[Hambonez]

Two threads in one day! I'm fire with questions!

A while back I had mentioned that my dog liked me way more than my husband. I feel like it's getting worse. I wouldn't say he has separation anxiety because he's fine crated at night, and penned during the day when we're at work. He doesn't cry or get destructive or anything. If I leave to go out, he's fine being home with my husband. If I'm home and may in some way be accessible, however, Hamilton will move heaven and earth to get to me. Today I was leaving to go out for a bit, and he was watching me go over the piece of plywood we have blocking the stairs to the driveway, and pulled himself up and over and ran after me. Fortunately he was running to me and I just swooped him up and my husband brought him inside, and once I'm actually GONE he's fine, but I feel like he really needs a stronger connection to my husband to avoid him developing a stronger drive to pursue me. It's also very taxing on me because I never get time alone, except when I'm in the shower, and we need a new hot water heater so I can't stay in there too long!!

I am certain that the crux of problem is my husband spends less quality time with him. I've been telling him from as soon as we brought him home "You need to interact with him" "You need to play with him" "You need to do his training with him" and he doesn't. He is the first up with him in the morning, comes home at lunch time to take care of him, and goes to his training classes, but if I leave them together, my husband reads a book or something. When I get home it's walk! play time! pets and scratches! run in the yard! treats! practice commands! park visits! play groups! chase toys! "find it" while I cook! All awesome things, as far as a dog is concerned.

Here is the list of things I've come up with to create a stronger bond between Hamilton and my husband. Saying "spend quality time" is not specific enough. I already ignore Hamilton when I first come home or walk into the room to try to reduce that excitement. Doesn't really help though cause he does zoomie happy dances regardless of whether I'm paying attention, just because my mere presence is that great. I'm hoping you guys can give me more ideas:

* Husband takes Hamilton to the park alone.
* Husband throws a treats party for Hamilton whenever he gets home.
* Husband feeds Hamilton all his meals.
* Husband doles out higher value treats.
* Husband takes Hamilton to play groups or pet store trips alone.

This is the barrier he scaled. He is standing up at his full height, on his tippy toes:

 

[hanksimon]

I think your diagnosis is correct. Your dog has bonded with you, so don't try to 'break' that bonded. Give him the required 5 - 10 min. of quality time when you come home (?), but have your husband do a little hand feeding, and playing, in addition to what you've written.

Your dog will always prefer you, but if your husband is a good playmate, that'll help...especially when you're ignoring the dog...

 

[Hambonez]

I don't want him to stop being bonded to me -- I just want him to be happy with my husband too! I don't want it to be a tragedy when I need to be in another room without him.

 

[Pekinchick]

Dogs always choose one person they love most, it's up to your husband to create a stronger bond with the dog. I take care of my pup most of the time, but he naturally loves my hubby more although we both play with him equally.

 

[Nev Allen]

You have the right approach outlined above. Only thing I would add is your hubby could feed the pup his meal by hand. He does not need to stand in front of him for this. He can still sit and watch the idiot box if he wants to and over several minutes dole out the food a spoon at a time into the pups dish.

High value rewards such as roast chicken, beef or pork, shredded ham or viennas given every time hubby interacts will warm the dog up to him.