THEY say a dog is man’s best friend.
But for many pet owners, they feel left on the sidelines if they’re not their pooch’s favourite person.
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Dogs often have a favourite when it comes to their owners Credit: Alamy
There are five telltale signs you’re the ‘spare human’ Credit: Getty
New research, commissioned by fresh dog food brand Butternut Box, has confirmed what millions across the nation have long suspected – ‘Spare Human Syndrome’ is real.
The study found that 56 per cent of dog owners saying they feel second best to their partner in their animal’s affections, despite over 80 per cent of those being the one who feeds them.
The spare human phenomenon is causing real domestic drama too with one in five dog owners in Britain admitting to arguing with their partner about who the family dog truly favours.
Men appear to suffer the most, with over 60 per cent feeling like the spare at least sometimes compared to 56 per cent of women, and they are also the most willing to reach for their wallet.
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Nearly a quarter of male respondents admitted to spending up to £100 trying to buy their dog’s affection, with one in ten parting with up to £200.
Sean Weber, 37, from East London, is a self-confessed spare human who has tried everything.
He said: “No matter what I do, our dog Bo [poodle] will not choose me over my partner.
“I’ve tried feeding him, playing with him more and spending more time with him. And yet, when we come home, Bo runs straight past me every time.”
Following the findings, canine expert and animal behaviour author Caroline Clark says the condition is rooted in clear behavioural science.
She said: “Whether a dog has a favourite human is not imagined. It is learned, reinforced and, in many cases, entirely fixable.
“The problem is that most sufferers are going about recovery the wrong way.”
Caroline suggests owners need to recognise their dog’s behavioural cues to build genuine canine attachment.
Here, she reveals the five symptoms that may mean you are suffering from Spare Human Syndrome:
Spending a fortune on toys to win them over
Caroline says when owners feel their dog doesn’t favour them, the instinct is to reach for toys or novelty to try to shift that dynamic.
She adds: “When one thing doesn’t work, they try the next. It’s understandable, but it’s addressing the symptom rather than the cause, and dogs are very good at noticing the difference.”
Setting your alarm earlier for one-on-one time
Setting an earlier alarm to secure time with the dog before a partner wakes is more common than people admit, according to Caroline.
She says: “The intention is right, building time and association, but without understanding what actually reinforces attachment in dogs, the early start rarely produces the result they’re hoping for.”
You’ve quietly given up your spot on the sofa
Giving up a favourite seat tends to happen so gradually that owners don’t realise it’s occurred until the new arrangement is already established.
But Caroline insists: “The dog has registered it, even if the owner hasn’t.”
Feeling left out
When a dog consistently gravitates towards one person, the other will often feel it more than they expect to.
Caroline says: “That response is entirely normal, and it’s usually the clearest sign that the attachment dynamic needs attention.”
Lack of eye contact
Dogs use sustained eye contact to express trust and connection but, unless they take the lead, Caroline says it can be a threatening gesture.
She adds: “So, if you’re watching your partner receive that and you can’t seem to get it yourself, that’s the dog communicating a preference, however tough that may be to learn.”
