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I think my wife claimed the #1 spot??? How???

1K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  Sam1491 
#1 ·
So, my Rooney will hit 16 weeks in a few days and I have noticed something...

Its a nitpick really, but this past Monday, my wife took him and her dog to the vet. Rooney had a good visit and the vet even commented on how calm he was during his shots and everything.

Since then... so Monday night until last night I have noticed that he gives my wife more attention than he does me. He lays down with her and cuddles with her but not me. When he plays with her or our baby he is careful and gentle but playing with me he is a lot more rough.

Now I play rough with him anyway, ever since we got him, but I think I am more worried that he will bond with my wife more than me and I am the one that walks him and takes him out ... stuff like that.

We are married so its all good, but she already has 2 dogs of her own so I got the Doberman as more my dog....

Am I over thinking this and he will just bounce all around the family or should I be concerned?
 
#2 ·
It is possible he has chosen her as "his human" over you. Doesn't mean he doesn't like or care for you, he might just be more in tune with her more. I have the opposite problem, all the foster dogs that come in my household bond to me (even though I'm more strict) than to my spouse, who tends to want all animal's love and lets them get away with shenanigans. Just like you have a person who might be your "best friend" you still have friends who you enjoy being with too. Or maybe cousins vs "favorite" cousin might be a better example. Never fret though, he might just be all over her one week and then you the next, seen that happen too :D
 
#3 ·
Who feeds him? Who spends the most time with him? Who trains him?

When I first got Gretchen I fed the dogs but my b/f stayed at home so he was with her more and I did Obedience with her. At first she bonded more towards him since sometimes obedience met I had to be the bad guy when she was misbehaving. BUT I was the one who did (and continues to do) so it was long before she started to flock towards me. Dobermans like structure and discipline, it's in their character and they respect the person who instills it.
 
#7 ·
Chihuahua.

That is me... I feed him in the evening (her in the morning). I always walk him, and she doesn't like to play with him because she prefers older dogs to puppies... so I am his playmate... well me and the other dogs.
I feed the dogs. I train the dogs. I take the dogs outside. I groom the dogs. My husband give tummy rubs....

You said earlier that you play rougher with him than she does. I'm wondering if it's possible that you overwhelmed him, and now he is worried that you will be too rough? They go through a fear stage at around this age.
 
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#8 ·
This may be a poor generalization put women tend to be more vocal with dogs. I think dobermans especially respond to someone who talking to them all the time.
If you want to be in the #1 spot you have to do things all the time with your dobe "adventures". The more he associates cool fun stuff with you , the more his eyes will be on you to not let you get out of his sight.
 
#14 ·
I wouldn't worry, many of the above comments are valid options (too rough, etc...) but overall they can tend to float between people. Mabel is mine, always has been always will be, but that doesn't stop her from loving my bf and totally blowing me off at times for him. In fact the last three days have been all about dad....I get basic cuddles and kisses but she's saving the snuggles and the velcro-ness for dad.

I wouldn't put so much pressure on who's dog it has to be, the pup will grow up to pick who they pick and unfortunately that is what it is. You can increase your odds by doing more with the puppy but if he really bonds the most and becomes your wife's dog then.... C'est la vie.
 
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