How do I stop my jealous dog biting people?
Lindsay Arliss, Dog behaviour and training specialist
How do I bond with my girlfriend's 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?
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.
For more information on this topic, Wendy Kruger recommends these articles:
Hear from other humans
Carla
📍 Wales
- Dog breed: Corgi
- Dog age: 3 years
- Owner expertise: Novice
I was struggling with my dog's anxiety, especially when we had to leave the house. Thanks to Woodgreen's advice, I've made some changes that have worked wonders. By sticking to a consistent routine, my dog knows what to expect each day, which has significantly reduced her anxiety.
Sarah
📍 Sussex
- Dog breed: Cockerpoo
- Dog age: 6 months
- Owner expertise: Novice
This advice really helped me and my new pup! I tried teaching recall without your guidance and struggled. Woodgreen's step-by-step dog training videos break each action down for you and I'm happy to say we finally made progress!