Do Dogs Get Jealous over Toys?

We often think that dogs feel the same way we do. But sometimes it's hard to tell what your dog is feeling. Jealousy and possessiveness can be hard to identify. Jealous, possessive, and protective dogs can cause problems for other dogs. That's why it's best to identify the feeling first. Don't interpret it all as jealousy.

What is jealousy in dogs?

Your dog may not experience "jealousy" the same way people do. Instead of being jealous, your dog may be acting assertive, aggressive, or rude. It's your dog's way of establishing social hierarchy.

While dogs may exhibit jealous behaviors like humans, they do so only in response to perceived social threats.

Dogs are good at using human communication signals. This means they can understand social cues and know how to follow pointing and eye contact. One study found that dogs use human social cues to find hidden treats. By watching our social cues, some dogs can figure out that they're not getting the same rewards or praise as their peers.

"Jealous" behaviors in dogs may include:

Snapping
Standing between the owner and other objects
Behavior toward objects or things you interact with
Paying extra attention to you‌
Behaviors you should watch out for include:

Aggression Any nibbling or biting to get attention to another object or thing is a bad sign.
Indoor Accidents. Since our pets can't talk to us, they express themselves through their behavior. Your pet can show you that they are upset by having accidents in your home.
Growling and Howling. If your dog is deliberately trying to scare off strangers or other animals, this could be due to feelings of jealousy.

Possessive Behavior

Possessive behavior can be very problematic or barely cause concern, depending on your dog's behavior. If your dog turns his head when you reach for a toy, that's not too bad. However, if your dog growls and bites you when you get close, that's more serious. ‌

Dogs can be possessive of their owners as well as their toys or food. This makes your dog extra protective of you and keeps your dog on high alert when there's no real threat.

Your dog may be exhibiting possessive behavior if he or she:

Growling
Snapping
Whining
Aggression against other pets or people

Understanding Protective Dogs

If your dog is being protective, it's because it's their instinct. If your dog thinks you are in danger, this reaction may seem aggressive. Sometimes protective instincts can be confused with jealous or possessive behavior. ‌

Your dog is protective if he/she:

Focuses on another dog, person, or situation
Becomes preoccupied with the situation
Relaxes and backs off after not seeing a threat‌
The main difference between a protective dog and a possessive dog is relaxation and backing off. Possessive or jealous dogs don't usually back off. They continue the problematic behavior until they are uncomfortable.

Changing problematic behaviors

Don't lose hope, you can still change your dog's bad behavior. First, you need to reward your dog when he/she behaves the way you want him/her to behave. If your dog is standing between you and another person, ignore them. If your dog is constantly standing in the way, stand up and move to another space.

‌If you are concerned about your dog's behavior, you can always seek help from a dog behaviorist. They can help you train your dog and control bad behaviors. A dog trainer will help you understand your dog and control them.