Pitbulls are muscular, loyal, and energetic dogs that make wonderful companions. But some owners wonder – are pitbulls prone to jealousy? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the nature of pitbulls and examine whether they tend to exhibit jealous behaviors.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Pitbulls can be possessive and protective over their owners, which may appear like jealousy. However, true jealousy requires complex emotions that dogs likely don’t experience.
Instead, pitbulls’ clingy behavior is better explained by their strong bond with their owner.
The Origins and History of Pitbulls
Origins as a Working Dog Breed
Pitbulls originated as a working dog breed, valued for their strength, athleticism, and eagerness to please their owners. The ancestors of modern pitbulls were bred in the British Isles in the 1800s for bull baiting, which involved releasing dogs to harass bulls brought to market.
When bull baiting was banned in 1835, these dogs were then used for fighting other dogs in pits. Therefore, the name “pit bull” comes from their use in fighting pits.
When pitbull-type dogs came to the United States in the mid-1800s, farmers and ranchers used them for herding, driving livestock, and as all-purpose farm dogs. They were known for being hardy, courageous, and obedient.
The UKC first registered the American Pit Bull Terrier breed in 1898, with the breed standard emphasizing their reliability, high energy, and strength.
Bred for Loyalty and Bond with Owner
As pitbulls were bred to bait bulls and fight other dogs at their owners’ commands, dogmen bred pitbulls specifically for dog aggression, confidence, and an eagerness to please their owners. Owners also bred pitbulls to be emotionally bonded with people, as it was important for their fighting dogs to obey them absolutely and withstand stressful environments like loud crowds without panic.
Modern pitbulls retain much of the temperament bred into their ancestors. When raised responsibly, loved, trained properly and supervised closely, pitbulls are typically very loyal, devoted, obedient and affectionate dogs that bond deeply with their owners.
However, their genetic predisposition to dog aggression can manifest, so they should be supervised around other dogs.
Do Dogs Experience Complex Emotions Like Jealousy?
Whether dogs experience complex emotions like jealousy has been debated by animal behavior experts. On one hand, dogs clearly have primary emotions like fear, anger and happiness. On the other hand, jealousy likely requires advanced social cognition that may be beyond most dogs.
Dogs Have Primary Emotions
There is widespread agreement among animal behaviorists that dogs experience basic emotions like fear, anger, happiness and sadness. Studies of dog brains and behavior show that dogs have the capacity for primary emotions based on their limbic system, neurotransmitters and behaviors associated with emotions.
For example, when a dog is threatened, biological changes associated with fear occur in their body. Their heart rate increases, stress hormones like cortisol increase, and parts of their limbic system become active.
When their owner returns after a long absence, dogs show behavior associated with happiness, like increased tail wagging and energy.
Jealousy Requires Complex Emotions and Social Cognition
However, more complex emotions like jealousy may be beyond most dogs’ emotional capabilities. Jealousy requires complex social cognition and theory of mind – the ability to attribute mental states like beliefs, intents, desires and emotions to oneself and others.
Dr. Marc Bekoff, a leading animal behavior expert, argues most dogs likely do not have a sense of self or theory of mind to experience jealous feelings. For example, dogs do not recognize themselves in mirrors, suggesting they may not have a robust sense of self.
Dogs also have limited ability to attribute complex emotions to others.
Resource Guarding vs. Jealousy in Dogs
While most experts agree dogs do not experience jealousy, some argue dogs exhibit signs of jealousy through resource guarding behaviors. For example, a dog may react aggressively when their owner shows affection to another dog. However, this is likely resource guarding their owner, not jealousy.
True jealousy requires the dog to understand its owner has a separate relationship with another dog. Resource guarding is simply a desire to monopolize access to resources like food, toys and affection from their owner.
Rather than getting “jealous,” the dog just wants to keep getting your attention and affection.
Common Pitbull Behaviors That Appear Jealous
Demanding Attention and Affection
Pitbulls are very affectionate dogs that crave attention from their owners. When they feel they are not getting enough affection, they will often behave in ways that seem “jealous” as they try to demand more attention.
For example, a pitbull may constantly nudge their owner asking for pets, rest their head on their owner’s lap while glaring at others in the room, or even gently nibble on their owner’s hand or clothing to get them to engage in play.
According to the American Kennel Club, pitbulls just want to feel connected to their “pack leader”. So when their owner is paying attention to someone or something else, they can get anxious and try desperately to regain their owner’s affection.
Following Their Owner
Many pitbull owners remark at how their dogs wants to follow them everywhere around the house. According to dog behaviorists, this clingy behavior ties back to the pitbull’s loyalty and desire for affection from their leader.
As pack animals, pitbulls have an instinct to stick close to their pack for safety and bonding. So they will often go from room to room shadowing their owner’s every move.
An owner giving affection to others can trigger anxiousness in some pitbulls. They may react by getting underfoot, whining, or even gently mouthing their owner’s hand to shepherd them away from the perceived “threat” to their bond.
Pushing Other Dogs or People Away
Despite their friendly nature, some pitbulls display aggressive tendencies toward dogs or people that get too close to their owner. This behavior ties back to their perception of pack bonding.
In a recent survey by Pawleaks, over 60% of pitbull owners said their dogs had pushed, snarled at or nibbled at other pets or people that approached them while getting affection from their owner.
This behavior likely stems from anxiety about losing their owner’s attention or affection. While often harmless, owners should discourage such behavior through proper training and rewarding good behavior.
With their strong desire for affection and bonding, some pitbull behaviors may seem “jealous” when their needs aren’t being met. But in most cases, they simply long for connection and closeness with their beloved owner.
Tips for Managing Clingy or Possessive Pitbulls
Provide Plenty of Exercise and Stimulation
Pitbulls are energetic dogs that need at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. Taking your pitbull on long walks, hikes, or jogs can help curb clingy behavior by tiring them out mentally and physically. Try interactive games like fetch or agility training too.
A tired dog is less likely to be possessive over their owner. Just make sure not to overexercise young pitbull puppies while their joints are still developing.
Train Resource Guarding Out of Them
Use reward-based training to teach your pitbull to willingly give up toys, food bowls, beds, and other items on cue. Practice exchanging their high-value items for tasty treats. This helps create positive associations and reduces resource guarding tendencies.
Never physically force items away, as that can provoke aggression. Stay patient and consistent in training.
Give Them Their Own Toys/Beds
Provide your clingy pitbull with beds, chew toys, stuffed animals etc. that are just for them. Having their own special items can help appease them so they’re less likely to guard yours. Rotate the toys to keep things interesting too. Place their bed in an area where they can relax alone sometimes.
Socialize Them Properly
Socialization is key for pitbulls. Introduce them to a wide variety of people, dogs, places, sights and sounds starting as a puppy. Reward them for calm, friendly behavior on outings. Proper socialization makes them more secure and less possessive.
Attend organized puppy classes or set up “play dates” with vaccinated, friendly dogs. But go slowly if your pitbull seems timid or overwhelmed.
Conclusion
In summary, pitbulls are devoted, people-oriented dogs that form close bonds with their owners. Their tendency to stick close, demand attention, and be wary of strangers is a reflection of their loyalty – not jealousy. With proper training and care, pitbulls can be managed to reduce possessiveness.
Understand your pitbull is not being jealous, but simply expressing instinct to protect their loved one – you!
