It’s no secret that many dog owners are glued to their phones nowadays. Whether scrolling through social media, texting friends, or playing mobile games, our phones demand a lot of our attention. This can leave our canine companions feeling ignored and wondering “do dogs get jealous when you’re on your phone?”.
The short answer is – yes, dogs can absolutely get jealous of your phone! Dogs are highly social animals that crave human interaction and affection. When you suddenly start paying more attention to an inanimate object than your furry friend, they definitely take notice.
While jealousy may seem like a very human emotion, research shows dogs display signs of jealousy too. They want your love and attention, and it’s frustrating when your phone takes that away. Understanding dog jealousy over phones, and learning how to balance device time with quality time with your pup, will lead to a happier dog and improved bond between you.
Do Dogs Get Jealous In General?
Before diving into jealousy over phones specifically, it helps to understand how and why dogs get jealous in general.
As pack animals, dogs have an instinct to bond closely with their family and “pack” members. Human contact releases oxytocin in dogs, also known as the “love hormone”, which makes them feel safe, loved, and emotionally attached.
When something threatens that bond by taking away your attention and affection, dogs naturally get jealous and frustrated. They want to maintain their important role in your pack.
Researchers have found evidence of dog jealousy through multiple studies:
– A 2014 study by the University of California San Diego found that dogs showed jealous behaviors when their owners petted and spoke sweetly to a realistic fake dog. They tried to wedge themselves between their owner and the faux dog.
– A 2015 study by the University of Vienna had owners interact with a stuffed dog then read aloud from a children’s book. Dogs displayed much more jealous behaviors when owners were petting the toy rather than just reading.
– A 2018 study from the University of Michigan had owners give affection to a bucket and jacket to see if dogs got jealous of inanimate objects. Dogs again tried to get in between their owners and the objects.
Signs Your Dog Is Jealous
How exactly do jealous dogs behave? Here are some common signs:
– Whining, barking or growling when attention shifts away from them.
– Pawing at their owner or the rival object/animal.
– Getting in between their owner and whatever they’re jealous of.
– Becoming aggressive with the rival.
– Ignoring commands or refusing to respond.
– Acting unusually naughty or destructive.
– Appearing sad, distressed or mopey.
– Having lowered tail, ears, and energy.
So jealousy is clearly an emotion dogs experience. But how does this translate to phones specifically?
Why Dogs Get Jealous of Phones
There are a few key reasons why dogs get jealous when you use your phone:
They crave your attention
Dogs thrive on human interaction and feel happy and secure when they have your attention. When you suddenly become absorbed in your phone, that leaves them feeling ignored and insecure about their place in your “pack”.
They don’t understand technology
While humans find phones entertaining and useful, dogs have no understanding of what these strange glowing objects are. As far as they know, you’re just staring at a brick for ages and ignoring them. Without comprehending why phones take your attention, it leaves them confused and frustrated.
Your body language changes
People tend to relax their posture and limit eye contact when looking at phones. This shift in body language is subtle, but dogs notice it. They can no longer read your communicative signals as easily, which makes bonding through interaction more difficult.
Less rewards from you
When you’re distracted on your device, dogs miss out on some of their favorite rewards that come from you – petting, praise, treats, playing. With those rewards reduced, they often try to act out for your attention.
They are creatures of habit
Dogs love routine and consistency. If you’ve made a habit of giving them a certain amount of time and attention each day, they’ll come to expect that. When phone use suddenly cuts into their usual routine, it can be upsetting.
Those are the main reasons why dogs grow jealous of excessive phone use. It threatens their bond with you and leaves them feeling insecure and uncertain.
Signs Your Dog is Jealous of Your Phone
How can you recognize if your best furry friend is growing green with envy over your phone? Here are some common signs:
Pawing at you or your phone
If your dog starts pawing at your arm, leg or phone while you’re using it, they’re likely trying to knock it out of your hand out of jealousy. They want your focus shifted back to them.
Barking or whining
Dogs communicate through vocal sounds like barking and whining. If your normally calm dog suddenly starts loudly vocalizing when you’re on your phone, it’s probably jealousy and attention-seeking.
Trying to sit on your lap or phone
In an attempt to physically come between you and the phone, jealous dogs may try to sit or lie on top of it. Or they’ll crawl onto your lap so you have to pay attention to them instead.
Nudging or nibbling your hand
Gentle nibbles or nudges with their nose are your dog’s way of saying “Hey, don’t forget about me!” when you’re focused on your device.
Withdrawing or losing interest in playtime
Some dogs will withdraw in sadness or lose interest in playing with you after being ignored in favor of a phone repeatedly. This loss of engagement shows you they’re bothered.
Getting into mischief
If your well-behaved dog suddenly starts getting into the trash or chewing up household items when you’re on your phone, jealousy may be the motivator. They want your eyes off the screen and onto them.
