If you are a dog parent, you may have wondered if you are their favorite person. As their caretaker, it’s natural to wonder if they like you the best. But do dogs choose a favorite person?

Do Dogs Choose a Favorite Person?

Yes, dogs do typically choose a favorite person. Although it is usually the person they spend the most time around, it’s not always their primary caregiver. It could even be the dog sitter. This can be disappointing as a dog owner but just because it seems like your dog chooses someone different as their favorite person doesn’t mean they love you any less.

How Do Dogs Choose Their Favorite Person?

There are a few things that factor into how a dog chooses their favorite person. Each dog is different, but there are some common denominators:

1. By Bonding

Most dogs bond with their primary caregiver. The first six months of a dog’s life are very important for proper socialization and bonding. During this time, it’s very important to expose your puppy to people, places, and other animals. If your puppy is socialized well, they are more likely to have positive interactions with their surroundings.

If you adopted your dog when they were a little bit older, that doesn’t mean they won’t bond with you. While early socialization is important, continued socialization is equally as important. Continue to expose your dog to experiences through daily walks and dog play dates. If your dog is struggling, there are ways to help your shy dog interact with others.

2. Through Affection and Attention

Although this is not the rule, dogs do tend to bond with the person that shows them the most affection and attention. For example, if there is more than one person in the home, your dog will probably bond the most with the person who feeds them the most frequently.

They also bond with the person who spends the most quality time with them. Building a bond with your dog through spending time with them can include exercise, playtime, or even cuddles. And dogs can sense a person’s attitude towards them. If someone is standoffish with a dog, that dog may also be standoffish around that person.

3. With Positive Interactions

Dogs will play favorites based on certain interactions and associations with people. If you have a friend who visits regularly and absolutely loves to play with your dog, your dog may tend to view them as their favorite at the moment. They begin to associate that person with fun and play.

If you want to be your dog’s favorite, start by spending a lot of quality time with them. Aim to spend about 30 minutes a day of one-on-one time with your dog. Play a rousing game of fetch, groom them, or even work on some agility training. This time will help solidify the bonds between you and your dog.

How Do You Know Who Your Dog’s Favorite Person Is?

There are a few ways to tell who your dog has chosen as their favorite, and could even be signs your dog has imprinted on you.

1. They’re a Personal Shadow

If your dog follows a certain person around constantly, chances are that person is your dog’s favorite. Dogs like to be with people, especially those with who they have bonded to. If you are the source of food, exercise, play, and love, of course, they want to follow you everywhere.

It’s important to note that this behavior of a “Velcro dog” is not the same as a dog suffering from separation anxiety. Velcro behavior has much more positive behavior, such as snuggling and playing.

2. They Show Affection

There are many ways dogs show love. A lot of times, dogs will often nudge you with their nose, flop over and ask for belly rubs, or check in on you if they’re not right by your feet. You will also notice a wagging or wiggly tail accompanied by a goofy grin. When your dog shows you the signs of love, be sure to return them in order to strengthen the bond between the two of you.

Bonding is something that will always occur between dogs and the people who treat them well. Treat your dog well and you’ll be rewarded with a lifetime of love and loyalty. So while dogs usually do choose a favorite person, they have the capacity to love lots of people in their life.