Ethan

How do I bond with my girlfriend's jealous dog

I recently moved in with my girlfriend, and her 4-year-old German Shepherd hasn’t taken to me at all. Every time I walk into the room, she barks, growls, and sometimes even lunges at me. I’ve been trying to give her space and not overwhelm her, but she still seems really on edge around me. How can I make her feel comfortable with me being around?

Wendy Kruger

What our expert says

Wendy Kruger
Dog Behaviour and Training Specialist

Dogs have a tight, close-knit relationship with their owner. So, as you can imagine, when a new person appears on the scene and tries to muscle their way in, the dog isn’t going to accept them straight away. Suspicion is met with barking and lunging towards the newbie.

Give the dog plenty of space and time to get to know you and understand this is a big change for them, they may be very worried about new people.

Avoid showering them with fuss and respect their personal space. Don’t rub your relationship with their human in the dog’s face.

Instead, do things at the dog’s pace, meet them first in an open park, or accompany them on their favourite walk where the dog feels happy and calm.

If you’re there at doggy dinner time, you can pop their food down; dogs enjoy eating in fun ways rather than just from a bowl. You could mix up how you deliver them food, by scattering it in the garden or spreading it on a Licki Mat. Hopefully, soon when you arrive, your new partner's dog will greet you with a waggy tail, bring you a toy, or even want to climb on your lap. Take time to build a strong, positive, and trusting relationship.

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