Trying to run off with your phone
In extreme cases of jealousy, dogs may resort to stealing your phone and running away with it or hiding it around the house. This gets your attention away from the device, but can damage the phone so try to discourage it.
If you notice multiple signs of jealousy when you’re absorbed in your device, your dog is definitely trying to tell you something. Don’t ignore those cues!
Should You Be Concerned About Dog Jealousy Over Phones?
Mild or occasional jealousy over phones is completely normal for dogs. But if not addressed, severe or ongoing jealousy can turn into problem behavior. This includes aggression, destruction, running away, or loss of trust in their owner. Here are some signs you should be concerned:
– Jealousy that is ongoing despite training efforts
– Aggressive behaviors like snapping, lunging, or biting due to jealousy
– New or increasing anxiety
-elimination issues like urinating or pooping in the house
– Self-harm behaviors like excessive licking or chewing out of distress
– Destroying objects, furniture or belongings
– Loss of appetite or refusing to eat
– Withdrawing from social interaction for prolonged periods
If your dog shows those signs, it means their jealousy is beyond what they can emotionally cope with. Consulting a professional trainer or veterinary behaviorist can help you address the root causes before the problem gets worse.
How to Make Your Dog Less Jealous of Your Phone
The good news is there are many positive ways to help dogs jealous of phones and improve your relationship:
Set boundaries on phone use
Be disciplined about putting your phone away during designated bonding time with your dog, like play sessions. Keep phones out of bedrooms so it doesn’t interfere with sleep.
Provide interactive toys
Give your dog mentally stimulating toys like treat puzzles when you have to be on your phone. This prevents boredom and redirects them.
Exercise before phone time
Make sure your dog gets adequate exercise before you plan to use your phone for an extended period. Tired dogs are less antsy for attention.
Give attention breaks
Take regular breaks from your phone to interact with your dog so they don’t feel deprived. Even brief pets or praise let them know you still care.
Train a “settle” cue
Teach your dog to calmly settle in a bed or mat on cue, then reward them for settled behavior near you when on your phone.
Acknowledge their presence
Talk calmly to your dog and allow them to sit or lie next to you while you’re on your phone, so they feel included.
Use calming toys/music
Provide stuffed Kongs, chews, or play calming music for anxious dogs to help ease any stress when you can’t actively focus on them.
Seek help for severe jealousy
If your dog’s jealousy remains severe despite your efforts, consult a professional trainer or behaviorist for guidance on addressing the root cause.
The Bottom Line on Dog vs Phone Jealousy
It’s perfectly normal for dogs to get a little jealous when your phone steals your attention away from them. Dogs crave interaction and affection from their beloved owners. When they start competing with a screen for your time, it leaves them frustrated and confused.
Show your dog they’re still your #1 priority and you want to nurture your bond. Set boundaries on phone use, redirect their energy when needed, and make sure to build in quality time playing, training, exercising, and bonding.
With some adjustments to your phone habits and proactive training, you can absolutely have both an awesome dog as well as an awesome device in your life. You and your furry friend can live in smartphone harmony with a little effort. Just remember to look up from your screen regularly and shower them with love. Your loyal companion deserves it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my dog stare at me when I’m on my phone?
Dogs stare at their owners on phones because they crave attention and interaction. The eye contact and stare is their way of trying to communicate “hey, look at me instead!” when they feel jealous.
How do I get my dog to stop barking when I’m on the phone?
First make sure your dog gets adequate physical and mental exercise daily to avoid boredom. Provide interactive toys when you’re on the phone. Also train a “quiet” command using positive reinforcement and give them an alternate behavior like settling on a mat.
Is it bad to play on your phone in front of your dog?
Excessive phone use in front of dogs can damage your bond, especially if they become very jealous. Set boundaries on phone time and make sure to still interact, play, train, and bond with your dog daily. Short phone use is fine as long as you also focus on your dog.
Should I give my dog attention when they demand it while I’m on my phone?
It’s best to ignore demanding attention-seeking behaviors like pawing, whining, or barking as this reinforces the jealousy. Instead, give your dog brief positive attention during natural breaks in phone use, before they resort to demands. This teaches polite behavior.
How can I tell if my dog is jealous of my phone or just bored?
If they only act out when you’re actively paying attention to your phone, jealousy is likely the issue. If they have trouble settling or entertaining themselves even when your phone is away, general boredom and excess energy is likely the cause.
Conclusion
A little jealousy is inevitable when you divide your attention between your beloved dog and your addicting phone screen. But through compassion, training, and balanced phone habits, you can absolutely maintain a healthy relationship with both. Your dog just wants to love you and feel loved in return. Meet their needs for play, exercise, affection, and training even in a technology-filled world, and you’ll have a happy, loyal companion for life.