Do Dogs Get Jealous of New Dogs? Managing Canine Jealousy When Expanding Your Pack

Have you ever brought home a new puppy only to find your current dog giving you the cold shoulder? Or maybe your once-cuddly companion is suddenly pushing between you and your new four-legged friend every chance they get? If so, you’re witnessing what many pet owners experience: dog jealousy.

Yes, our furry friends can absolutely get jealous when a new dog enters their territory. It’s a common behavior that can leave pet parents scratching their heads wondering what to do. But don’t worry – I’ve gathered all the information you need to understand and manage this challenging situation.

Do Dogs Really Experience Jealousy?

For years, scientists debated whether dogs could actually feel jealousy or if we were just projecting human emotions onto them. Recent research has provided some fascinating answers.

According to a 2014 study titled “Jealousy in Dogs,” our canine companions do exhibit behaviors that look remarkably like human jealousy. When owners showed affection toward what appeared to be another dog (even a stuffed toy dog), their pets displayed significantly more jealous behaviors compared to when owners interacted with non-social objects.

These jealous behaviors included

• Snapping
• Getting between the owner and the perceived rival
• Pushing or touching the owner
• Whining or barking for attention

As PetMD explains, while dogs may not experience the complex emotion of jealousy exactly as humans do, they definitely show strikingly similar reactions when they perceive a threat to their relationship with their owners.

Signs Your Dog Is Jealous of Your New Dog

How can you tell if your dog is jealous of the new addition to your family? Here are some telltale signs:

1. Getting between you and the new dog – Your resident dog physically places themselves between you and the newcomer
2. Resource guarding – Growling when the new dog approaches their toys, food, or favorite resting spots
3. Attention-seeking behaviors – Suddenly performing tricks, barking, or bringing toys to you when you’re interacting with the new dog
4. Giving the “stink eye” – Staring intensely at the new dog, especially when they approach you
5. Having accidents inside – Even previously housetrained dogs might start having accidents to show their displeasure
6. Becoming clingy or distant – Either following you everywhere or unusually withdrawing from interaction
7. Growling or snapping – More aggressive behaviors when the new dog gets too close
8. Acting sullen or depressed – Refusing to get excited when you come home

I remember when I brought home a new puppy last year – my 5-year-old Lab would dramatically sigh and leave the room whenever the puppy came near Classic passive-aggressive dog behavior!

Jealousy vs. Resource Guarding: Understanding the Difference

It’s important to distinguish between jealousy and resource guarding, though they’re closely related.

Resource guarding is when your dog reacts aggressively to perceived or real threats to their access to valued items – food toys resting places, or even your attention. While jealousy is more about the relationship with you, resource guarding focuses specifically on protecting resources.

As K9 of Mine points out, trainers often get nervous about the term “jealousy” because it can downplay the serious issue of resource guarding, which requires specific training interventions.

Is It Dominance or Insecurity?

Many people incorrectly label jealous behavior as “dominance.” The reality is more nuanced.

True dominance is about the relationship between two individuals and a resource – it’s not a personality trait. Dominance is situation-dependent, pair-dependent, and item-dependent.

More often than not, what looks like dominance is actually insecurity. Your dog isn’t trying to assert dominance over the new puppy; they’re feeling threatened by this change in their environment and relationship with you.

As one expert at K9 of Mine explains, “Dominant, confident dogs aren’t threatened by little baby puppies – just like confident adult men aren’t threatened by toddlers.” Your dog’s jealous behavior is likely rooted in feeling insecure about their place in your heart and home.

How to Manage Jealousy Between Dogs

Now for the part you’ve been waiting for – what can you actually DO about this jealousy? Here’s a comprehensive plan to help both dogs adjust:

1. Manage the Environment

The fastest way to reduce tension is through careful management:

• Feed dogs separately – Use different rooms or crates during mealtimes
• Provide separate resting areas – Make sure each dog has their own bed or safe space
• Control toy access – Initially, only allow supervised playtime with toys
• Use gates and barriers – Baby gates, pet gates, and crates can give dogs space from each other
• Give the resident dog breaks – Your older dog needs regular puppy-free time

2. Counter-Conditioning

The goal here is to teach your dog that good things happen when the new dog is around:

• Every time the new dog approaches a valued resource (you, food, toys), give your resident dog a high-value treat
• This creates a positive association: New dog appears = chicken treats happen!
• The relationship must be absolute – treats happen EVERY time, even if your dog is growling

I tried this with my dogs, and within a week, my older dog was actually looking excited when the puppy came near because he knew treats were coming!

