7 rules by which a dog chooses its owner when living in a family
Dogs are very unusual animals that build relationships with people according to special, not always logical rules. It often happens that a family member who picked up a dog on the street, fed him and warmed him, remains a minor person for him. At the same time, the animal considers a completely unexpected person to be the owner. Scientists were able to understand the wilds of dog psychology and found some patterns.
In the life of a dog, food plays a very significant role and this applies not only to saturation. Evolution has implanted in the consciousness of a pack animal that the one who spends the most energy for the common good eats the most. And if this member of the pack also starts eating first, then it is clear that this is an alpha male.
For dogs, it does not matter who cooks food and who serves it. She keeps track of who is first and who gets the biggest chunks. With a high degree of probability, such a person will be chosen as the owner. It's not for nothing that the whole family worries about him getting enough.
No matter how independent a dog may seem, it needs a friendly attitude and respect. It happens that one of the family members constantly feeds the pet and plays with it, but the dog does not see the leader in it. As a host, he treats another person, who takes less part in his life than others. Why is that? It's simple, from the dog's point of view.
The dog will most respect not the one who feeds it and takes it for a walk. Her idol will be the one who will stand up for her, perhaps in a very minor situation. For example, a wife will start waking up a soundly sleeping dog to take a walk, and the spouse will say "Let him sleep." A trifle? But the dog can draw serious conclusions from this scene. He will see in a person a friend and defender of his interests.
Any social group, including a pack, should be healthy and strong. The responsibility for this lies mainly with the leader. The dog observes how family members treat each other, which of them cares most about everyone being full, healthy and cheerful, who is the organizer of games and events.
In addition, the dog observes whose peace is valued most in the community. The one who does not want to be disturbed in vain and who is given plenty of sleep is perceived by the animal as a leader. In the protection of the rest of this person, the pet will take an active part. Usually the dog lies on the floor next to the bed or sofa and protects the leader's sleep.
Every family member in the house probably has his favorite place. At the same time, some people are very jealous of this and try not to occupy their favorite corner of the sofa or computer chair. This is a serious signal for a dog who is sure that only the leader's place can be inviolable.
During the first few walks with different family members, the dog determines who is a strong and strong-willed leader. A person who lets an animal choose its own route, lets go of the leash and stares at the whole walk in a smartphone is unlikely to become the owner.
The dog expects that the leader will show the way, bind it, organize a hunt or a game. Moreover, the leader will never allow you to pull the leash and pull it wherever you want. If this happens, then the dog begins to put himself above the person and he will no longer be the owner.
The well-being of a dog depends entirely on the family in which it lives. In order for an animal to begin to feel like a human master, he must behave like a leader in matters of distribution of goods, that is, food. It is not necessary to feed the dog with sweets uncontrollably — he must have a clear motivation. Remuneration is given only by the leader and only for certain merits.
Dogs understand people well, even sometimes without words. Therefore, there is nothing strange in the fact that these animals require this from people. A person who understands the signals sent to an animal and will respond to them correctly will certainly be perceived as a host. Of course, the dog will try to respond in the same way, in multiple sizes!