Research from the University of Auckland and UC San Diego found that dogs displayed clear jealous behavior when their owners petted realistic dog-like toys
Studies show dogs can-and often do-feel jealousy, especially when their human gives attention to another dog.
Research from the University of Auckland and UC San Diego found that dogs displayed clear jealous behavior-like pushing, snapping, or trying to insert themselves-when their owners petted realistic dog-like toys, but not when attention was directed at inanimate objects or books .
These reactions occurred even when the "rival" was hidden from view, suggesting dogs sensed the threat to their special bond .
Experts describe this as a form of "primordial jealousy"— an emotional response rooted in social attachment-rather than the complex, self-reflective jealousy humans experience .
In short, if your pup barges in when you're cuddling another "dog," it's less about spoiled behavior and more about protecting their relationship with you.
I have performed this study many times. Not even that realistic. Sometimes the dog gets jealous of me having the toy and takes it for herself.
We have two dogs, a rottie (Brutus) and a husky/pit/German shepherd mix (Mila). If I'm petting Mila and Brutus is awake and around, he will put himself between us and take the pets, even if he doesn't want them. She could be in my lap, and he will shove his fat face right between us and make the space. He doesn't really do the same thing with my wife at all. He's a bit of a jelly boy.
I realized this a couple months ago when my puppy began responding to my cat's name far better than her own. Here's an example of her showing me I could maybe pet her and rub the cat's belly at the same time. She came and laid there immediately after I began petting the cat.
Not only jealousy towards other pets. My dogs and cats have been known to squeeze in between me and my phone, sit on papers i'm reading, or standing in front of the tv
My dogs hate getting their nails trimmed. One won’t let me at all but if I try, the other pushes his way in between.
God love my little ding-dongs. They are my best friends.
EDIT: I just remembered a time when the pushy doggo escaped, I couldn’t get him to come back. He was about a block away.
Knowing that he’s a jealous boy, I stopped to pet the neighbor’s dog and he came running to stop to it.
(⌐■_■)