3. Teach Alternative Behaviors

Give your jealous dog something specific to do instead of guarding or showing jealousy:

• Hand targeting – Teach your dog to touch their nose to your hand on command
• Mat training – Train your dog to go to a special mat and stay there
• “Look at me” – Teach your dog to make eye contact with you

These skills create space between the dogs and give your jealous dog something positive to focus on.

4. Build Relationship Between the Dogs

Help your dogs become friends through shared positive experiences:

• Take them on walks together (with enough space between them)
• Engage in parallel play – play separately but in the same area
• Create positive associations through treats and praise
• Never force interaction – let it develop naturally

5. What NOT to Do

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Don’t punish growling or jealous behavior – This can make your dog more insecure
• Don’t force interactions – Let dogs set their own pace
• Don’t play favorites – Try to give equal attention when possible
• Don’t leave them unsupervised until you’re confident they get along
• Don’t use physical punishment – This damages trust and increases anxiety

When to Get Professional Help

While many cases of dog jealousy can be managed at home, some situations require professional assistance:

• If jealousy persists for more than a few weeks
• If your dog has snapped at or bitten the new dog
• If either dog seems stressed or tense most of the time
• If there’s a significant size difference between the dogs
• If your adult dog has a history of resource guarding or aggression

A certified dog behavior consultant or veterinary behaviorist can provide customized guidance for your specific situation.

Real-Life Success Stories

Many dog owners successfully navigate through jealousy issues. Here’s a quick example:

“When we brought home our corgi puppy, our 7-year-old retriever would growl whenever the puppy came near us. We started giving our older dog treats whenever the puppy approached, and we made sure to give our retriever plenty of one-on-one time. Within three weeks, they were sleeping in the same bed together!” – Sarah M.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

If you’re planning to add a second dog to your family, here are some tips to prevent jealousy from developing:

1. Choose a compatible dog – Consider age, energy level, and temperament
2. Introduce dogs on neutral territory – A park or quiet street works well
3. Maintain your first dog’s routine – Keep walks, feeding times, and play sessions consistent
4. Give individual attention – Schedule one-on-one time with each dog
5. Train separately – At least initially, work with each dog individually

FAQs About Dog Jealousy

Q: How long does it typically take for dogs to adjust to each other?
A: While it varies greatly, most dogs begin to show improvement within 2-4 weeks, with full adjustment taking 2-3 months.

Q: Can jealousy between dogs be completely eliminated?
A: In most cases, jealousy can be significantly reduced or eliminated with proper training and management. Some dogs may always need a bit more management around certain resources.

Q: Is jealousy more common with certain breeds?
A: According to PetMD, any dog can experience jealousy regardless of breed. There’s no current research showing that some breeds are inherently more jealous than others.

Q: My dog was fine with other dogs before. Why is he jealous now?
A: The difference is that this new dog is living in your dog’s home and competing for your attention and resources, which makes it a very different relationship.

Q: Should I rehome one of my dogs if jealousy is severe?
A: Rehoming should be a last resort after you’ve tried working with a professional trainer or behaviorist. Many cases that seem severe can be successfully managed with proper guidance.

Conclusion

Dog jealousy is a real phenomenon that many pet parents face when introducing a new dog to their home. The good news is that with patience, consistency, and the right approach, most dogs can learn to accept and even enjoy their new canine companion.

Remember that your resident dog didn’t ask for this change in their life, so approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Focus on making positive associations, managing the environment to prevent conflicts, and giving each dog what they need to feel secure.

With time and effort, those initial signs of jealousy will likely fade, and you’ll have the harmonious multi-dog household you’ve been dreaming of!

Have you experienced jealousy between your dogs? What worked for you? I’d love to hear your stories and strategies in the comments below!