by Lucy May

Created on: April 15, 2009

"Man's Best Friend" your dog is your perfect companion; he's loyal, trust worthy and willingly offers you unconditional love. A perfect partnership until someone else enters the scene. Now the dog is confused but there are reasons for his actions and remedies you can take.

At first it was just the two of you, a team. Then suddenly his world was shattered, another person was coming between you. A dog has certain emotions and is fully capable of feeling jealous, just like a human. He feels like he is no longer your "best friend" and companion. In order to regain his position and status he starts to jump up at either one of you, this is his way of saying "notice me" but this natural animal behavior may be completely misunderstood for hatred of the intruder. A dog does not have the ability to portray hate for anyone or anything.

The second problem that often arises when an owner introduces a lover is that the dog now feels overly protective of his owner. To humans an embrace and a kiss is a loving emotion but a dog can witness this as an attack on his owner's life. This can provoke a dog to bark at the loving couple which inevitably leads to shouting at the dog to be quiet. The animal now feels threatened by the newcomer and more barking ensues.

Now we have the situation whereby the dog owner is embarrassed that their beloved pet is playing up and not proving how cute and sweet they always said their dog was. Plus the new lover firmly believes the dog hates them and is the relationship worth pursuing if they have to win the animal over without getting attacked?

Introducing a new friend to your pet can be carried out quite calmly if you take a few easy steps first. Let the initial meeting between your new friend and your dog take place in the park. Take your dog for a walk, sit on a bench next to your friend, here everyone can talk to the dog and pat him, both of you could throw the ball. This is your dog's domain; he feels in control, he thinks he has made a friend and introduced you two.

The next time you meet, let your friend say hello to the dog first. Now your pet is happy for you to be with "his" friend. When it comes to embracing to avoid any confrontation in the beginning, wait until after a ball game in the garden or the park. The dog tired or asleep at your feet will feel quite contented and relaxed and will have no worries about the two of you being together.

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