this behavior isn’t just in your head. There are a few signs to look out for if your dog is experiencing jealousy.

8 Signs of Jealousy in Dogs

Here are a few behaviors that can indicate jealousy in dogs:

1. Clingy Behavior

If your dog is clingier all of a sudden and acting like a velcro dog, it may be a sign they’re jealous. Extra clingy behavior and more signs of affection may indicate your dog is trying to win your attention.

They might try to come between you and the other pet or wedge themselves between you and another person. Your dog may start following you around more than normal, hoping for some extra attention. This could also be a sign your dog is lonely. But, if you are giving them plenty of attention and they still do this when other dogs or people are around you, it could be a sign of jealousy.

2. Peeing or Pooping Inside

Since dogs can’t tell you what they’re feeling, they resort to actions. There are a few reasons for potty-training regression in dogs and jealousy may be one of them. However, you should rule out other reasons such as medical issues, anxiety, or adjusting to a new routine first. If those reasons are ruled out, jealousy may be behind potty-training regression, especially if other signs are present.

3. Aggression

If your dog starts nipping at or snapping at another animal or person getting more attention, they may be trying to tell you they’re jealous. They may also growl or push other pets away to be the center of your attention. Jealousy can be a common cause of aggression in dogs but be sure to consider other reasons as well.

4. Showing Off

If your dog starts doing tricks without any prompting, this could be their way of commanding your attention. While this might seem charming, it’s important to know it could be an indicator that your dog feels like you’re ignoring them.

5. Leaving the Room

Leaving the room is a dog’s version of giving someone the cold shoulder. It could also be their way of withdrawing from the situation. If you notice this occurs when a specific pet or person enters the room, jealousy may be the root cause. Because dogs are highly social, withdrawing is a sign that something is wrong and it should be addressed.

6. Resource Guarding

Dogs usually feel safe and secure in their home. However, if a new pet or person enters the home, something in their primal dog nature tells them that this new person or pet may take away their resources. This resource guarding can be caused by jealousy over the thought that someone else might get their food or toys.

There are a few signs of resource guarding in dogs to look out for, like refusing to allow anyone to get close to their food area, growling at another dog while eating, as well as stealing and hiding toys or food. Resource guarding is often a reason why dogs steal things, and jealousy can drive this behavior.

7. Destructive Behavior

If your dog is jealous, they may act out and get destructive. You might notice pillows dragged off the sofa or scratches on furniture. By acting destructively, they may be releasing extra energy and frustration, or they may be doing it because it has been effective at making you pay attention to them. They may also act out by being disobedient. This could be why your dog doesn’t listen to you or seems stubborn.

8. Over-Grooming

If you notice your dog grooming themselves a lot or licking their paws, this can be a sign that your dog is stressed, anxious, or injured. Feeling stressed by jealousy or lack of attention can cause dogs to over-groom or lick their paws excessively. They miss your attention that is directed at another pet or person, so they groom to soothe themselves. This type of self-soothing behavior can be a reason why dogs lick their paws.

How to Stop Jealousy in Dogs

If your dog is exhibiting any signs of jealousy, it’s time to take action. Here’s how to stop jealousy in dogs:

1. Stop Rewarding Envious Behavior

Dogs think any attention is a good thing. So if they act out and react, they start associating that behavior with attention. If your dog is desperate for attention, they’ll even be happy if you seem frustrated with them.

This just becomes a continuous cycle that can be hard to break. If your dog exhibits signs of jealousy, try walking away or ignoring them. Doing so will reinforce that bad behavior won’t be rewarded with attention.

2. Work on Consistent Training

Training should be ongoing for you and your pup. Not only does it build a bond with your dog, but it can also help build a foundation of solid trust. If a dog feels close to you through consistent training, they are less likely to feel ignored.

Simply working on a few training exercises every few days can help strengthen the bond. Work your way through a list of basic commands every dog should know. To keep things interesting, throw in some new or more complex commands or training sequences. Dogs love to be with their owners, and this is a great way to spend time together.

Another benefit of consistent training is that it helps build your dog’s confidence. If your dog feels confident in situations, they are less likely to feel jealous. This is because confidence can make them feel secure in their home, making them much more likely to feel comfortable with sharing resources and their owner with another dog or person.

3. Introduce New Partners or Family Members With Positive Reinforcement

If someone new enters your life, such as a significant other or a new family member, your dog may start feeling jealous. To help your dog adjust, include this new person in your dog’s regular habits, like exercise, playtime, and, of course, dinnertime.

Treats can go a long way in helping your dog accept a new person. However, this takes some strategy. Don’t give the new person a bunch of treats to give your dog whenever. Make sure they give treats only to reward good behavior. Once your dog has a positive association with this new person, they should warm up to them and start seeing them as a normal part of the family. Your dog may even end up choosing a new favorite person!

4. Be Patient and Fair With Your Dog and a New Family Dog

Any type of change can be stressful on a dog because they love a good daily routine. If they don’t have a routine, there are ways to create a good daily routine for your dog. When your dog knows what to expect during their day, they are a lot more likely to be relaxed.

However, if a new dog comes into your home, you are going to have to ease your dog into that new routine. This might take some time and patience. Another important thing to remember when introducing a new dog into the home is to be as fair as possible with both dogs.

Try to avoid giving treats to just one dog if the other dog is close by and can see you. Give treats to both dogs together when they are behaving well, so that it encourages a bond between the two. Plus, rewarding good behavior is a great way to introduce a new dog to your other pets.

You also need to work on fostering a bond between the two dogs. One of the best ways to do this is by going on walks together. Dogs are very social animals because historically, they have always lived and traveled in packs. By going on walks together, you foster the pack mentality. Once that pack mentality is formed, it should encourage a strong bond that will help your dog overcome their jealousy.

These are just a few signs of jealousy in dogs. If you notice any of these signs in your dog, you should take some time to investigate. If you suspect your dog is jealous, give them some extra love and attention when they start acting out. Your dog loves you, and they want to feel that same love from you!