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My dog runs away from me...
i love my dog, and i know she loves me too, because whenever im crying she always comes and licks me or lays next to me. But most of the time she follows my mom around and i cant get the feeling she doesnt like me, even though she does, you know? How do i bond with her, or get her to like me and maybe even follow me around??
I need help.
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My one dog follows my step dad around the same way. Try bonding with the dog as much as you can. Throw her a tennis ball outside for a while, maybe while you are raking leaves or just relaxing on yoru porch. You could also try playing tug Gives her lots of love and attention, by petting her. Alot of times, dogs will also show special attention to the person that feeds them, at least thats the way it seems in my house. When its time for her to eat, if its usually your mom taht feeds her, ask if you could do it instead. Im sure your mom wouldnt mind
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Dogs have very great hearts and from what you have said it sounds like she does love you very much.Try taking her for walks or personal feeding her and she should start to bond with you more and follow you around instead because you would spend more time with her.
good luck xox
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Your Mom is more of a pack leader which is good, but the fact that the dog licks you, means she sees you as a leader too, but not as high up in the pack order. The best way to bond with a dog is to take it for a lot of walks (on a leash of course) you can even practice in the house if you want to. Dogs love to explore with their pack, in the wild they would walk miles and miles following the leader. Always make your dog walk beside you in a "heel" position or somewhat behind you. You should also be the one to go through doorways first (before the dog)...that way the dog will see you as an equal pack leader like she does your Mom. It will take some time, but if you practice for several minutes each day that will help. Also, don't spoil the dog to make it like you, she will then think she's in charge and not listen to you as well.
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In a dog's mind, the people in their home are part of their "pack". A person's place in the "pack" can determine how a dog treats them.
It sounds to me like it's possible your dog views your mother as a pack leader. And because the dog doesn't obey you (that's what I am getting from the phrase "My dog runs away from me...") the dog may view you as an equal or lesser member of the pack.
It doesn't mean she doesn't love you, you are part of her pack, but she will treat you differently than the those she sees as above her in rank, unless you elevate your position in the pack. It's just the way dogs are wired, it's nothing personal.
To raise your rank, I recommend you start taking part in her life in an obedience capacity.
If she doesn't know how to sit or stay or anything like that, you train her. If she does know, you need to take her through those things every day, and praise her very much when she does the right things. Maybe even give some small treats for encouragement.
Never give her anything without making her do something for it. Not her food. Not water. Not a treat, or a toy or a towel, or being allowed on the couch, even a petting or scratching, etc... Everything that your dog wants, make her sit or down or roll over or something like that, and only give her what she wants when she has obeyed.
Other tips for being higher ranked than your dog:
Never play tug-of-war and "lose". Your dog may think they are higher rank than you if you do this. Many people say not to play tug-of-war at all because it can cause aggressive behavior. That's up to you, but if you do play... Don't lose.
When walking somewhere, like through a door, going upstairs, or going outside, don't let your dog go first. Letting them go first can be taken as a sign of submission from you, that you are telling the dog they come before you in rank. Make your dog "stay", while you go first, then tell your dog to come on through.
Don't feed your dog scraps while you are eating. The dog should never eat before you do, or while you do. The dog eating last reinforces his place below you in the pack. You can even try pretending to eat the dog's food before having them do something and then giving it to them... So they think you have had your fill, and now it's their turn.
These things are not cruel. Dogs are happiest when their position in the pack is not in doubt. If they feel their other pack members aren't acting the part of leader, they may feel forced into that role, which brings a lot of extra stress for them. Letting your dog know that you are higher in the pack will probably be a relief, and hopefully will strengthen your relationship with your dog.
Good Luck.
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I expect it isn't that your dog doesn't love you but more that she feels a stronger connection with your Mother. Does your Mum spend a lot more time in the house with your dog than you do by any chance? I expect she probably does and this means she will be the one feeding her, playing with her, taking her for walks and generally keeping her company.
All you have to do is learn to spend more time with your dog, doing the things that she enjoys and you will notice the bond grow stronger. Start taking her for walks once a day, somewhere green if at all possible. Try to train her to sit, stay and so on, with some treats or take her to obedience classes. Get her some toys and spend a while throwing them for her or generally playing with her. Then, with any spare time you have, sit with her, pet her, cuddle her.
If you can keep this up, she will become more attached to you and you will have your "girl's best friend" back by your side.
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Some dogs bond more with a single person that with a whole family (or so they say). Personally, I have always bonded very well with just about any dog. You just have to appeal to the things that they value. For pretty much all dogs thats food, play, and patting (generally in that order). Spend time with the dog, throw the ball for her, give her treats, and pretty soon she should be following you around as well.
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