what im trying to ask is i have a 7 month old rotti and ive had him since he was 7 weeks old and i recently moved in to a house with 2 friends since there going to be around him as much as i am do you think that he will still consider me his owner. Im the only one who walks him feeds him and he sleeps in my bed
2007-07-22 20:51:17 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
To a dog, whoever feeds it gets its loyalty. However, a dog will often remember its breeder by smell the same way that its mother is recognized.
2007-07-22 23:50:48 · answer #1 · answered by Caninelegion 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They don't understand what an owner is. They do understand who feeds them and more importantly who sleeps with them.
Dogs identify their "pack" or family as the ones they sleep with. If you mean owner by who the dog will follow and favor,
and he chooses to sleep with you, then you are his owner.
However, if you want to know who they will obey; that is determined by whoever is the most dominant/energetic personality around. If this is you then again you are the owner.
2007-07-22 21:11:21 · answer #2 · answered by kijafha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He knows you and especially your scent. He'll always know that you took him into your home, but dogs live in a pack mentality. As someone else said, he's going to respond to the alpha male. Furthermore, he'll develop relationships with the other guys in the house that may be different from yours. Nonetheless, if you're still the one walking him, he is still all yours since dogs bond greatly with the person who walks them.
I wouldn't worry. He's still your baby. ;)
2007-07-22 21:05:17 · answer #3 · answered by Julie Lee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He isn't going to "think" in human terms regarding an owner as you define owner. He may simply prefer one person over another. He may prefer the person who trains & rewards him the most. Remember he is a pack animal and how he see's the order of the people in the house in relationship to himself will also influence his actions. Pack order changes as life changes. You may be in for a learning experience.
2007-07-22 21:00:04 · answer #4 · answered by panjpetevents 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A dog does not have any concept of "owner", but if you are the one who feeds him and walks him, and if he sleeps in your bed, he will know you are more special than the others.
2007-07-22 20:55:45 · answer #5 · answered by Amy W 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
well a dog is a very smart animal. it knows who its around, what it likes, what is doesn't like, and so on. usually your dog will start to notice that your its owner because it's been with you longer and you provided him with his needs and wants but there is a change that your dog will get to attached and will forget about you and go to someone else but the more time you spend with your dog and keep him happy and healthy the more he'll love you!!! hope i could help!! :)
2007-07-22 21:18:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry your rottie knows who you are. You take care of him and let him snuggle up to you at night. Just keep doing what your doing and you will see the bond is already there!
2007-07-22 21:00:15 · answer #7 · answered by Buster 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it just means that 2 more people are in his 'pack'. he should still know who the alpha is (hopefully, you), but still respect the other humans in the house. along with any other pets.
when walking, make sure that you are either in front of him or he is right next to you, heeling. otherwise, it could mean that he is a higher rank than you or just more dominant than you(pulling you is very very bad. teach him to heel).
i dont think that "sleeping in my bed" is a good idea if you still want your dog to know who's the boss in the house. but this still doesn't mean your dog should sleep in someone else's bed or sleep on the floor.
if your dog is still submissive and playful and (whatever else personality he has besides aggression) etc, i think its fine. just play with him as usual, give him his food, love, attention, and etc to keep him happy and healthy. :)
2007-07-22 21:25:20 · answer #8 · answered by i♥mybichonfrise 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It will recognize you as the "top dog" and therefore, its master since you are the only one that takes care of him and because you have raised him for a while now. Those past months you spent taking care of its every need will not be forgotten that easily. Your dog will probably think of your two friends as another "pack mate" if anything.
So, I wouldn't worry about your dog forgetting that you are its owner--dogs are known for their loyalty.
2007-07-22 21:13:40 · answer #9 · answered by April Aries 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dogs respond to the pack leader, or alpha male. If you're the one walking him, feeding him, bringing him into your room to sleep, then you're the alpha male. Also, he's already bonded pretty heavily to you by now, so I wouldn't worry about him switching sides. Once he's in your pack, he'll be loyal til death. That's why I love dogs so much. :)
2007-07-22 20:58:32 · answer #10 · answered by Seattle_Slacker 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