Dog likes humans but not other dogs— is it normal? Sure there’s a number of reasons for this behavior with dogs. However, it’s nothing out of the ordinary.
When meeting another dog for the first time, some canines immediately become best friends.
Unfortunately, these outgoing dogs are in the minority. Some dogs seem to have no interest in their own kind at all, while others only have a selective interest in spending time with particular dogs.
Does Fido act in hate towards other dogs?
We hear about dogs that are labeled aggressive or that snarl or bark at other dogs when they go too close; is this common behavior?
Why dogs like humans but not other dogs
This behavior seems to be a common occurrence among dogs who have had negative experiences or weren’t properly socialized as puppies. Or perhaps a dog that is just being territorial can often dislike other dogs.
Even yet, there are a variety of different explanations for why some dogs may prefer human company to that of their canine counterparts. Here’s what could be causing this, and how to fix it, if you and your furry friend are going through it right now.
Lack of proper early Socialization
The early phases of a dog’s existence is the most vital as it will lead the framework for how a dog will be developed.
As puppies, dogs aren’t naturally friendly, so it’s up to their owners to teach them how to interact with others (humans, dogs, objects, and activities).
Dogs benefit greatly from outings to the dog park, where they can interact with other canine companions, as well as from exposure to the sights and sounds of a bustling city street, traffic, a swimming pool, and other novel environments.
Therefore, if your dog experiences these things, they won’t be novel or odd to him.
Your dog may seem to dislike other dogs because he or she is afraid or does not know how to handle the situation, both of which can lead to aggression. It could also be that from the time your dog was a young puppy, he was exposed to and socialized more with people rather than dogs.
Your dog is just being overprotective
Does your dog immediately become aggressive with other dogs when they come around you or other people? There may be no correlation between your dog’s actions and the other dog’s. There’s a chance it’s about you alone.
Some dogs are naturally territorial of their owners and would be devastated if another dog were to come between them and their person. Dogs that lack consistent household leadership tend to be overprotective of their owners, which might lead to this problem.
Bad experiences
Another reason a dog likes humans but not other dogs is because of previous bad experiences. One dog’s reaction to another may be indicative of their own history with other canines.
Associative learning is a strong suit for dogs, so if your pet has ever had a negative experience with other dogs, he may immediately link the two.
Alternatively, your dog may have suffered greatly during his stay at the shelter before you adopted him. This may be the case if your dog displays hostility toward other canines.
The territorial dog
Dogs can actually tell the difference between humans and other dogs according to this finding, which therefore means they will interact with humans more differently than they would with other canines.
For Instance, a dog may choose to bring you a toy so you both can play fetch, but he can’t do the same with another dog because he can tell the difference.
In the same vein, dogs will choose to be territorial with other dogs by barking or being aggressive if they perceive them to be a threat to their possessions or status.
Early separation from puppy’s litter
This is another reason your dog is friendly towards humans but aggressive to other dogs. A puppy’s socialization with his mother and littermates is very crucial because it happens at a young age.
Socialization, language, and play skills are all taught by the mother and the rest of the litter to the young pup— for example, puppies develop self-control by watching how their mothers and siblings respond to their activities.
Studies show that puppies who are separated from their litters too soon miss out on an important component of their socialization.
These puppies are more likely to have behavioral and temperamental issues later in life, including fear, aggressiveness, and anxiety.
Dogs like this tend to be quite possessive and territorial. Hence, why they may seem to hate other dogs.
Your dog may be put off by a specific dog breed
You should be aware that your dog may be repelled by the unique characteristics of some dog breeds. Border Collies and Golden Retrievers for example both have a tendency to be quite active and noisy during playtime.
Or, the snorting sounds of French and English Bulldogs which may be mistaken for snarling by your dog. In order words, while you may be thinking it’s more of an underlying issue with your dog, it could all come down to something as simple as a breed.
So the next time your dog acts like he hates other dogs, do check if his actions are geared towards a particular dog breed.
Good vs bad canine etiquette
A dog’s attitude toward another dog might also be off-putting.
As an unwritten rule, dogs should approach one another while sniffing the ground and then slowly begin inspecting each other as a sign of good canine manners.
But as you’ve certainly discovered, not all canine companions follow this norm.
Some dogs may be put off by a dog that rushes up to them and immediately begins sniffing and slobbering. Some of the dogs have an aggressive demeanor, approaching other dogs with a huff or a jump in an attempt to establish dominance. It’s no surprise that this could put off the prospective playmate!
Dog breed matters too
A dog’s attitude towards other dogs in general can be often narrowed down to breed. Most protection dogs are naturally aggressive, and this could be a reason for their perceived hate towards other dogs.
Your dog simply has no interest in other dogs
When deciding whether or not to be friendly with other dogs, much like people, there is often more than one factor at play.
Sometimes people just don’t click, whether it’s due to their different personalities or looks. The same can be said for dogs. A dog may choose to refrain from other dogs just because their personalities differ.
As such, It’s normal and appropriate for two dogs to just be acquaintances instead of buddies, as long as there’s no sign of aggressiveness or fear.
Ways to make your dog like other dogs
Socialize your dog early
Exposing your dog to members of their own species is an ideal way to teach your dog to become more interactive and friendly towards other dogs.
Between the ages of 3 and 12 weeks, your dog should be engaged in puppy socialization as this will help them build more confidence and tolerance towards other dogs.
Do not take dogs off the litter too early
We get, potential dog owners getting all itchy to receive their puppy, it can often be tempting to go ahead and get the puppy from its mum and litter. However, we strongly discourage potential dog owners from doing this as it will only make the dog see itself as more human than dog.
See an animal behaviorist
In some cases, socializing an adult dog may not be the best course of action if the dog exhibits greater hostility against other canines. In most situations, consulting an animal behaviorist is essential to identifying the root cause and proposing suitable solutions that are appropriate for the dog breed.
In summary
Dogs may exhibit certain behaviors for reasons that their human counterparts are unaware of. For instance, there may be a number of underlying reasons in play if your dog likes humans but not other dogs. However, early socializing and exposure should make it less likely that these situations will arise.
