Bonding (lack of - with my husband)

[Marilyn Norberg]

Has anyone else encountered this problem? Our "Irish" tends to be a "mommy's dog". No matter how hard my husband tries she tends to prefer me way over him. She won't go outside with him unless I give her a high sign that it's ok that she leaves the house without me or when he calls her she won't always come to him and when she does it's very reluctantly that she walks over to him. I hate to see this - I wanted Irish to be "our" dog not "mine" - suggestions please!

[Adina P]

Just like people gravitate toward certain others and LIKE some people naturally more than they like others...I think dogs are also this way. Some dogs just adore certain people more than they adore others.

BUT...one of the BEST way to bond with a dog is via activites like obedience training.

My Rosco was a very independent puppy through his first year. It wasn't until after I spent a lot of time with him daily in training that he started to bond to me. I'm his favorite person now! But before he could take me or leave me.

So one thing that could foster the bond between Irish and your hubby is if hubby takes Irish to obedience classes and takes time daily working with her.

Coming when called should be a trained thing anyway as when distractions abound it takes more than being a dog's favorite human to get the dog to come on command :)

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

I agree with Adina. However, it may help foster a bond if your husband is the one who feeds her or gives her special treats. Maybe have your husband play with her with a special toy that she only sees from him. Whopper tends to stick with me when I'm home but my husband has created certain games that he plays with her to engage her and I let those remain their game.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

My DH and I have made a point to switch off (50/50 when possible) taking Peri in and out, doing "training/treat time", feeding her, and putting her to bed. So far, she is responding to both of us the same. Give that a try.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Go do some shopping...ask him to watch her and take her for a walk or play ball with her...etc.this way your out of the picture and she must rely on him. They will start to bond...NOT saying he is mean...but if he is stricter with her than you are, or voice is more dominating she might be more reluctant because of this. First thing with my handicap is Pain and when it starts you hear it in my voice, this makes Hannah shutdown right away, and I have to be very careful with this, because she perceives it very differently, so the difference in your voice tones might also be some of this.

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

Go away for the weekend leaving DH wi lots of yummy treats & a list of fun things to do & places to go wi Irish. Puppy love from Joy & furry folk

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Hi Joy, how are you...did you get the Halti...Hannah and Honey say Thank You Very Much for new Leashes...

[20xlhzzaoccks]

I totally understand this! My dog Steve is a total "mama's boy" and I think a lot of it has to do with the amount of time I spend with him. I have done all of his training, and I usually walk and feed him. I have noticed that now that my husband is working from home and is home all day with him Steve has definitely bonded with him more. Also, Steve loves to play catch and fetch with Tim and I don't think its something he enjoys as much with me. I would just encourge your husband to spend as much time with Irish as possible and do training, walks, and feeding with her as well.